Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (a Federal minister with the ruling Barisan Nasional) is making state government of Selangor life difficult.
Is there any benefits for rakyat and for the nation for her to terminate all tourism memorandum of understanding with the Selangor Government just because Selangor is now ruled by the opposition parties ? Is this a vendetta ? Her decision must be political motivated. On the other hand, it make her look like a fool.
Why can't Azalina be busy with master plan to boost the tourism industry in Selangor and other parts of Malaysia in general ? Terminating tourism MOU with Selangor clearly shows that the federal government is no longer keen to support Selangor in their tourism industry. Bear in mind that, tourism contribute a substantial revenue to Malaysia earning and just because Selangor is now governed by the opposition, doesn't mean you ignore Selangor. How about other states like Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Kedah (all rules by the opposition parties).
Tourism industry is the first one to be reported. I'm sure there will be avalanches of other MOU with other states ruled by opposition parties to be terminated by the federal government.
This clearly shows that the Barisan Nasional not only politicized issues on religion and race but now also other aspects.
Extracted from: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20080403165809&sec=nation (Apr 03, 2008)
Selangor govt says move by Tourism Minister foolhardy
By EDWARD RAJENDRA
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Government strongly feels that Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s decision to terminate all tourism memorandum of understanding with Opposition-ruled states as foolhardy.
Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment state chairman Elizabeth Wong said such a decision is reckless for the Federal Government especially to sideline Selangor, which is the gateway into the country and a premier destination.
On Wednesday, Azalina had said that the decision was due to the change in leadership in the state governments that was in line with the termination of the Tourism Action Council in the states.
Wong said Selangor is one of the top destinations in the nation’s first stop for most international tourist and to sideline other states like Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Kedah is not wise.
“Initially, we had been looking forward to working with the Tourism Ministry for the betterment of the industry and the country. Selangor accounts for some 30% of the national Gross Domestic Product and this callous move might have adverse impact on our national economy as well as the industry,” she said.
She added that one should not cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face.
“For us in Selangor we will persevere in supporting the tourism industry and this in fact gives us a better opportunity to work even more closely with the private sector. We are committed to improve and to develop the tourism sector in the state in several new initiatives in eco-tourism and heritage tourism,” she said.
Wong also called upon Selangorians to visit the state’s historical attractions and push forward the industry with a greater zeal in the light of this development.
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