‘Borneo to be well-connected by roads’

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Taib shakes hands with a biker upon his arrival at the gala dinner. Abang Johari is behind Taib while Abdul Karim is at second right. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Local and international bikers can indulge in adventurous rides when the island of Borneo is well connected by road in the next five to 10 years, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

In Sarawak, he said the small town of Kapit would be connected to Sibu by ‘first class’ road and the Katibas Bridge which will be completed next year.

“In the next few years, Kapit will be linked to Baleh where we will have a dam. From there one can go to Belaga and straight to Bintulu.

“When this network of roads open up Sarawak, bikers can enjoy the ride, passing through the various communities like the Iban and the Orang Ulu to experience the culture of our ethnic races along the way,” he said at the Kuching International Bike Week (KIBW) 2017 gala dinner held at a leading hotel here last Saturday.

Some 1,130 bikers attended the gala dinner graced by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib.

They included international bikers from 10 countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, the Philippines and India.

Abang Johari said Sarawak would eventually be well connected to Brunei and Sabah as well as Kalimantan, Indonesia.

“In the next five to 10 years, the whole Borneo will be linked by road and you can ride to experience nature, culture and adventure throughout the island.”

He told bikers that they would enjoy a smoother ride to take in the beauty of Sarawak when the Pan Borneo Highway, which he referred to as ‘first class highway’, is completed.

“Besides the Pan Borneo Highway, our government is also constructing the coastal road. You can also enjoy the beauty of our coastal landscape,” he pointed out.

He said a lot of bridges would be built to connect the state’s coastal roads.

“(Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) will give allocations to build bridges to link coastal roads (in Sarawak),” he assured.

Abang Johari, who is a biker himself, said the best part about riding on the road is enjoying the beautiful landscape and de-stress.

He expressed confidence that the event would return with more exciting elements for bikers in 2019.

“We have cemented the relationship between us tonight. I’m sure that KIBW 2019 will be bigger and I will support my ministry (of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports) to have a bigger one in two years,” he quipped.

He even suggested the gala dinner for KIBW 2019 be held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) before wishing bikers from outside the city a safe journey home.

Among those present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Raghad (third right) presents a mock key to a lucky draw winner. Seen from right are Abang Johari, Taib and Juma’ani.