Title: Mimaland Gombak – The First Theme Park in Malaysia (1971-1994)
If you grew up in KL or Selangor in the 80s, you definitely heard this line: "Weekend ni pergi Mimaland!"
Before Sunway Lagoon, before Genting Theme Park, there was MIMALAND. Hidden in the green hills of Ulu Gombak, just 25km from KL city, this was Malaysia's very first theme park.
Today only its rusty gates and dinosaur statues remain, but for an entire generation, this was THE happiest place in Malaysia.
What is the meaning of "MIMALAND"?
Ramai ingat nama tu nama mat salleh, but actually Mimaland is an acronym for Miniature Malaysia Land or Malaysia in Miniature Land.
The park was owned by Mimaland Berhad, a member of the Magnum Group of Companies (now Magnum Corporation) and was built on a massive 300-acre hilly terrain in Ulu Gombak, with direct access from the old Gombak-Bentong road.
Early History – From Motel to Giant Theme Park
Mimaland wasn't built in one day. Construction was done in phases.
Phase 1 was actually completed as early as 1970, with 24 motels, 5 chalets and a swimming pool. It officially started operating as a theme park in 1975, although some sources trace the idea back to 1971.
What made it legendary at that time?
1. Tasik Mimaland – A huge lake for boating and fishing
2. Prehistoric Animal Park - Life-size dinosaur models that made us feel like we were in Jurassic Park before Jurassic Park existed. This was the most Instagrammable spot, if we had Instagram back then.
3. Giant Maze – The maze that everyone got lost in.
4. The Giant Slide – The star attraction. At that time, it was said to be the longest water slide in Southeast Asia. This is the yellow and white slide you can see in the old photos, like the one above.
5. Cross-forest area and chalets – People actually stayed overnight there for company trips and family holidays.
For kids in the 80s, Mimaland was pure magic.
The Tragedy That Changed Everything
The downfall of Mimaland started with one tragic accident in 1993.
In 1982: Two young boys, including a 13-year-old, allegedly drowned within two months of each other. Investigations found Mimaland operating without a proper Certificate of Fitness and without state approval.
On 25 January 1993, during the Chinese New Year holidays, a 27-year-old technician from Singapore was on the giant slide when he was slammed by another rider. He suffered severe spinal cord injuries, was left paralysed, and later died.
The incident shocked the whole country. The Gombak District Council ordered new safety measures on 5 February 1993, and the park was temporarily closed.
After improvements, Mimaland reopened. But luck was no longer on its side.
In May 1994, a minor landslide damaged the walls of the same pool, causing muddy water to seep into the pool and forcing the area to close to the public.
After that, several parties, including government agencies, took the management to court over safety and security control issues. The court barred Mimaland from continuing operations. Mimaland was closed permanently in May 1994.
MIMALAND TODAY: The Abandoned Legend
30 years later, Mimaland is still there. At 84a, Jalan Gombak, Kampung Batu Sebelas, Gombak. The entrance gate and remains of Mimaland still exist today.
It has become one of Malaysia's most famous abandoned places. Urban explorers, paranormal enthusiasts, and nostalgic millennials still try to sneak in to see the decaying dinosaurs, the empty pool, and the broken slide covered in moss. It has spawned ghost stories including Orang Bunian sightings.
The government has repeatedly warned that the area is unsafe, with risks of landslides and wild animals. Entry is prohibited.
But for those of us from Ulu Klang, Gombak, and KL—Mimaland will never really die. It lives in our faded Kodak photos, in our parents' stories, and in that blurry memory of screaming down that giant slide for the first time.
Did you ever go to Mimaland? Share your memories in the comments below!
Sources & Further Reading:
Wikipedia - Mimaland History
The Smart Local - Malaysia's First Theme Park
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
21 September 2026: 2:57 p.m.
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