By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 11: The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak has declared its solidarity with Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, describing the Opposition’s demand for his resignation as “totally unwarranted” and an attempt to play up divisive sentiment.
DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen said Tiong had clearly explained in Parliament that the Global Travel Meet (GTM) gala dinner, where alcoholic beverages were served, was not a government-funded event but a private-sector sponsored celebration, and therefore did not contravene any government directive.
“That dinner was a private-sector funded, and thus it is perfectly alright for him to attend,” he said in a statement today.
He emphasised that the dinner, which celebrated the GTM event projected to generate over RM420 million in business impact for Malaysia, should be viewed in the context of its economic significance rather than being politicised.
“Such performances and direct benefits to the country should be the main focus, rather than other sentiments that are not constructive and have the tendency to divide our multicultural and multireligious country,” he added.
Chong pointed out that since Tiong’s appointment under the Madani federal government, Malaysia’s tourism industry has made a strong rebound, delivering nearly RM300 billion in total tourism receipts from 2023 to 2025.
He highlighted that the sector recorded RM71.3 billion in 2023, surpassed RM100 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach RM125 billion in 2025, with international arrivals hitting 38 million last year, a 31.1 per cent jump from the previous year.
“For year of 2025, we have already seen positive signs. For period between January until July 2025, Malaysia has recorded a total of 28.2 million international arrivals, an increase of 14.5 per cent compared to the same period of 2024,” he said, crediting the ministry’s leadership for Malaysia’s positioning as a global tourism beacon.
Chong criticised PAS and Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders for continuing to call for Tiong’s resignation despite his parliamentary clarification, accusing them of attempting to discredit the federal government by “playing up divisive racial sentiment.”
“Such actions show that these leaders will stop at nothing to smear the government, ignoring the merits and achievements of a minister,” he said.
The DAP Sarawak chief also took aim at Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) leaders, accusing them of being “equally guilty” in fanning the issue by making misleading remarks suggesting that the Sarawak government allows alcohol to be served at official functions.
“Throughout my 20 years attending Sarawak State dinners as an assemblyman, not a single drop of alcohol was served. It seems the State government also does not allow or pay for alcoholic drinks to be served at official dinners,” he said.
Chong further rebuked SUPP leaders for “ridiculing” the controversy instead of addressing real issues, suggesting they focus instead on supporting local entrepreneurs.
“It would be more constructive if SUPP could help to put our ‘Santubong’ brand of beer back on the shelves, help local entrepreneurs, and stop such narrow-minded religious extremism ideology from burgeoning in Sarawak,” he added. — DayakDaily
