By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Feb 8: Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah lauded the growing presence of electric vehicles (EVs) on Sarawak’s roads, highlighting their role in responsible tourism.
Speaking at the launch of the Borneo Green Bike Tour at Brooke Monument today, he urged the public to follow the example of countries with widespread EV adoption to help preserve both the environment and Sarawak’s heritage.
“By protecting our environment, we preserve our heritage. What we do in the tourism industry is also aimed at protecting the environment,” he said before launching the event.
At the same time, Abdul Karim also emphasised that safeguarding the environment will benefit not only the current generation but also future generations.
“That is why you see on the road there are many vehicles using hydrogen and electricity. All this has helped a little bit to reduce pollution,” he said.
Meanwhile, he welcomed tour organiser Smart Leisure and Travel Sdn Bhd’s move to promote the use of electric motorcycles in the tourism industry and daily use.
“My ministry, including the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), are proud of this effort to ensure our environment is clean. We are here to show our support,” he said.
He added that too much damage has been done to the environment and urged the public to be more aware of the importance of caring for nature.
He elaborated other countries had increased the use of electric vehicles, and we are still in a pioneering stage.
“God willing, we will be able to see more electric or hydrogen vehicles on the road,” he said.
Also present were the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor Dato Hilmy Othman, STB chief executive officer (CEO) Sharzede Salleh Askor, and SmartLeisure & Travels Sdn Bhd CEO Dato Nellsen Young. — DayakDaily
