KUCHING: Sarawak should demand the return of tourism autonomy with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) now enshrined in the Federal Constitution. 

Batu Kitang Assemblyman, Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang said that tourism was never in the scheduled list under the Federal Constitution but was added under Item 25A of the Ninth Schedule in 1994.

"As a result of tourism being placed under federal jurisdiction, issuing of all licences related to the tourism industry requires the approval of Putrajaya. 

"This federal control leads to unnecessary bureaucracy for even things like tour bus and homestay licences," he said. 

He said this while debating the Motion of Appreciation for the Address by the Governor of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar during the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Session on Thursday.

Dato Ir Lo also cited other issues faced in the industry including agents of the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme having to go through the vetting and regulation processes by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) once more after their licences expire. 

"Valid licences were issued by MOTAC in the first place. They should only penalise those who break its rules, not penalising all industry players in Sarawak by revoking their licences regardless of compliance," he said. 

Additionally, he said that the Sarawak MM2H programme also has its own unique conditions separate from those in Malaya. 

Therefore, the mishandling of this issue could seriously harm the economy as MM2H participants contribute billions in foreign exchange by buying houses, supporting education, and boosting local businesses, he said. 

Meanwhile, the Batu Kitang Assemblyman also noted that MOTAC only contributes RM30 million annually to Sarawak as development funds, while Sarawak contributes up to RM300 million annually.

“Why should we let MOTAC dictate us? Our Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP Sarawak) can handle regional tourism well and we can understand ourselves better than anyone," he stressed.

In this regard, Dato Ir Lo urged for the issue to be resolved as soon as possible and for the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government to take over all matters related to the tourism industry in Sarawak.  -UKASnews