KUCHING: Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian is confident Aeroville Mall has the potential to become the next landmark tourist attraction.
According to him, Aeroville Mall is not just another ordinary shopping mall, but a ‘stop-over’ for the people who are stuck at the airport for couple of hours with nothing to do.
“The members of the public, especially the tourists, will like it here because the mall offers useful services and facilities such as the flight info counter at Concierge Service.
“I was also informed that Level Two will have spaces for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community’s facilities,” he said in his speech when officiating at the Aeroville Mall in Jalan Stutong Baru here, today.
Dr Sim also said that the state government is emphasising tourism to create more job opportunities.
“Every year, we have around 40,000 students finishing high school, if 50 per cent of these students go to university, it means we need to create around 20,000 job opportunities every year.
“That is why the state government is looking at tourism to help increase the availability of jobs and as the major economic activity,” he said.
As part of the opening ceremony of the mall, Aeroville Half Marathon 2019 was also held on the same day with the participation of around 1,200 runners.
In the 21km Men Open category, Lel Kipchirchir emerged champion while Samson Karega and Rogers Kiptanui finished in second and third places, respectively.
For the women category, Elizabeth Wanza won first place while Naum Jepkosgei secured second place and Tho Siaw Khin came in third.
In the 21km Men Veteran category, Alex Tiong King Hee was announced winner followed by Muhammad Sharif Mohd (second) and Lee Kim Hing (third).
Meanwhile, Lee Leh Ha won the 21km Women Veteran category as Ling Mee Eng finished in second place and Yong Oi Mi in third.
Another category was the 10km for both men and women where Thomas Kipkorir Maritim and Grace Pui emerged champions for their respective category.
In second place were Chong Yen Boon (male) and Christabel Lim while Sunny Jong Shi Xian (male) and Voon Chin Lee finished in third places.
A mock cheque presentation worth RM10,000 was held as a special contribution from Aeroville Mall Sdn Bhd to Sarawak Heart Foundation.
Also present at the event were Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Lee Onn Group’s chairman Tan Guek Kee and Aeroville Mall Sdn Bhd director Tan Kun Gee.
