T C Goh
KUALA LUMPUR: While Malaysia opens its doors to welcome foreign tourists under the ‘new norm’, the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) has urged the Government to treat all foreign tourists, including those from China, equally.
This includes to ensure that upon arrival in Malaysia, they undergo the necessary Covid-19 test and those who are found to be feverish, symptomatic or have self-declared (Covid-19 symptoms) will be referred to a quarantine centre, or to the health authorities for further checks.
Its President Tan Sri T C Goh said such a measure is necessary in order to ensure the impact of Covid-19 on the domestic tourism industry and various sectors is kept at the lowest point, especially amid China Covid-19 surge.
He said since Malaysia opened its doors in the middle of last year, followed by the other nations, including China, which will be opening its borders this coming January 8, the world will be gradually entering the ‘new norm’ of “tourism and pandemic coexistence” era. He thus opined that all quarters should strive to take precautions, instead of being resistant to tourism and economic recovery.
He said not only those tourists from China who are coming to Malaysia should undergo the necessary health check, even Malaysians who are going to China when it opens its doors too should be subjected to the same measure.
He nonetheless expressed concern over the seemingly ‘hostile’ reactions of certain groups in the country towards the China tourists which, if left unchecked, might adversely affect the bilateral relations between Malaysia and China.
In a statement issued today, Goh who is also the Chairman of Malaysia-China Bilateral Policies for Malaysia-China Business Council (MCBC) said the calls by a certain political organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) urging the Government to temporarily ban China tourists from entering Malaysia was unbecoming and unacceptable. He feared that such a ‘hostile’ reaction might strain the long-established bilateral relations between the two nations.
He also welcomed and supported the precautions taken by the Government through the Health Ministry in requiring all travellers arriving in Malaysia, including those from China, to undergo temperature checks for fever and those who are found to be feverish, symptomatic or have self-declared (Covid-19 symptoms) will be referred to a quarantine centre or to the health authorities for further checks.
“The Health Ministry’s Director-General Tan Sri Hisham Noor has clearly emphasised that the Health Ministry will have to step up health screening of all travelers from around the world. Hence, it’s absurd and unfair for any individuals or groups to take aim at tourists from China!” he said.
Goh thus expressed his support for Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing for advising various quarters in Malaysia to be more careful and considerate with their reactions on the imminent influx of Chinese tourists when China opens its borders, so as not to damage the long-established cordial bilateral relations between Malaysia and China.
Goh, who is also President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), acknowledged that the imminent influx of China tourists is the much-awaited ‘great news’ for the domestic tourism industry, which has been devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic in the past three years, to move towards recovery.
He further noted that China tourists have listed Malaysia as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the world for them to visit.
“Hence, the Government and the people of Malaysia must strive to make necessary preparations to resuscitate and stimulate our domestic tourism industry,” he said.
