Donglin Golf Course and Resort Hotel Inaugurated Guo Jianzhong: A Promise to Give Back to Miri

(Miri, 20th) Fumeng Group CEO Guo Jianzhong pointed out that the completion of Donglin Golf Course and Donglin Resort Hotel is not only a commercial investment, but also symbolizes the Group’s commitment and contribution to Miri society.

Speaking at this morning’s soft opening ceremony of Donglin Golf Course and Resort Hotel, he said the two brand new 18-hole courses, Mulu and Niah, along with the simultaneous opening of Donglin Resort Hotel, coincide with the 20th anniversary of Miri’s elevation to city status, adding glory to the city’s development and carrying extraordinary significance.

Started from a dinner idea, persevering through difficulties to achieve the ideal
Recalling the project’s origin, he noted that the concept for Donglin Golf Course began at a dinner in 2003, attended by the former Deputy Chief Minister Dato Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. George Chan, Chiu Chi Yong, Dato Sri Lau Khiew Jin, and Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. The golf course project, originally undertaken by a Brunei company, was delayed several times and was eventually taken over by Lau Khiew Jin.

“That very evening, Dato Sri Lau Khiew Jin called me and instructed me to immediately start preparations, asking for it to be completed in two years. Excavators and construction teams were dispatched to start work the next day, even before any contract was signed.”

Guo Jianzhong admitted that, to focus on developing the golf course, Fumeng Group once suspended its Kuala Baram plantation project for two years, funding the full development independently without any bank loans, thereby giving up the opportunity to profit from the high palm oil prices in 2022.

“At that time, infrastructure was lacking, and we received many complaints. But we gritted our teeth and persisted, and finally saw the results.”

Received Multiple International Awards: Creating a Southeast Asian Golf Destination
To date, Donglin Golf Club has received numerous accolades, including being selected as one of the Top Ten Golf Courses in Malaysia by Golf Magazine and Times Malaysia; and also received the Asia Leading Resort, Rolex World’s Top 1000 Golf Courses, and the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Environmental Gold Award.

Promoting Community Development and Giving Back to Indigenous Communities
Guo Jianzhong pointed out that Donglin has long cooperated with the Lions Club, providing medical consultation services in remote areas such as Long Atip and Long Lama; employing more than 300 Penan staff, and helping to improve indigenous water, electricity, education, and health facilities.

Education Initiatives to Aid Miri’s Internationalization
He also mentioned that Lau Khiew Jin is a key promoter of Riam Road Secondary School, Polytechnic Institute, and Riam Hill International School. The new plan is to establish an international school occupying 20 acres in North City, with a first-phase investment of RM50 million, scheduled for completion in 2027, and will feature modern primary and secondary school facilities.

Hosting Cultural and Tourism Events: Miri Moves Towards Becoming a Leisure Capital
Over the past 20 years, Donglin has organized many international tournaments and cultural activities, including the 2006 Malaysia Women’s Golf Open, Asian Development Tour, International Jazz Festival, World Fuzhou Conference and more, attracting visitors from Korea, Taiwan, Brunei and beyond, progressively cementing Miri’s status as a regional cultural and tourism hub.

3,000-Person Convention Center Under Construction: Creating a New Business Travel Hub
He announced that the group will invest RM30 million to build a convention center at Donglin that can accommodate 3,000 people, with banquet space for 200 tables, suitable for large-scale events such as car shows and machinery exhibitions, further enhancing Miri’s position as a business and sporting event hub in northern Sarawak.

“Back then, this land was low-lying swamp, often hit by floods and fires. Now it is a green high ground, free of flooding, fire, or haze.”

Giving Back to Miri: Promoting Golf and Leisure Tourism
Guo Jianzhong stressed that Donglin’s construction is a token of Fumeng Group’s goodwill to Miri, and that the company will continue to promote the city’s internationalization, especially in golf tourism and leisure industry development.

He expressed gratitude for society’s sustained support and pledged that Fumeng Group will uphold its original intention to “give back to society and benefit the community,” making ongoing contributions to Miri’s sustainable development.