AN MCA leader has called out Kelantan tourism, culture, arts and heritage committee chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Noor for suggesting that the state government turn the annual monsoon into a tourism event.

Describing Kamarudin’s remarks as lacking sympathy and empathy, the party’s tourism bureau chairperson Lawrence Chiew Kai Heng urged the former to demonstrate greater sensitivity during these difficult times.

“Kamarudin’s tourism proposal is also impractical, failing to consider the comfort, logistics and safety of tourists during the monsoon season,” he commented.

“Rough seas, heavy rains, impassable roads, and disrupted electricity and water supplies pose significant risks. Rather than focusing on tourism to ‘revitalise’ the affected states, the priority must be our local communities who are bearing the brunt of the disaster.

“Our people must come first before we consider bringing in nation-wide or international and foreign visits (that may even make the situation worse from foot traffic); we cannot risk spreading ourselves too thin and juggling more than we can handle.”

Citing a Health Ministry report on Sunday (Dec 8) that 10,272 cases of waterborne diseases were detected at flood relief centres across six affected states, Chiew said the affected states and their leaders must organise volunteer campaigns focused on clearing clogged drains and conducting general area clean-ups.

“Such efforts are essential to prevent a wider spread of waterborne diseases like leptospirosis. We do not want to end up overwhelming public hospitals, who are already bursting at the seams, with preventable outbreaks,” he continued.

“We need to remind ourselves that even though help may be ‘simple’, such as cleaning and giving out basic resources, it may be more than what affected victims are capable of.

“It is imperative for us to support those suffering by helping maintain their health, hygiene, and safety to the best of our abilities. While the floodwaters may have receded, the aftermath remains. Relief efforts are far from complete.”

On Nov 28, Kamarudin was reported by Astro Awani as saying the state was looking at promoting activities like surfing and food that is traditionally eaten during the monsoon season to attract tourists.

He said the state seemed “deserted” during the monsoon season as there were no tourists.

He was widely mocked on social media for his suggestion. – Dec 9, 2024

https://focusmalaysia.my/worry-about-post-flood-recovery-instead-of-trying-to-make-floods-as-a-tourism-project/