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8th July, 2008
KOTA KINABALU: Despite the fact that there are already many Indonesians in Sabah, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environmental Datuk Masidi Manjun still welcomed Indonesians to Sabah with open arms.
Masidi who had just returned from his 3-day official visit to Jakarta assured that Indonesian tourists would not be affected by the operation to flush out illegal immigrants in Sabah which will be launched very soon.
He was responding to a question posed by an Indonesian reporter during a press conference in Jakarta.
The recent statement made by Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak on the massive operation to flush out illegal immigrant in Sabah, actually applies more to the Philippine nationals, said Masidi.
He said, “As for the Indonesian nationals, they are safe as they have their valid personal identification documents and the convenience assistance from Indonesian consulates in Kota Kinabalu and Tawau should there be any problem with their working status in Malaysia”.
“Their service is very much needed in Sabah especially in the plantation industry. If it weren’t for the Indonesian workers, Sabah wouldn’t have flourished as it is today. They have contributed to Sabah’s economy, without a doubt,” he added.
Therefore he welcomes Indonesian visitors and reassures them that they will enjoy Sabah as Sabah and Indonesia are “same but different”.
Besides meeting the members of media, Masidi also met with the important industry players responsible for bringing tourist arrivals into Sabah, namely Air Asia and Royal Brunei Airlines.
Air Asia flies to Kota Kinabalu four times a week from Jakarta and Bali whereas Royal Brunei Airlines flies to Kota Kinabalu via Bandar Seri Begawan 21 times a week.
Masidi takes the opportunity to target different market groups based on these two airline routes, from the house wives and student groups, to the Indonesian A class and the expatriate communities.
He also hopes to bring in golfers to come to Sabah as currently Indonesian golfers travel all the way to China for golf.
“ Sankuny Kunjan, the Managing Editor from The Flag golfing magazine who has been to Sabah commented that Sabah has many more beautiful golf courses. He too hopes that with the flight connectivity between Jakarta and Bali to Kota Kinabalu, can promote Sabah as the number one golf destination for Indonesians. Currently there are one million golfers in Indonesia who have not been tapped yet,” said him.
Masidi has promised to those agents and media present to register their names with Sabah Tourism Board.
Sabah Tourism Board has committed to arrange a familiarisation trip for them based on their interests; from nature, adventure to culinary and relaxation.
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