Miri district is Sarawak's second largest, with a population of about 300,000 people. The development of Miri City is caused by the rich natural resources, especially petroleum and timber. On the 20th May 2005, Miri was official proclamation as Miri City with the title of"Resort City".One of the entrance should be upgraded in Miri is the Miri Airport. Since Miri is often cited as the Northern Gateway to Sarawak and one of the main and most important tourist attractions in this state, the Miri airport should be upgraded to become international direct flights for the convenience of the international traveler.

Miri also has the natural assets of many tourist attractions. Miri proud to be surrounded by four world-class national parks such as Mount Mulu, Niah Caves and Bukit Lambir Loagan Bunut. Gunung Mulu National Park near Miri, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses incredible caves and karst formations in a mountainous equatorial rainforest setting.  Niah Caves is located within the district of Miri in Sarawak, Malaysia. Part of Niah National Park, the main cave, Niah Great Cave, is located in Gunung Subis and is made up of several voluminous, high-ceilinged chambers.

In addition, Miri is also known for handicrafts, especially the beaded. Souvenir shops along the Bendahara Road, and Brooke Road is a favorite destination among locals and foreign tourists. Miri Handicraft Centre at the junction of Merbau Road and Brooke Road is also a place of choice handicraft and souvenir hunters.

If the government of Sarawak develops the international tourism industry, Miri city should also be introduced at international level because it is suitable for international travel hub as Miri is in the middle of the border between Brunei and Sabah.

It will also provide business opportunities for local people selling crafts and other local products to the international level if the facility of direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Asian countries such as China, Thailand, Philippine and our nearest neighbors Indonesia and Singapore can be implemented.

In addition, many foreign workers employed in oil and gas industry in Miri will be easy to commute to their home countries without going through a lot of travel is certainly taking a high cost. The tourism industry and hotels in Miri will also enjoy the benefits resulting from a direct visit for tourists from within and outside the Miri City. This will also enhance revenue to the State as well as to reduce unemployment to the local population.

We hope that this proposal should be given due attention by the government especially the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage Sarawak. The welfare of the people should be given priority, not because of the proposal are from the opposition parties so the relevant authorities concerned refuse without being given the attention and study in advance. In the hope that this could not happen because the proposal is for the benefit of us all is not there a certain political interests.

What is important now is the development of this country should be enjoyed by the people regardless of political affiliation. Keep out the partisan nature for the common interest of the people and this should be practiced by all the professional politicians and people-oriented.

PAS is not only focusing on purely political, but also more open to constructive suggestions as well as developing countries for thebenefit of all.

Jofri Jaraiee
PAS Miri Chief cum PAS Sarawak Deputy Commissioner III
http://pas-miri.blogspot.com

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