Reconsider appeal for extra rural flights — Abang Johari

http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/06/24/reconsider-appeal-for-extra-rural-flights-abang-johari/

Posted on June 24, 2012, Sunday

MIRI: MASwings Rural Air Service (RAS) should reconsider the appeal for additional flights to rural areas, especially during festive seasons.

Tourism  Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg said sufficient flights were vital to complement government efforts to promote tourism in rural areas like Bario highlands, Ba Kelalan and Mulu.

“The state-level ministry will collaborate with the Tourism Ministry at the federal level to discuss and look into this matter,” he said when officiating at a food sales to raise funds for Bario Nukenen Festival 2012 at Miri Civic Centre yesterday.

At the moment, MASwings’ 19-seater Twin Otter DHC-6 aircraft has only one daily flight to Bario.
“We hope flight regularity can be added, especially during the festive season or other big events such as cultural festivals. We were made to understand that a flight that carries 19 or less passengers at one time is insufficient,” he said.

Abang Johari said his ministry was also planning to hold discussions with Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) and MASwings to come up with connecting flights to the three main attractions in the northern region: Bario, Ba Kelalan and Mulu National Park.

“We can come up with highland packages and through these, tourists will not only get to visit Brunei, but experience the beauty and hospitality of the three places,” he added.

According to him, Mulu is well known for its unique caves and limestone while Bario had breathtaking mountain views, and Ba Kelalan famous for its hotsprings in Merarap.

Touching on the upcoming Bario Nukenen Festival 2012, Abang Johari praised the effort of Rurum Kelabit Sarawak (RKS) for its commitment in organising the annual festival for the seventh year.

He urged Kelabit residents in Bario to continue producing a variety of products from the highlands, and be more creative to add value to the tourism sector.

“Bario folks are lucky as they have beautiful culture and breathtaking environment. Most importantly, Bario folks must make efforts to highlight and promote their uniqueness to the outside world,” he said.

At the function, Abang Johari announced a RM15,000 sponsorship for Bario Nukenen Festival 2012 while RM5,000 came from the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB).

The fundraising sales yesterday targetted to raise RM40,000 from the festival to be held from July 26 to 28.

Also present at yesterday’s event were Tourism Assistant Minister Datuk Talip Zulpilip; Semariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali; Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau; Miri  mayor Lawrence Lai; Political Secretary to the Minister of Energy, Green  Technology and Water, Datuk Sebastian Ting; Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis; RKS president Gerawat Gala and organising chairlady for the fundraising food sales, Councillor Kijan Toynbee.