Latest news with #Matta
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Council vows to boost tourism in Sibu
Ting (third right) receives a souvenir from Sheikh Awadh after officiating at the opening of Matta Sibu Fair 2025. Others on-stage are (from left) Kang, Mok, Ling and Maurice. SIBU (July 27): The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to boosting the domestic tourism sector through the organisation of large-scale events such as the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF), which recorded its 20th edition this year. SMC chairman Clarence Ting hailed the recently-concluded festival as not only a platform to celebrate Sarawak's cultural diversity, but also a key driver in attracting visitors to Sibu. 'We believe domestic tourism is the backbone of local economic development, and BCF is a clear testament to our continuous effort to showcase Borneo's cultural uniqueness to visitors nationwide,' he said when officiating at the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Sibu Fair 2025 here yesterday. Although not as prominent as regional-level events such as the Kuching Food Festival, Ting said the response to this year's BCF was encouraging, with a notable increase in income for local traders. 'This event not only draws tourists but also creates opportunities for small entrepreneurs and cultural performers to grow,' he added. Commenting on the Matta Sibu Fair 2025, Ting welcomed the strong participation from travel agencies and industry players, which he said reflected confidence in Sarawak's, particularly Sibu's, tourism potential. 'Although the regional economy is slowing down, platforms like the Matta Fair can breathe new life into the local tourism sector. 'It also opens up opportunities for investments and collaborations among industry players.' Meanwhile, Matta Sibu Fair organising committee chairman Patrick Ling said this year's edition featured 32 exhibition booths, covering both domestic and international destinations. 'We are offering a variety of holiday packages, from nature-based destinations to unique cultural experiences. 'Our goal is to rekindle public interest in travelling while supporting the nation's tourism economy,' he added. Also present were Matta deputy president Sheikh Awadh Sheikh Abdullah, MATTA Sarawak deputy chairman Mok Venia, Sarawak Tourism Board senior director Maurice Balang and RHB Bank regional sales head Linda Kang. Clarence Ting sibu municipal council tourism
Borneo Post
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Minister defends policy requiring tour operators to submit accident reports in 24 hours after occurrence
Dato Sri Tiong King Sing SIBU (July 14): Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing firmly defends his ministry's policy requiring tour operators to submit a report within 24 hours of any accident. In stressing this, he points out that ensuring tourists' safety is always top priority and thus, his ministry will continue enforcing this measure strictly. 'Numerous tour-related accidents in the past have already raised serious public concern, even leading to foreign governments issuing travel advisories against certain destinations in Malaysia. 'Therefore, the ministry will not compromise under any form of pressure or complaint. 'We remain firmly committed to upholding the principle of safety-first, to restore confidence in Malaysia's tourism brand,' he said in a Facebook post, issued in response to the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta)'s labelling the ministry's policy as 'excessive'. In this regard, Tiong expressed hope that Matta president Nigel Wong and all association members would fully understand that ensuring the safety of tourists remained their most basic responsibility, and must never be sacrificed for the sake of convenience or profits. Moreover, the minister clarified that the accident report would facilitate tour companies in providing accurate information such as the driver's background and health status prior to the incident, the inspection records of the tour bus including its latest technical conditions, the travelling group details, as well as the itinerary and routes before and after the incident – all of which would help the authorities determine the cause of the accident. Nonetheless, Tiong was quite dismayed by the overly-defensive reaction from Matta and its members. 'Would they rather see more accidents happen in the country, with no accountability whatsoever, than to rectify these glaring safety loopholes? 'Why are they so quick to expand their 'comfort zone', lower the costs, and increase profit margins, while showing no interest in improving tourist safety? 'I urge all tourism players to reflect on this. How many tourism-related accidents have happened in Malaysia to date? 'How many lives have been lost during the two and a half years since I took office as minister? 'And what has Matta done to address this? Have they ever proposed safety improvements to their members?' Tiong pointed out that as the government could approve the operating licences allowing tour companies the opportunity to do business, it was incumbent upon the private sector to ensure that it would fulfil its obligations to safety and regulatory compliances. 'We believe this requirement of 24-hour reporting (after an accident has occurred) will encourage proper screening during the hiring process and more stringent implementation of safety measures.' Tiong also said it was unacceptable to use 'manpower shortage' as an excuse to compromise safety, noting that in past tour bus and also boat accidents, some drivers or operators were reported to have drug-related criminal records and yet, they were still hired. There were also recurring incidents, he added, such as the Pulau Perhentian boat accident, where passengers were not provided with life jackets. 'During my official overseas visits, foreign ministers frequently express concern over Malaysia's safety standards. How can our tourism industry thrive in the face of continued safety concerns?' In this aspect, Tiong hoped that the Matta president and its members would think carefully before making any public statements in the future. 'My ministry and myself are more than willing to work hand in hand with the industry players to grow Malaysian tourism. 'We sincerely hope for strong cooperation on this matter, and welcome more constructive dialogues and engagements to help build a more progressive and responsible tourism landscape for our nation,' he added. accident report lead Tiong King Sing tour operators tourism
Malaysian Reserve
12-07-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
24-hour accident reporting rule not realistic, says Matta
by AZALEA AZUAR THE Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) has raised concerns over the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry's (Motac) proposal in requiring agencies to file an accident report within 24 hours. Failure to do so will result in their licences being forfeited. The ministry's decision to come up with this proposal was followed by a spate of recent tragic incidents involving tour buses. Matta president Nigel Wong acknowledged the importance of timely accountability and safety, but said it is not realistic. 'During our recent town hall sessions, members expressed that more time is needed for us to provide the information that is required by Motac and we would be happy to comply. 'We urge the authorities not to take punitive action immediately. Instead, investigations should be allowed and due process must be followed,' he said during a press conference today. Additionally, Matta sought clarification from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) regarding its policy on suspending drivers involved in road accidents. The association also wants to know whether the suspension applies only to fatal accidents or if it also includes minor incidents. Wong warned that if a travel company's licence is revoked due to a single incident — before it is even clear who is at fault — it could have serious consequences. If such actions continue without proper checks, it could spread industry-wide and not only harm businesses but also Malaysia's tourism reputation. 'We also would like to call again for the ministries involved, not just Motac, but also the Transport Ministry (MOT) and other agencies to engage in more structured dialogue with the industry in order to find the pain points for the industry itself and to come to a solution which will both protect the interests of the industry, as well as tourists,' added Wong. Moreover, Matta has started developing its own initiatives in response to the recent incidents which include a safety driving course and other training programmes which will be launched soon. It is also introducing a data collection programme to gather information on incidents reported by its members. To address these concerns, Matta held a series of town hall sessions to engage directly with its members in Johor and Kuala Lumpur (KL), which will continue in Sabah, Penang and Terengganu. On July 8, Motac announced that travel agencies with a Travel Operating Business and Travel (Tobtab) licence are required to file an accident report within 24 hours of the incident. On July 7, JPJ decided to immediately suspend the vocational licence of commercial vehicle drivers involved in road accidents while police investigations are underway. JPJ DG Aedy Fadly Ramli reportedly said that if a driver is found guilty or issued a notice for violating any part of the Road Transport Act 1987, their vocational licence will be revoked under Section 56(4)(b) of the same Act. MOTAC recently urged for the return of its regulatory authority over tourism transport. This followed a tragic bus accident in Gerik, Perak, which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students. Meanwhile, two men were killed while 16 others were killed in a collision on July 3, which involved a tour bus and two lorries at 80.7km of the Southbound North-South Expressway (PLUS) near Ayer Hitam, Johor.
Free Malaysia Today
11-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Matta slams rule for crash report within 24 hours, says industry not consulted
A tour bus was involved in the June 9 crash near Gerik, Perak, that killed 15 UPSI students. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) has criticised the tourism, arts and culture ministry for requiring tour companies to submit a report within 24 hours of any accident, or risk having their business licence cancelled. Matta president Nigel Wong said the mandate, effective from July 1, was an 'extreme' measure introduced without consulting industry players. 'Government agencies should first carry out investigations before pronouncing judgment. As far as the ministry is concerned, we understand it needs the information to improve on the situation (of road accidents involving tour vehicles). 'However, 24 hours is not a reasonable timeframe, and suspending licences should the report not be lodged within this timeframe is also not acceptable,' he said. Nigel Wong. Wong said stripping tourism companies of their licences would not only affect their staff and their families but also the company's clients, which would not reflect kindly on Malaysia as a travel destination. '(In terms of road accidents) it may not be the owners of the businesses (who are at fault). It could be the drivers themselves, or the condition of the vehicle. It could even be external influences. 'The tourism community is saying, look, don't just penalise a tour company for the sake of making a statement,' he said. The ministry had made it mandatory for companies holding Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business (Tobtab) licences to report any accidents within 24 hours of the incident from July 1. It said failure to comply with this new rule would see their licences revoked without notice, adding that this is to ensure the safety and integrity of the nation's tourism sector. This followed several fatal road crashes involving tour buses, including one on June 9 that saw 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris students losing their lives. Multiple agencies but no coordination Wong said various ministries and agencies were stepping in to impose regulations on the industry now, including the natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry, and the road transport department (JPJ). However, he said, there seemed to be no coordination among them. Matta vice-president (land transportation) K Subramaniam called for greater transparency and clarity on proposed regulations for the sector, saying regulatory ambiguity only leads to more confusion within tour companies that manage transport. Wong reiterated that industry players would be happy to work with the relevant ministries to formulate a balanced solution to issues, but the government must start implementing regulations with stakeholders in mind.
Daily Express
24-06-2025
- Daily Express
Matta Fair Sabah 2025 Buyers' Contest winners
Published on: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 24, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Organisers and sponsor representatives with the prize winners. Kota Kinabalu: Eighteen winners were announced during the Matta Fair Sabah 2025 Buyers' Contest prize ceremony on Monday, following the May 9–11 travel expo at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). The grand prize, a pair of roundtrip tickets to Paris sponsored by Malaysia Airlines, was awarded to Terrence Thien Khiun Hem. Other top winners included Thien Yeck Tan Lan with tickets to Beijing and Chia Shi Quan who won a rainforest lodge stay for four, sponsored by Tropical Gateway Tours. Additional prizes included international flights to Incheon, Da Nang, Trivandrum and Chiang Mai, as well as eco-lodge stays and domestic tickets from Firefly and MASWings. The event was attended by Matta officials and sponsor representatives, with organisers thanking all partners and confirming the winners list will be posted online. According to the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta), the event captured the spirit of travel through the joy and excitement shared in the room. Advertisement It was described as more than just a prize ceremony, but a celebration of journeys and meaningful memories. The full list of winners and sponsors will be published on Matta Sabah's official social media platforms. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
