BINTULU: Bintulu’s tourism industry has not been given due attention but the appointment of Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing as Tourism Minister could hopefully bring about a much needed boost to the sector, said Tonny Ung.

The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak assistant organising secretary believes Bintulu people have high hopes for Tiong in leading the ministry to greater heights.

“Datuk Seri Tiong is an experienced leader at both state and federal level. The community in Bintulu has high hopes for him to boost the tourism sector,” he said in a statement.

According to Ung, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the tourism industry to collapse and it is vital for it to be revived.

“Bintulu is an industrial town where the tourism sector has not been given due attention. This matter should be taken into account by the Ministry of Tourism in order to generate income for Bintulu people.

“Bintulu has a strategic location and this should be used to boost the tourism activity so that we will be on par with the tourism sector in Sabah,” said Ung.

He also congratulated the four DAP leaders on their appointment – Anthony Loke as Minister of Transport, Nga Koh Ming as Minister of Local Government Development, Hannah Yeoh as Minister of Youth and Sports, and V. Sivakumar as Minister of Human Resources.

“Although DAP won a number of seats, only four were appointed. Many party leaders who were of high-calibre and capability were not appointed.

This matter saddens the people and supporters,” he said.

Ung however said DAP fully supports the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is seen as capable to boost the confidence of foreign investors.

He pointed out that DAP’s grassroots leadership is ready to put aside political ideology and work with all parties for the benefit of the people.