BA’KELALAN: The federal government will revitalise the tourism industry in Ba’Kelalan to boost state revenue.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said efforts to spark domestic tourism in Ba’Kelalan would be carried out, focusing on the production of rock salt.
“The government has approved one of the applications for the production of rock salt, with an allocation of RM88,000.
“The development of the production centre in this area can generate national income through ecotourism activities and boost the socioeconomy of locals.
“Motac also will approve applications involving large-scale industry for the 12th Malaysia Plan,” she said during her visit to Ba’Kelalan recently.
To increase the variety of products offered by the locals, she said the ministry would explore new handicraft products in Ba’Kelalan such as batik with indigenous patterns and designs.
“We will explore ways to increase the variety of batik handicraft products that can be commercialised.
“Kraftangan Malaysia had organised demonstrations on the process of making batik to the community.
“They will also facilitate local entrepreneurs in terms of digital marketing through E-Craft Bazaar and Craft On The Go, which provides geolocation services containing handicraft entrepreneur information that can be assessed directly via Google Maps.”
Nancy also noted that the lack of transportation facilities in Be’kalalan had been a major constraint.
“Ba’Kelalan is very capable of being a competitive ecotourism product.
“To increase access through air transport, the ministry plans to hold discussions with several airlines on how we can initiate more flexible flight packages to Ba’Kelalan.”
Also present were Motac sec-gen Datuk Dr Noor Zari Hamat and Sarawak Motac director Suriya Charles Buas.
