1,DEWAN___ANSWER_ON INFRASTURETURE PROJECTS IN SARAWAK

2,REPORTS ON EFFECTS OF HAZE 

3,FINANCIAL ALLOCATION TO FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS IN SARAWAK

4,POULTRY/ANIMAL FEED PRODUCED LOCALLY

5,PLAN TO MAKE SIBU DIVISION A VIABLE TOURIST DESTINATION
 

Speeches /Debates

(a) Speech on Dewan Undangan Negeri (Privileges etc) Bill 

(b) Speech on Sales Tax Bill 

(c) Speech on Wildlife Protection Bill 

(d)Speech on Motion of Thanks to TYT 

What plan does the ministry intend to implement in Sibu Division to make it a viable tourist destination.?
How much financially does the ministry intend to commit for the next five years in order to make Sibu a viable tourist destination.? 
 

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Menteri Muda Pelancongan (Encik Peter Nyarok anak Entrie): Tuan Speaker, the Ministry of Tourism and the Sarawak Tourism Board will be adopting a new direction and focus in the promotion of Sarawak as a nature tourism destination. The natural resources the state has, greatly determined that the state be promoted with the CAN strategy. However, the marketing strategy will have to be very focused in its approach by selecting niche international markets and offering them nature tourism products such as Mulu, Pelagus and Batang Ai.

This focused approach does not necessarily mean that the Ministry of Tourism and the Sarawak Tourism Board will leave the rest of Sarawak unattended in its tourism development and promotion. Sibu and the other places of interest in this respect can be developed and promoted to serve the local and domestic sectors very well.

The town of Sibu in its strategic position as a staging point to other parts of the central zone at this moment is serving as a transit town for travellers who wish to go up to Kanowit, Julau, Song, Kapit and Belaga or to the coastal areas of Daro, Dalat, Selangau, Mukah and Balingian. Being so does not mean that the residents of Sibu are not participating in tourism. The services and the facilities that are available at the moment should be upgraded in standards and quality to service transit travellers and to induce them to want to stay longer in the town.

Tuan Speaker, foreseeing this, the second tourism master plan has recommended that a Divisional Task Group headed by the respective residents be formed to help coordinate tourism development and promotion for local and domestic tourism. The Tourism Task Groups related services to try and think of ways of enhancing the existing tourism services and facilities and at the same time to find possibilities of organising and promoting events or festivals that can draw more travel traffic in the Sibu area. These events can be related to other events that are already in existence in nearby areas and a good example is the Baleh raft race held annually in Kapit and the Pesta Kaul of Mukah being held recently.

The residents and the private sectors in Sibu have to claim ownership of these services and events and to try and make it uniquely their own. The government is trying its best to initiate that these tourism services and events be private sector led and that the Sarawak Tourism Board will assist in its promotion especially when it has reached the domestic and the regional or international level.

For the case of Sibu then, the Tourism Task Group will have to play an important role in initiating the development of tourism in Sibu and to work hand in hand with the private sectors in ensuring that tourism services and events can bring possible benefits to the residents of Sibu.