The tourism Minister, Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, is concerned about the
image of Malaysia.

Speaking to a two-day earthenware exhibit in Shah Alam, he expressed
concern that Malaysians and foreigners will have "bad feelings and
experiences, frustrations and dissatisfaction" arising from poor
treatment in Malaysia.

A lack of proper facilities "will tarnish the image of the country."

Pity the poor minister. Every day we hear of people arrested without
warrants, held indefinitely without bail, beaten to death, and the
officers responsible going free on bail "pending appeal."

The Deputy Prime Minister is himself brutally beaten in detention by the
man who is responsible for investigating police conduct, and then he,
after pleading guilty, is given bail. His handcuffed and blindfolded
victim, however, is held without warrant, without bail, without
representation, and then eventually brought up on specious charges which
are then amended from horseback until a flimsy case can be made on
perjured testimony. This circus is presided over by a clown who is
rumoured to be blackmailed by the government with threats to convict his
errant son.

The electoral process in Malaysia is the joke of the world, and if a
tourist attraction is desirable, then we should advertise low fares for
people to come and see how elections are won by buying votes, making
unkept promises, threats and intimidation, ballot fraud of every
description, and the sad sight of people lined up to vote after
traveling long distances in hot weather to put their ballots into a
cannister that will never find its way to the counting station.

The tourism minister has a difficult job.

Sri Mersing