KUALA LUMPUR: Conservative voices in Malaysia are negatively impacting Malaysia's economy and tourism, says Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
The former law minister was sharing his thoughts on X on the reasons behind Phuket being a preferred tourist destination over Langkawi.
"Phuket is a place that gives you the experience of having fun," he said in the post on Monday (March 11).
"There are many shades of fun, of course, but that is why Phuket is Phuket.
"It does not define or limit the fun that you may partake in or prefer.
"The visitors decide on the many things they want to do there," he said.
Zaid said Langkawi was a beautiful island.
"Unfortunately, it is in Malaysia. Here, having fun is frowned upon," he said, adding that for some people, "fun is immoral."
Zaid said that was why we had problems with concerts, performing arts, fashion shows and beauty contests.
"We have issues with nightclubs.
"We have no Taylor Swift and no mega performances, despite the benefits such concerts bring to the economy.
"How is it that a progressive 21st-century country that describes itself as modern becomes hostage to some religious preachers who want to ban everything enjoyable?
"Why are we held hostage by those who wish to kill fun and by doing so, slowly decapitate our economy and tourism business?," he asked in his post.
Zaid then suggested that the Cabinet consider pushing back this conservative thinking from taking a stronger hold in the country.
"The politicians should not be scared of reversing the preachers' expanding influence. They need to fight back.
"Look at Saudi Arabia, they know the oil will not last forever.
"They have moved to modernise the country. They are catching up with other countries to develop the global business of tourism and sport," he shared.
Like Saudi Arabia and Dubai, Malaysia now has a modern-thinking progressive King in His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, said Zaid.
"The government now has an ally who can transform the country.
"More importantly, such transformation not only benefits the economy but changes the character of our people.
"They will be more 'thinking' people and not just mindlessly follow the preachers," said.
