Sabah Most Wanted

Kampung Sukau to become tourism village – Nazri

KINABATANGAN: The government has decided to turn Kampung Sukau into a tourism village in the near future.

Tourism and Cultural Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who visited the village yesterday, said the village which is rich in biodiversity, had the potential to emerge as a well-known tourism spot.

The village is the centre of the Sungai Tribe to hold various cultural events such as Pesta Sungai in May and Pesta Damas in November apart from producing handicrafts, cultural arts and bird nests.

“Looking at this potential, the government will give a grant and allocation to upgrade the public toilet, homestay, cluster inns and jetty not only for the usage of local residents but also for visitors.

“In order to emerge as a well-known tourist spot, cleanliness is very important. Good hygiene must be practised not only by local residents but also by homestay and tour operators, who should ensure they have clean toilets and a clean surrounding compound of their homestay,” he said after officiating the ceremony of ‘Merakyatkan Seni Budaya’ organised by Sabah Association of Bangsa Sungai (SABAS) at Kampung Sukau, Kinabatangan, yesterday.

In order to keep up with recent developments, Nazri said the government would review the license fee for those locals who work as guides.

The current rate charged is RM550 for a period of three years and is seen as a burden for the tour guides. Therefore, a review is needed to ease their burden, Nazri added.

Also present were Assistant Culture, Tourism and Environment Minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi, SABAS president Datuk Wahid Norbinsa and deputy president Datuk Johari Janan.