KUCHING: Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said yesterday that the Borneo Tribal Village (BTV) at Kampung Apar, Singai, Bau would help to boost the local economy and promote the state’s unique culture.
BTV, a new tourism product in Bau, would also a platform to showcase the state’s unity to the world, added the Chief Minister.
“With its first ever Borneo Tribal Fest (BTF) 2017, it is a new product for Sarawak as far as the tourism industry is concerned.
“Therefore, it will definitely have a lot of spin-off effects on the people residing in the Bau area, and at the same time we can promote our beautiful culture which is second to none,” said Johari in his speech when launching the Borneo Tribal Fest 2017 at the Borneo Tribal Village yesterday.
Pointing out that the unity among the people in Sarawak was unique, he added it should be shared with the whole world.
Johari also revealed that the state government had an overall master plan for Bau. He said it would be connected to Lundu and Sematan and all these three areas had been identified as a tourism zone.
“We will develop all the infrastructure related to tourism in these areas. Bau town and its surrounding areas including Singai will included in the master plan,” he said.
Earlier on, organising chairman of BTF 2017, Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie said that BTV was a place for perpetual wellness where visitors could live, learn and relax.
Nansian said that BTV also had a visitors’ trail for visitors to see most of the attractions shown in the BTV masterplan.
“Thus, BTV is suitable for events, retreats, family day, camping, study visits and research, small conferences and meetings and some sports and games,” he added.
Nansian explained that one of the main objectives of developing BTV was to spur rural development, create employment and demand for local food
“It is also to attract more visitors to the Redeems Community Bamboo Park,” he said.
He also conveyed requests from the local community to the Chief Minister for the Kampung Apar bypass road, electricity and water supplies along Adis Soba Road, a telecommunication tower for Adis Soba Road and the replacement of the bailey bridge of Sungai Adia.
There was also a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and Redeems during the event.
According to the MOU, STIDC and Redeems will continue to collaborate in developing the Redeems Community Bamboo Park and creating a Timber Tree Park or Reserve.
Also present were the Chief Minister’s wife, Datuk Amar Datin Juma’aini Tun Tuanku Bujang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his wife, Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar, Tasik Biru State Assemblyman, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Opar State Assemblyman, Datuk Ranum Mina and other distinguished guests.
