Animal lovers’ big day: (Top, from left) Juni, Muhammad Ikmal, and Rosly sitting amongst the crowd for an animal show at Zoo Negara. (Bottom) Juni standing with a parrot on her hand while participating in the show. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: A newlywed couple, who chose to have their wedding photos taken at Zoo Negara, had an unforgettable experience as they were greeted with a day filled with fun.
“It was very unexpected. We went to the Zoo Negara on Saturday at about 4pm because my husband wanted us to have our wedding photos taken with the animals there.
“When we got there, someone approached us and said that Zoo Negara’s deputy president wanted to meet us,” Juni S. Susantie Herman, 43, said when contacted.
Juni, an entrepreneur, got married to graphic designer Muhammad Ikmal Hakim Norman, 25.
“We were quite nervous, thinking we might have done something wrong,” she added.
However, Datuk Rosly Lana, the deputy president, said he was simply glad to see that a newlywed couple had chosen the zoo to celebrate their big day and this, according to him, sparked a new idea to turn it into a regular affair.
Juni said she was surprised when Rosly said he wanted the couple to come back again the next day in their wedding attire and that they would be granted free admission into the zoo.
“When we entered the zoo on Sunday, we felt like a king and queen. We were greeted in the best way and treated like VIPs.
“There was even a group of boys playing the kompang to celebrate us.
“Everyone wanted to take photos with us, we felt like celebrities.
“On top of that, Zoo Negara prepared lunch for us, allowed us access to take photos closer to the animals and we got VIP seats during the animal show,” Juni said.
Rosly said he would like to see more newlywed couples going to the zoo on their happy day, adding that it would create awareness of caring for animals, aside from allowing foreign tourists to learn more about Malaysia’s multicultural society.
According to him, a new programme kicked off officially on Dec 25 and all newlyweds who are Malaysians are encouraged to visit Zoo Negara within eight days after they are married.
For the couples themselves, they will get free entrance while their entourage will get 20% discounts, he said, adding that the couple must be dressed in their wedding attire.
Couples will need to produce a copy of their official wedding document and card at the zoo’s Information Counter B, he added.
For newlywed couples interested in celebrating their big day at the zoo, more information on the programme can be found on Zoo Negara’s Facebook page or by calling +60 11 5656 8865.
