KUCHING: Elements of Mulu and Niah National Parks - Miri's two Unesco World Heritage Sites - as well as the city's first oil well, known as the Grand Old Lady, should be included in the interior design of the upgraded Miri Airport terminal building.
State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, who made this proposal, said the upgraded airport should reflect not only Sarawak's cultural diversity but also the unique natural and historical attractions that make Miri a distinctive destination.
"Our airport should not simply be a place where passengers arrive and depart.
"It should also be a place where visitors can discover what makes Miri and Sarawak special," he said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 9) after a briefing on the Miri Airport terminal building upgrading project.
During the briefing, the project team from the federal Public Works Department (JKR) presented "Gateway to the Highlands" as the proposed design theme for the terminal, drawing inspiration from the heritage, traditional craftsmanship and artistic elements of Sarawak's Orang Ulu communities.
Lee welcomed the concept, noting that Miri serves as a gateway to the highlands and interior regions of northern Sarawak.
He also encouraged the inclusion of cultural elements representing Sarawak's various ethnic communities to ensure that the upgraded airport reflects the state's unity in diversity.
He called on the federal Transport Ministry and JKR to ensure that the interior design team, once appointed, conducts site visits to Miri Airport and relevant locations across Sarawak.
"The designers must gain first-hand understanding of the airport's surroundings, local communities and cultural heritage to develop an authentic design that truly reflects Miri and Sarawak," he said.
The briefing marked the conclusion of a three-day engagement and working visit by the JKR project team.
Coordinated by the state Transport Ministry, the programme included engagement sessions with local cultural associations, artists and craftsmen in Miri, followed by study visits to Sarawak Cultural Village and Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching.
