Pulau Tioman, 13 July 2024 – Pahang has successfully recorded an achievement in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) by submerging two Light Rail Transit (LRT) train coaches as the first artificial reef in the waters off Pulau Tioman.

In conjunction with this historic event, a launching ceremony for the program, also known as “Malaysia Book of Records: The First LRT Coach Reef in Malaysia,” was officiated by His Royal Highness the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, at Berjaya Tioman Resort this morning.

Also in attendance were Her Royal Highness the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Binti Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

The new reef site has been named the Al-Sultan Abdullah Dive Site. General Manager of Yayasan Al-Sultan Abdullah (YASA), Tuan Haji Mohd Fakhrul Islam Juhali, stated that the two LRT coaches were submerged at a depth of 18 meters in Monkey Bay, Tioman, on 9 and 10 July 2024. The coaches had been thoroughly cleaned to ensure no harmful chemicals remained, making it a safe habitat for marine life.

The program involved 60 divers led by His Highness Tengku Panglima Raja Brigadier General Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

“Taking part in this project is a great honor for me. We have paved the way for future marine conservation efforts and set a benchmark in eco-tourism,” said Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah, chief diver for the project.

Pulau Tioman is the largest among a group of nine islands that make up the Tioman Island Marine Park. It was chosen for its rich marine environment and to help reduce pressure on surrounding coral reefs.

The Al-Sultan Abdullah Dive Site aims to enhance marine biodiversity by providing a breeding ground for fish and other marine life. It is also hoped that this dive site will boost the local economy by attracting more tourists to Pulau Tioman.

The program was organized by Yayasan Al-Sultan Abdullah in collaboration with Gaya Travel Media and fully supported by the Tioman Development Authority, Malaysia Book of Records, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, Department of Fisheries Malaysia, Tourism Pahang, Berjaya Tioman Resort, Salam Alliance Sdn. Bhd, and Aqualight Motion.

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