Liew wants a one-stop centre for event organisers to get permits

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Christina Liew believes that a one-stop centre is needed to streamline the process of obtaining licences and permits for international event organisers. The Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister expresses concern over complaints received about delays in obtaining necessary permits from several international event organisers. Liew emphasizes the urgency of establishing a one-stop centre to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles during the application processing stage. The current situation frustrates event organisers who often wait two to three months for a response. Liew shares her thoughts after a courtesy call from a delegation of the Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) and Business Events Committee.

The MICE and Business Events Committee operates under the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC), chaired by Tan Sri David Chu. Liew hopes that licences and permits can be approved within a month, unless there are specific issues that require resolution. She emphasizes the importance of a one-stop centre, especially once the Sabah Convention Bureau (SCB) is established, as its marketing team will need to promptly bid for MICE events. Liew states that the MICE and Business Events Committee should collaborate with the SCB to promote Sabah tourism, offering the Ministry’s full support for any MICE event organized by the committee.

According to Chu, industry players have faced long wait times for licences and permits for the past two decades. SEAC member Datuk John Lo suggests that if there is no reply from the relevant authority within 30 days, the application should be considered approved. Sitti, the committee head, highlights the importance of avoiding delays in processing applications to encourage MICE events in Sabah. She states that time is a crucial factor for all industries, including tourism, service, logistics, manufacturing, production, and entertainment.

Datuk Rosmawati Lasuki, the chief executive officer of the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), reveals that delays in obtaining necessary permits have led to the cancellation of at least two prospective events this year. It is imperative to address this issue to ensure the smooth running of business events in Sabah.