Time Sabah given more tourism powers: DCM
Published on: Monday, December 16, 2019
By: Stefyani Myla Michael
KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister cum Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said it is high time for the ministry to be given more jurisdiction on tourism-related matters in the State.
She said this includes tourism enforcement and regulations, which are among matters of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) being discussed between the State and Federal Government.
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“I really look forward to it because small matters like issuance of licences currently require our tour operators to go to Kuala Lumpur to apply for it,” she said.
“The discussion is still ongoing and I hope it will be resolved soon,” she said when launching the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agent’s (Matta) Visit Malaysia 2020 cum Matta Sabah Christmas dinner reception, here, Saturday.
Liew said she and Matta President Datuk Tan Kok Liang had received numerous complaints from the 3,000 Matta members regarding the matter.
“They feel uneasy whenever they want to apply for licences as they have to go all the way to Kuala Lumpur to do it.
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Things like that are technical and I think the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry is able to handle it,” she said.
Tan, who was also present, said it is time for Sabah to introduce tourism laws to further safeguard the local industry.
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Of particular concern are the policies on application and issuance of licences and the lack of enforcement, which make the local industry vulnerable and on an unfair level-playing field.
“The Tourism Industry Act 1992 needs amendments due to changing business model and landscape such as digital economy and AirBnB.
“Matta looks forward to continuing to work in harmony with the Government, Tourism Malaysia, Sabah Tourism Board and other stakeholders to bring tourism industry to greater heights,” said Tan.
On another development, Liew said the State Government is looking into the possibility of collaborating with a group of cruise ship owners, which used to be based in Hong Kong.
“The owners of three cruise ships are now thinking of coming to Sabah. We are still in the process of negotiation and hope to conclude it within three months as the matter involves a lot of stakeholders, including the Attorney-General’s Office and security forces,” she said.
“I have also invited those from the Sabah Port Authority to discuss the matter and we have been assured that our ports are ready to facilitate such cruise ships,” she said.
On a different note, she expressed confidence on the ability of Malaysia’s security forces despite reports of elephant tusks getting past the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) to Kalimantan in Indonesia.
“I have confidence in our security forces, they are doing their job. Let’s give them a positive feedback, let’s have trust and confidence in our officers doing their job. Give our support to them,” she said.
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