Sabahan woman marks half-million visitors to Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge, takes home gold bar

KUALA NERUS (Oct 25): A woman from Tawau, Sabah, never imagined that her first visit to Terengganu would bring her such luck, as she was declared the 500,000th visitor to the Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge and awarded a gold bar worth RM15,000.

Adding to the significance, Sultanah of Terengganu Sultanah Nur Zahirah graciously presented the gold bar to Suriani Sulleh, 30, during a high-tea event at the iconic drawbridge today.

Suriani, who works in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, recounted that she had come to Terengganu in October last year with her family to help her sister collect belongings after completing her studies at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA).

“I came with my husband, son, father and sister. On Oct 12, 2023, we decided to explore Kuala Terengganu and visit the drawbridge.

“While filling out the attendance form at the counter, I noticed a poster about a gold bar prize for the 500,000th visitor. However, my father Sulleh Kuba, 67, said it would be impossible to win, as there were many visitors,” she told reporters.

However, to her surprise, just two days ago she received a call from TI Properties informing her that she was indeed the lucky winner. Suriani plans to keep the gold bar as a long-term investment.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Incorporated Sdn Bhd president and group chief executive officer Burhanuddin Hilmi Mohamed @Harunsaid the gold bar was sponsored by its subsidiary TI Properties, the company that manages and operates the iconic Kuala Terengganu Drawbridge, as a gesture of appreciation to visitors.

“Since opening in 2019, this bridge has become a significant tourism landmark for Terengganu, drawing over half a million visitors to date,” he said in his speech at the event.

He added that the ‘Half Million Visitor’ campaign seeks to solidify the drawbridge’s position as a tourism icon for Terengganu not only locally but also abroad. – Bernama