KOTA KINABALU: Retired army veterans in Malaysia (ATM) should play a role to support and provide a truly Sabah cultural tourism experience in the state’s homestay industry.

According to Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi, coupled with the right training, retired veterans can apply the skills and discipline developed in the army to effectively generate income through the industry.

This can be done by leveraging on Sabah’s multi-cultural and multi-ethnic heritage as well as its inherited rich biodiversity, he explained.

“The potential in Sabah encourages the presence of tourists from outside and inside the country, which is good for the ATM veterans,” Kamarlin said when officiating the Chalet and Rest House Course closing and certification ceremony for retired ATM veterans here yesterday.

“The concept of a homestay and chalet is similar. It is actually a cheap and most preferred place to stay for tourists from abroad. I think, among what attracts them to it is the chance to experience the village life here.

“No house renovation is needed for a homestay, especially to build a concrete house, but an experience that showcases the beauty of Sabah,” he added.

Kamarlin said featuring traditional food according to the homestay’s locality such as ambuyat (Bruneian sago delicacy) and kuih penjaram (Bajau traditional sweet cakes) is an important aspect of providing an authentic experience for the tourists.

Foreign tourists also enjoy partaking in the daily lives of the people, whether it be waking up early to go rubber tapping or work in the paddy fields.

However, the assistant minister emphasized that cleanliness should always be maintained when running a homestay business.

“The most important thing in the homestay business is cleanliness, this is stressed by the ministry.

“There is no point serving tourists from outside the country with rubbish and unsavoury surroundings,” reminded Kamarlin.

He also added that the ministry will extend support and assistance, such as in terms of counselling and acquirement of homestay license, to help retired army veterans launch their businesses.

Some 31 army veterans, who retired with and without pension, took part in the course organized by Malaysian former armed forces affairs corporation (PERHEBAT) with the Johor management development institute (IPPJ).

PERHEBAT Sabah manager Mazlan said the three-day course provided participants with chalet or rest house management knowledge and exposure to the financial requirements, such as start-up budget, as well as risks involved in opening such a business.

Besides that, participants are also provided with the marketing know-how to promote their businesses to tourists from Peninsula and outside of Malaysia, he added.

According to PERHEBAT deputy director general Tajuddin Jaafar, the course is funded by the government through PERHEBAT to help develop retired army veterans into successful entrepreneurs.

“This Chalet and Rest House Course is held for the first time in Sabah and, God willing, will be held again before the end of the year.

“We have done the course in Semenanjung and also Sarawak before this. We will continue with this program as long as there is a demand by veterans in the future. Hopefully we can do more for Sabah veterans,” explained Tajuddin, adding that the course is held in appreciation of the contributions and services of retired army veterans.

At the end of the ceremony, Kamarlin officiated the tourist bus provided for the tourism needs of retired army veterans in the industry.

Also at the event were Ministry of Defence Sabah director Lt Col Adnan Ariffin and Veteran Affairs Deparment Sabah director Zaman Bayang.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Shalina R.

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