Sabah provides better diving experience – deputy minister
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah provides better diving experience as compared to Peninsular Malaysia, said Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Wira Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
“This is my experience as a diver,” she said, adding that the diving industry in the country was getting bigger and was developing well.
She related that the longest underwater human chain in Southeast Asia occurred at Pulau Bidong in West Malaysia just last month. The chain of 200 meters was created by 190 scuba divers at a depth of 14 meters and succeeded in creating a new record in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) 2017.
She cited that perhaps, the next record could be made in either Sipadan or Mabul, both located in the east coast of Sabah.
Mas Ermieyati, who was at the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) programme for Sabah’s tourism sector held at the State Cultural Centre near here, hoped she would still be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sabah by 2050 and she would still have the same feeling of enjoyment when she dives at Mabul in the future.
“That is why it is very important for the people of Sabah to say what they want in order to get a better Sabah in 2050 … this is the time for them to share,” she said of the TN50 sharing session.
She also said that Sabah has a huge tourism potential and the country hopes to be among the top 10th destination for tourist arrivals.
“This all requires the input and aspirations from all the people of Sabah so that the government can take into account cultural sustainability and the local tourism,” she said.
She noted that Sabah, with her rich mix in cultural background, ethnicity and attractive places, must share its experience so that its hopes and aspirations could help in the 2050 tourism policy which will be implemented soon.
The deputy minister also said that the views and ideas shared with her ministry via its TN50 programme were crucial for formulating and drafting the nation’s tourism and cultural policy by 2050.
She said the views from the people including the Sabahans would ensure that whatever the government decided to implement next would take into account aspects such as the country’s cultural sustainability, heritage and ecotourism.
“All the opinions and aspirations shared through this programme will be collected and submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” she said.
Mas Ermieyati said the TN50 programme themed Fine Culture, Sustainable Tourism, aimed at making the country’s tourism and cultural sectors as major contributors to the socio-economy apart from empowering arts, culture and heritage.
“This Motac TN50 dialogue is the second event organised by the ministry, following the first one that was held in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 17. There were three aspects discussed throughout the programme, namely culture, tourism and human development,” she said.
Source : Borneo Post
