SANDAKAN: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) should look at the special circumstances surrounding inbound tour operators and allow renewal of their “bas persiaran” (tour bus) permits instead of applying anew.
Sabah DAP Chairman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung said 2021 is coming to an end and many inbound tour operators are getting frustrated and up in hands when it comes to renewal of their bus licences.
Apparently once a Tour Bus Licence has expired, the operator needs to apply for the licence (“Bas Persiaran Permit”) anew from Motac in the peninsula.
“They have raised the matter with the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment but they are unable to assist as the power rests solely with the federal Ministry.
“I am sure everyone knows 2020 and 2021 have been unusual when businesses were almost at a standstill except for those selling essential items,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
“The tourism sector was the most affected. It was practically zero income for all tourism players in the past two years.
“Likewise, many employed in this sector have been laid off.”
Poon stressed that application for a new licence instead of renewal is very tedious process and will take no shorter than three months.
“Whereas application for renewal is much easier and can be done in Sabah,” he said.
Poon, who is also Tanjung Papat Assemblyman, said tourism is a very fragile business although earlier on it had brought in much income to both the tourism players and taxes to the Government as well.
“The future remains bleak for them due to the uncertainty of Covid-19 and its variants.
“While there is suddenly an opportunity for business, the Government should instead assist instead of being a hurdle to the tourism players.
“A wait for a few months for approval to a fresh licence application can mean a world of difference for these operators.
“I suggest that the application for both renewal and new “Bas Persiaran permit” should be dealt with by the Sabah Tourism Ministry.
“The State Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment should be empowered since we are dealing with local tourism,” he said, adding the buses will be used locally in Sabah and the officers concerned are all locals.
“The Ministry’s officers would also know the status of our local operators and the local economic conditions and the bus drivers are all also locals.
“So why can’t the State Ministry be empowered to deal with such a simple matter?
“It is time this and all related matters are delegated back to Sabah to be dealt with and not by a far-away Ministry whose officers have no local knowledge and understanding of the local conditions,” he ended.
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