Nawawi: Langkawi has not lost its charm

LANGKAWI is not losing its lustre and efforts are being taken to revive abandoned private projects, Kedah Public Works, Energy and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad said. 

Denying a newspaper report that the resort island had lost its lustre because of abandoned projects and dilapidated buildings marring the landscape, he said: “The writers should have made an in-depth study.” 

He clarified that most of the abandoned projects belonged to private developers. 

“I have held a meeting with Lada (Langkawi Development Authority) and the district officer, and found almost all the abandoned projects belonged to private developers. 

“The companies were affected by the economic downturn about a decade ago and they have yet to regain their econo-mic strength. 

“Some of the companies no longer exist here. They have wound up their business,” he said. 

Nawawi said a special committee would be formed to re-vive abandoned projects, inclu-ding those belonging to private companies in Langkawi. 

He said the Taman Nilam housing project in Jalan Kisap in Langkawi for Kedah Malay Muslims was now 70% comple-ted. 

He said the Summer Palace replica built for the shooting of the Anna and the King movie in Pantai Kok had been closed be-cause the structure was no lon-ger stable. 

“We have transferred the contents to the Oriental Village. It is not financially viable to re-build the replica,” he said. 

He also said the Sungai Hulu Melaka village project was not dying as a restaurant operator had opened an outlet to keep the area lively at night. 

In a related development, Nawawi said the state government had invited bidders for the abandoned Aquabeat water theme park project in Langka-wi.