By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, June 26: Local tourism players in the state who felt that the Sarawak government has not done enough to help them recover from the Covid-19 pandemic should leave the industry, says Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He was lamenting on how some tourism players in the state have been complaining and voicing their displeasure with the current assistance given by the Sarawak government.
“The government is trying to help as many industries as possible, not just tourism. We must look at the bigger picture.
“While we understand the dire situation caused by Covid-19 and you will ask for more, you also need to be considerate as there are so many players as well. If we assist only one person, then the rest will not be happy,” he said at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture dinner here yesterday.
Asked to elaborate on his statement in his speech during the event, Abdul Karim pointed out that the tourism players are asking for more assistance due to the insufficient government assistance being allocated to them
“Those who are not happy, you know who you are. If you are not happy, then leave this industry and move to another one,” he asserted.
Abdul Karim assured that the state government has come up with several strategies to help boost the industry recover from Covid-19, including RM1 million visitors incentive package, RM250,000 online tourism ecosystem fund, enhancing air, land and sea connectivity, training and up-skills and more.
“Apart from that, the tourism sector is also in the Sarawak Economic Action Council which was formed by the Sarawak government to set the direction of the state’s economic development until 2030.
“Hence, while the country is moving towards a new normal and recovery period, you tourism industry players should be grateful for any assistance given by the government,” he added.
Meanwhile, on the issue of Sarawak reverting back into the Malaysian Tourism Board, he and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri both said the matter was currently being discussed.
Abdul Karim said he had also referred the matter to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.-DayakDaily
