Govt plans cultural centre in Tawau: Liew
TAWAU: Deputy Chief Minister cum State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Christina Liew said the State Government plans to set up a cultural centre in Tawau to attract more local and foreign visitors for the sake of boosting the local economy and tourism industry. Christina, who is also Tawau MP, believes such as a centre would help to promote cultural tourism pertaining to Malaysia’s unique blend of diversity. She also invited smallholders or farmers who have fruit gardens, floral gardens or land in Tawau to develop it as a tourist hotspot, including making it as homestays for tourists. She was speaking while attending a welcome dinner cum Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration jointly held by the Tawau Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Tawau Reporters Association at a hotel here recently where about 250 members and guests attended.
The welcome dinner was held for the new district council president Datuk Ir. Amrullah Kamal, his new deputy president Koh Kian Leong and the new district police chief, ACP Peter AK Umbuas. She said the government together with the tourism and hospitality industry players must play their roles to increase the number of hotels, restaurants, tour buses etc. in order to fulfil the demands of tourists. “Tawau has potential to reap the economic benefits of tourism but just not ready yet with the insufficient amenities to meet the demands of tourists”. She said the cleanliness at the surrounding, particularly the washrooms at Tawau Airport should be maintained to create a positive image among tourists,” she explained. She also disclosed that the government plans to launch medical tourism and sports tourism.
Chairman of Tawau Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Chia Seong Fatt hoped, that the newly appointed council president and deputy president would continue to bring Tawau towards greatest level as the district was far behind Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. He hoped that the council would work together with elected representatives to upgrade infrastructure and solve the people problems in Tawau. Chia also hoped that the new police chief and his team will strengthen public security and cross border control in Tawau so that the people can live and work in peace. President of Tawau Reporters Association, Hiew Chee Hing hoped the council and police could work closely with reporters as well as respect press freedom in news coverage. Meanwhile, the Tawau Reporters Association also appointed Kent Lim as the association’s honorary chairman.
Source: Daily Express
