KUCHING, Oct 9, 2026: Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin has proposed incorporating elements of Miri's two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park - as well as the city's first oil well , the Grand Old Lady, into the interior design concept for the Miri Airport Terminal Building upgrade project.
He made the proposal during a briefing by the federal Public Works Department (JKR) project team, marking the conclusion of a three-day engagement and working visit programme initiated and coordinated by MoT.
During the briefing, the project team presented “Gateway to the Highlands” as the proposed design theme, drawing inspiration from Sarawak's ethnic cultures, particularly the heritage, traditional craftsmanship and artistic elements of the Orang Ulu communities.
Lee said he welcomes the concept, noting that Miri serves as an important gateway to the highlands and interior regions of Northern Sarawak.
He suggested that the design should also highlight elements of Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park, as well as Miri's first oil well, the Grand Old Lady, which symbolises the city's historical roots as the birthplace of Malaysia's petroleum industry.
He also encouraged the inclusion of cultural elements representing Sarawak's other ethnic communities to ensure that the upgraded airport reflects the Sarawak's unity in diversity.
He said the upgraded airport should reflect not only the cultural diversity of Sarawak 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.
He also expressed hope that the federal Ministry of Transport and federal JKR would ensure that the interior design team, once appointed, conducts site visits to Miri Airport and relevant locations across Sarawak.
He stressed that 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.
The three-day programme, held from 7 to 9 October, included an engagement session with local cultural associations, artists and craftsmen in Miri, followed by study visits to Sarawak Cultural Village and the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching.
Among the officials invited to participate in the programme were Siti Marshitah binti Mohamad Yusof, Secretary of the Development Division, federal Ministry of Transport; Waznah binti Abdul Aziz, Senior Director of the Transport Infrastructure Engineering Branch (CIKP); federal JKR officers Lee Sheau Feng, Shahrul Affendy bin Abu Bakar, Farah Amirah binti Mian and Meor Emri Farid bin Meor Abdul Ghani; and Miri Airport Manager Mohd Zabidi bin Abdullah.
Representing the state Ministry of Transport were Permanent Secretary Wong Hee Sieng, Deputy Permanent Secretary Mohamad Lotfi bin Tuah, Head of Aviation Division Dayang Nurhayati Abang Ahmad, and other ministry officers.
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