Kuah assemblyman Amar Pared Mahamud has invited DAP’s Teresa Kok and RSN Rayer to visit Langkawi and see for themselves how the island’s tourist-reliant economy has recovered.
Amar said official data showed a steady increase in tourist arrivals to Langkawi, from 2.5 million visitors in 2022 to 2.8 million in 2023 and 2.9 million in 2024.
As of August this year, Langkawi has recorded 2.01 million tourists – 410,000 more than the 1.96 million visitors during the same period last year, said Amar.
His statement was in response to criticism by Kok and Rayer in the Dewan Rakyat.
Kok accused the Kedah government of failing to develop Langkawi; she called for the island to be run by the federal government, or designated as an international zone. Rayer claimed that Kedahans were suffering as “no one wants to visit Langkawi”.
In response, Amar said the federal government takes most of Langkawi’s tax revenues, however, some leaders still choose to belittle the island’s economic recovery, politicising its position and undermining the dignity of Kedahans.
“To prevent more baseless statements, I invite Kok and Rayer to come to Langkawi and witness its success firsthand, instead of speaking from their cosy seats in Parliament based on perceptions and party politics,” said the Bersatu assemblyman.
Kok’s proposal has come under fire from Umno, which said it showed a lack of respect for the sultan, who presides over the state’s territories and its people.
Kedah Umno chief Mahdzir Khalid urged Kok to make a public apology for hurting the feelings of Kedahans. He said Langkawi’s development can be pursued in many ways that do not require placing it under federal administration.
Yesterday, deputy tourism, arts and culture minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan told the Dewan Rakyat that Langkawi’s tourism performance has improved but remained below pre-pandemic levels.
The island’s recovery is still sluggish due to high airfares and its heavy reliance on domestic visitors, he was quoted as saying.
