Because of the numerous efforts that have been made, Ipoh City Council (MBI) is confident to achieve its goal of making the city one of the most desirable destinations in Malaysia by 2025.

MBI concentrated on 3H, namely the hipster and the health and heritage aspects to achieve this aim, according to the Ipoh mayor, Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.

He said one of the efforts was to upgrade the area along the river Kinta with the "Food and Lifestyle" concept on the banks of the river, which began last September and should be completed by February.

"The upgrading works under an allocation from the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) have reached 70 per cent completion involving various facilities such as the bridge, walkways and street lights.

"We are also in the midst of discussing the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for security and surveillance purposes, and also on providing WiFi facility and a food court,” he told reporters after the pre-launch of the Petting Zoo at Gunung Lang.

On the Zoo Petting he said: "It's a new experience here, more so because it's in the Gunung Lang that belongs to the Geopark Kinta."

The zoo, built on a 1.8-hectare site at a cost of RM1 million, has 25 animal species. It operates on a regular basis for adults and children aged between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. with RM6 entry fees.

"This zoo provides opportunities to the locals and domestic tourists, to get close to or play with the animals like raccoons, rabbits, porcupines, birds, snakes and other species," he added.