By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 4: Santubong, which holds historical and cultural significance akin to Niah Caves, will soon be recognised as part of a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Global Geopark under the Sarawak Delta Geopark, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Speaking at the opening of Santubong Archaeological Park and Wallace Centre here today, he disclosed that the Sarawak Delta Geopark has already been declared a National Geopark, joining the ranks of Langkawi, Perak and Sabah.
“We want to elevate this (Sarawak Delta Geopark) to an international geopark under UNESCO. We are already in the last round, just waiting for the final mile.
“I told Datuk Len Talif Salleh (Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Natural Resources) to proceed with the bidding, and the current position is that we are only awaiting confirmation from UNESCO, This means Santubong will be part of a UNESCO site,” he said.
According to him, once Sarawak Delta Geopark comes under UNESCO, Santubong will attract international interest in what the area has to offer.
Thus, he highlighted that the Sarawak government is planning to enhance road accessibility to Santubong to support tourism, research and cultural activities in the area.
The Santubong road, currently a single carriageway, will be upgraded into a dual carriageway similar to the Pan Borneo Highway, with works to be carried out in three phases: from Wisma Adenan (Yayasan Sarawak) to the first Santubong Bridge, the construction of a second bridge, and finally from the bridge to Damai.
“These three phases may be implemented simultaneously and are expected to take about three years to complete.
“This will make the area more accessible and structured, turning Santubong into a hub for visitors and researchers to discover Sarawak’s history and cultural civilisation,” he added.
Also present were Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (Tourism) Datuk Sebastian Ting; Len Talif; Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Santubong MP Dato Sri Nancy Shukri; Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Tanjung Datu assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan; Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini; and Sarawak Museum Department director Nancy Jolhi. — DayakDaily
