Aerial view of Miri Town

By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan – Of late, more and more Bruneians are going to Miri on buses taking their relatives and family members along with them, citing convenience and security as the main reasons.

The fare is also reasonable being less than $20 for a day trip which also covers hop-in and hop outs at popular shopping outlets in Miri.

A local bus company for instance, charged $300 for a day trip m its 22 eater bus type, $400 for 33-seaters and $500 for the 49-seaters,

“Our price is fixed and it’s up to the organiser to find passengers to fill the bus,” he said adding that land arrangement for three days two nights to Kota Kinabalu is $1,500 on a 22-seater bus type,

Meanwhile, there had not been even one theft of Brunei-registered cars in the last few months.
This was according to New Straits Times reporting Sarawak Tourism Minister, Dato Michael Mayin as saying that the situation in Miri, which had 1.5 million visitors from Brunei last year, had improved greatly.

Crimes committed against Brunei citizens had also declined. Security has improved tremendously, adding that he will go to Brunei soon to give his guarantee that the security in Miri is in place.

“It may have been the case a year or two ago but not any more.” Mayin said. He lamented some Brunei businessmen, continue to fan stories that Miri was dangerous to visit. Tales of Miri being unsafe had hindered tourist arrivals from Brunei. Miri records a drop of about 10 per cent in arrivals last year compared with 2007.

Mayin said security fears were not the main reason why Bruneians had stayed away from Miri. He said they also go to Kota Kinabalu to do their shopping at Borneo’s largest shopping complex, 1Bomeo. Curiosity played a part too.

“But I’m sure they’ll be back. It’s a six-hour drive to Kota Kinabalu and only one hour to Miri,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sarawak’s Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng has called for quick action to stop criminals in Miri from targeting visitors from Brunei. — Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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