MULU: The Sarawak government has approved the building of Mulu Mini Township in the sub-district here.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg added the state government would also build better police, customs and immigration offices to ensure the safety of tourists and the local people.
“We will have a masterplan for this and we will do it without waiting for the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
“Let Sarawak do it, we are capable and we will plan this properly for the benefit of the people,” he said during a leader-with-the-people session at Mulu Marriot Resort and Spa on Tuesday evening (April 6).
The Mulu communities had requested for the building of the mini township.
In response to another request from the communities, the chief minister said the state government would build another concrete longhouse block for the Penans in Kampung Batu Bungan.
Earlier, in his speech, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) deputy speaker and Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala mentioned several requests for development projects from the Mulu communities.
“There are requests for more government facilities and private enterprises. Mulu is now a sub-district, but if we look at the offices, I think they should be better,” he said.
Gerawat added there was also no proper police station in Mulu and whenever there were incidents involving tourists as in the past, police from Marudi had to come over.
“Also, there was one time when passengers from Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei came in from Kota Kinabalu. We also do not have a proper immigration office,” he said.
Gerawat pointed out a mini township could boost the economy of Mulu.
“ Traders can provide all the daily necessities for the people and tourists,” he said.
Also present were Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy State Secretary Datuk Seri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC) chairman Tan Sri Mohammad Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Corporate Affairs and Sarawak Government Communiction Unit) Abdullah Saidol, and Baram MP Anyi Ngau.
