KUCHING: The Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), which has been entrusted with managing Borneo Highlands, must take swift action to develop the area instead of making excuses.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stressed that the tourism industry requires proactive efforts and swift development, unlike the construction sector.
He expressed frustration over the slow progress in reviving the former hill resort, which is located less than an hour’s drive from Kuching.
“Those looking after Borneo Heights need to pull up their socks.
“Tourism is not like the construction industry. When we are on the rise now, all these tourism products must move fast.
“Even I have been waiting. Where else can you get a hill resort so close to the city? You don’t even need much marketing to attract visitors. Kuchingites alone can fill up that place.”
Abdul Karim told the media this when officiating the D’Drift 2025 flag off at TT3, DayakDaily office on Thursday (Feb 27).
He noted that the popularity of homestays in Telok Melano, Sematan and Damai demonstrated the strong demand for local holiday spots.
He pointed out that the current efforts to support glamping activities on the old golf course were insufficient to fully tap into Borneo Highlands’ potential.
“Yes, the ministry supports glamping, but how much revenue can it generate? What about hotels and restaurants? Do something to it, make it fast,” he urged.
Abdul Karim further dismissed legal disputes as an excuse for inaction, stressing that the matter had been resolved at the highest level.
“The case has gone up to the federal court, and it has been determined that we won. No doubt, there are small claims by the Tan Sri, but that should not stop development.”
Borneo Highlands, once home to an exclusive golf resort, has been largely abandoned in recent years following legal battles over ownership.
In 1994, the Sarawak government alienated 2,071 hectares of land in Borneo Heights, Padawan, for the development of a holiday resort.
The land, subdivided into Lots 48, 49, 50, and 51 under the Pangkalan Ampat Land District, was subject to title conditions requiring it to be developed as a holiday resort in accordance with an approved plan and completed by September 1999.
However, by 2020, the project remained unfinished. This led to legal disputes, culminating in the Federal Court’s 2023 decision to dismiss an appeal by the previous developer, Borneo Heights Sdn Bhd (BHSB).
The ruling paved the way for the Sarawak government to assume full control of the land and proceed with redevelopment plans.
