Limbang, Lawas a great tourism draw

LIMBANG: The natural heritage of Limbang and Lawas has the potential to be combined into a top tourism draw if promoted together with Brunei and Sabah.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said even humble mangroves could be attractive tourism products along with the rich cultural heritage, local delicacies and other products indigenous to Lawas and Limbang districts.

“We have the beautiful mountains and beauty of our nature, rivers, mangroves, and the Bay of Brunei, which is the best package for tourism,” he said when launching Pesta Limbang yesterday on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“This unique diversity is our strength and despite our location far in the north of Sarawak, we have great nature, culture, unique delicacies and strategic location in BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines- East Asean Growth Area), bordering Brunei, Indonesia and Sabah.”

He said the state government has already carried out several infrastructure development initiatives here for tourism.

The Second Minister of Urban Development and Natural Resources said the state government would conduct a holistic, comprehensive and inclusive study on structural planning for Limbang.

He added that emphasis is now on opening up more areas through the Highlands Development Authority under the Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda), to integrate and realise the potential of all highland areas.

“Highlands development in isolation will not work, it has to be integrated, especially with the tourism sector and cooperation with Brunei and Sabah when the vital infrastructures are ready, with joint promotion packages for greater impact,” he explained.

He later presented a RM50,000 grant from Limbang MP Hasbi Habibollah’s allocation to the festival organising committee.

We have the beautiful mountains and beauty of our nature, rivers, mangroves, and the Bay of Brunei, which is the best package for tourism — Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Chief Minister

Awang Tengah uses a paddle to launch Pesta Limbang. From fourth left are Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Limbang Resident Datu Maria Hasman, Hasbi and Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Gumbang.