KUCHING: Borneo Highland Resort is now fully-owned by the Sarawak government, said Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
This follows the Federal Court’s decision to dismiss an application by Borneo Heights Sdn Bhd (BHSB), a subsidiary of Country Heights Sdn Bhd, for leave to appeal against an order made by the Sarawak Superintendent of Lands and Surveys to forfeit three parcels of land meant for the development of the Borneo Highland Resort in early March.
Therefore, Abdul Karim said plans are underway by the state government for a new outlook of the resort following the legal battle with the previous developer.
“It (Borneo Highland Resort) will take a little bit of time because it has not been in operation for a while. The grass had grown very high so a certain amount of allocation has been approved by the State cabinet for Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) to maintain the resort.
“As Country Heights (developer) is no more around, somebody has to look after the road, grass and other things and that has been entrusted to MPP. The state government will have to study what they want to do with that place,” he told a press conference after chairing the State Tourism Steering Committee Meeting held here, yesterday (March 21).
As the resort is about 45-minutes-drive from the city centre, Abdul Karim said marketing the resort wouldn’t be a problem among the locals.
“We want to see something similar like Cameron Highlands or Fraser’s Hill, whereby even the community in the Bengoh area will also benefit,” he said.
He also did not rule out the possibility of turning the resort similar to Genting Highlands and operating a casino.
“It is up to the state government whether to allow a casino to be built. It can be a good idea, if regulated properly. Singapore can do it, I think why not? As long as it does not lead to big social problems,” he said.
Since September 20 1994, the resort has been placed under Country Heights Holdings Bhd in a joint venture (JV) with the Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA).
In November 2020, the Sarawak government terminated the concession given to Country Heights Holdings Bhd after it failed to fulfill the agreement to develop the resort after more than 10 years.
