By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 2: The Covid-19 pandemic has somehow brought blessing to the local tourism industry as more Sarawakians now appreciate the many tourism products available in the state.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Dennis Ngau said, due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has caused travel restrictions overseas, Sarawakians have turn to domestic tourism for leisure and fun.
“Since the Covid-19 pandemic has restricted our movements and Sarawak Tourism Board and Sarawak Tourism Federation created the “Sia Sitok” tour programme, offering attractive tour package at 50 per cent discount. Since the launching we have seen a steady increase in the number of participants thus able to move domestic tourism.
“And because of (Covid-19) pandemic, Sarawakians now are more appreciative of our own local tourism products which are as good as many tourism destinations overseas,” Dennis told DayakDaily when contacted today.
He added that before the Covid-19 pandemic, many Sarawakians would have chosen going overseas to visit places of interest during their holidays.
On politics, the Telang Usan assemblyman said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) led State government has been proactive in bringing development to all the nooks and corners of Sarawak including to his area.
“Last Saturday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg visited my kawasan to see for himself the implementation of Sares (Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme) at Long Pilah. Indeed, this is a proof that GPS top leadership cares for everyone in Sarawak,” said Dennis.
Since its introduction in 2016, more than 20,000 residents from about 2,500 households in 63 remote villages in Telang Usan have received power supply under Sares.
Last Saturday’s event was the handing over of another batch of just completed Sares solar projects at 13 villages in Telang Usan namely; Long Pilah, Long Luteng, Long Daloh Bestari, Long Miri, Long Tebangan, Long Liam Keliman, Long Sobeng, Long Selapun, Long Sebatang, Long Sengung, Long Pala, Long Buah, and Long Buken.
On him to be possibly re-nominated to defend Telang Usan in the coming state election, the two-term state assemblymen said that he leaves that to his party president Abang Johari.
“I am grateful that I have the opportunity to serve our people. I have done my best and the rest I leave to God Almighty too. If given the chance and win I will continue with my work ethics to work very hard to bring development to Telang Usan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dennis, said most of the younger generation now are better educated and that they know who is genuinely serving the people.
“As many of them are professionals and well educated, they can evaluate the agendas of the opposition and NGOs, who are genuine and who are not,” he added. — DayakDaily
