KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism, Arts, and Culture minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has called on the opposition to work together with the ministry to promote the country's tourism and not play up racial sentiments.

Tiong in his speech during the winding up session of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) mid-term review said that he had received word from Chinese tourists over their uncertainty to visit the country following racial issues being brought up by Perikatan Nasional. 

"Let's work together, you (the opposition) and my ministry.

"Don't play up racial sentiments. Let me be frank that Chinese tourists have informed me that if we keep talking like that, they are uncertain whether they should visit Malaysia," he said in reply to a question posed by Putrajaya member of Parliament, Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin.

He added that his ministry would also work together with state governments and local councils to identify new tourism products in each state.

"I take note of all the recommendations by each member of Parliament in promoting the tourism destinations of their respective constituencies.

"However they have to work closely with their respective state governments to ensure that these destinations are inline with the state governments' priorities.

"Hence, the ministry will work closely with all the state governments and local councils in identifying new tourism products that have the potential to be promoted," he said.

Tiong added that currently the country had received 12.7 million tourists as of the third week of August and hoped that the ministry's target of 16.1 million tourist arrivals this year would be achieved.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/09/957205/stop-playing-racial-sentiments-work-together-promote-tourism-tourism