Ministry to help promote Sarawak islands

SARAWAK can further exploit the potential of island hopping and river cruises to stimulate the state’s tourism industry, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri recently.

According to her, exploring such activities could generate the economy of local residents, especially the community in such areas.

“In Sarawak, there is not much promotion of island destinations but the overall tourism in the state is rather encouraging. So, the ministry wants to assist in exploring such opportunities to promote tourism in Pulau Satang, Kuching Wetlands National Park so that there are new packages such as island hopping,” she said at a media conference at the Talang Satang National Park, Kuching.

The national park is regulated by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), and comprises four islands namely Pulau Talang-Talang Besar and Pulau Talang-Talang Kecil in Sematan, as well as Pulau Satang Besar and Pulau Satang Kecil, located not far from Santubong.

Attractions in the area include scuba diving, snorkelling, the nesting site of the colony of bridled terns and black-naped terns, and a turtle conservation centre.

She said SFC also offered the Sarawak Sea Turtle Volunteer Programme from May to September to promote ecotourism in Pulau TalangTalang.

“The national park comprises the ecosystem of coast, marine and freshwater. Wildlife such as crocodiles, proboscis monkeys and Irrawaddy dolphins could be sighted during the river cruise in the Kuching Wetland National Park while fireflies can also be found.

“The animals are not seen all the time as this would depend on the tide and weather,” she said.

Santubong rises

Meanwhile, the ministry has also identified Santubong as one of the top Muslim-friendly tourism products in the country.

Nancy, speaking at another press conference, said that based on research, Sarawak, formerly known as Santubong, is the second oldest Malay state in the world, and also where the mausoleum of Sarawak’s first and only sultan, Sultan Tengah, is located.

“(Santubong) is also an attraction because of its archaeological sites. Prehistoric burial grounds in Tanjong Kubor, the pre-historic iron industry in Sungai Jaong and stone carvings from previous civilisations ... all these provide an interesting narrative for Muslim tourists,” she said.

Nancy added that in an effort to develop the Muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality sector, the ministry has made it easier for homestay operators to register themselves, to enable them to benefit from the Malaysian Homestay Experience Programme.

“This is one of the efforts by the government to generate more income for the local community through community-based tourism in the rural areas,” she shared.

Nancy also said that the ministry has identified several longhouses in Sarawak to be used and promoted as Muslim-friendly homestays.

“We want to show that in a long house there are Muslims and non-Muslims staying together under the same roof.

“Muslim tourists are actually interested in the history of longhouses, customs and eco-tourism in the area. I’m sure many people will be interested to visit and experience staying in a long house,” she concluded.