‘Bakam needs tourism-based activities’
MIRI: Bakam needs an injection of more tourism-based activities and infrastructure to make it an attractive place to visit.
Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang said the total support from the people in the area was also vital to make the aspiration a reality.
“The government has provided various infrastructure and facilities for the local people. Thus, the people must fully utilise the facilities and look for opportunities to enhance the development potential of the area,” he said when closing Miri Local Agenda (LA) 21 carnival and prize presentation ceremony at Kpg Bakam community hall yesterday.
He said Bakam was an example of an area where the people could use their creativity to enhance the tourism value of an area.
“Bakam is not really a rural area; just about 30-minute drive from the city. Being an area by the beach, Bakam is rich in natural resources and culture.
“It is important that the local people tap and explore the tourism potential by organising many activities.”
He thus proposed a ‘shrimpcatching festival’ in Bakam next year, to be held in conjunction with the Miri Local Agenda (LA) 21 festival.
He said the shrimp-catching festival would be the crowdpuller at the carnival next year. Various competitions related to the festival would also be held such as shrimp paste and cencaluk-making competition and shrimp fritters-making
The government has provided various infrastructure and facilities for the local people. Thus, the people must fully utilise the facilities and look for opportunities to enhance the development potential of the area. — Ahmad Lai Bujang, Sibuti MP
competition. Ahmad Lai said he would give his financial support to ensure the success of the festival next year.
On the carnival this time, it was organised by Miri LA 21 and the village safety and development committee (JKKK) of Kpg Bakam. It was implemented under the Miri LA 21’s Adoption Village Programme.
“The village adoption programme has been implemented since 2004 and so far 10 villages have joined the programme on voluntary basis,” Ahmad Lai said.
The villages are Pulau Melayu, Bakam, Pujut Adong, Pengkalan Lutong, Bidayu Lusut, Piasau Jaya, Piasau Utara, Rumah Jarek, Rumah Nunang and Rumah Kejaman Baru. A political secretary to chief minister Julani Mokhtar and the carnival organising committee chairman Joseph Uyo were also present at the function.