Abang Wahap (left) presents a souvenir to Abdul Karim while Snowdan (third right) and Ik Pahon (second right) look on.
KUCHING: The state hopes to set up a Tourist Court to quickly solve criminal cases involving tourists in Sarawak.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said as of now most of cases involving tourists could not be solved quickly and were therefore thrown out of court because the tourists would not appear again in court as they had already gone home.
“I don’t want to hear of tourists being robbed and a subsequent court case not being solved quickly. That is why we will set up a Tourist Court soon to quickly solve cases involving tourists,” he said at a special meeting with Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) yesterday.
He added that when a (crime) case happened, all evidence and proofs regarding the incident would be taken and used in court. The victim (tourist) need not return here.
On another subject, Abdul Karim praised DBKU for taking swift actions to remedy public complaints like fallen trees on roads under its jurisdiction.
During the special meeting, Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, listened to a briefing presented by Datuk Bandar Datuk Aband Abdul Wahap Abang Julai and its director Jumaini Haili.
Jumaini told the meeting they were proposing that the mural of the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem be put up at three locations – Jalan Ewe Hai, Jalan Wayang and Jalan Bishopgate.
“We are still awaiting response from the building owners before we can start to draw the mural.”
Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Snowdan Lawan and permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datu Ik Pahon Joyik were also present at the meeting.