Rokiah Mahmud
Legislative Council (LegCo) members raised concerns that the development of Tutong District’s potential may be too slow, during yesterday’s 19th LegCo session.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub said Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park is one of ASEAN Heritage Parks that has a huge potential to drive tourism activities especially in the Tutong District as well as the country as a whole.
“However, efforts to develop the park is seemingly too slow,” he said, adding that he hoped that appropriate attention will be given through short, medium and long term planning and the inclusion of all stakeholders, including government agencies, local residents and mukim and village consultative councils.
Meanwhile, LegCo member Yang Berhormat Abdul Aziz bin Haji Hamdan said the Sustainable Pekan Tutong Project is a proposed development concept that serves as a guide for a more sustainable and stable development, provide benefits in the aspect of economy, environment, social, culture and tourism.
Development initiatives include introducing green and clean areas in Pekan Tutong; reducing vehicle density by providing pedestrian and bicycle lanes; and conservation and maintenance of historical heritage and cultural products available in Pekan Tutong.
It also includes the use of renewable energy as well as environmental-friendly strategies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
He hoped to see the project being made into milestones and given thought to drive development, as progress is seen to be slow.
Yesterday, Yang Berhormat Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin noted that to strengthen the foundation and fundamentals of the country’s economy and to create new growth areas in potential fields, strategies ought to be implemented in the field of eco-tourism, biotechnology and modern agriculture.
In addition to these sectors, other areas such as education, health, Islamic finance, and halal food marketing, have huge potential to become a source of growth for a resilient and advanced new economy, he said.
