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The Star
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
A beary emotional goodbye
KUALA LUMPUR: Emotions ran high as some 40 panda enthusiasts gathered at Zoo Negara in the early hours to bid farewell to giant panda pair, Fu Wa and Feng Yi. By 5am, 'loyal fans', some of whom travelled from other states, were already waiting patiently at the zoo's gates, hoping for one last glimpse of the pandas before they left for China via the KL International Airport yesterday. At 7.15am, the convoy carrying the pandas rolled out of Zoo Negara. As the vehicles passed, tearful fans waved, snapped photos and livestreamed the moment, with some calling out 'Goodbye Fu Wa and Feng Yi' through choked voices. The two pandas arrived in Malaysia on May 21, 2014, under China's panda loan programme – a symbol of goodwill marking 40 years of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. Once settled at Zoo Negara, they were renamed – Fu Wa became Xing Xing (prosperity) and Feng Yi became Liang Liang (pretty). Zoo Negara deputy president Datuk Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said panda caretaker Mohd Saiffullah Md Yusuf accompanied the pandas to China and would remain there for several days to help them settle in. 'I truly appreciate the fans coming. Even though this wasn't an official farewell, their presence was huge,' he told reporters after the pandas were sent off to KLIA. Among the early risers was 56-year-old Chin Lee Peng, who arrived at 5am with seven friends. Not content with just seeing them off at the zoo, she also wanted to head to the airport to wave a final goodbye. 'Since I heard the pandas would be leaving, I've been visiting the zoo every weekend. 'I'm sad but I take comfort knowing that they are returning to their homeland. 'I wish them a healthy and happy life,' she added. Chin said she plans to visit the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Wolong next week to catch a glimpse of Yi Yi – the second panda born in Malaysia which was sent back to China and made her public debut this month. For 27-year-old Lily Atikah, who arrived at 5.30am, the morning was filled with bittersweet feelings. 'I'm sad to see them go, but I fully support Malaysia welcoming another panda pair. 'This collaboration with China on conservation is important. 'Not everyone can afford to travel to China, but when they're here, we get to visit them often. 'I'm really looking forward to meeting the new pandas,' she added. Mazni Zainudin, 39, said she was already heartbroken last year when cubs Sheng Yi and Yi Yi left. 'Now it's their parents' turn to go ... It's so emotional. 'If I ever get the chance to visit them in China, I'll be overjoyed. 'I've been following updates on Chinese social media, and I was so happy to learn Yi Yi has finally been exhibited to the public,' she said. Mazni first fell in love with pandas, thanks to the animated film Kung Fu Panda. 'Then Malaysia actually received real pandas – what a dream come true! It's more than just animals – it's a symbol of our enduring friendship with China,' she added. Goh Leang Leang, 54, has been following the pandas closely since 2022. She arrived alone at 5.30am after driving from home without informing anyone. Goh, who will travel to Chengdu and Chongqing next March, said the entire nine-day trip would be dedicated to visiting pandas. 'This will be my second panda tour,' she said, adding that she especially wanted to visit Nuan Nuan, the first panda born in Malaysia, which now lives in Nanjing. Shaira Ali, 41, shared a heartfelt tribute, saying that pandas had brought colour and comfort into her life. 'They filled the empty spaces in my heart with happiness, sketched smiles across my face when I needed them most, and were like silent therapists during my darkest days,' she said. She added that she would continue following Zoo Negara's updates, holding onto hope for the arrival of a new panda pair. During their time in Malaysia, Fu Wa and Feng Yi started a family, producing three cubs – Nuan Nuan, born on Aug 18, 2015; Yi Yi on Jan 14, 2018; and Sheng Yi, on May 31, 2021. Later, the momentous send-off held at the Animal Hotel of KLIA was attended by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Too Kim and representatives from the Chinese Embassy. The pandas departed at 11.28am, headed to Chengdu, via a cargo aircraft. In a statement, the ministry said Malaysia would continue its collaboration with China under a new agreement signed on April 16 during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia. Under the agreement, Malaysia will receive a new pair of giant pandas for a 10-year period from 2025 to 2035.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Goodbye Xing Xing and Liang Liang! Panda fans gather at Zoo Negara for emotional farewell
KUALA LUMPUR: Around 40 panda lovers gathered at Zoo Negara in the early hours of Sunday (May 18) morning to bid a heartfelt farewell to Fu Wa (Xing Xing) and Feng Yi (Liang Liang), who are returning to China after spending 11 years in Malaysia. Despite the lack of an official farewell ceremony, devoted fans – some travelling from as far as Seremban, as well as from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor – arrived as early as 5am. With heavy hearts, they waited quietly for the pandas' departure to KLIA, where the pair would begin their journey back to their homeland. At about 7.15am, the vehicles carrying Fu Wa and Feng Yi rolled out of Zoo Negara. Emotions ran high as fans waved, live streamed the moment, and captured photos and videos. Many were heard calling out, 'Goodbye Fu Wa and Feng Yi!' Their journey began as part of China's panda loan programme, a goodwill gesture to countries with strong diplomatic ties. The pair arrived at Zoo Negara to mark 40 years of Malaysia-China relations. Once settled in, they received new names: Fu Wa became Xing Xing, meaning 'prosperity', while Feng Yi was renamed Liang Liang, meaning 'pretty'. Zoo Negara Deputy President Datuk Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said panda caretaker Mohd Saiffullah Md Yusuf would accompany the pandas to China and stay for a few days to help them settle in. 'The pandas are in good health. We've always supported the panda conservation programme. I truly appreciate the fans who came. Even though it's not an official farewell, their presence shows how much they care," he said. One of the fans, Chin Lee Peng, 56, arrived at Zoo Negara at 5am with seven friends. After seeing the pandas off, she planned to head to a location near the airport to catch a glimpse of their plane taking off. Ever since she heard the pandas would be leaving and undergoing a one-month quarantine, she had been visiting the zoo every weekend to say her final goodbyes. 'My emotions have calmed down a bit now, but of course I still feel sad. 'China is their home and where they belong, so I just hope they live out the rest of their lives in good health and happiness,' she added. Chin also shared her hopes that another panda pair would be sent to Malaysia in the future. In the meantime, she has already made plans to visit the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Wolong next week, to see Sheng Yi – Malaysia's third panda cub – who turns four on May 31. Another panda enthusiast, Lily Atikah, 27, said she arrived at the zoo at 5.30am. Like many others, her heart was filled with sorrow over the pandas' departure. 'I really hope Malaysia will receive another panda pair,' she said. 'This programme is a beautiful example of conservation cooperation between Malaysia and China. "Of course, going to China to see them would depend on my finances, but if we have pandas here in Zoo Negara, we can visit anytime. I'm definitely looking forward to welcoming new ones,' she added. During their time in Malaysia, Fu Wa and Feng Yi started a family, producing three cubs: Nuan Nuan, born on Aug 18, 2015; Yi Yi, on Jan 14, 2018; and Sheng Yi, on May 31, 2021. Interestingly, May 31 is also the anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations. The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) announced that the new agreement was signed on April 16 during the Chinese President's state visit to Malaysia. The collaboration allows Malaysia to host another pair of giant pandas from 2025 to 2035, continuing the longstanding International Cooperation Project on Giant Panda Conservation with China. However, Malaysia is preparing to receive a new pair of giant pandas in August 2025, following the departure of the current pair, Fu Wa and Feng Yi. This is part of a new 10-year agreement between Malaysia and China for the International Cooperation Project on Giant Panda Conservation.
