BINTULU: Sarawak has made tremendous progress over the years, in various aspects, including its infrastructure development throughout the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said in the past, it took nearly two hours to travel from Berkenu to Miri, despite it being about a 50-kilometre distance, due to the poor road condition.
“Today, it will only take about an hour as we have better roads,” he said when arriving at the NAIM Street Mall, Bintulu Paragon, after leading the Merdeka Ride Convoy from the Miri Indoor Stadium earlier today.
Abang Johari, who rode on a motorcycle, was glad that he could meet the local community and to see up close the happenings on the ground during the journey.
“I was moved to see our people coming out from their houses, waiting by the roadside, to see the convoy pass by. When I arrived at the Pantai Bungai (pit-stop) in Bekenu, I was surprised by the presence of our school children; as there were so many of them.
“But, what is most important is that we can’t deny the development progress (which has been taking place) in Sarawak. Apart from better roads, I see many plantation agriculture as well as factories along the journey,” he said.
As Sarawak is celebrating its 60 years of independence, Abang Johari hopes the people remain united, living together peacefully and harmoniously as Sarawak moves forward becoming a developed and high income region.
Earlier, Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian flagged off the convoy, which comprised 268 participants at the Miri Indoor Stadium before making a pit stop at Pantai Bungai in Bekenu.
Then, the convoy continued their journey to Nyalau and arrived at NAIM Street Mall, Bintulu Paragon, where Abang Johari launched the Digital Exhibition 60 Years of Sarawak’s Independence for Bintulu Division.
Among those who present were Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is also the Bintulu Member of Parliament; Sarawak state secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki as well as other dignitaries.
