KUALA TERENGGANU, Nov 7– The process of gazetting Pulau Bidong in Kuala Nerus as Terengganu’s fourth state park is expected to be completed by December.

Three earlier locations gazzetted as state parks are Tanah Bencah Setiu, Tasik Kenyir and Pulau Tenggol.

According to the State Parks Management Council (MPTN) director Tengku Mohd Arifin Tengku A. Rahman, the council is currently working to attain all necessary requirements involving various government agencies and departments.

He said, although the gazetting process has not been completed,they have already taken preliminary steps, such as conducting several beach and seabed cleaning programmes.

"We are also training four rangers who will be deployed as soon as Pulau Bidong is officially gazetted as a state park. Every state park requires rangers to maintain its safety and aesthetic values," Tengku Mohd Arifin told reporters here.

He said that the gazetting of Pulau Bidong covers an area of 231.3 hectares of land and a maritime area extending one nautical mile from the low tide mark.

He added, briefings will be held with stakeholders, including fishermen and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), which owns part of the island's area.

"Even after the gazetting, we must also consider aspects of ecotourism. We will identify which areas can be opened or closed for tourists. Not all areas will be open or closed.

"So, we need to discuss and hold engagement sessions with parties such as the Terengganu State Museum Board, the Fisheries Department of Malaysia, fishermen, and UMT to determine when the areas should be open or closed," he said.

Visits are currently limited to daily trips, however, overnight stays must obtain permission from the Terengganu State Museum Board.

Pulau Bidong, opened to tourists in Jan 2017, at one time provided shelter to Vietnamese ‘boat people’.