KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) proposes that allocations to hold large-scale events and the 2023 New Year’s Eve celebrations by government agencies be channelled to tourism industry players and people affected by floods.
Its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said this was in line with the suggestion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who wanted government agencies to stop organising big-scale ceremonies or buying new attire for events to avoid wasting public funds.
“This decision is made at the right time and is a commendable action, especially when the country is facing heartbreaking events following floodonin the East Coast as well as the landslide tragedy in Batang Kali, Selangor that claimed many lives, including children.
“In the flood incidents, many tourism industry players are also affected, with goods and business premises damaged.
“As such, Motac will help as much as it can to ensure industry players who contribute to the country’s economic growth and important groups in the global promotion of Malaysia can recover post-floods,” he said in a statement today.
Previously, Anwar also made the decision to cancel the organisation of the New Year’s Eve celebration to welcome 2023 at Dataran Merdeka here on December 31.
— Bernama
