Tourism Malaysia mandates special training for all tour guides to improve service quality and language skills for tourists.
KUALA LUMPUR: Every tour guide in Malaysia must undergo special training offered by Tourism Malaysia to enhance service quality for tourists.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing announced this requirement during his budget debate winding-up speech in Parliament.
He stated that the training programmes will be implemented in collaboration with language centres and tourism training centres.
“This programme will be implemented nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure that tourists receive the best service,” he said.
The initiative aims to improve tour guides’ ability to master multiple languages for better tourist communication.
Tiong also revealed that MOTAC is discussing with the Ministry of Finance regarding special tax relief for tourism sector businesses.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh addressed athlete welfare during her ministry’s budget debate session.
She announced strengthened social security for athletes through expanded protection contributions and post-retirement career transition plans.
“Starting in 2024, the government had restructured the athlete training contracts under the Podium Programme by focusing on the monthly contributions of Employees Provident Fund and the Social Security Organisation,” she said.
For 2025, RM1,677,603 has been contributed to EPF and Socso for 370 athletes under the Podium Programme.
The National Sports Council is implementing career guidance programmes with GLCs and higher learning institutions for athletes.
Defence Deputy Minister Adly Zahari discussed defence procurement during his ministry’s budget debate winding-up.
He confirmed the procurement of four GM400α long-range radars and three MALE ANKA UAS aircraft through international open tender.
Each GM400 radar will be received in July 2026 in Sarawak, May 2027 in Kelantan and Johor, and April 2028 in Sabah.
The three MALE ANKA UAS aircraft are expected to be received in early February 2026.
Adly emphasized the ministry’s commitment to empowering armed forces veterans through TVET training programmes.
Ten veterans have been placed in China for the operation of the East Coast Rail Link project.
Ongoing studies are being conducted on allowance and incentive schemes for high-risk military personnel.
The parliamentary conference will continue on Monday. – Bernama
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