Answer for Oral Question PL216

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Dr. Awang Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin

YANG BERHORMAT DR. AWANG HAJI MAHALI BIN HAJI MOMIN asks the Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan to state what actions have been taken to make the Pulau Selirong Recreational Forest a domestic and international tourist attraction, in line with conservation goals and sustainable tourism principles through the cooperation of marketing and tourism agencies to upgrade the forest with an allocation of BND$1.58 million under RKN12?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Sumber-Sumber Utama dan Pelancongan

As one of the strategic steps to strengthen nature-based tourism and biodiversity research, the Projek Menaik Taraf Taman Rekreasi Hutan Pulau Selirong includes:

• Upgrading the Control Post for security and entry management; and
• Construction of a new Information Centre complete with interactive exhibitions on mangrove forest biodiversity.

This initiative is expected to:

• Increase the appeal of domestic and international ecotourism, particularly for tourists interested in nature and research;
• Increase public awareness of the importance of conserving the mangrove ecosystem;
• Improve skills and methods of delivering ecotourism and nature tourism products that are more attractive, interactive and customer-friendly;
• Expand research and educational opportunities, making Pulau Selirong a competitive mangrove forest research centre at the regional level.

As an initial step, the ministry has begun infrastructure improvements in stages. In June 2025, in conjunction with the Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE), the Ekspedisi Hutan ke Terumbu Karang was organised and successfully attracted 38 researchers and participants from within and outside the country. They explored the rich biodiversity of the mangrove forest in Pulau Selirong Forest, thus demonstrating the potential of this area as a significant biodiversity research and education site at the regional level.

To realise the Pulau Selirong Recreational Forest as a domestic and international tourist attraction, a public-private partnership approach will be taken. This park has been identified as an area with potential to be offered to investors for development as a tourism resort based on nature conservation.

This initiative reflects the ministry’s proactive and phased approach: using what is available, while planning for long-term impact — supporting the goals of sustainable tourism, Wawasan Brunei 2035 and the country’s environmental conservation.