THE State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Ministry called on all District Tourism Action Committees to continue identifying prospective tourism sites throughout Sabah.
Its Assistant Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (pic) said the committees in 27 districts must be proactive in seeking out potential tourists attractions and informing the Ministry so that steps can be taken to boost tourism activities in their respective areas.
“We need more tourism attractions for us to have competitiveness and Sabah is blessed with attractions, especially in the rural areas where it is the jewel of tourism.
“So, we are always prepared to listen (to suggestions) not only from elected representatives but from every District Tourism Action Committee,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Sabah Legislative Assembly sitting.
Joniston was responding to additional questions raised by Justin Wong (Sri Tanjong) on whether the Ministry has plans to explore tourism sites in Tawau.
He also took note of Justin’s suggestion to set up a Tourist Information Centre at the Tawau Airport, stating such a facility will be considered as Tawau is a vital gateway to Semporna and popular diving destination.
Earlier, Joniston said preliminary planning is underway to look into developing tourism activities at Batu Punggul.
This was in response to Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohd Yassin (Nabawan)’s initial question about turning Batu Punggul into tourist attraction.
He said Batu Punggul is under the care of Sabah Forestry Department and is gazetted as Class IV Forest Reserve, adding the department disallows any tourism activity at the moment due to lack of proper visitor facilities.
“Without a doubt, Batu Punggul Forest Reserve has enormous potential for development as a tourist destination for adventure activities such as hiking and jungle trekking. It has also been identified as a prospective birding area.
“The Ministry has done some preliminary planning with the forestry department. My Ministry has included basic infrastructure requirements under the allocation for rural tourism development programme in the 12th Malaysian Plan,” he said.
Joniston added that the Forestry Department had engaged the local community to educate and prepare them on tourist management in their respective areas.
Likewise, he stated that the Ministry, through the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), is committed to working together to help establish community-based tourism.
In response to a follow-up question concerning safety, Joniston emphasised that it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure no intrusion occurs in tourism areas.
“Not only are security forces responsible for security matters, but also the community and the Village Development and Security Committee. Additionally, the Ministry also conducts safety-related training in this regard,” he said.
