Call for dialogue on illegal tour guides
Published on: Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan Sabah is disturbed that Sabah Tourism and Culture Ministry Director Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar has resorted to threats in responding to the recent protest against illegal tour guides from China. Its Vice President Junz Wong said the Sabah Government needs to demonstrate political will and empathy in this issue. "Instead of threatening to revoke licences, which reflects high handedness and intimidation, Zaki should try to understand why the tour guides resorted to protesting," he said.
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He added Zaki should not dismiss their concerns without truly investigating the matter and portray the tour associations as the 'bad guys'."He should ask himself why would they protest if their claims have no basis and why would the allegedly illegal China tour guides flee the scene if they were legal guides who have done nothing wrong," he said.The Likas Assemblyman said if Zaki does not know his duty as Sabah Ministry Director, he should request for transfer and let others with better understanding of Sabah sentiment take over."Rather than protect illegal tour guides from China, the Ministry should show strong political will to investigate the issue and find a solution to the problem.
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"Parti Warisan Sabah wants the Sabah government to initiate a dialogue with all tourism industry players to better understand the issue before jumping the gun and resorting to intimidating tactics to victimise Sabah's local tour guides," he said.Meanwhile, Luyang Assemblyman Hiew King Cheu urged local tour guides to go through proper channels with their grievances instead of resorting to unlawful ways.
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"I understand the feeling of this group of young tour guides who wanted to bring the matter to the attention of the authorities but there are other proper channels to deal with the matter and need not resort to some unlawful ways," he said in a statement. He said this will only cause undue trouble to them and sometimes can also jeopardise their future.He proposed that the authorities to be stern and impose strict enforcement on all tour groups coming to visit Sabah. "The existing tour operation guideline and ruling on tour operators must be further scrutinised to ensure that there are no abuses or by-passing the existing laws. "A clear directive from the Federal and State Tourism Ministry must be issued to all the tour operators. "This will allow them to understand in depth on the tourism rules before the tourism enforcement officers to check and take action, and at the same time it is important to protect the interest of our much valued foreign tourists," he said. He said the action taken by the Sabah Tourist Guide Association (STGA) and the Sabah Native Registered Tourist Guide Association (PBBNS) is uncalled for."Actually the Culture and Tourism Ministry Sabah Director Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar had mentioned that the matter could resolved much easier if they had come to meet him for more details and further action. "The worst part is that the people who were involved in the incident are going to face investigation, and if it is confirmed that their action is illegal, further action shall be taken against them. "Maybe this is due to the shear misguidance and wrong advices rendered by certain Opposition party," he said. DAP Sabah Chairman cum Sandakan MP Stephen Wong Tien Fatt in a statement urged the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia not to suppress the local tour guides who had participated in the assembly at KKIA."It is unnecessary for Ministry to take such severe action against local tour guides who just wanted to voice out their problems as well as difficulties. "Instead, the Ministry should meet these tour guides and their leaders in STGA to find a win-win solution to resolve this issue," he said. "Be reminded that freedom of assembly is safeguarded in the constitution. Therefore I urge the Ministry to listen to their voices and address to the real issue instead of ignoring their problems and sweep under the carpet."There are demands and issues raised by local tour guides regarding foreign tour guides are claimed to be illegally working here. This is a serious issue. I hope that the government should look into these claims and sit down with involved players to find a way out for this issue."I don't think suppressing their voice by revoking their licenses without listening to them is a reasonable and right move. It is totally uncalled for. It further shows that our government is suppressive and ignorant.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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