KOTA KINABALU: Tanjong Papat State Assemblyman Alex Thien Ching Qiang has proposed that the Sabah Government establish Sabah Tourism Board (STB) branches in Sandakan and Tawau to provide more direct coordination and support services for tourism operators and tourism-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the East Coast region, thereby further promoting tourism development in the area.
Alex Thien had earlier raised an oral question in the State Legislative Assembly, asking whether the State Government had plans to establish Sabah Tourism Board branches in Sandakan and Tawau, with full-time officers stationed there to oversee local tourism promotion, coordination and tourism-related matters.
In response, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin stated in the State Assembly today that the State Government currently has no plans to establish Sabah Tourism Board branches in Sandakan and Tawau. However, the State Government is planning to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to establish an office in Semporna to strengthen services and administrative management in the East Coast region.
Alex Thien said his proposal to establish STB branches was not merely about expanding administrative structures, but aimed to provide tourism operators, tourism associations and NGOs in Sandakan and Tawau with a more direct and efficient platform for government support.
He said tourism-related matters in the East Coast are currently mainly coordinated by the STB headquarters in Kota Kinabalu. Local operators who wish to coordinate activities, seek promotional collaborations, raise concerns or apply for assistance often have to go through lengthy administrative procedures, which may affect the efficiency of tourism development.
He pointed out that Sandakan possesses abundant ecotourism and nature tourism resources, including the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Kinabatangan River eco-tourism area and Turtle Islands National Park, all of which are internationally recognised attractions and play an important role in Sabah’s tourism landscape.
“Sandakan has many active tourism operators, tour guide associations and tourism-related NGOs that have been actively promoting local tourism for years. However, they lack a permanent platform that allows them to communicate and coordinate directly with the government,” he said.
Alex Thien believes that establishing Sabah Tourism Board branches in Sandakan and Tawau, with full-time officers stationed locally, would not only strengthen communication and cooperation with local tourism stakeholders and NGOs, but also help coordinate tourism promotional activities, implement various programmes and address issues faced by the industry in a timely manner.
He said while the State Government’s plan to establish an office in Semporna would help strengthen administrative services in the East Coast region, Sandakan and Tawau are also important tourism gateways in Sabah’s East Coast.
“Therefore, I hope the State Government will reconsider this proposal in the future, so that tourism administrative resources can be brought closer to local communities and provide more comprehensive support for the development of East Coast tourism,” he said.
