No such thing as alcohol ban in Langkawi, say stakeholders

LANGKAWI: A rumour claiming tourists are not allowed to consume alcohol or wear shorts on the island is not true, say stakeholders.

Langkawi Chinese Chamber of Commerce chairman, Lee Han Eng, has stepped forward to clarify that there was no validity to these claims, reassuring tourists that they were free to enjoy their vacations without any unusual restrictions.

"I think the information is wrong, no such thing happens on the island, tourists have been free to do whatever they do as long as it does not violate the rules of the country," he said.

Lee denied the supposed ruling on the island and stressed that tourists in Langkawi were free to consume alcohol or wear shorts as long as they were not Muslims.

He called the public not to believe the rumours as it could dent Langkawi's efforts to rebound in its economy.

Langkawi Business Association deputy director Datuk Alexander Isaac, described the rumours as not true and wrong.

"I don't know where they heard this, but we are in Langkawi and have not experienced that," he said.

He also criticised those who spread fake information and described it as unnecessary fear-mongering.

A news portal reported that there were tourists who had forwarded their complaints to the government about not being able to consume alcoholic drinks on the island.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King was reported to have brought up the matter during a recent Parliament debate.

Tiong reportedly urged the Kedah state government to clarify the situation.