Dear Members,

The Battle Is Over!

Before you read on further , TARIK NAFAS DULU and SMILE.

Datuk Masidi Manjun have grant us space for dialogue and present our case. On the 25th September 2012 , My League of Fine Gentlemen represented STGA and myself as I was requested by the government to be at a meeting in Indonesia, planned 3 weeks earlier. These fine gentlemen was led by our very own Roland Ng with prior technical preparation a day before.

My apology for not being there, however I have my utmost confidence and trust that these fine gentlemen will do well, leaving them at forefront of the battle with knowledge that STGA have all technical ground covered, strategically played our cards right, and a gut feeling that at the end of the day, Datuk Masidi Manjun have us the local guide a special place in his heart.

At the end of the meeting, here are several key important points that you must be aware of;

1. The plan to have foreign speaking tour leaders / interpreter in this case the Koreans to be given a tourist guide authorization card is revoked.

2. A technical committee will be set up and STGA will be part of it, to deal with current and future issues regarding foreign interpreters.

3. The Korean Tour Leader so called “korean guide” will need to have a work permit as “interpreter” and required approval from the technical committee.

4. All korean Tour Leader / interpreter based in sabah have to speak English and learn bahasa Malaysia before they are issued a working permit as ” interpreter “.

5. The current mechanism will continue , Korean Tour Company are required to have local tour guide to assist their interpreter. In addition , a much equitable guiding fee will be formulated for such services.

STGA will also ensure that stern action is taken on these foreign interpreters that were reported to have done things that is not acceptable by our ethics while on tour.

May I suggest that we now put our mind toward our Sabah TG Development Plans, I encourage you to invite your Sabah TG friends to be well informed members so to ensure that we can make decisions together and propel our profession toward excellence. Indeed, exciting days ahead.

I wish to thank you for putting your trust and confidence to the current Exco in dealing with this matter, as for some who have misbehave and act against our instruction, may I suggest that you to be prepared for disciplinary action and an audience with the EXCO in near time.

STGA wish to take the opportunity to thank Datuk Masidi Manjun for Championing our rights and our livelihood of our members and our greatest gratitude to you for believing that we will make it through.

YES, my fellow TG’s. WE WON.

Best regards,

Daniel Doughty
STGA Chairman