KOTA BARU: The Transport Ministry is expected to make a decision soon if it will allow tourist buses from Thailand to enter Kelantan in an effort to boost the state's tourism sector.
State Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage committee chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Md Noor said this was the outcome of the meeting over the issue between him and Transport Minister Anthony Loke, which was held on Thursday.
"During the meeting with Loke (Transport Minister) and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), I highlighted the situation that we are facing on the issue.
"Alhamdullilah, the meeting went well. He told me that he will take into consideration the issue related to the entry of tourist buses from Thailand into Kelantan.
"We expect a decision over the issue will be made soon since the minister is known to be active and fast when it comes to matters related to work," Kamaruddin said when contacted.
He added that allowing the entry of tourist buses from Thailand to Kelantan is an important factor to attract more tourists to visit the state, more so that this year is the Kelantan Visit Year.
"Therefore, we expected a 'positive' decision from the ministry," he said.
Kamaruddin had previously said the state government was planning to meet with Loke to address this issue. The state government, he said, had already submitted a letter to the ministry and was awaiting a response.
Last month, Loke had said that he was open to discussing with the Kelantan government on the regulation of tourist buses entering the state from Thailand.
Kelantan Road Transport Department director Mohd Misuari Abdullah had said tour buses and vans from Thailand were barred from bringing tourists into Kelantan via the state's three entry points.
He said only Malaysian tourist operators were allowed to operate in the country.
Misuari said vehicles from other countries, despite possessing International Circulation Permits, were not allowed to transport tourists into Malaysia.