Call to help affected industry players
KOTA KINABALU: Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) president Tan Sri Dr TC Goh has urged the State Government to look for solutions to help industry players whose businesses are affected by the temporary suspension of all direct flights from China to Sabah in the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Goh, who is also the president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), said Sabah was still considered lucky with tourist arrivals from Korea and Japan.
He said the Koreans and Japanese were more high-end tourists, who preferred to stay in four to five-star hotels.
On the contrary, he said most Chinese tourists were free independent travellers (FIT).
“When this group (Chinese tourists) no longer comes to Sabah, obviously three-star hotels, budget hotels, Airbnb accommodations, souvenir shops and restaurants are affected.”
Goh said the Federal Government was expected to come up with a stimulus package next month to tackle the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
“I urge the State Government to look for solutions to help the operators during this hard time, which I expect will last six months or longer.”
He said that to the media after receiving a mock cheque of RM40,000 from the Small and Medium Enterprise Association of Sabah (SME Sabah) for the ‘We Care’ charity dinner on Feb 18.
Goh also called on banks to extend the loan repayment tenure to help individuals and businesses, as well as consider offering an interest-free period like China.
Nevertheless, he said the COVID-19 outbreak served as a good lesson on the importance to diversify the industries in Sabah.
“The Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal has repeatedly called on the need for diversification of our industries.
“Our tourism industry has to diversify as well, rather than depend solely on Chinese tourists.”
But Chinese nationals are undeniably a giant tourist source market which Sabah needs, he said.
On another note, Goh is confident of achieving the
RM1 million target to assist the coronavirus victims in China from the upcoming charity dinner and public donations.
The fundraising dinner, jointly organized by the State Government and FCAS, will be held at Hakka Hall on Feb 18 at 7pm.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal will be the guest of honour at the event.
Goh said FCAS welcomed any amount of donations from individuals and companies.
“The quantum of the donation is not an issue because China has everything.
“We just want to show our concern, love and care towards China, and convey the message that we shall stand by them in times of difficulty.”
He hoped that Chinese tourists would return to Sabah when the outbreak had subsided.
He added that the donations would be handed over to the organization to be decided by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu.
The charity event is also held in collaboration with the Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC), United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK), Sabah China Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), Small and Medium Enterprise Association of Sabah (SME Sabah), Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI), Kota Kinabalu Hokkien Association, Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Sabah branch and Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta).
The charity dinner sponsorship packages are as follows:
A) Individual sponsorship of RM10,000.00 or above will be entitled to 2 complimentary VIP dinner tickets;
B) Company sponsoring RM10,000.00 or above will be entitled to 2 complimentary VIP dinner tickets, and the company logo will be printed on T-shirt;
C) Purchase of 10 dinner tickets (1 table) at RM10,000.00;
D) Purchase of 1 dinner ticket at RM1,000.00; or
E) Any amount you/your company wish to donate to this fundraising dinner (without the dinner ticket)
The public could support the fundraising initiative by making a donation to FCAS. Donations can be made to: Gabungan Persatuan Cina Sabah
Bank: Alliance Bank (M)
Berhad
Account number: 1-00390010076185
The bank-in slips should be clearly stated with ‘We Care’ and faxed to FCAS Secretariat at 088-268433 or WhatsApp to the individuals below for record purposes.
For more details, please contact FCAS secretariat Ms Grace Chong 016-8062177 or 088-253433; working committee member Mr Ricky Lee 0168336978 Ms Regina Ngu 0124115534, or email to fcasinfo@ gmail.com.