By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 26: Sarawak plans to establish a new authority to oversee and develop its major lakes and other water bodies with tourism potential, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the authority would coordinate development across the State’s lakes to ensure they were developed in a more systematic and organised manner, including for tourism.
“I may want to share with you what I intend to do over the next five years regarding the lakes.
“We have Batang Ai, Murum, Baleh, Bakun, including Bengoh. So, we will develop an authority that can develop all the lake areas,” he said during his speech at the Sarawakku Sayang Programme in Betong today, which was broadcast live by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) on Facebook.
Abang Johari said lakes could become valuable tourism assets when developed with resorts and proper supporting facilities.
“If lakes in other states are considered gold, where they develop them into resort areas and provide good facilities, then, God willing, we will establish an authority to monitor all our lakes, including natural rivers that have potential,” he added.
Speaking at a press conference after the programme, he said Batang Ai was among the areas that could be further developed as a tourism destination.
He said the proposed authority would help ensure development around the lakes was more systematic and organised, while making it easier and safer for tourists to visit.
“Batang Ai is indeed an area that can be developed. As I mentioned earlier, God willing, we will develop an authority to manage all development in lake areas because we have many lakes,” he said. — DayakDaily
