Izah Azahari

New additions to existing tourism products and activities in Temburong District will be set in motion, along with the creation of over 40 jobs, following a contract-signing ceremony for two projects by the Tourism Development Department under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT).

The first project will involve the development of a luxury eco-resort at Kampong Perdayan, as well as the refurbishment, operation and maintenance of the old District Office at Pekan Bangar.

Meanwhile, the second project will incorporate a river centre at Kampong Batang Duri.

Held yesterday at the MPRT’s VIP Room, the signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong.

Also present at the event was Permanent Secretary at the MPRT Pengiran Haji Kamalrudzaman bin Pengiran Haji Mohd Ishak.

The first contract was signed by Acting Director of the Tourism Development Department Haji Zulzalani bin Haji Osman, in the presence of the Permanent Secretary at the MPRT, while Director Lim Wei Su signed on behalf of Eco-Green Development Sdn Bhd in the presence of Legislative Council (LegCo) member and Principal Architect of Eco Bumi Arkitek Yang Berhormat Siti Rozaimeriyanty binti Dato Seri Laila Jasa Haji Abdul Rahman.

The second contract was signed by Haji Zulzalani in the presence of the Permanent Secretary at the MPRT, while Managing Director Chieng Hock Kiet signed on behalf of Sunshine Borneo Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd in the presence of its Director Jerome Fang Yau Yong.

Eco-Green Development Sdn Bhd has been appointed to develop a luxury eco-resort at Kampong Perdayan, and to refurbish and operate the old District Office at Pekan Bangar.

The company will operate and maintain the building, provide an information centre for visitors to Temburong District, and exhibit spaces for the local communities to showcase and sell their traditional handicrafts products.

The Tourism Development Department has also appointed Sunshine Borneo Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd to develop a river centre for the safe provision of temuai or longboat shuttle services from Kampong Batang Duri to the Ulu Temburong National Park.

The river centre will also serve as a comfortable ante-room for tourists awaiting the arrival of their longboat. For added comfort, the facilities will include a surau, an ablution area, restrooms and changing rooms.

The river centre will also showcase cultural products and handicrafts, through a partnership of the youth and local communities in Temburong.