Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Starts Damage on Malaysian Tourism Industry

Former Youth and Sports Minister, known for her silly remarks on the Singapore Formula One race (quoted in an earlier article in this site), has unanimously decided to deny the State of Selangor and other opposition governed states by ceasing support of tourism development in those states.

It awfully silly to deny states like Selangor and Penang, which are among the most industrialised states in the nation, support from the Ministry of Tourism just because of a change in leadership. It only goes to show the miopic view of this particular minister, and the lack of any strategic thinking whatsoever.

What does she think the Federal Government has to gain from pulling out tourism funding in these states? Does she think that the residents of those states will feel the pinch and therefore feel fearful and thus in turn support the Barisan Nasional coalition next time? Is Azalina so naieve to think that she can teach the general population of those states a lesson by denying them further economic growth by way of tourism? We think not.

Potentially, this will just anger people further and prove to the majority opposition voters in those states that their decision was correct and that the Barisan Nasional government not only lacks the capability to lead the country to economic growth and social stability, but also that the Barisan Nasional doesn't have the strategic sense to see the long term benefits of being benevolent to those citizens who do not necessarily support them.

At this point, all Azalina has done is proven to the general public that they had made the right decision in either voting the opposition or not voting at all. And for those who voted BN, perhaps they will soon see the errors of their judgement.

When the cabinet was reshuffled Azalina was someone many expected to see removed. She proved to be useless in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, there was no greater progression for our youth, except more vice. And as for our sportsmen and women, no different from her predecessor.

So why is Azalina still there? She is hardly impressive when she speaks, she doesn't seem to be a wonderful role model for the youth, she's just an average and mediocre minister like some others in the PM's cabinet.

Now, PM Badawi has put her in a position where she can cause some economic damage, due to her inexperience and incompetence.

The people shouldn't take situations like this lightly. It basically says that our government promotes mediocrity, ie. people like Azalina, and hence, this is the end result.

Perhaps the BN needs a few more lessons by the voters to teach them to pick the right people to lead the country.


Selangor govt says move by Tourism Minister foolhardy
Thursday, April 3, 2008

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.