KANGAR – Inciting disharmony among the people should be avoided as it deters international tourists from coming to the country.
Speaking to Scoop, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said that such actions were not a “good move” because the ultimate goal for the nation is a stronger economy, which, in turn, would benefit the people.
“Everyone must play a role to create a good atmosphere and image of the nation,” he said when met at an event hosted by Tourism Malaysia yesterday.
“We need to prioritise maintaining harmony while at the same time fostering economic growth through tourism, as it is crucial for our country.”
Yeoh, who is a former Penang tourism, arts, culture, and heritage executive councillor, also noted that Malaysia must compete with neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia – all of which were aggressively boosting their economies through tourism.
Nonetheless, he expressed that he believes Malaysia could outpace its regional neighbours, given the nation’s considerable strength in its abundant natural resources, which have the potential to attract tourists.
“We need to fully unlock our potential. We can do better than other countries (in terms of tourism),” he said.
As such, Yeoh lauded each state in Malaysia for striving to promote tourism, a vital industry for the nation’s economic growth.
Malaysia has recently faced a series of incidents that have strained national harmony.
One example is the controversy surrounding the sale of socks featuring the word “Allah” by the convenience store chain KK Mart.
Another incident involves Darsa Fried Chicken, a local restaurant, making an insensitive “Type C” comment on its Facebook page.
These events have contributed to tensions and strained relationships within the country.
Other cases include claims about Vern’s shoe soles depicting the word “Allah” and allegations of AEON BiG (M) Sdn Bhd selling “floor mats” with an image of the Kaaba.
However, these claims were proven to be false. – May 18, 2024