MIRI, April 5: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Malaysia’s (Motac) financial assistance is expected to provide support and encouragement to industry players as the country’s borders open on April 1, said Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Nancy said the financial assistance for tourism industry players is an initiative and continuation of Motac’s efforts to assist those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia.
“I believe the last two years have been the most difficult, resulting in massive losses for all players in the country’s tourism industry, including those in Miri.
“The initiative is expected to provide assistance and encouragement to industry players as they prepare to recover following the country’s borders opening on April 1, 2022,” she said on Monday at the Financial Aid Presentation Ceremony for Tourism Industry Entrepreneurs at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Miri.
A total of 16 financial aid recipients were chosen, including five tourist guides, five Travel Operating Business and Travel (TOBTAB) companies, one Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) company, and five homestay operators.
The Motac Prihatin financial assistance recipients included the RM9,000 TOBTAB, the RM1,300 Tourist Guide (TG), the RM9,000 MM2H, the RM3,000 Spa and Reflexology Center, and the RM1,800 Malaysian Homestay Experience Programme (MHEP).
Meanwhile, Nancy stated at the press conference that any travel and related companies must register with Motac in order to receive assistance from Motac Prihatin.
“Those who have registered with us. Those who wish to apply must first register. However, this is already in Motac data; whether they apply or not, they will automatically receive it,” she explained.
The Financial Aid Presentation Ceremony for Tourism Industry Entrepreneurs is being held for the third time in 2022, following similar events held by Motac in Johor and Kuching, Sarawak.
Also present were Sarawak Transport Minister and Senadin assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (Tourism) and Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Sibuti Member of Parliament, Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, Deputy Secretary General (Culture), Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Malaysia Datuk Saraya Arbi, and Assistant Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Malaysia Sarawak Zurina Zainal Abidin Shah. — DayakDaily
