The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) is proposing that allocations for holding large-scale events and the 2023 New Year’s Eve celebrations by government agencies be channelled to people affected by floods and tourism industry players instead. Its Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said that this was in line with the suggestion made 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.
As reported by Bernama, MOTAC’s proposal was also in line with the Prime Minister’s decision to cancel the organisation of the New Year’s Eve celebration to welcome 2023 at Dataran Merdeka on 31 December 2022 amidst the ongoing flood situation in several parts of the country. The MOTAC Minister asserted,
“This decision is made at the right time and is a commendable action, especially when the country is facing heartbreaking events following floods in the East Coast as well as the landslide tragedy in Batang Kali, Selangor that claimed many lives, including children.”
MOTAC Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing
Tiong further shared that in the flood incidents, many tourism industry players are also affected, with goods and business premises damaged. He then pledged that 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.
Following Anwar’s decision to cancel the New Year’s Eve celebration at Dataran Merdeka and suggestion for government agencies to stop organising large-scale ceremonies, some state governments have announced their decision to follow suit and cancel their respective New Year’s Eve celebrations. These include the Melaka and Penang State Governments.
So, what do you guys think of the statement by the MOTAC Minister? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: Terengganu MB Apologises for His Absence During the Flood, Announces Cash Aid for Victims
