Chong is special tourism adviser to the CM
Published on: Monday, December 06, 2021
By: Anthea Peter
.jpg "Chong is special tourism adviser to the CM")
Chong giving his speech during the high tea ceremony.
Kota Kinabalu: There is a need for the State Government to make Kota Kinabalu an international entry point for East Malaysia to drive the State’s tourism growth, said former Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat.Chong, who was recently appointed as Special Tourism Adviser to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor, said there is also a need to support Malaysia’s flag carrier airline, Malaysia Airlines (MAS), to introduce more direct flights from Kota Kinabalu to international destinations.
ADVERTISEMENT
“In addition to supporting AirAsia, we have to support our national airlines. We must make sure that MAS makes use of Sabah as their own (international) base in East Malaysia, not just Kuala Lumpur.
"" Ex-CM says won’t accept any payment ""
“Logistically, (Sabah) is very strategic. From here, we should be able to take MAS to Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo, among others. Not only via AirAsia.
“We also need MAS to take us to international hubs, and from these hubs we will then bring people from all over the world to Sabah and make Kota Kinabalu the entry point for East Malaysia,” he told reporters during a high tea ceremony “Memories in Time Past” in conjunction with his book entitled “The Illegals in Sabah” at the Hilton Hotel, here, Sunday.
He said the State Government must focus on providing opportunities and support for the private sectors in both the tourism and business industries.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It is the private sectors that will be the main engine of growth. Tourism is also about investment, and this is where the industry leaders also play a very important role.
“Tourism is not just about visitors, tourism will also create an atmosphere for investors, people who bring in the numbers in the form of tourism receipts and investments, which are very important,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Chong believes that it would be a feasible endeavour given Sabah’s world-class strengths in tourism.
“We have everything here. Our tourist guides are the best in the world. Our inbound operators and private entrepreneurs are on par with the rest of the world.
“So we have the people, and the natural (tourism) products – mountains, seas and forests. Most importantly, we have Sabahans, who have always been known for being loving, friendly and accepting of anybody,” he said.
On being appointed as the Chief Minister’s Special Tourism Adviser, Chong said it was his way to give back to the tourism industry and Sabah’s development in general.
“It is an honour to be appointed and I thank the Chief Minister for giving me this opportunity and for having trust in me to help out the tourism sector,” he said, adding that he was elected last October.
He added that it was a pro bono public service on his part out of love for the State and Sabahans. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
