Abang Johari hopeful iconic Darul Hana Bridge will draw more tourists to the state

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Fireworks mark the launch of the new Darul Hana Bridge at the Kuching Waterfront.

KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is looking forward to the new Darul Hana Bridge attracting more tourists to the state.

“I hope this iconic bridge will become a new attraction for tourists to visit Sarawak especially Kuching,” he said before the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud launched the bridge at Kuching Waterfront here last night.

Abang Johari said the state’s tourist arrivals had gone up by 16 per cent in the first nine months of the year compared to the corresponding period last year.

He was hopeful that the figure for tourist arrivals in Sarawak would continue to soar following the launch of the S-shaped pedestrian bridge.

“This latest iconic structure brings a new exciting era for Kuching city and is something that our people can be proud of.

“The bridge’s unique design, believed to be one of the very few bridges of its kind in Southeast Asia, establishes it as a dramatic new icon for Kuching that brings both sides of the Sarawak River together in front of the State Legislative Assembly building, specifically symbolising the unity of the people of Sarawak despite any divisions caused by a river,” he said.

He pointed out that the architecture of the new bridge, which was mooted by Taib, was executed with beauty, harmony and balance in mind.

“The individual components of the bridge such as the piers and cables all connect seamlessly and each part cannot stand without the other.

“This reflects Sarawak where people of diversified races and cultures unite under the visionary leadership of His Excellency Tun Pehin Sri as we grow in a harmonious society,” added Abang Johari.