PUTRAJAYA, May 22 – The three states under opposition rule would not be left out in the implementation of all the Tourism and Culture Ministry’s programmes, said its minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz (photo).
He said Kelantan, Penang and Selangor would definitely be involved in the government’s effort of meeting the target of drawing 28 million tourists in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014.
“So I’ve decided today and I’ve instructed my ministry that all our programmes and meetings will include them, in line with the call of inclusiveness by the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) immediately after the announcement of the 13th general election results.
“They will be treated just the same as any other state. As far as I am concerned, when it comes to tourism, we must put aside politics,” he said after chairing the post-cabinet meeting with the ministry’s officials, here, today.
Asked on the effects of street demonstrations on the government’s efforts to attract more tourists to Malaysia, Nazri said the number of tourist arrivals increased each year.
“From 2008 until 2012, I think each year there had been illegal street demonstrations, but it had not reduced the number of tourists visiting Malaysia and the tourism receipts. So, based on this, I don’t think it will affect our our target.”
On the status of the rejection of the tourism and culture deputy minister post by Julau member of parliament from Sarawak, Datuk Joseph Salang, Nazri said there was still no decision made on this at today’s cabinet meeting.
Salang, who was information, communications and cultutre deputy minister under the previous cabinet, retained the Julau seat after defeating Sarawak Workers Party candidate Wong anak Judat and PKR’s Andy Wong Hong Yu with a 5,955-vote majority in the 13th general election on May 5.
– BERNAMA
