Langkawi Can Be As World Famous As Bali – Mahathir
Bernama – 3/4/2006
LANGKAWI - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the development architect of Langkawi says, the island can in future be as world famous as Bali, if more conscientious efforts are taken to put it on the global map.

"More efforts are needed to turn Langkawi into a world renowned tourist destination. These involve the cooperation of all parties, the federal government, the state, Langkawi people and tourism bodies," he said when addressing the Langkawi Development Dialogue organised by the Langkawi Development Board here Monday.

The former prime minister said while the federal government had spent RM2 billion on Langkawi's development, the amount was still inadequate as more had to be done.

But he acknowledged that international events such as the Langkawi International Dialogue (LID) and the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition, had so far brought fame to Langkawi, making it popular in Europe, America and other parts of the world.

Reminiscing the old days of Langkawi back in the 1950s when he was then serving as a doctor, Mahathir said Langkawi was then unattractive, with only 1,000 visitors, mostly from Kedah. He said at that time, Langkawi was a place for tuberculosis patients, who were there to recuperate given the fresh air and peaceful environment on the island. There was no ferry service, with fishermen's boats being the only mode of transportation. And, there was hardly any promotion.

Mahathir said during his term as prime minister, he saw the potential in developing Langkawi and as such, turned it into a duty free island to ensure that its development efforts could be implemented efficiently.

"Initially, it was planned that Langkawi would be turned into a Federal Territory, but was not approved by the state government," he said.

He said Langkawi had developed at a fast pace, receiving two million tourists yearly, with 30 per cent of them foreigners.

He said the people of Langkawi had benefitted from the development of tourism, and were given employment and business opportunities.

But he reminded them to show their Malaysian hospitality by being more friendly and put on their charm and smile to the visiting tourists, and at the same time, they should also learn to communicate in English.
Source: Bernama | www.bernama.com