PH Sarawak welcomes Chiew Choon Man as deputy minister to boost Miri tourism
by Jacqueline Raphael · Borneo Post OnlineMIRI (Dec 17): Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak has welcomed the appointment of Miri MP Chiew Choon Man as the new Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, expressing confidence in his ability to perform his duties and help place Sarawak, particularly Miri, on the global tourism map.
Its secretary Alan Ling said he hopes Miri will receive special attention ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, enabling the city to be listed among the country’s key tourism destinations.
He described the appointment as a positive development, especially for the people of Miri, as the city now has federal-level representation in the tourism portfolio, in addition to state-level representation through State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting.
“With this appointment, Miri now has a Deputy Minister of Tourism at both the federal and state levels.
“I hope Chiew can play an important role in improving the performance and development of Miri’s tourism sector,” he told The Borneo Post.
Chiew’s appointment was announced on Tuesday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim following the first Cabinet reshuffle since he took office.
Ling also extended his congratulations to Chiew for the trust placed in him by the national leadership, expressing confidence that he will shoulder his new responsibilities with commitment, dedication and determination.
He noted that although Miri has held resort city status since May 2005 and has been recognised as a city for over 20 years, there are still many areas that need improvement to match its status.
“Among the main issues often raised is the lack of transportation infrastructure, particularly air connectivity linking Miri with overseas destinations,” he said, adding that the absence of direct international flights remains a key challenge in attracting more tourists.
“Increasing inter-state and international flights would help boost the tourism sector and contribute to Miri’s economic growth across various sectors, including food and beverage, transportation, hospitality and supporting industries such as handicrafts,” he explained.
Ling, who has consistently assisted Chiew in his political work, expressed confidence that Chiew, as a son of Miri, will work to elevate the city’s tourism sector for the benefit of the local community.