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Don't Delay Langkawi Projects, Says Dr M
Many new projects have been planned for this island resort but delay by the authorities in approving them has hindered their completion.
Archive Since 1991 Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said some agencies wanted changes to be made to the plans, further delaying the projects.
He said such delays could prove detrimental to efforts to attract more visitors to the duty-free island.
"We have already spent more than RM2 billion on many tourist-related development projects here," he said after opening the Underwater World Langkawi's new building in Pantai Cenang here today.
Present was Tan Sri Abd Rahim Mohamad, executive chairman of Eden Enterprises (M) Bhd, the owner of the Underwater World.
"But delays in giving new projects the go-ahead will hinder efforts to further develop Langkawi into a leading tourist destination."
Among the new projects to be built here are an artificial white-water rafting centre in Pasir Itam and a Thai village in Lubuk Semilang.
Dr Mahathir said if the new projects could take off the ground quickly, more visitors would be attracted to Langkawi which in turn would benefit the people on the island and also the country.
Dr Mahathir, credited as Langkawi`s main architect, also reminded businesses on the island not to raise prices of goods and services indiscriminately.
"It is better in the long run to get repeat customers than to make a hefty profit in one go," he said.
Dr Mahathir said the rapid development of Langkawi benefited not only its people but also the country.
On the Underwater World`s new addition, Dr Mahathir commended Eden Enterprises for "bringing Antarctica to Langkawi".
Besides creating a temperate and sub-Antarctica ecosystem, the new RM33 million building includes a tropical rainforest and a 200-seat theatre.
The tropical rainforest section features freshwater and marine species. The Antarctica section features the penguins and seals.
Langkawi 2005-05-28
