KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Pemandu’s proposals to address issues facing tourism sector drivers will be raised at the National Transportation Council's (NTC) event at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) on Aug 27.
The proposals by the non-governmental organisation – which represents truck and lorry drivers nationwide – will be reviewed as they concern a vital component of the tourism sector, which is attempting to attract 36 million foreign visitors to Malaysia and generate RM168 billion in revenue by 2020, said the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry’s chief secretary Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah.
“The issues need to be looked into as previously, only tour buses were considered part of the country’s tourism industry. However, now, other heavy vehicle drivers are included in the same category.
“(So) they will be given extra incentives, including opportunities to take courses linked to increasing customer service skills.
“(The proposals) will be forwarded to the NTC tomorrow,” he said at the launch of Pakatan Pemandu at the Bukit Jalil Stadium today.
Today's event attracted over 4,000 participants representing 132 drivers’ clubs and associations nationwide, earning it a record of the Largest Heavy Vehicle Gathering in Malaysia’s Book of Records (MBOR).
The event also earned the distinction of being the Largest Gathering of Heavy Vehicle Drivers, involving 1,250 people, in MBOR.
Rashidi said that the ministry is looking into making the event a regular part of the tourism calendar.
“The programme is capable of boosting the number and variety of (tourism) activities so that it would lead to an uptick in the country’s revenue,” he added.
Elaborating on the issue of customer service courses, Rashidi said that the ministry was informed that drivers faced difficulties attending classes due to bureaucratic red tape and company management.
He said that an agreement must be reached between Pakatan Pemandu and the companies to ensure that driver attendance is mandatory.
“The course will boost (the drivers’) productivity and benefit their (employers) as well,” he added.