By Christine T
KUCHING, Oct 13: Baleh’s rafting adventures, jungle expeditions, and longhouse experiences are set to be promoted as extensions of the planned Borneo River Cruise, which is expected to begin operations along the Rajang River in the first quarter of 2027.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) would work with tour operators to develop extension packages from Kapit into Baleh, allowing communities further upriver to benefit from the initiative.
He said the ministry would also position the Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari and Bukit Mabong Expedition as additional experiences for cruise passengers.
“This will help promote Baleh’s cultural heritage, particularly the longhouse lifestyle, traditional cuisines, local crafts, and nature and adventure experiences,” he said when answering a question from Nicholas Kudi Jantai (N.64 Baleh) at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
Ting said the Sarawak government was committed to strengthening tourism in Baleh by capitalising on its rivers, rainforests, highlands, biodiversity, and the cultural heritage of its longhouse communities.
Guided by the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), the government aims to develop eco-tourism and adventure products, including river activities, rafting, trekking, jungle expeditions, homestays, and cultural experiences and would be linked with Kapit, Song, Belaga, and Sibu to establish a more comprehensive tourism network.
He said the Bukit Mabong Expedition and Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari had been included in the Sarawak calendar of events and received ministry support through the events and festivals grant.
On preparing local communities for the expected growth in visitors, Ting said the ministry and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) would continue encouraging participation in the Malaysia Homestay Experience Programme while building skills in hospitality, tour guiding and tourism product packaging.
He added that the Bukit Mabong and Sungai Asap Homestay clusters in Kapit division had been registered under the programme.
Awareness briefings had also been conducted at Rumah Bajang, Nanga Bena Sungai Sut in 2019, Nanga Teliai Merirai in Baleh in 2022, and Ulu Yong in Kapit in 2023.
Under STB’s Responsible Tourism framework, tourism spending would be channeled to longhouse communities through homestays, boat charters, local guiding services, and craft sales.
“Development will be carried out in stages and sustainably, with due regard for the environment, visitor safety and community wellbeing, so that Baleh becomes not merely a stopover but a nature, adventure and cultural destination with its own distinct identity in Sarawak,” Ting said.
Responding to a supplementary question on infrastructure needs in remote Baleh, Ting said the ministry recognised that accessibility and basic amenities were essential to unlocking the area’s tourism potential.
He said the ministry would coordinate with the Kapit Resident’s Office, local authorities, and relevant technical agencies to identify priority locations for infrastructure such as access routes, jetties, signage, and safety facilities.
Specific proposals could be submitted through the relevant channels for assessment based on tourism readiness, visitor safety and environmental impact, subject to the State’s priorities and financial capacity. — DayakDaily
