Will Penang, Langkawi remain tourist-friendly?

KUALA LUMPUR ? The tourism ministry has threatened to move to other states tourism events that have been planned for the rest of the year in Langkawi, Kedah, and Penang, if the opposition state governments showed signs of not being tourist friendly.

A loose coalition of opposition parties, calling themselves Pakatan Rakyat (People?s Alliance) took over the running of Penang, Kedah and three other states ? Perak, Selangor and Kelantan ? after the 12th general election on March 8.

Tourism minister, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman, said feedback from organisers of the three-day Langkawi Water Festival, which began on April 4, and the Penang World Music Festival next month would give the ministry clues as to the commitment and support of the state governments towards tourism. If the ministry received complaints from event organisers of difficulty in getting support and feedback that foreign tourists were not comfortable, the ministry would be ?prepared to act? and move upcoming events to other states, she said. These include the Penang Bridge Marathon in June and Penang Island Jazz Festival in December. Last year?s marathon saw some 20,000 participants, 70 per cent of whom were foreigners, while 30 per cent of the 5,000-odd people at last year?s jazz festival were foreign tourists.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president, Mr Ngiam Foon, said the association hoped to meet with the state tourism officers in the five opposition-led states by May to understand their tourism policies. He said the association must be made aware if there were changes in policies and be given an opportunity to provide input.