TIP OF BORNEO: Abang Johari (seventh left) and Gramong (sixth left) pose in front of the ‘Where Mystical Borneo Begins’ landmark at Tanjung Datu during their two-day working visit to the area.
SEMATAN: The westernmost tip of Sarawak at Tanjung Datu has been earmarked as the state’s latest tourism star.
Dubbed as the ‘Landmark of Where Mystical Borneo Begins’, the area will be developed as part of an integrated promotion of the western part of Sarawak by the Ministry of Tourism.
“We have decided to place Tanjung Datu as a new tourism product because we feel that it is where Borneo Island begins.
“According to experts from Sarawak Forestry, the beginning of the island is also in a way proven by the migration pattern
of the honey buzzards (a large bird of prey) which makes its first stop at the area,” said Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg during his working visit to the area from April 30 to May 1.
He added that landmarks that mark the tip and borders of a land had always been popular places for tourists.
“In Kudat they have the northernmost tip of Borneo which is very popular among tourists and we would like to do the same here for Tanjung Datu where we have the westernmost tip of Sarawak,” he said.
Abang Johari said more tourism infrastructure such as signage, trail steps and rest stops would be placed in the area in the next development programme for the project.
On Borneo Island, the minister is confident that it will be among the most popular large islands for tourists due to its warm tropical climate and large biodiversity.
“Right now we already have a landmark board there and we will include trail steps, rest stops and a window to view the sea.
This is a new creative product and my ministry will continue to promote this product and of course as a result, the people in nearby Telok Melano and Sematan will benefit from it,” he stated.
On Telok Melano, Abang Johari said the ministry would be working closely with the relevant authorities to build bridges across three rivers situated between the 30km trail from Sematan and Telok Melano.
He added that the bridges would not only provide land route for folks at Telok Melano but would also form part of a new effort to promote adventure motorcycle riding from Sematan to Telok Melano.
“Right now there is three-wheel motorcycle craze among youths which can also be used on beaches. In terms of tourism that will be a product on its own.
“We might also organise a beach rally which has already been done in Port Dickson,” he said.
Abang Johari further disclosed that the Sematan-Telok Melano trail project would start as soon as discussions were concluded between his ministry and Telok Melano villagers.
“Besides the trail, we will also have a serious look at providing sustainable hybrid electricity technology and water supply for the village. This is part of our early preparation for tourism development at the area,” he said.
Among those joining the trip were Assistant Tourism Minister Datuk Gramong Juna and Ministry of Tourism permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.