Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz should have been more diplomatic in dealing with his Sarawakian counterpart Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah over the implementation of the tourism tax, said Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman.

"Any problems or issues that touch on the people's sensitivities should be handled through discussions and by taking a more diplomatic approach," Anifah said in a statement today.

He added that such matters should be dealt with in a good manner to avoid hurting the feelings of Sarawakians and Sabahans.

He said Nazri's remarks comparing five-star hotels in East Malaysia to the ones in the Peninsular also should not have been made.

"Nazri is my friend, and as a friend, I advise him to take the first step in resolving this matter nicely," Anifah added.

The federal minister's remarks echo that of fellow cabinet member from Sabah Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who said the tourism tax issue should have been handled with a bit more tact.

Without naming Nazri, Rahman said that disagreements on the tax should be handled with a bit more tact.

"Federal ministers can certainly be more accommodative when dealing with genuine questions & concerns from leaders in Sabah and Sarawak.

"The tourism tax can be justified and explained. But the spat between Sabah and Sarawakian leaders with the culture and tourism ministry is making efforts harder," wrote Rahman on Twitter.

Karim is a seasoned lawmaker

Yesterday, Nazri had ridiculed Karim for using the Malaysia Agreement 1963 as an argument against the new hotel tax, which can go up to RM20 per room a night. 

Nazri had called Karim "setahun jagung" (greenhorn) who was trying to be a "samseng" (thug). Sarawak BN Youth had regarded these terms as insults.

According to Rahman, Karim may be a new member of Sarawak's executive, but he was no greenhorn.

"He is undoubtedly a very seasoned Sarawak politician with many years as a lawmaker," said Rahman.

While agreeing with Rahman, Nazri said Karim was responsible for igniting the spat.

"If he is a seasoned politician, then the first thing he should have done was to contact me and ask me about the tourism tax. But he didn't, so I am right to say he is a rookie and an inexperienced new minister.

"He maybe a seasoned politician, but he is a rookie minister," Nazri told Malaysiakini.

"I agree with Rahman that it could have been resolved if he had called me, but he chose to whack the federal government. So, I am not at fault, Karim was at fault."

Nazri argued that if Karim had approached him, then he would have been more accommodative.

"So, Rahman, I think he is also a new minister. He is an East Malaysian, he cannot be neutral about this issue. I advise him to lay off.

"He is relatively to me a new minister. He might feel it also. He is affected because he is a new minister. If he cannot be neutral, it is better to keep such comments to himself," he added.

Hours after Nazri's remarks, Rahman sent out two heated tweets that appeared to be aimed at the tourism minister.

"This isn't about being a man or a woman, this is about manners and courtesy.

"In the cabinet, there is no term old or new. At times even the prime minister's ideas can be opposed, what more an old 'manly' minister?" Rahman wrote.