Abang Johari (fourth left) launching Visit Sibu Year 2017 in Sibu last night. Joining him (from left) are Andrew, Pauline, Soon Koh, Ong, Dr Annuar and Tiong. — Photo by Othman Ishak
SIBU: The state government will try to persuade Hong Kong Airline to mount the Sibu-Hong Kong route.
In anticipation of more development coming up, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said Sibu would become the must-see place for tourists.
“Sibu is always busy with movements of people and goods. Sibu’s vast hinterland, coupled with that of Kapit, Sarikei and Mukah, has a lot of tourism potential that had yet to be fully tapped and developed.
“Furthermore, the central region of Sarawak is rich in culture, nature, adventure, heritage and history,” he said at the launch of Visit Sibu Year 2017 here last night. The event was themed ‘Sibu the Heartland of Borneo’.
His text-of-speech was read by Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Adenan added that the recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that he supported a proposal for Sibu to be elevated to a city would also spur tourism in the central region.
The proposed Pan Borneo Highway and other secondary-road network would make Sibu very accessible.
“Anticipating the above developments, Sibu will become the hub and must-stop place for tourists.”
Last year, the state received 4.5 million visitors, bringing in an estimated tourism receipt of RM9 billion, equivalent to about 13 per cent of the state’s GDP.
Tourism had also provided many employment opportunities to Sarawakians, he added.
On the direction of the state’s tourism direction, he said among the initiatives were gazetting more forest areas for national parks; opening of national parks to visitors, researchers and scientists; funding to upgrade facilities in the national park; commissioning of feasibility studies in dedicated area to look into their tourism potential; and an open sky policy for all interested airlines to fly into the state.
On Visit Sibu Year 2017, he announced the state government would give its organising committee RM200,000.
He congratulated the organising committee, led by Dato Andrew Wong, who is also Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman, for the proactiveness and far-sightedness in positing Sibu town and its hinterland as the next must- visit destination in Sarawak next year.
Among those present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Amar Jumaani Tuanku Bujang, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and wife Datin Sri Pauline Leong, Ministry of Tourism and Culture secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Ong Hong Peng, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee, state Tourism Ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King.