GEORGE TOWN, July 5 – Yeoh Soon Hin, the caretaker of Penang EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy, has expressed strong support for the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, regarding the revelations of possible violations of professional code of ethics at Malaysia’s main gateway. Yeoh emphasized the need for respective governmental agencies to take these allegations seriously and conduct thorough investigations. Yeoh emphasized that politicians should not divert attention from the responsible officials who have violated rules and regulations, as it damages Malaysia’s tourism reputation for the sake of political interests.
“As politicians, the reputation of our nation should be our top priority. We should not distract ourselves with other matters but instead focus on identifying potential issues within our Immigration Department and put a stop to tarnishing Malaysia’s global reputation,” said Yeoh. In a statement today, Yeoh highlighted the significance of the tourism industry’s recovery after three years of unprecedented pandemic challenges. If the violations mentioned by the minister are true, it will cynically undermine the efforts to revive the tourism sector and damage the country’s reputation.
“After the minister, Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing, took practical and drastic actions to address the concerns at the immigration arrival hall of KLIA, many tourists have come forward on the internet to share their similar experiences. Therefore, it is crucial for all law enforcement departments and politicians to pay close attention and conduct immediate investigations,” Yeoh stated. Yeoh further emphasized that instead of making irrelevant remarks or criticizing the minister for exceeding his authority, all parties should focus on the key issue raised by Dato’ Seri Tiong King Sing.
“Those who violate rules and regulations should be held accountable under the law, while those who protect the country’s reputation will be respected by the people,” concluded Yeoh. The support from Penang EXCO demonstrates a unified stance in addressing the issue at hand and emphasizes the importance of upholding professionalism and integrity within Malaysia’s immigration system to safeguard the country’s tourism industry and reputation.
