Abd Karim hopes 12MP funding covers promotion of tourism products

KUCHING: It is hoped the financial allocation under 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to promote tourism activities will also focus on the tourism products available in Sarawak, said state Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Abdul Karim said the state government had always been paying great attention to promote the local tourism sector and he hoped the federal government could provide further support on the matter.

“I am also proud the federal government has now focused on responsible tourism as I believe all parties have a role to play in preserving and conserving our environment,” he said at a press conference after officiating an event celebrating ‘World Tourism Day 2021’ at a local hotel here yesterday.

Abdul Karim said his ministry and the relevant agencies had focused on responsible tourism when organising past events, such as the well-known Rainforest World Music Festival.

Aside from the tourism sector, the minister expressed his wishes that the rights of Sarawak under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that had been eroded throughout the years will be addressed and returned to the people in the state.

Currently, Abdul Karim said both the state and federal governments were on the right track to attempt to return the rights of the state in the spirit of MA63.

“We feel happy the federal government right now is willing to listen to us and understand the predicaments that the Borneo states have always felt when it comes to our rights and interests.”

Abdul Karim explained that negotiations would be difficult if only one party was interested to resolve the matters concerned but he was positive of the current progress made in safeguarding the state’s special interests.