Tourism jetty to be set up in Tawau
TAWAU: The government intends to set up a tourism jetty here to ferry tourist between Tawau and the islands around Semporna, in an effort to further boost the economy and tourism sector in the region.
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Development, Datuk Abdul Muis Picho, said, in order to realize this, the relevant departments will be asked to meet and review the proposal in the near future.
He said he has requested Tawau Municipal Council (TMC) president, Alijus Sipil, to call the departments such as the Port and Harbour Department, ESSCom and so on to meet on the matter.
According to him, there are many things that needed to be discussed and studied regarding the proposed jetty site, the sea route to be used and the safety aspect of the route.
He said this during a working visit to the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine jetty (CIQ) along with Tawau Port and Harbour Department officer, Akli @ Nazley Abdul, yesterday morning.
Muis added that every year many tourists, including those from China, arrive at Tawau Airport. Unfortunately, they do not visit Tawau but continue to Semporna by land to visit Sipadan Island and the other interesting islands.
Through this effort, he said, it is hoped that Tawau can attract more tourists as the sea route distance from Tawau to Sipadan Island is much closer than the existing route through Semporna.
During his working visit, Muis also looked at the state of the jetty to be used for the barter trade in the district, beginning next year and noted that the jetty is suitable for use.