The cable car system development project in Bukit Larut, Taiping is a project of Perak state government and not the Tourism Ministry.

Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen told Dewan Rakyat today the cable car project had been approved and privatised to Taiping Cable Car Company Sdn. Bhd.

Despite this, the federal government is committed to aiding the Perak government to promote heritage tourism in Taiping.

"Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the ministry distributed RM10.3mil for upgrading of resthouses and teahouses in Bukit Larut and zoo facilities and infrastructure at Taman Tasik Taiping," she told Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Taiping) who asked about the development status of Bukit Larut cable car project.

The ministry had also listed Taman Tasik Taiping as one of of 22 'parks and garden trails' of Malaysia.

Ng said the Perak government's initiative to create a special area plan would be used as guideline to develop Taiping into a heritage town.

She told Yusoff Mahal (BN-Labuan) that the ministry had introduced two new events - Labuan Travel Sports Carnival and Labuan Arts Festival to increase tourism products in Labuan.

"The events with sports and recreational concept have attracted local and foreign participants including from Brunei and Australia.

"About 10,000 people visited the sports carnival held on June 25-26," she added.

Labuan Arts Festival to be held on Nov 25-27 will feature various art elements, especially contemporary art, and is expected to attract some 30,000 visitors.

- Bernama