Visit Malaysia Year 2007 is dismal

13Friday

JK's Digest no 10 of November, 06 [295 of 2006] Visit Malaysia Year 2007 is dismal


Why?



1)        Sabah's KKIA under reconstruction is in terrible situation to make tourists happy.

2)        There is a call from Turkey  in Malaysiakini to Boycott it and also to ask Malaysia to repeal the  Syariah Criminal Offences Act and disband the religious department. (see story below).

3)        Now the Singaporeans are uncomfortable to come to Peninsula Malaya for visits simply of the bad blood that is long over drawn over several major issues.  Also the ICJ will be hearing the case of the island near Johore in 2007.  It is very likely Singapore would win the case for the professionalism involved as light house.  The Singaporeans may fear for backlash if they win the case.

4)        The confusion on air travels shared with MAS and Air Asia resulting in delays.

5)        The haze since August 2006 still prevail and 2007 is no exception with La Nina and El Nino.

6)        The Olympic games in 2008 in China where frequent travellers would conserve extra cash.

7)        The cases of the Police involved with crimes including snatch thefts and the latest is the frightening Mongolian murdered by some Police personnel using hand grenades.

8)        2007 can be a Snap national election year with extra-ordinary politicking.

9)        Worsening domestic crimes - snatch thefts in the streets, illicit drugs and other scams - due to the economic lull in 2006 spilt over to 2007.  Many desperate people may resort to these crimes for survivals in difficult times.

10)        Finally, the Government promised to carry out the deportation of illegals and over stayers - an action seen as too belated.  Malaysia has compromised with these people far too long with devastating consequences to the security and sovereignty whenever these people face deportation at great expense to the nation.

11)        Other cumulative ills of all dimensions inevitable to converge in 2007.
Joshua Kong (proponent of MIGS)

Author of New Wealth Order, EPIC of Sabah, FIRE, Sabah Wealth - image of woods power,
EPIC of Sabah - 2nd Edition, Paper to Parliament Select Committee on Unity and National Service.
EPIC of Sabah - 3rd Ed., WATER, A tussle in biodiversity of two liquids - palm oil and water,
Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia in 1963, Paper Paper to Parliamentary Select Committee on Integrity (2006).
http://www.e-borneo.com/col/jkong/
Boycott Visit Malaysia Year 2007
http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/59176
Efsa Kuraner
Nov 7, 06 5:04pm
We would like to express shock and disbelief at the treatment and humiliation of retired American policeman Randal Barnhart and his wife at the hands of the religious police for alleged 'khalwat' (the crime of being in close proximity to someone of the opposite sex who is neither a spouse nor a relative) on Oct 28.

We find this an unacceptable and disgraceful way to treat the visitors to a country because it violates not only human rights, but also the basic and fundamental right of people to privacy in their own residence.

We have been informed and are appalled to find out that the privacy of Malaysian citizens - in particular Muslims - are regularly invaded in this manner. This shows that Malaysia does not seem to have any regard for human rights whatsoever.

This kind of treatment makes us wonder if Malaysia has turned into a theocratic police state where the private lives of its citizens are constantly spied upon.

We feel the practice of entering private homes at any hour without permission, on mere suspicion, violates Islamic principles of privacy and dignity. The fact that this practice is given free rein by Malaysian laws which support it is worrisome.

The Syariah Criminal Offences Act empowers the religious departments to conduct these raids without any regard for privacy. This sends the public the message that spying on each other is permissible in the name of upholding the religion

We ask the Malaysian government to repeal the Syariah Criminal Offences Act and disband the religious police to allow both Malaysian citizens and all visitors to Malaysia to live their private lives in dignity and peace.

We also ask all prospective visitors to Malaysia to boycott the Malaysian government' tourism drive by canceling all travel arrangements to Malaysia.

The writer represent Women for Women's Human Rights, Istanbul, Turkey.

payrol

i wouldnt think the tourist care much about the airport's renovation work unless the person is an airport freak like me...its about time that goverment upgrade KKIA...its so congested during peak hours...not enough gates...the thing that should be improve is on the punctuality of Air Asia and MAS..they need to buck up a lil bit...