AUSPICIOUS: Taib and Ragad, flanked by Lai (on CM’s right) and Lee cutting a birthday cake as others look on.
MIRI: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud wants Miri City Council (MCC) and Subis District Council to jointly draw up a road map to turn the Miri-Sibuti stretch into a tourism goldmine.
He said he believed vibrant tourism activities would not only help to enhance Miri’s image as a resort city but it would also benefit Sibuti as well.
“Sibuti is a good place to showcase local foods and cultures, especially to tourists from Bruneian. We can also organise convoys or festivals and have them (tourists) dine at Sibuti.
“There are lots of options along the road (between Miri and Sibuti) to attract them to travel for miles from Miri to Sibuti,” he said at the Miri City’s 8th anniversary dinner at Imperial Hotel here on Saturday.
On the anniversary celebration, Taib said he rejoiced with the people here in celebrating the success of the city.
However, he said more activities needed to be churned out to make Miri a happenings place.
“Miri can be beautiful but if there are no live activities to attract people to come here for leisure, I don’t think it will be a (good) resort city.”
To resolve this matter, Taib called on business concerns to play an active role in organising tourism-related activities here in collaboration with MCC.
“Miri has been successful in organising tourism activities but you have to organise more.”
Also present were his wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Assistant Minister of Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister of Early Childhood Education and Family Development Rosey Yunus, Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis and Miri mayor Lawrence Lai.