The guests were excited to meet His Royal Highness.

TANJUNG MALIM, 3 October 2023 – HRH Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah graced the Opening of the National Land and Survey Institute (INSTUN) Complex and Tan Sri Harussani Observatory this morning.

His Royal Highness’ arrival was welcomed by Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad.

Also present were Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Maharaja Jeneral Dato' Seri DiRaja Tan Sri (Dr.) Mohd. Zahidi Zainuddin; Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Deputy Minister Dato' Sri Huang Tiong Sii; State Secretary Dato' Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim; Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Secretary-General Dato' Rosli Isa; State Legal Adviser Dato' Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin; State Financial Officer Mohd Zaki Mahyudin; INSTUN Director Khairin Nazry Karim and State Exco Members.

Dato' Sri Huang Tiong Sii in his speech said INSTUN was established on 1 May 1998 to provide courses in the fields of land, survey and mapping and related information technology.

"It started operating at Wisma Tanah, Jalan Semarak in Kuala Lumpur before moving to its present campus, costing RM117.2 million, in Behrang Ulu in 2002. Now, INSTUN is an agency under the aegis of NRECC.

"Today is a historic day for all of us, witnessing the opening of the Tan Sri Harussani Observatory which was built at a cost of RM7.086 million. As the first modern observatory in Perak, the Tan Sri Harussani Observatory will be an astronomical knowledge sharing platform for all levels of society. INSTUN is also lucky to be the only Public Training Institute (ILA) with a world-class observatory," he said. 

Meanwhile, INSTUN Survey and Mapping Division (Physical Geodesy Unit) Assistant Programme Head Zakaria Abdullah said the observatory will be completed on 5 July 2023. 

"This observatory is a centre for the education and study of astronomy and astronomical activities as an effort to disseminate knowledge and skills in the related field. We can carry out astronomy and astronomy activities more effectively and systematically, such as calculating prayer times and seeing the new moon, determining the Qibla direction, and observing objects in the sky, such as stars, planets, constellations, comets or meteors. 

"Also, this location was chosen as it is the highest area in INSTUN, hilly and surrounded by forest and less light pollution due to human activities," he said. 

Before departing, Sultan Nazrin spent some time going around the observatory complex which is equipped with a gallery centre, observation dome, observation room and main telescope.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.