By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Oct 6: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved RM2 million to enhance basic infrastructure and development in the villages and longhouses of Batang Ai as part of efforts to promote the area as a tourist destination, as well as announced plans to build a new hotel in the area.
During his speech at the 40th anniversary of the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant in Sri Aman today, he said a request has been made for the RM2 million allocation by Batang Ai assemblyman Malcom Mussen Lamoh.
On the hotel, he said he had discussed it with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and plans have been made to build a new mid-sized hotel in the Batang Ai area.
Meanwhile, he said that the Bebuling short-take-off and landing airport (STOLport) in Spaoh, which is under construction, will help spur tourism in Batang Ai upon completion.
“I asked how far Spaoh is from Lubok Antu. It’s about 57km. If you ride a motorcycle at 100km/h, you’ll get there in about 30 to 40 minutes. That’s why we’re building a new airport in Spaoh,” he said.
He recalled a time in the early 1980s when Batang Ai was first developed, when he was in the area for a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) programme.
“We travelled by bus, and the roads were all gravel. It took an entire day to get here. Even (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) was here then, along with Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) and (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin). We camped here. It was all rocky roads back then.
“After Batang Ai was completed, I was then the minister in charge of tourism. I brought foreign companies to visit Batang Ai. We departed in the morning and only arrived at 3pm, and that was after stopping at Semenggoh. It was already late afternoon—around 4 to 5pm—by the time we took the boat to the hotel. After arriving, everyone was tired and just went to sleep.
“I felt that this was too inconvenient for tourists. That’s why we decided to build an airport in Spaoh. From Spaoh, it only takes half an hour to reach here. So, people can come by plane—even if it’s a small one. With three flights a day, even if the plane carries 10 people, that’s 30 people a day. In just 30 minutes, they can reach here,” he said.
He added that tourists could visit the Batang Ai Dam and explore Lanjak Entimau, saying that the next game-changer will be to promote areas unaffected by the hydropower dam as eco-tourism destinations.
However, he said, the local community needs to have new ideas on how to promote tourism programmes.
“The government has already built the airport in Spaoh, now we must think about how to make it a gateway to Batang Ai. I leave this to local leaders and community heads to brainstorm ways to attract tourists to this area.
“This is what we call a comprehensive package that will benefit villagers, longhouse residents, and make full use of the attractions here, especially Lanjak Entimau, while also driving economic development, beyond just fish farming.”
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy and PETROS) Datuk Ibrahim Baki, Deputy Minister of International Trade Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, and Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili were also present. — DayakDaily
