Big bikers make big impression in Lawas

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(From left) Naroden, Awang Tengah, Henry and Hussaini flagging off the charity ride of 800 Big Bikers from Seri Malaysia Hotel to Kampung Punang.

LAWAS: Participants of the second Lawas Big Bikers Week 2014 who had arrived here since Friday had impressed local folks and visitors with a roaring display of their 800 high-powered machines.

The big bikers, with their different brands of machines, were drawn from Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia and will be here for the various activities held as part of the assembly till today.

Among the activities are a karaoke competition among the participants of Lawas Big Bikers Week charity ride, a welcome dinner, a cultural show, the search for Miss Lawas Big Bikers Week 2014, charity programmes and a performance by famous rock star from Kuala Lumpur, Aris Ariwatan

Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan was happy with the overwhelming response from both participants and spectators.

“I am very optimistic with 800 big bikes and their owners participating in this Lawas Big Bikers Week 2014 as it could enhance our efforts to promote Lawas to the outside world and consequently promoting the tourism industry,” he said yesterday when met by reporters at the Lawas Bike Week programme at Kampung Punang.

Among those present were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Bumiputera Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais, Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agung, District Officer here Hussaini Hakim, Hotel Seri Malaysia manager cum organising chairman Mohd Amin Othman and Smart Ryders Labuan manager Datuk Seri Mohd Alias Abdul Rahman.

Awang Tengah suggested the Lawas Big Bikers Week be made an annual event and entered into the Lawas tourism calendar.

“We will give our full support but it must be made an annual event with a fixed date with many activities so that the people can plan their travelling schedules to come for the event.

“Although accommodation is a challenge here, but the locals can take the opportunity to establish more homestay to reap the economic benefits and at the same time, promote local cultures and traditions, food and village lifestyle,” he stressed.

Awang Tengah said the government would strive to increase facilities in stages for both the locals and visitors.

He said the federal government had approved allocations for the Pan Borneo Highway which will give priority to the border areas linking Lawas, Sabah and Limbang.

At the same time, Kampung Punang too will enjoy development and beautification programmes along the beach to boost trading activities like selling handicrafts by the small and medium entrepreneurs.