Street rallies won't affect Malaysia’s international tourism

PUTRAJAYA (May 22): Street rallies and demonstrations have no effect on Malaysia’s appeal as an international tourist destination as records have shown that the country continues to enjoy an increase in tourist receipts every year.

Speaking to a press conference, newly minted Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said that the only time Malaysia’s tourist industry shrank was in 2003 and it was due to the SARS epidemic and the global economic downturn.

“Over the years if you look at the trend from 2004, 2008 and up till 2012 the tourism industry continued to grow regardless of the street rallies occurring every year since 2008. So based on scientific theory, despite the illegal demonstrations, (the number of) tourists (to Malaysia) continues to grow.

“Even this year, we have exceeded the tourist receipts in March compared to the same period last year,” said Nazri.

When asked whether or not he will cooperate with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states such as Penang, Selangor and Kelantan and help promote their tourism industry, Nazri’s acidic wit came to the fore saying: “Based on my research this morning, Kelantan, Penang and Selangor are still a part of Malaysia.”

His comment elicited laughter from journalists before he continued saying: “Surely, if we want to target 28 million tourists for next year, it cannot be done without the participation of these three states.

“So I’ve decided today and instructed my ministry that all our programmes and meetings will include them, in line with the call for inclusiveness by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak after the announcement of election results.

“So they will be treated the same as any other states. As far as I’m concerned, when it comes to tourism, we must put aside politics,” said Nazri.

He also announced that Colours of 1Malaysia will be taking place in Dataran Merdeka on May 25, 2013 from 5pm till midnight, where the ministry is expecting some 100,000 domestic and international tourists.

Parade floats and multicultural dances featuring Malaysia’s tourism products will be the highlight of the event.

The parade will be 1.5 km long and the guest of honour will be Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah.

In order to facilitate public transport on the day, Prasarana said that LRT service will be extended until 12.30am while RapidKL buses will be operating till 1am.

The first dry run will be conducted tonight and there will be road closure from 8.30pm to midnight around the Dataran Merdeka area. The full dress rehearsal will be conducted tomorrow and similar road closure will occur at the same time.

On May 25, the Colours of 1Malaysia Festival will take place and road closure will begin from 6.00pm till midnight.

The roads closed are: Jalan Raja, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Lebuh Pasar, Jalan Hishamudin, Jalan Damansara, Jalan Maharajalela and Jalan Kinabalu.

The ministry is also flying in 258 delegates under the Malaysia’s Mega Familiarisation exercise to attend and witness one of the biggest tourism parades ever held.

The delegates are members of the media from 24 countries and are expected to promote and write on the festival in lieu of Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

The writers are from: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philipines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand and Turkey.

Sourced: Cambodia News