RM1 MIL is a lot of cash for Malaysians although it only amounted to 220,000 euros.
That’s the cost incurred by Sarawak Tourism Board for erecting its booth at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB).
But alas, reports have filtered through that instead of boosting international visitors to the Borneo state, the exhibition organisers have ordered the booth to be closed due to it being unsafe.
Taking place in the German capital from March 4-6, the International Tourism Exchange (in English) is the biggest world travel and tourism trade fair.
News of the unsafe structure was shared on Facebook by Alex Stmrock Wong, who added that the booth has been cordoned off by the authorities.
Many netizens expressed shock and disappointment that this was the outcome after having spent so much of taxpayer’s monies.
Another implied this was not the sort of name that the STB wants to be making.
There was an unspoken fear (or was it embarrassment) that the unsafe structure was the handiwork of Malaysian contractors. However, a few netizens assured that it was most likely Germany-based contractors who would be responsible for putting things right.
Quite a few suggested foul play as industrial espionage is not unheard of. Another toyed with the idea of payback given Malaysia has been extremely vocal in its stance against Zionist aggression in Palestine.
One netizen suggested taking legal action but another countered that there was no guarantee that the suit would be successful. Another commented that whatever the case may be, the exhibitor should demand for heavy compensation.
One netizen wondered whether the German vendor further sub-contracted the work – perhaps to a Malaysian firm which could have caused the price to balloon.
Another expressed surprise that such stringent quality and assurance measures were in place. However, it was agreed that safety was a non-negotiable issue.
One even cheekily insinuated that the contractor was German but of Chinese descent, thus explaining the cost-cutting measures that led to the booth being deemed unsafe.
But all’s well, that ends well. The Facebook post has been updated showing the booth to be given the green light and is now open!
An official statement by the Sarawak Tourism Board was shared by one commenter.
With the poster himself also expecting the booth to be operational again soonest.
While there is no update at the time of writing from the poster with regard to the fate of the STB booth, the jackpot question is what would happen if it had remained unsafe.
Has STB taken up any insurance policy or would it be duly compensated by the organiser for the sloppy workmanship of its booth? This is a pertinent question simply because the duration of the event is only three days with tomorrow (Thursday) being the last day.
In the meantime, FocusM wishes the STB best of luck in attracting visitors to its shores. – March 5, 2025
Main image credit: Alex Stmrock Wong/Facebook
