State targets 5 million visitors next year

SARAWAK is targeting five million visitor arrivals and RM10.68 billion in tourism receipt next year.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state received 3,785,175 (3.79 million) visitors from January to October this year, an increase of 1.02 per cent from 3,746,933 (3.75 million) in the same period last year.
“It has generated an estimated tourism receipt of RM7.5 billion,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday.

Visitors call for better facilities at Tusan beach

 

MIRI: Visitors to Tusan beach have called on the authorities concerned to provide better facilities as the area is becoming increasingly popular.
May Ng, 27, a tourist from Kuala Lumpur said she heard a lot about Tusan beach and the Blue Tears phenomenon from her friends.

‘Upgrading of Miri-Marudi road has started’

Dr Penguang (centre) speaking during the press conference while Jinep (left) and Rolland look on. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: Improvement works on Miri-Marudi road has commenced and will be completed by May 2019, disclosed Assistant Minister for Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil.
According to him, the 44km road project, which is undertaken by CMS Roads Sdn Bhd, will be tar-sealed, widened and will have proper drainage particularly in low-lying areas.
“It will be a fully tar-sealed road but it won’t be of R1 standard. It is R1 modified standard with some modification due to the budget allocation.

New app promotes Sabah, Sarawak food

Ling showing the WeEat app now available on Playstore and AppStore. 

KOTA KINABALU: Foodies rejoice as there is a new mobile app in town that serves to cater to your eating-out needs.
There may already be more than a handful of similar apps, but this newly-launched app is developed by East Malaysians to encompass eateries specifically in Sabah and Sarawak.
Developed by Dexus AP Marketing, WeEat is an app that helps users — or in this case, food hunters, to locate restaurants, coffee shops, cafes and the likes, across East Malaysia.
“The difference between our app and other food hunt is that it provides information to users on where to find the food they are looking for, with exact location accuracy,” said its managing director, SL Ling.
The app is linked to other popular user apps such as giant location finder Google Maps, and app-based ride-hailing services, Uber and Grab.

衛長：醫療旅遊料吸金10億 KPJ美里專科醫院動土

（本报美里26日讯）“我国医疗旅游比起其他国家更吸引游客的原因，包括医疗收费不但低廉，而且拥有非常优质的医疗服务，所以卫生部会更加努力去推广医疗旅游。”
卫生部长拿督斯里苏巴马念是于今午在KPJ美里专科医院动土礼上致辞时如此表示，全球经济衰退并不会影响我国医疗旅游的发展，反而出现继续增长的情况。这证明我国具有高水准的医疗服务，并且获得外国人的认同。

Explore tourism potential of your villages, Bekenu folk advised

Rosey (right), with Sarkawi on her right, presents a medal to the champion of the boat race.

MIRI: The people from villages in and around Bekenu should harness the abundant culture, adventure and nature (CAN) prospects from their surroundings to be turned into good tourism products.
Assistant Minister for Solidarity Rosey Yunus said the Bekenu folk were blessed with a rich culture and also offerings from Mother Nature.

日光集團工作隊 提前7天抵馬魯帝

（本报美里25日讯）日光集团（CMS）设备、机械和工作人员提前7天抵马鲁帝道路做准备，道路设计工作进行中。
日光集团常务董事理查格帝斯今早在美里马鲁帝路向记者发布文告表示，该集团希望能尽快的让这道路通行，以方便当地人民。
他指出，他和团队于本月9日与马鲁帝州议员兼砂地方政府助理部长朋光曼吉见面，洽谈重建美里通往马鲁帝道路事宜，同时也和公共工程局官员合作，并在48小时内展开会议。
日光集团定于本月18日必须在现场完成道路的最后设计，惟工作人员提前7天，即本月11日就抵达马鲁帝路展开工作。
他续称，美里通往马鲁帝路对当地居民非常重要，因为使用量极高，一旦完工就能节省不少时间。

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逢雨積水無法通車
渡輪碼頭路段建暗溝
(本报美里25日讯)靠河路段低，雨季出现积水，马鲁帝靠渡轮码头路段建设21个暗沟和排水系统。
日光集团高级职员、公共工程局高官，以及马鲁帝州议员今早在巡视美里马鲁帝道路的同时，也到靠近渡轮路段巡视。
他们在场告诉记者，因为该路段靠近渡轮码头，加上该区一带都是油棕园，一旦下雨路面就出现积水，使当地居民无法通车。因为该道路低的关系，所以在雨季水流不及的情况下而造成淹水，因此该局在该道路填高1.5米高，不被水位淹没。
负责该路段的工程师已经测量好蓝图，日光集团将会运输沙石来进行填路和建暗沟工程。

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料2019年5月完成
美里馬魯帝路動工
(本报美里25日讯)美里马鲁帝路已进行建路工程，预料2019年5月完工。
这是砂拉越州政府项目，工程开始于今年5月14日至2019年5月13日完成，由公共工程局负责，日光集团承包。

納羅登：持BESS認證 食品卡車須符JPJ標準

（本报古晋22日讯）砂工业与企业发展、贸易及投资（企业发展）助理部长拿督纳罗登表示，食品卡车商务必须符合陆路交通局（JPJ）所设定的标准要求。
他指出，现代化食品卡车必须符合陆路交通局的要求外，在卫生方面，所有业者也必须持有大马卫生部发出的食肆卫生与安全（BESS）认证。

政府準備好助州內青年 砂掀食品卡車風

（本报古晋22日讯）砂拉越渐渐掀起食品卡车（Foodtrucks)风，砂州政府做好准备协助州内青年，以示鼓励他们利用现代化食品卡车概念投身商业领域。
工业与企业发展、贸易及投资（企业发展）助理部长拿督纳罗登表示，在国家蓝海策略（NBOS）下，贸消部将负责拟定策略鼓励流动商务（mobile business)的进行，包括食品卡车概念。
他今日上午在州立法议会口头回答环节上，针对摩拉端区州议员拿督依德里斯布安提出的问题时称，贸消部在今年3月24日推行了一个马来西亚流动小贩（1MMH）活动。

Do more to promote pristine Tusan beach

People stroll along Tusan beach in the evening.

MIRI: Tusan beach – a beautiful stretch of white sand with cliff and rock formations located about an hour’s drive from here – is a popular getaway spot for outdoor picnics and family outings during the weekend.
Local and foreign visitors and beachgoers from as far away as Kuching and Brunei drive out all the way there to witness the beautiful rock formations and watch the evening sunset.
According to a foreign visitor, Roselyn Asentista Galeon, the beach is very beautiful, attracting not only local tourists but also foreigners who like to see the natural beauty of the sand, rocks, sunset and blue seascape.

Elica licks housing woes for poor — a ‘KitKotak’ home

Combo photos of the interior of the KitKotak.

KUCHING: Kuching-based property developer Bobby Ting is creating a foundation to deliver a unique housing solution to low-income families.
“I decided to find a way of creating a CSR (corporate social responsibility) programme for Elica, which has a tangible and practical outcome for needy people,” said Ting.

A promotional banner of the project team members: Lee, Ting and Mackay.

Wetland to be turned into a bird sanctuary

Sapuan signs the plaque as a symbolic gesture to launch Kuala Baram Wetland as a bird conservation area. Musa is at second left, front row.

MIRI: Sarawak Forest Department wants to make Kuala Baram Wetland a bird conservation area for this city.
Its director Sapuan Ahmad said this is because the wetland is home to migratory birds from the northern atmosphere.
Speaking at a press conference here after chairing a meeting on the Kuala Baram Wetland at Mega Hotel yesterday, Sapuan said to-date, a total of 132 migratory bird species have been sighted and recorded by a team of bird watchers from Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) Miri branch at the site including the world’s very rare bird species – Chinese Tern – which could hardly be found in other areas in the world.

‘Get flyways recognition for route of migratory birds’

MIRI: Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) Miri suggests the state government get flyways recognition for the route of migratory birds in the city.
Its chairman, Musa Musbah, said with this recognition, people would look at Kuala Baram Wetland seriously as a conservation area for migratory birds.
“People will then put in due effort to develop Kuala Baram Wetland as a nature reserve for eco-tourism purposes,” he told reporters after attending a meeting on Kuala Baram Wetland–Bird Conservation Area here yesterday.
“We can then provide facilities such as homestay, resort, and a proper place for bird watching.”
Musa said the society had thus far documented 132 migratory bird species at the wetland.
“Kuala Baram Wetland is a haven for winter migrating birds from Australia, and the whole world is watching us. That is why Sarawak Forestry Department is serious to make the wetland a bird conservation area.”
He added it was sad the wetland area had been alienated to the private sector for 20 years already.
Most of the areas, he added, have already been allocated for development activities.
“There are some areas which have yet to be developed. These are the potential areas that we will look into as protected wetland area for bird conservation.”
Thus, the society will support Sarawak Forestry Department on its initiative.

Note: Newspaper cut from The Borneo Post who has the copy right for the above article.

Loagan Bunut National Park reopens its doors to overnight visitors

KUCHING: Loagan Bunut National Park has reopened its doors to overnight visitors with immediate effect.
In a press statement yesterday, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) said the park was off limits to overnight visitors since last Oct 4 due to water supply problems caused by the dry spell.
Now that the dry season is over, the park’s operation has returned to normalcy, including its hospitality services and accommodation.
Visitors who wish to stay overnight at the park can make online reservations through http://ebooking.com.my. Alternatively, call Loagan Bunut National Park at 019-8610994 or the national park booking office (Miri Office) at 085-434184/ 435384, 085-431975 (Fax).

Note: Newspaper cut from The Borneo Post who has the copy right for the above article.
 

Long Banga holds many eco-tourism ‘treasures’, reveals pensioner

Charles pushes the longboat with Aping on board at Sungai Long Banga

Charles and Tracy having their photo taken with the Lang Tajit Waterfall as their background.

Charles and Tracy having their photo taken with the Lang Tajit Water as their background.

Charles and Tracy having their photo taken with the Lang Tajit Waterfall as their background.

Charles and Tracy having their photo taken with the Lang Tajit Waterfall as their background.

(From Left) Charles, Aping, Tracy and the rest of the MCC team enjoy their breakfast at Lang Tajit Waterfall

MARUDI: The Long Banga in the remote Upper Baram has a great potential to become one of the state’s ‘natural tourism treasures’.
This was highlighted by government pensioner, Charlie Tai Udau, who was the guide for a familiarisation visit by Councillor Aping Trang and her team from Miri City Council (MCC) to a number of interesting sites in and around the area.
According to Charlie – a Saban ethnic group member who previously served under the Marudi Agriculture Department – his home village has many natural wonders that have yet to be seen and experienced by tourists, especially those who are into eco-tourism.

MAHB: Miri Airport ready to welcome Chinese tourists

Badlisham delivering his lecture on his challenges and experiences as a CEO yesterday.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Miri Airport is ready for the greater influx of Chinese tourists expected to arrive in the state following the implementation of special passes which was announced by the state government recently.
According to Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, the airport is prepared to receive the visitors but flight times and types of aircraft needed to be taken into account.
“Both Miri and Sibu airports now can receive slightly wider body aircraft and we understand Sarawak’s priority to increase the number of tourists coming to the state,” he said.

Three Miri teams make it to Young Innovate Malaysia 2016

MIRI: The teams from SMK Luak, SMK St Joseph and SMK Merbau are the participants from here who are representing the state at the ‘Young Innovate Malaysia 2016’ in Kuala Lumpur yesterday and today – one of the events run during the annual Kuala Lumpur Engineering Science Fair (KLESF).
Young Innovate Malaysia is a national-level science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-based design competition open to students of secondary schools across the country. Its primary objective is to inspire students’ passion in STEM, while developing their living skills and exposing them to open-sourced hardware and software.