Sabah's haze less serious, but matter of concern
Published on: Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said he is deeply concerned over the impact of the haze on the State's tourism industry."I am worried to be honestly speaking. The haze is affecting some of the reasons that we have been telling people (to come to the State) such as the fresh air, sun and sea etc."This (situation) makes at least me feel guilty that we may have been indirectly short changing the tourist (even though it's not our fault). We promised them the sun and the (natural) beauty but what has been happening now doesn't seem to be giving credibility to what we are saying all this while.ADVERTISEMENT "But having said that, the only consolation or mitigating factor I can tell you is that it's not our fault and is beyond our control. So I hope tourists will bear with us as I am sure it is only a temporary (situation)."We have been getting periodical updates from the Department of the Environment and so far for Sabah, things still can be described as 'fair'."We are still in the 'fair' category. Kota Kinabalu this morning the (Air Quality Index) reading is 65. Tawau has improved since Sunday but Keningau has (worsened) slightly. But overall I would say we are better off than Sarawak, and one thousand times better than the peninsula. So we should be happy and grateful that Sabah is better off than the rest of the country."So my hope and prayer is somewhere somehow it will improve. There will be a lot of visitors mainly from China coming in the first week of October. The entire rooms are booked in five star hotels in Kota Kinabalu in the first week of October."ADVERTISEMENT He was responding to a question on the state of the tourism industry following the haze situation affecting the region after the launching of a book publication i.e. the Borneo Tourism Education Directory at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens on Monday. "The purpose of the directory was to make it easier for the public to know and be educated about tourism matters as this book covers information related to tourism matters in Borneo."
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He said through the book the public would also be able to get in touch with those parties who are in the tourism industry."This book is fully funded by advertising and it is free. The sponsors will be from those who are involved in the industry. There will be advertising inside but the advertising will also be educative in nature and the directory will also help to promote Sabah overseas." Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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It was learnt that the inaugural print will be 5,000 copies and the directory will be ready by end of next year.Also present was Haanvig Publication Sdn Bhd Managing Director A. Chandrasegar and Marketing and Admin Manager Calan V.