28/07/2025

MONDAY | JULY 28, 2025

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Borneo Flora Festival blooms with colour and culture

Call for state backing in co-op development MALACCA: A request for funding will be submitted to the state government as part of the 2026 State Budget to support cooperative development in Negeri Sembilan, according to State Health, Environment, Cooperatives and Consumerism Action Committee chairman S. Veerapan. To date, the state government has not allocated any specific funds for this purpose, with existing support coming solely from the Federal Government through the Malaysian Cooperative Commission (MCC) state branch. “This is important because, in Malacca, despite being a smaller state with lower revenue than Negeri Sembilan, the state government allocates funding to MCC Malacca. We intend to follow that example,”he told Bernama. He emphasised that state-level backing is essential to ensure cooperatives in Negeri Sembilan can grow and strengthen their operations. Veerapan was speaking after attending the Business Exploration and Networking Programme, organised by the Negeri Sembilan government in collaboration with cooperatives from Sarawak and Sabah. video message. “I wish to first extend my sincere apologies for not being able to attend Saturday’s very special event. “Nonetheless, I am truly delighted and would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Sarawak Tourism Board for the successful organisation of the Sarawak Travel Fair in Pontianak,” he said in the message. Meanwhile, AirAsia Malaysia announced the launch of two new direct routes connecting Kuala Lumpur and Kuching to Pontianak, making it the only airline currently operating international flights to the city. In a statement, the airline said the new routes were unveiled during the Sarawak Travel Fair, which was organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board and officially launched by West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan. The airline added that this expansion aligns with its continued growth in Indonesia, following the recent launch of the Kuala Lumpur– Palembang route in July and the upcoming Kuala Lumpur–Semarang service in September. – Bernama Nanta noted that the NCH will complement the Pan Borneo Highway by focusing on the northern coastal corridor and establishing a critical link between Sarawak’s central and southern regions, Brunei and Sabah via the Merapok border. “This project is a prime example of how regional development strategies can succeed through effective collaboration between agencies and governments.” – Bernama

Sanusi, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Federal Territories Department director-general Datuk Seri Noridah Abdul Rahim, Kuala Lumpur City Hall mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif and Labuan Corporation chief executive officer Mohd Sukuran Taib. A total of 31 exhibitors are taking part in the festival, including participants from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan. More than 12,000 ornamental plants and hundreds of tropical flower species from across the region are being showcased. Exhibitors include the Sabah Parks Board of Trustees, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Kota Kinabalu City Hall as well as local organisations such as the Labuan Women Farmers Association and higher learning institutions.

earlier to ensure he didn’t miss the first-ever BFF. “The arrangement and decorations are very attractive, with colourful floral displays and various activities for visitors. If even the people of Labuan are coming, then those of us who don’t live here surely won’t miss the chance,” he said, adding that he was also visiting his child who works on the island. Nur Hayanti Asri, 18, from Kuala Penyu, said she was excited to attend her first flower festival and looked forward to capturing memorable photos. “As a young person, the first thing I thought of when deciding to come to the BFF was to take pictures for backgrounds and post them on Instagram,” she said, adding that she found out about the event through social media promotions. Also present at the event were the wife of the Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd

o Over 37,000 attend opening day of Labuan’s first-ever event, showcasing tropical flowers, traditions and regional unity

LABUAN: The Borneo Flora Festival (BFF) has drawn not only residents of the Pearl of Borneo but also visitors from outside the island, eager to experience the vibrant celebration that began yesterday. The festival welcomed 37,130 visitors on its opening day alone. Held at the International Sea Sports Complex, the event is themed Borneo Tropical Flora and runs daily from 8am to midnight until July 30. It features floral parades, garden installations, traditional dance and music performances, and exhibitions that highlight Borneo’s rich botanical and cultural heritage.

Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, officiated the inaugural festival, further elevating the significance and prestige of its launch. Among the visitors was Siti Norlila Rahim, 38, from Brunei Darussalam, who travelled by ferry with her family to visit relatives in Labuan and attend the festival. “My mum told me there’s a festival here in Labuan, so I thought, why not come and most importantly, there are also booths from Brunei involved in the festival,” she told Bernama. Jinus Yoson, 51, from Tambunan, said he arrived in Labuan two days

Air link to Pontianak set for take-off KUCHING: Sarawak Transport

Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the upcoming Kuching–Pontianak route, set to commence on Sept 12 with twice-daily flights, would offer greater flexibility and convenience for travellers on both sides of the border. In a statement, he described the launch of these international air links as more than an aviation milestone, highlighting them as a testament to the strong historical, cultural and familial ties shared by communities in Sarawak and West Kalimantan. “It will boost tourism, trade, education and social linkages, especially among border communities,” he said. Lee expressed appreciation for the Indonesian government’s decision to reopen Supadio Airport in Pontianak for international flights, calling it a strategic connection between Kuching and the West Kalimantan capital. Although he was formally invited to attend the launch event, Lee said he was unable to be present due to prior official commitments. However, he conveyed his full support through a pre-recorded

FELINE ATTRACTION ... Visitors captivated by a preserved tiger on display at an exhibition booth held in conjunction with the 2025 Global Tiger Day celebration at a major shopping mall in Shah Alam yesterday. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Northern Coastal Highway to drive Sarawak connectivity LIMBANG: The Northern Coastal Highway (NCH) project will serve as a key driver of connectivity and development in northern Sarawak, according to Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. Miri–Temburong–Limbang route, which currently involves four immigration checkpoints. Kuala Lawas – 44 bus stops, eight pedestrian bridges and four rest-and-service areas.

from the Sarawak and Federal Public Works Departments, the Works Ministry and the Regional Corridor Development Authority to align on the technical implementation of the NCH project. This reflects strong collaboration between the federal and Sarawak state governments,” he said in a statement. The NCH will provide an alternative domestic route linking major towns such as Miri, Limbang and Lawas without passing through Brunei, reducing reliance on the

Phase 1 of the project comprises five sections, including three in Limbang (44.46km) and two in Lawas (43.5km), and is expected to be completed by 2030. “This project is not just about building roads; it’s about developing a future infrastructure network that will support the economy, tourism, logistics and improve the well-being of the people,” he said.

“This project will enhance mobility, ease daily life for the people and unlock greater economic opportunities for rural communities,” he added. Key components of the NCH include the construction of an 87.96km main road, 10.16km of access roads, 27 main structures – including 13 bridges, with two iconic crossings over Sungai Limbang and

He said the project, which covers the Lawas and Limbang areas, forms part of the state’s broader road network plan aimed at connecting regions currently separated by Brunei Darussalam. “At yesterday’s meeting in Limbang, I met with technical teams