By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, May 24: The Bakun lake in the Kapit division will be further developed with water sports and sailing activities to attract tourists and boost the tourism industry in Sarawak.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said Bakun incorporates and maintains several cultural landscape and water heritage elements that shape a hierarchy of integrated cultural and environment attractions across the Bakun Lake.
Thus, he believed integrating those elements with its scenic tourism elements will enable Bakun to become a tourist attraction under the Culture, Adventure and Nature (CAN) concept.
“I am very impressed with the briefing and the model of each of these master plans for Kapit Division presented today,” Masing who is also Baleh assemblyman said in a statement after being briefed by consultants of the master plan for Kapit town, Bakun Lakefront township and island resort local plan as well as the master plan for Belaga..
“This is a long-term development plan that can span up to 30 years ahead and we hope to address the dire problem of connectivity and access in terms of infrastructure and telecommunication through these development plans,” he added.
He also believed Kapit, which is rich in culture with a unique lifestyle as well as various cultural heritage sites can attract more tourists to boost Sarawak’s tourism industry.
Apart from that, Masing gathered that Kapit town will be developed towards more of a pedestrian town with heavy vehicles prohibited to enter the town.
Besides, parking buildings will be built within the periphery of the town centre while better road infrastructure will provide students access to tertiary education and skill development centres.
As for Belaga town, Masing noted the development will address the issues of obsolete government buildings and the lack of public facilities.
There will be more affordable houses and recreational areas to be built in Belaga town to address the people’s needs.
Furthermore, existing roads in Belaga will be upgraded and new and alternative routes will be constructed.
In the meantime, the master development plan for Kapit division were conducted by the consultants through a virtual meeting attended by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Assistant Minister for Utilities Datuk Liwan Lagang, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon and Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang.
Also present were Regional Corridor Development Authority Recoda chief executive officer Datu Ismawi Ismuni and Upper Rajang Development Agency director Joseph Belayong. — DayakDaily
