By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 2: Paku Rock Maze Garden – a primitive stone forest featuring a natural rock formation behind a Chinese temple located at Kuching-Bau road, is the latest tourist attraction in Bau.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah commended the community leaders for coming forward to elevate the hidden gem as a tourism product.
He cited the Siniawan Old Town Night Market as an example, noting that the small “cowboy town” was left abandoned for many years in the past until the community itself came up with an idea to transform the place into a culinary wonder.
“Actually the limestone formation network is not just confined to this area but it goes right up to Serian.
“If you were to see from Google Maps, next to Bau, we have Padawan. From the top (view of the map), you can see a (volcanic) crater somewhere in Bau.
“Millions of years ago, this place might have undergone volcanic activity or else, you wouldn’t be seeing hot springs in Paku (Paku Hot Spring), Padawan, Panchor and Serian. That is how the network of limestone and hot spring works,” he said when officiating at the grand opening of Paku Rock Maze Garden held in Bau here today.
Abdul Karim also urged for more community involvement to be emulated in many other rural destinations in Sarawak.
According to Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh, the garden was discovered about three years ago and developed under the community-based tourism (CBT) section created under Pekan Paku Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) and the guidance of Kapitan Pui Shak Sin.
He also mentioned that he had channeled RM50,000 for the initial development of the place with the collaboration of Sarawak Research Society, MTCP and community members in Bau district.
To date, admission is free but members of the public are welcome to help raise extra funds through the provided donation boxes at the garden.
Amongst those present at the grand opening of Paku Rock Maze Garden were Deputy Minister of Transport-cum-Bau assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep, MTCP permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, Bau District officer Anielia Siam, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) chief executive officer Amelia Roziman, Sarawak Research Society chairman Dr Hiram Ting and Pemanca Bong Jong Long. — DayakDaily
