SEMATAN: Since its official launch on January 26, Kilometre 0.00 of Telok Melano here has become a big draw to visitors, including tourists.
As the starting point of the Pan Borneo Highway (PBH), the spot has attracted hundreds of tourists and locals, especially during weekends and public holidays.
In conjunction with the recent Chinese New Year public holidays and long break, a couple from Semporna in Sabah, Mohd Nazib bin Abdul Luman and Noredah binti Basani perhaps became the first couple from there to set foot on Telok Melano.
According to Nazib who is an electrician in Semporna, he and wife have been hoping to visit the southern most end of Sarawak, namely Telok Melano. So after the completion of the highway’s first phase covering a distance of 32.77 kilometres, their dream to visit the area has come true. They drove their own vehicle and have enjoyed the scenery along their journey.
“I hope the highway project gets completed much earlier than the schedule so that there will be easier road accessibility between Sabah and Sarawak,” said Nazib when referring to Works Minister Baru Bian’s speech on January 26 that the project would be fully completed by June 2021.
Nazib, who has visited nearly the whole width and length of Sarawak either on official duties or visiting relatives, pointed out that setting foot on Telok Melano, the starting point of the highway, had been the most satisfying and proud moment for him and his wife.
He is anxiously waiting for the highway from Telok Melano in Sarawak to Tawau in Sabah to be fully completed soon, especially after realising the full benefit of having driven down to Sematan and Telok Melano.
His wife Noredah was proud that Malaysians, either Sabahans and Sarawakians, irrespective of race and religion, are able to enjoy the benefits and facilities provided by the two state governments.
“We should look after and safeguard these facilities for our future generations,” said Noredah who once served in one of the government departments in Sri Aman for 11 years.
Meanwhile, a few residents in Kampung Pueh, comprising those of Salako ethnic group, staying by the roadside, said they were worried about safety along the road, especially road users. They hoped all road users would adhere to speed and safety regulations, especially when passing by the village area.
One of the residents Pak Aji urged road users, especially motorcyclists, to be careful when using the road.
As a fisherman, he hoped for a better economy, especially with the completion of the highway.
