MIRI: The Piasau Boat Club (PBC), once a small sailing outpost for Shell expatriates, marked its 50th anniversary with a celebration that underscored its evolution into one of Miri’s most enduring social institutions.
Speaking at the golden jubilee on Saturday, Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Sin said PBC was “more than just a recreational club – it is a living part of Miri’s heritage”.
Established in 1975 within Piasau Camp, then a residential enclave for senior Shell staff, the club has grown into a hub for sport, leisure and community life.
Its membership, once almost exclusively expatriate, now includes nearly 350 individuals and families from a mix of cultures and backgrounds.
That shift, the minister noted, mirrors Miri’s own transformation from a tight-knit oil and gas town into a more inclusive and cosmopolitan city.
“PBC has helped shape the social fabric of our city, bringing people together through shared passions, friendships and sport,” he said.
“The challenge ahead is to stay relevant for younger generations with different expectations and lifestyles.”
In recent years, the club has introduced pickleball courts and taken over the management of Piasau 100 – the former Shell managing director’s residence – turning it into a dining and meeting venue.
Such moves, Lee said, show how PBC can adapt while remaining rooted in tradition.
He also urged Shell and PETRONAS to continue their long-standing support for PBC and for Miri.
“This is a small contribution both corporations can make, but one that leaves a lasting impact,” he added.
Long-serving members were among those present at the celebration, alongside Sarawak’s Deputy Tourism Minister, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department, Datuk Gerawat Gala; Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Chairman, Datuk Dennis Ngau; Miri Mayor, Adam Yii Siew Sang; Shell Malaysia’s Country Chair, Siti Sulaiman; and PBC Governing Board Chairman, Jonathan Jolly.
