By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, June 26: Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Dato Sri Tiong King Sing will meet Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg over the issuance of licences to Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) operators in Sarawak.
In revealing this, Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Hamzah acknowledged there have been ‘hiccups’ in issuing such licences and is optimistic the matter can settled soon.
He explained the issuing of MM2H licences for Sabah and Sarawak operators is slightly different from West Malaysia.
“There are differences in the policies regarding the amount of deposit applicants must submit but the licence to operate is issued by MOTAC.
“MOTAC admitted and understands deeply that Sabah and Sarawak are different, and initially agreed, but lately the ‘long-arm’ (those in power) seem to want to dictate again. This is where Sarawak said no,” he added.
He was responding to a reporter’s question on the problems related to the issuing of MM2H licences at a press conference after representing the Sarawak Premier in officiating at the inaugural Rainforest Forest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2024 at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre today.
Abdul Karim elaborated that Sarawak is still in negotiations over Malaysia Agreement (MA63), and among matters the State wants to be given back or manage is tourism.
“When Malaysia was formed in 1963, nobody knew about tourism. It was not even discussed nor even deliberated. At that time, tourism was not important at all in 1963.
“Nobody knew about tourism. It’s only in the 70s and 80s, we understood the importance of tourism. Now anything to do with the State’s rights (the Sarawak government) needs to be consulted first,” he said.
Abdul Karim revealed that he was given to understand that as far as MM2H is concerned, MOTAC wants to give the authority to Sarawak.
“I want to know the term ‘power’ that MOTAC stated. Does that mean, say Sarawak and Sabah have the right to issue licences to these agencies who run Malaysia My Second Home, or is it still held by MOTAC?
“If the power goes ‘down’, it must be with absolute authority to the State. I don’t want (them) to tell us one thing and then still pull us to one side. But I can tell you the MOTAC Minister will be meeting our Sarawak Premier, I think in about a week’s time. It will be deliberated at that time,” he said.
Also present were Abdul Karim’s deputy Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Dennis Ngau, and STB Chief Executive Officer Sharzede Salleh Askor. — DayakDaily
