Abang Johari holds up a document on Bako National Park after the news conference. On his left is Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik. — Photo by Hiew Man Chien
KUCHING: A committee has been formed to conduct a study on letting the private sector offer tourism-related services at national parks (NPs) in the state.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said if the study is completed by December this year as scheduled, the initiative might be implemented the following month.
Stressing that ecotourism is a main draw of the state, he said the committee would look at how NPs could be upgraded and managed.
“The committee will look at how NPs (in other places) are managed, including Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and Kinabalu Park in Sabah,” he told a press conference after chairing the committee meeting here yesterday.
The committee is made up of representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Forest Department, Sarawak Tourism Board, and Sarawak Convention Bureau.
The study would include Bako National Park, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Fairy Cave, Wind Cave, Lambir Hills National Park, Niah National Park and the Headhunter’s Trail.
NPs are currently under the purview of SFC and the Forest Department, but their focus is on conservation, not the business aspects of it.
Citing Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Bako National Park as examples, Abang Johari said, “Based on feedback from tourists, the accommodation and facilities at both these attractions are not to their satisfaction.
“At Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, for instance, there is no souvenir shop, no proper briefing room, and no kiosk to tell stories.
“So, I have discussed with the chief minister on how to improve them (Bako and Semenggoh). We feel that the management of NPs should be done between the government and the private sector.”
He added that all NPs would remain the asset of the state, but the `tourism zone’ should be left to the private sector, in collaboration with SFC.
For the private sector to come in, he said, conditions would be set, including the need to be well versed about conservation.
“We will give them a certain period to manage NPs, and they have to pay something to the government.”
On Niah National Park, Abang Johari admitted that the park, which boasts a 40,000-year history, had been a “forgotten area” for quite some time.
“We have to upgrade Niah, which has 40,000 years of civilisation history. It is probably the oldest (NP) in the region. We will upgrade the bridges and facilities.”