KUCHING: Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah hopes more funds will be allocated for the development of tourism infrastructure in Sarawak under Budget 2020 which will be tabled in Parliament on Oct 11.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said when a new tourism spot opened, more funds were needed to develop the area.
He hopes more funds will be allocated to Sarawak to further promote its tourism products.
“We might be a different state government. But when it comes to the promotion of the state, I do hope the federal government will look at it positively.
“I hope it will not be too swayed by politics. Sometimes ministers or ministries are a little too swayed by politics,” he told a press conference at the Baitulmakmur Building here yesterday.
Karim acknowledged that the federal government had become friendlier towards the state government year by year.
“I can see that it is slowly opening up. Last time Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) is not with us, but it is here (present at the press conference) today. We want to say thank you.
“That reflects the federal government is opening up. After all, we have to go on. Politics is politics,” said Karim,
He stressed that it was the responsibility of the federal government to help promote tourism in each state even if the state government was managed by an opposition party.
“Sarawak is just as big as the whole of Malaya and we need more funds for tourism infrastructure such as roads, homestays or hotels when a new tourism area is identified,” he added.
Karim said besides Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Tourism Malaysia could also help to attract more tourists to the state which was known for its rich natural attractions.
“That is why the Sarawak government is very protective of our nature reserves. Our heritage and treasures need to be preserved and promoted at the same time,” he pointed out.
Karim added that his ministry and STB would continue to their best to aggressively promote Sarawak to the world.
