Visit Malaysia Year 2007- Malaysia welcomes the world

After one-year-long intensive preparations, Malaysia officially launched the Visit Malaysia Year(VMY) 2007 Saturday night, the third and also the largest tourism promotion year drive in the country.

The VMY 2007 came in conjunction with the celebration of 50 years of independence and nationhood of this tropical country. The government hopes to woo 20 million foreign tourists this year and earn 44.5 billion ringit (12.36 billion U.S. dollars) worth of tourist receipts, giving a boost to the growth of national economy and the development of tourism-related industries.

To ensure the year-long campaign a success, the government and tourism industry had joined hands to make relentless efforts in the year 2006.

Senior tourism officials went on frequent tours to key targeting markets in Asia and Europe, vigorously promoting Malaysia as a premier tourist destination. Meanwhile, the government took concrete actions to upgrade the infrastructure in scenic spots, improve the communications and traffic service and simplify visa application process for foreign visitors.

Training programs were also provided for those involved in the tourism sector to drive home the culture of smile. The government called on all Malaysians, from immigration officers to taxi drivers, to be polite and friendly with foreign tourists so that they can feel at home during their stay in this country.

In terms of tourism products, the country continued to promote its traditional advantages, namely, its cultural and natural heritage, and leverage on the tag line "Malaysia Truly Asia", first introduced in 1999.

For this year, the Ministry of Tourism planned 50 major events throughout the country, covering cultural, sports, natural as well as fashion fields, enabling visitors to witness colors of Malaysia, which is a unique multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious country.

To name just a few, major events include the floral fest in Kuala Lumpur, dragon boat racing in Penang, rainforest musical festival in Sarawak and Eco-challenge in Pahang national parks.

The VMY 2007 demonstrates the government's determination to tap the great potential of the tourism industry, which stands as the third economic pillar and the second largest source of foreign revenue in this country.

Under the ninth Malaysia plan (2006-2010), the government will strive to realize the full potential of the tourism industry in order to enhance its contribution to the service sector in particular, and the economy in general.

Malaysia allocated 1.8 billion ringit (500 million U.S. dollars) to the tourism industry for the 2006-2010 period, a great surge compared with the allocation of 700 million ringit (194.44 million U.S. dollars) for the previous national plan.

The country sets a target of 24.6 million foreign tourist arrivals for 2010, with the tourist receipts expected to reach 59.4 billion ringgit (16.5 billion U.S. dollars).

Currently, ASEAN countries remain the largest source of tourist arrivals to Malaysia, followed by China, India and west Asia, according to statistics from the Ministry of Tourism.

Malaysia regards China as a very import market and will continue to upgrade its tourism service to attract more Chinese tourists, Malaysian senior officials have reiterated on many occasions.



Visit Malaysia Year 2007 kicked off last night with a spinning wheel and smoke on the water. And in true Malaysian-style; it started late. TV Smith overheard one poor kid (who was soaked waiting in the drizzle) asked her funny father;

Little Girl: Papa, why so late never start?
Dad: I think The VIP overslept again.

Susan Loone has something to say : "Come visit Malaysia, but foreigners stay clear of the law…..."

It’s Visit Malaysia Year 2007, but what do we still have:

1. Ministers still going for holidays overseas - if we were to put together all their expenditure for holidays overseas, it might surpass the amount Malaysia make out of tourism every year!

2. Our toilets are still filthy and wet. Worse still, now we have to pay for it.

3. Taxis are still not using their meters. Check out the ones at Pudu Raya, for a start.

4. Foreigners are still getting a bad deal where the court system is concerned.

At the murder court case of Altantuya Shariibuu in Shah Alam on Jan 5, presiding judge Segara said there were 120 cases on trial in each Shah Alam court. He emphasised a few times (no newspaper reported it), that an Iranian had been waiting for his trial to start since year 2001. He had been waiting for 5 years! His offence is non-bailable, which means he sits in detention. And no one knows whether he is guilty or not. For one is innocent (as a child) until proven guilty.

It seems that accused(s) have to pay for delay in court cases, which is totally unfair, no matter who they are.

Is it the accused(s) problem if the court lacks the number of judges or prosecutors?

It is the duty of the judiciary to appoint more judges then.

What are they waiting for?

The delay in Altantuya’s murder case trial means many things:

1. That Abdul Razak Baginda, if he is continously denied bail, together with the other two police officers, will be detained till the trial, which is set for 10 March 2008, and onwards. Of course this is not as bad as the Iranian awaiting trial, who judge Segara mentioned earlier.

2. The DPP’s purported witnesses - 30 to 40 of them - will have to keep their memories alive and clear till then - how many will still be around? As a matter of fact, will even judge Segara - strict and impressive as he was on Jan 5 - be still around?

3. Most of all, how about Mr. Shariibuu and family? Any delay means more heartaches and more uncertainties about whether justice will prevail for Altantuya, whether the perpetrators will escape their punishment. Any delay also means a delay in any form of compensation that is deserving for Altantuya’s family.

Baginda’s lawyer Wong Kian Kheong had raised the issue about bad publicity regarding his client as a basis to fast forward the trial. Does this mean if a case did not invite bad publicity it could be pushed backwards?

I feel sorry for the many who are awaiting their trial right now behind bars - due to such a filmsy excuse as “lack of judges”. Hell, how much are we spending on the Vsit Malaysia Year 2007 project? RM149million! And we can’t do a thing to appoint more judges, prosecutors, interpretors, etc…?

Sorry Malaysia, but I have to say this: Foreigners should consider this aspect when visiting Malaysia - stay clear of the law - you may just find yourself ”holidaying” somewhere in an “exotic location” - behind bars for years before you know where you are heading.


Talking about Altantuya’s murder case, I hope a reputable news media like Bernama would stop tagging Altantuya Shaariibuu as a “model”.

Altantuya's Remains To Be Flown To Mongolia For Grand Burial- Bernama.

The bone fragments of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu were collected from the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital mortuary Friday by the honorary consul of Mongolia in Malaysia, Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Al Habshi and Oyu Vasha, the second secretary to the Embassy of Mongolia in Thailand......

She’s a professional translator and secretary. If she had ever modelled, which is denied by a family, it was probably more out of fun than as a career.

Referring to her as a “model” is misleading, petty and inaccurate.

She was reported to be a model as early as 8 Nov 2006 by all Malaysian newspapers. but that she might not be a model is reported in The Star Nov 10 last year which carried out a telephone interview with 'Mongolian Messenger' editor-in-chief Indra Borhondoi. Mr Borhondoi said that local modelling agencies in Mongolia had never heard of her.

In Star 12 Nov 2006, her cousin Amy is reported to have said that “Altantuya is a university graduate, teacher and also a translator. She owns a travel agency. … and is a part-time model … She always travels overseas for business.”

S. Ouynaa, a close friend who went to school with her for an English course, said Altantuya was involved in the textile and clothing business and imported the items from China, after returning from Paris. (in the Star, Nov 15 2006)

In Star Nov 16 2006, Altantuya’s mother said that she never modelled. “People think she was a model because she was pretty”, she said.

Back to VMY 2007, a reader wrote to Malaysiakini "VMY 2007: Immigration dept ruining it"

Dec 29(2006), 06 3:57pm
Last weekend, I had to attend a wedding ceremony in Singapore and it was my first time driving into the island. I chose the Second Link to avoid the busy Causeway at Woodlands. As VMY 2007 is just a few days away, I think I should highlight my experience especially for the attention of the immigration department.

As we were passing the Malaysian immigration checkpoint , a young officer was there to check our passports. I was shocked to see the sleepy, tired and cold look which he had on him. Worse was the way he communicated. I could not understand what he was trying to say even if it was in simple Bahasa Malaysia because he was to tired to say it properly. When I wanted to get a clearer statement, he sounded angry.

Just a few hundred metres away, we came to the Singapore immigration checkpoint and what a difference. A nice, smiling young man at the counter welcomed us. He was so warm and kept us captivated with simple communication on the number of people in the car (there were five adults and three kids in my Waja) and where we were heading. He was at the same time doing his job going through our passports. He was more than helpful when I had a few questions on the Smart Pass and other payments that needed to be paid.

To tell the truth, we were wondering what was wrong with our countryman at the Malaysian counter! Then on our way back , again at the Singapore side, a young lady greeted us at the booth. She was full of smiles and exchanged a few words about our trip before sending us off with a cheery ‘Come again!’.

Then we reached our side and another young man was in the booth. Again we were welcomed with a heavy, sleepy, tired-looking face. And worst of all, he was smoking in the booth. There were no smiles and definitely no room for any exchange of pleasantries. I was asked to fill in a form for my maid and when I returned to the booth, he was still happily smoking in there.

What impression are we giving about our country? There is no point wasting public funds for VMY if we have such people welcoming our tourists at the boarders. Excuses such as ‘bored’ or ‘doing the same routine everyday’ should not be excepted as that is the nature of their job. We have to accept that the very first impression we give is vital to make our guests feel welcomed and happy.

I think the immigration department has to take greater responsibility in not just making sure VMY is a success but that all locals and foreigners passing through at all times are made to feel 'Malaysia is the Best'.

A sleepy PM leads a sleepy Government ??


Another reader wrote :"What? KL is Not the Centre of the Universe?"

I refer to the letter "VMY 2007: Immigration dept ruining it." I am an Australian whom is married to a Malaysian national. I would like to share with your readers how a white foreigner does not feel welcome at all when going through customs and immigration checkpoints.

I had previously never been to Malaysia and in fact, my first trip overseas recently was to your country. I was quite excited and after a fairly pleasant five-hour plus flight on MAS from Perth, I was looking forward to the experience.

I was impressed with KLIA, how clean, modern and efficient everything seemed. All was going well until I reached the customs and immigration counters. That was where the penny dropped. I had my big smile on and was excited and eager to get through.

There was a lady behind the counter, looking more like a military personnel rather than a friendly immigration officer. I told her it was my first trip here and expected some tips on places to go or things to see and so on. Even a general welcome would have been nice.

But no. This lady looked at me like I was some alien from another world and not welcome in her country. No smile, just a wave of the hand to beckon me towards the counter and later a finger pointing where to go next.

That was my first impression of Malaysia. I, therefore, completely agree with the writer of the above letter. As I am not a Malaysian, I felt I needed to tell this from the perspective of a foreigner and how we are greeted.

This was not a one-off time. Every time I have since entered and left Malaysia, the ladies behind the customs and immigration counters all seem to behave the same!

Malaysia needs to pay closer attention to her image abroad. Before I met my wife, to be honest, I never even knew what country KL belonged to. But it isn’t the centre of the universe as most Malaysians believe.

Recently BBC published an article "Incidents may mar Malaysia's tourism bid"

Malaysia celebrates 50 years of independence this year and to mark the occasion it has launched Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

The country's palm-fringed beaches, affordably priced hotels, sprawling shopping malls, fantastic food and wildlife already make it one of Asia's premier destinations.

And this year its tourism authorities hope a big push will propel visitor numbers towards an astonishing target of 20 million.

But following an incident late last year, American Wayne Wright is far from convinced by the promise of Malaysian hospitality and the claim of its tourism slogan that it is truly Asia.....

The focus of this article is the lousy treatment some tourists have reported at the hands of Malaysia’s police and morality patrols. For me, the most important point is that these morality squads are free to harass anyone they believe is Muslim.

Apparently these morality squads are entitled by law to demand proof of marriage, raid your hotel room, accost you on the street and pry into your business however and whenever they like if you are Muslim.

The only defense? Be able to prove you’re not Muslim; then you have some rights.

Now, that is just sad.


Malaysia VMY 2007 Altantuya model