BY NATASHA JEE and MARGARET RINGGIT
MARUDI: The establishment of a three-star hotel here is timely as it will not only cater to the needs of local residents in the state but also provide accommodation for tourists from outside the region.
In stating this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg recalled that when he was Tourism Minister, he had mooted the idea of having a hotel in Marudi to the Head of State Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who was then the Chief Minister of Sarawak.
“We did have a proposal that the service sector, particularly tourism, could become an economic activity benefiting the community in the northern part of Sarawak.
“Previously, when the Sultan of Pahang and Sultan of Brunei came for the Baram Regatta, we lacked sufficient facilities for them to stay in Marudi.
“Therefore, during my conversation with Taib at that time, I suggested, ‘Why not, we build a hotel in Marudi as a substitute for our rest house.’
“So, today, we feel that it is appropriate to build a three-star hotel for the locals as well as the tourists,” he said during the hotel ground-breaking ceremony at Marudi Civic Centre here on Saturday (Sept 30).
Abang Johari said the development of the hotel is one of the necessary infrastructure projects, in addition to providing electricity and water supply.
“I told Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) not to charge the guests a high rate as if it is too expensive, people would not want to come.
“This is because the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government wants to help the locals. So, it (hotel) is more to facilitate (the locals and tourists).
“Mulu will have one hotel and Marudi will have one as well, which will provide benefits in the area in the long run,” he said.
Abang Johari said there are numerous attractions in the Marudi and Baram area, blessed with abundant greenery, a unique and beautiful culture, especially from the Orang Ulu community, delightful cuisine, and many more.
“These aspects make it distinct from other places. When you visit Marudi, you will encounter a vast river and lush greenery.
“In the morning, you can hear birds singing which you cannot find in the city. So, this itself is already an attraction,” he said.
He then stressed the importance of preserving and protecting the natural habitats, including the surrounding flora and fauna.
“Our next strategy is to construct roads from Marudi to Long Terawan, a project costing over a billion Ringgit. This means that people can drive all the way to Long Terawan, passing through longhouses and places like Long Lama, which are also attractions,” he said.
He also said that earlier he witnessed the launching of a book on the Narum ethnic community’s dialect.
