PAS candidate sees tourism potential in Tg Aru water villages
KOTA KINABALU: The concrete jetty at Kampong Tanjong Aru Baru is extremely under utilised.
According to PAS Tanjung Aru candidate, Hamid Ismail, this condition must change for the benefit of the people living there.
“My visit to the jetty yesterday discovered that the jetty looks dull and empty,” he said.
He added that it is his ambition to make the water villages at Tanjong Aru as one of the tourism places in Sabah.
“This can be done by making the jetty as a ferry terminal just like Jesselton Point Waterfront at Kota Kinabalu. At the moment, I understand that the said jetty can only be used by the villagers. Boarding and embarking passengers by tourist boats there is a criminal offence under Regulation 13/34 of the Ports and Harbours Regulations,” he said.
Hamid explained that by changing the status of the jetty from villagers-onlyjetty to a ferry terminal, it will certainly transform the Tanjong Aru water villages to an attractive place.
“With a bit of upgrade on the infrastructures there, I believe the jetty can lure lots of international tourists.”
Hamid added that the jetty’s location is perfect to view the sunset.
The villagers can earn extra income by setting up stalls in front of their houses because the bridge to the jetty is exactly in middle of the villages, he said.
At the same time, the villagers can also come up with the idea of homestay there for the tourists.
“A ferry terminal with on-the-water local houses surrounding it is of course a unique experience for international tourists.
“This is one of my manifestos for Tanjong Aru,” he said.