VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2007

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF NATIONHOOD

As I was driving along the roads near my home, I noticed a lot of roadside buntings. It reads "Visit Malaysia Year 2007 - Celebrating 50 Years of Nationhood". And as I was reading the newspapers this morning, I felt very sad and embarrassed, by the fact that on the 1st day of Visit Malaysia Year, we had numerous complaints by foreign tourists. They were clearly unhappy with the services provided by certain quarters around the city.

I was shocked to learn of the screw up at the Penang International Airport. They were supposed to upgrade the airport and be ready for VMY2007, but instead, its only going to be ready at the end of VMY2007 and some works will only be ready in 2008. How humiliating can that be?

I was also observing last week at KLCC that cabbies are not using meters, for locals hailing a cab and foreign tourists. This is bad... very bad. I saw cabbies were negociating with Tourists on the rates. I think the authorities should look at this matter seriously as it could very much damage the country's reputation.

Despite that, I am sure that we as Malaysians, will welcome foreign and local tourists alike, with our good hospitality and great culture and heritage. Please be reminded, that we Malaysians are also tourists and we have every right to be treated like tourists. I also look forward to more Cuti-Cuti Malaysia in 2007 :)

What kinda shocked me was an advertisement i saw on page 3 of a leading malay daily. Rayakan 50 Tahun Merdeka bersama Kementerian Penerangan - Konsert Mega Merdeka, Siaran Langsung Perarakan Merdeka, Riak-Riak Merdeka, Pesta Bola Merdeka and some others.

Katanya kita ni ISLAM HADHARI, tapinya, aktivitinya tak mari-mari lagi... Ini sedikit nasihat buat Kerajaan Malaysia yang ku hormati. Apalah salahnya, kita iklankan - Majlis Bacaan Yaasin & Tahlil untuk pejuang-pejuang Kemerdekaan dan Majlis Bacaan Yaasin untuk Kesyukuran Menyambut 50 Tahun Merdeka. Itu lebih baik daripada mempromosikan Konsert lah, Simfoni lah dan lain-lain lagi.

How does the Government intend to reflect ISLAM HADHARI in its policies and programs? Or is ISLAM HADHARI just another White Elephant Policy? We have been hearing about this for so long.... and yet not much have been done by the Government on ISLAM HADHARI... Takkan lah setakat Kempen Islam Hadhari Terengganu Bistari sahaja?

I am sure that more can be done by the government, not only to promote, but to practice and walk the talk on ISLAM HADHARI. And I think, 2007 is the best year to do it. While the worlds eyes is on Malaysia and foreign tourists are flocking the country, We can show them how dinamic our country is, living harmoniusly amongst different culture, religion and beliefs. Its an excellent platform to show how a progressive Islamic State manages its polulation and economy. Lets us reflect that Muslim are not terrorists, in fact we are fair, kind and loving people, which the Al-Quran & Sunnah has taught us.

InsyaAllah.

AngkasaOne signing off...