Tourism Malaysia offices nationwide closed

Tourism and Culture Ministry nationwide will close down all its offices nationwide effective immediately.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the move was to avoid job duplication with the states' Tourism Exco and Planning Unit (UPEN).

He said, state promotion agencies under the state government has similar role as Tourism offices in attractive tourists to visit the State.

The Padang Rengas member of Parliament also explained that the Ministry’s initiative enables to save RM6 million yearly and the fund will be channelled to other expenses.

“Every states in the country have their respective UPEN agencies , so we do not want these agencies’ duties to duplication with the state enforcement agencies,” said Nazri to reporters after the launch of Chinese New Year celebration and Freeport A’Famosa Outlet First Anniversary here today.

He further reiterated that e closure of the 14 tourism offices, however, did not involve the termination of services of the staff because they would be absorbed into the ministry's headquarters and other departments.

He added that five information centres in Pulau Pinang, Johor, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Kuching International Airport will be operating.

On Jan 14, the Ministry announced the closures of five offices abroad in New York, Perth, Stockholm, Los Angeles, South Africa immediately following the termination of Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAB) flights to these destinations.