They are not Muslims, but even buying alcohol and wearing shorts are prohibited. Hence, the Kedah menteri besar needs to explain everything.
– Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wanted Langkawi to be an island paradise which Malaysia can be proud of and it did become one of his more well-known success stories.
Yes, credit to our former prime minister for Langkawi has long been synonymous with Dr Mahathir, who during his first tenure as PM, brought in many investors and turned the island into a leading international tourist destination.
Let me say this. Many may think differently of the nonagenarian today because of his extreme political views which they find unacceptable. But we owe Langkawi’s massive development and prosperity to Dr Mahathir; so, let’s be fair and give him due credit.
Almost single-handedly, he transformed the sleepy fishing village into a tourist hot spot by declaring it a tax-free haven and opening up its beaches for business.
Langkawi, an archipelago of tiny islands, has attracted more than three million tourists each year over the past two decades, minus the Covid-19 pandemic years.
Happily, tourists are back again post-Covid but it seems that we have another problem to resolve, one created by our own people, unfortunately.
I am flabbergasted, and I believe many are too, to hear Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing claiming that some government representatives have allegedly behaved like “little Napoleons” by harassing tourists on dress codes and alcohol usage.
Tiong revealed that tourists have complained to his ministry about the abuse of authority by certain government personnel in Langkawi.
“They are not Muslims, but even buying alcohol and wearing shorts are prohibited. Hence, the Kedah menteri besar needs to explain everything,” he said.
It is understandable that the situation has worried tourists, especially foreigners who are afraid to visit Langkawi.
Unfortunately, the issue has developed into a tit-for-tat between Tiong and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Sanusi has denied Tiong’s claims and was quoted by a national news portal as saying that the Kedah government would not investigate the matter “as the claims by Tiong were unfounded”.
In turn, Tiong took the menteri besar to task for repeatedly issuing “arrogant” statements that the former deemed could tarnish Kedah’s tourism industry.
He called on Sanusi to go to the ground and if the latter finds that such issues do exist, it shows that the problem has become a bigger and more serious matter.
I’m surprised that the Kedah menteri besar could not accept Tiong’s suggestion for the state government to work with his ministry in the interest of tourism in Langkawi.
The trouble with a politician like Sanusi is his over-sized ego and thinking that he is always right while others are wrong. The Kedah menteri besar has stepped on many toes unnecessarily with his less-than-desirable words and actions.
Sanusi is also the subject of police investigations into some of his statements on the dreaded 3Rs. I strongly believe that all top government leaders should be humble, listen to constructive criticisms and take pains to improve the weaknesses in his administration.
I am familiar with Langkawi. I must have lost count of the number of times I have visited the island resort. It is a great place for a getaway, a perfect destination for a weekend retreat for locals.
Food and accommodation in Langkawi are affordable. Fly or use the ferry to the island. Among the attractions are the Langkawi Gunung Raya, Langkawi Sky Bridge, Eagle Square and Legenda Park.
If you are driving on the island, it’s not traffic or pedestrians you have to be wary of but buffaloes. Yes, drivers have a lot of respect for the animals as they roam freely on Langkawi roads.
My key question is: Do we want tourists in Langkawi? The answer is probably “Yes”. I am sure that Tiong and his Tourism Ministry know what to do.
But I must ask: Is Sanusi and the Kedah government interested in the tourism dollars for the state? If so, it’s best to work closely with the federal government. If there are teething issues, then the state must try to resolve them.
I agree with Tiong’s emphasis on the collaborative nature of tourist promotion and his caution against using it as a political football for one’s own purposes.
In case some of our new politicians, like Sanusi, are unaware, tourism is the third biggest contributor to Malaysia’s GDP, after manufacturing and commodities.
And also for Sanusi’s information, the tourism industry in Malaysia is the second largest source of income from foreign exchange and affects the economy positively.
Tourism creates many job opportunities and I believe tourism is Langkawi’s livewire that has provided a livelihood for many Kedahans on the island resort. Sanusi should chew on that.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
