MALAYSIA - Lim: Get money from us to upkeep tourist spots

New straits times online, 2-10-2006

From now, the excuses will have to stop. Local governments can no longer neglect major tourists attractions within their jurisdictions.

If they do not have funds, they can now apply for allocations from the Tourism Ministry.

Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Donald Lim said he was fed up hearing excuses that they did not have funds for upgrading or maintaining places frequented by tourists.

"If they don’t have the money, request for allocations from state governments or the Tourism Ministry.

"Visit Malaysia Year 2007 is only a few months away. I do not want to hear complaints from visitors that certain tourist spots are in bad shape," he said yesterday.

He was commenting on a report in the New Straits Times last Friday which highlighted the dilapidated condition of Lata Iskandar, the famous waterfall picnic spot along the Tapah-Ringlet old road.

He said local authorities should find ways to generate money from the tourism spots and plough it back to maintain their cleanliness and facilities.

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