Mimaland in Malaysia
Malaysia has her share of thrilling theme parks that magnet locals and tourists alike, including must-visit ones such as Genting SkyWorld and Sunway Lagoon. But take a step back further in time, and Mimaland in Selangor will come straight to mind instead.
As Malaysia’s first theme park, opening back in July 1975, Mimaland once thrived as a go-to entertainment and leisure spot in Klang Valley. However, it abruptly closed in 1994 due to a series of unfortunate events, and has been left abandoned ever since.
A dinosaur park and accommodations
Image credit: Mimaland via Facebook
Mimaland, shortened from Malaysia In Miniature Land, was more than just a theme park. Spread over 300 acres of hilly terrain in Gombak, just 20km from KL, the park was designed to be a self-contained world. Think Malaysia’s very own nature-inspired Disneyland. It featured a massive man-made lake hosting boating and fishing activities and a variety of attractions that catered to all ages.
It was Malaysia’s first theme park and also its largest ever. Even with this title under its belt, some might recall tickets being as cheap as RM2 for adults and RM1 for kids at the time.
Image credit: @ayupilus via Instagram
A prehistoric animal park complete with life-sized dinosaur replicas was one of its most iconic features, which impresses as it predates the famous movie franchise Jurassic Park. There was also a freshwater pool that had Malaysia’s largest water slide at the time.
Image credit: Mimaland via Facebook
Visitors travelling from faraway locales could spend a night at Mimaland too, as it boasted facilities such as 24 motel rooms, 10 stilted chalets on the lake, and 4 dorms with 100 beds. The park’s restaurants offered a variety of cuisine options, which meant that guests could easily spend several days at the park.
Image credit: Mimaland via Facebook
In 1986, Mimaland had plans to expand the park with a golf course and a hotel, as well as a direct road link from Karak Highway, which would cost RM450 million.
A series of tragic events
When it was still around, Mimaland was the weekend destination for families and friends in Malaysia and also neighbouring countries. The theme park’s popularity, however, would be short-lived. A series of tragic events in the early 1990s marked the beginning of the end for Mimaland.
In 1982, two young boys, including one who was just 13 years old, allegedly drowned within two months of one another. After investigations, Mimaland was found to be operating with a Certificate of Fitness for its pools and buildings. The park had also been built without approval from state authorities, and only later applied for land conversion which amounted to RM2 million.
Image credit: Mimaland via Facebook
In January 1993, a 27-year-old Singaporean tourist, who was reported to be at the theme park during the Chinese New Year holidays, was left paralysed when another rider collided with him on a water slide. He would pass away from injuries suffered in the incident several days later. The tragedy caused widespread concern among the public, leading to the park’s temporary closure for safety improvements.
Even though it was able to reopen, the park faced yet another setback in 1994. A 1.5m wall separating the pool and stream collapsed, which saw muddy water and thick sediment seeping into the pool enclosure and rendering it unusable. Over 200 park-goers were nearly swept away by the currents during the incident, but thankfully, no one was injured.
Image credit: @michaellim_129 via Instagram
These incidents, coupled with concerns over safety and management, led to the permanent closure of Mimaland in May 1994. The park’s owners attempted to address the issues, but ultimately, the park never reopened. Plans to redevelop the site were discussed, including a joint venture between MPHB Capital Bhd and Bandar Raya Developments Bhd that would revive the land as a waterfront residential area, but these efforts were terminated by 2015.
Image credit: @michaellim_129 via Instagram
A decayed theme park
Today, Mimaland stands as a haunting reminder of its former glory. The once-vibrant theme park is now an apocalyptic-looking ghost town, overgrown with lush forest and marked by crumbling structures and decaying facilities.
Image credit: @jessiejessieyit via Instagram
Despite being off-limits to the public due to safety concerns, Mimaland continues to attract thrill-seekers and urban explorers who are drawn to its eerie and surreal landscape, with the presence of dinosaur statues and its entrance gate still standing within the forest.
Image credit: @milayaloo via Instagram
The park’s abandoned state and relics have also spawned numerous tales of paranormal activity, with some claiming to have seen mystical Orang Bunian beings and ghostly apparitions. According to a security guard who once patrolled the abandoned area, a man allegedly fell ill and died after his boat overturned on the lake.
While these stories add to the park’s mysterious air, they also underscore the neglect and vandalism that have plagued the site since its closure.
Image credit: @kayrul4zman via Instagram
Malaysia’s first theme park, Mimaland
Many Malaysians have fond memories of visiting Mimaland with families and friends. Though it’s now long gone, the park’s legacy lives on through photos and shared tales about Malaysia’s first theme park.
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Cover image adapted from: Mimaland via Facebook, @jessiejessieyit via Instagram, @milayaloo via Instagram