The Selangor State Government recently launched the ‘Go Selangor’ app which provides tourists full access to tourism products available in the state as well as boost the economy of the state. The only state tourism app in Malaysia, the application allows users to purchase tickets, book hotels, chalets, homestays, transportation and various other travel related activities.
As reported by national news agency Bernama, the ‘one-stop centre’ app also gives local operators and traders a platform to promote their services to tourists interested in visiting the state. In fact, the app is targeting to have 100,000 merchants by the end of the year, with no fee being charged to them for the first year. An RM300 annual fee will only be charged in the subsequent year.
However, the ‘Go Selangor’ app has been embroiled in some controversy lately over its development cost. As reported by Selangorkini, the app was developed in partnership with Tourplus Technology, a local startup company for RM3 million.
That development cost is now being questioned by Malaysians online who are baffled by its allegedly exorbitant price. One netizen commented that the cost is wasted money, while another said that the cost is over inflated and sarcastically questioned whether the app was developed by an alleged ‘crony’.
Another netizen questioned the necessity of developing such an app as other more established apps and services, including Google is offering similar functionality. The sentiment was shared by another commenter who said that it is better to spend the money fixing the drain issues in Selangor to circumvent potential flash floods in the future.
Nevertheless, the Selangor Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman, Hee Loy Sian didn’t go into detail regarding the development cost breakdown when he announced the app’s launch. Furthermore, it is important to note that the app was developed in collaboration with Tourplus Technology, with no mention of which party bearing the majority of the costs.
Well, let’s hope that both parties would come forward to clarify on the matter. What do you guys think? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
UPDATE: The Founder and CEO of Tourplus Technology Rickson Goh has reached out to WORLD OF BUZZ to clarify that the Selangor State Government did not incur any cost in developing the ‘Go Selangor’ app. Instead, Tourplus utilised its own funding to develop the Tourplus App for the Go Selangor app.
Rickson stressed that that the company understood the frustration of the people of Selangor on the matter and has assured that no public funds was used in the development of the app.
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