PARLIAMENT A PAS lawmaker appeared peeved that the giant pandas kept in Zoo Negara are being treated better than most Malaysians.

"Maintaining the conservation centre for the pandas is not cheap. The pandas are treated well in this blessed land," Ahmad Baihaki Atiqullah (PAS-Kubang Kerian) told the Dewan Rakyat.

He made the remarks after Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Hamin Samuri revealed to the House the cost incurred by the government and the national zoo in upkeeping the pandas.

"The operational and maintenance cost was RM2.25 millions annually, which was borne by Zoo Negara," said Hamin.

"The government has been paying RM6.94 million in conservation fees to China since 2014 as stipulated in the agreement between two countries," he said.

The pair will stay in Malaysia for 10 years according to the Malaysia-China International Conservation Agreement.

Malaysia will pay US$600,000 (about RM2.52 million) in conservation fees to China for the panda cub, he said, adding that the cost would be borne by Zoo Negara too.

Conservation culture

Ahmad Baihaki, who seemed doubtful, asked, "Was the money spent on the pandas worth our objective of attracting more visitors to Zoo Negara and Malaysia?"

Zoo Negara has recorded an increase of 20 percent in visitor arrivals, said Hamin.

The benefit could be seen from the diplomatic aspect in that a total of RM200 billion in trade was recorded between Malaysia and China, he said.

The panda adoption programme was the result of the good relationship between both countries, he said, adding that Malaysia also conducted researches on pandas.

"We are able to promote a conservation culture, which we should be proud of," said Hamin, who is also Ledang parliamentarian.

"We should be proud that we are able to participate in the conservation of the pandas, which is close to extinction,” he said.

The two giant pandas, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, arrived in Malaysia on May 24, 2014 as a symbol of the 40 years of diplomatic ties between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.

The pair was previously called Fu Wa and Feng Yi.

Liang Liang gave birth to a female cub on Aug 18.