Tourism players who want to meet me are welcome with open arms, says Perak Tourism Committee chairman

IPOH: Any tourism industry players who want to meet to discuss plans to ensure the success of Visit Perak Year 2024 are welcome with open arms, says Loh Sze Yee.

The Perak Tourism Committee chairman said he had been working hard together with various agencies to ensure the success of Visit Perak Year 2024.

“I was told that an industry player complained about my attitude and a senior politician had commented on it.

“The politician used to be part of the state administration. He should have known better and conducted an investigation before making any remarks,” he told reporters when met at the state secretariat building here Wednesday (July 26)

On July 21, a portal reported that 12 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in tourism were disappointed over the treatment they received from Loh.

Among the dissatisfactions they claimed was the dropping of the RM10,000 incentive that they received every year.

On Monday (July 24), Gunung Semanggol assemblyman Razman Zakaria had, in Harakah Daily, said Loh needed to be more friendly and pay more attention to the industry players.

Loh added that there were no incentives given directly to any NGO without paperwork.

“As the state administration, we cannot simply give money to anyone. So the paperwork needs to be submitted first before we can decide.

“Any money given must be used wisely because the money belongs to the public.

“I always welcome any industry player who wants to meet me. But these NGOs have never met me so to call me out on my attitude is unreasonable,” he said.

During a press conference held earlier, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said he was not aware of such issues.

“I am unsure about the matter. Being friendly is subjective. Just take a look at me.

“When I was a discipline teacher, not everyone liked me as well,” he said, without elaborating further.