Penguang brings the torch by boat to the Wind Cave.
MIRI: The selection of Mulu as one of the locations for the 29th Sea Games and 9th Asean Para Games Kuala Lumpur 2017 (KL2017) Torch Run has showcased the area’s unique geography and natural beauty.
State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker and Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala said hosting the torch run in Mulu has indirectly promoted Mulu National Park – a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site – and its surrounding areas.
“Mulu is indeed a well-known tourism attraction and I am very thankful to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for having this prestigious event here to further promote Mulu although it is actually quite a remote place.
“Most importantly is for all the participants to promote Mulu to further enhance the tourism and marketing of this Mulu National Park. Not just the national park, but also several villages and longhouses here in Mulu as well as Telang Usan, which have great potential for tourism development,” he told thesundaypost at Clearwater Cave – the last stop for the KL2017 Torch Run yesterday.
Gerawat also thanked the local community for their participation in the run.
He earlier witnessed the passing of the torch to Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau as the first torch bearer at Mulu Airport, who subsequently passed it to Assistant Minister of
Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil at the Mulu National Park pier for the boat ride to Kampung Batu Bungan.
Former national sprinter Watson Nyambek was the final torch bearer at Clearwater Cave, who handed over the torch to Miri Resident Sherina Hussaini, who then passed it to Acting Sibu Resident Katis Noel Nyabong.
Torch Run covers 6km through Mulu National Park
Yesterday’s run involved 29 runners consisting of district officers, members of the community, as well as state athletes Donny Jaranding and Filicia Munyat.
The 6km run covered Mulu Airport, Mulu National Park, Kampung Batu Bungan, Wind Cave, Lady Cave, and Clearwater Cave.
The KL2017 Torch Run in Sarawak began in Limbang on Thursday (June 8) and is scheduled to end in Kuching on Tuesday (June 13). It will take place in Sibu today.
Organised by the Malaysia Organising Committee (Masoc) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the cooperation of the state Department of Youth and Sports, the run is a prelude to KL2017.
It began on May 13 and is scheduled to end on Aug 12.
The 29th Sea Games will take place on Aug 19-30, while the 9th Asean Para Games will be from Sept 17-23.
This will be the sixth time that Malaysia hosts the biennial games, which will see the participation of more than 7,000 athletes competing in 25 locations in the Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan and Langkawi.
Watson leads torch bearers at Mulu National Park.
Watson leads runners through Clearwater Cave.