Langkawi voters urged to be forward-looking for better future

GEORGE TOWN: Folks in Langkawi are eternally grateful to former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed for developing the island resort until it became a top regional tourism destination, said Kuah assemblyperson Nor Saidi Nanyan.
But it is now time for the voters and residents alike to move forward and secure a better future following the foundations laid by Mahathir, he stressed.
Speaking to theSun, Nor Saidi said that the Langkawi Umno division is bracing for the prospects of fighting their former party president in the 14th general election.
There is speculation that Nor Saidi might be elevated to contest in the Langkawi parliament seat, causing him to be embroiled in a classic "David versus Goliath" battle as he would be up against a giant in Malaysian politics – Mahathir.
"We treat it as something normal in politics. There are no permanent friends or enemies in our profession. We respect Tun (Mahathir). We welcome anybody who wants to come and contest in Langkawi. Umno would be ready."
Nor Saidi was responding to reports that Mahathir was likely to contest in Langkawi as a symbolic gesture to indicate his comeback to mainstream politics.
However, Nor Saidi said that this election is about seeking a better future and not about digressing back into the past.
He said that in politics, any contest would be difficult to win because ultimately, it was the voters who dictate the winners and the losers.
"We may be the richest or the poorest; smartest or slow learners but it is the voters who choose, not politicians. And winning and losing is a culture of it."
According to him, the future of Langkawi is poised to be better if the people understood what the Federal Government and Kedah were trying to do here.
Firstly, the mega allocation of some RM1.3 billion by the Federal Government was to prepare the island for its future needs.
The water treatment and supply plant would be upgraded; the public hospital enlarged to accommodate 530 beds with a full enlistment of specialists and tourism sites beautified.
Such measures will also help Langkawi to grow its medical tourism potential.
Nor Saidi also said that the people of Langkawi need to comprehend the selection of leaders, who can serve them well into the future.
As for tourism, Nor Saidi said that Langkawi need not be comparable to its closest competitors – Bali (Indonesia) or Phuket (Thailand).
The island resort now has some 15,000 registered rooms whereas Bali was believed to have 40,000 and Phuket, 30,000, said Nor Saidi.
But the planners in Langkawi want the island resort to grow based on its own strength and culture instead of purely relying on foreign direct investments.
In Bali and Phuket, most of the investors and owners are foreigners relegating the local residents into just blue collar workers, Nor Saidi said.
In Langkawi, it should be different; the local population needs to be the dominant player in the tourism scene; they must be the owners and not just workers, he said.
Nor Saidi also envisioned that the wealth distribution on the island needs to be spread out evenly, and not just confined to the elite few or rich families.
He also pointed out that tourism is a boon here because the political stability has brought tranquility to the island.
Meanwhile, Juhari Bulat, who is the younger brother of former Umno assemblyperson Datuk Hasan Bulat, said that Mahathir's leadership was still needed, as after he retired, the island resort has apparently gone backwards.
"It is not a question of age; it is the issue of capabilities. Mahathir has proven to deliver during his 22 years as a premier. We need his touch back. Therefore, we would welcome and embrace him if he chooses to contest in Langkawi."