KUCHING: Certain measures in the standard operating procedure (SOP) needed to be fine-tuned as the whole of Sarawak moves into phase three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah anticipates an influx of tourists into the state with the opening of domestic tourism and increasing number of flights into Sarawak.
“As we are opening up, I believe that some measures in the SOP can be further fine-tuned. For instance, I personally do not really agree with the need to obtain a permit for inter district travel.
“This is because I understand that the process of obtaining a permit can be troublesome with the need to provide supporting documents to the authority,” he said to the media on Thursday (Sept 30).
Abdul Karim pointed out that the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) must be prepared to grant approval for enterSarawak applications.
He said SDMC must step up to ensure efficiency so as to avoid causing inconvenience for those who wish to come to the state.
“For those who are from the Peninsula and Sabah, they must obtain the interstate travel permit, approval from enterSarawak and undergo swab test. In some cases, they must purchase flight tickets first but their tickets will burn if the approval is not obtained in time.
“As the enterSarawak approval is issued by the SDMC, they must be prepared so that there will be no dissatisfaction or complaints from the public. Sarawak is expecting an increase in daily flight frequency from 22 to 87 so I believe there will be many tourists coming in soon.”
Abdul Karim who is also Minister of Youth and Sports said he had brought up to the SDMC, recent issues of members of public getting compounded for being out and about on beaches.
“With the Southern zone moving into Phase Three of the NRP, there should be no problem for the people to roam freely but of course with compliance to the SOP.
“If they want to spend the day at Sarawak Cultural Village or at the beach, they can do so because it is their right,” he pointed out.
