KOTA SAMARAHAN: Residents of Kota Samarahan are urged to seize opportunities arising from the rapid growth of the area by exploring the tourism, homestay, traditional food, culture, and small business sectors to ensure the spillover of development is enjoyed by the local community.

Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development and Member of Parliament for Kota Samarahan, Datuk Rubiah Wang, said that the development of infrastructure and various new facilities in Samarahan will increase the arrival of visitors from outside, thereby opening up broader economic space for the residents.

According to her, Samarahan's strength lies not only in housing, education, and infrastructure development, but also encompasses the potential of the environment, river areas, orchards, traditional food, and local community culture that can be highlighted as tourism products.

“What we want to market are three aspects, namely traditional food, culture and customs, as well as the unique features of our ecosystem, such as orchards and riverside areas.

“These are opportunities that villagers can take advantage of for tourism development that can support programs organized by the government,” she said when met by the media after the Handover Ceremony of Completed Projects under the IRSDA Socio-Economic Development Subcommittee at Kampung Pinang, here on Friday.

Datuk Rubiah stated that the project to upgrade tourism facilities in Kampung Pinang, valued at RM500,000, proves the government's continuous efforts in providing infrastructure capable of supporting the community's economic and tourism activities.

She added that growing fishing activities in Kampung Pinang could become one of the main attractions, besides potentially creating new opportunities for boat operators, homestay operators, food entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

She noted that enhanced connectivity through networks like the Coastal Road and the Pan Borneo Highway also makes Samarahan increasingly accessible and positions it as a potential hub for visitors.

“When we provide better facilities and amenities, visitors will come, and naturally we, as Samarahan residents, must take this opportunity to provide infrastructure that supports such developments,” she remarked.

In light of this, she hopes local residents will not merely be spectators to the tide of development, but will instead actively participate to build a new economic ecosystem based on the strengths and uniqueness of their own area.m
Also present were Chairman of the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) Councillor Abang Ismawi Abang Ali, MPKS Municipal Secretary Zuraida Idris and Kampung Pinang Leader Semawi Sulong. — UKASnews

Translator: Ryan Lim