Syed Saddiq Pans Nazri S Flood Tourism Suggestion

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Muda president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman criticised Padang Rengas MP Nazri Abdul Aziz’s suggestion that the country’s annual floods could be a source of “voluntourism”, or volunteer tourism.
Syed Saddiq, who is also the Muar MP, said instead of presenting the floods, which cause devastating damage and loss of lives, as a source of tourism, efforts should be made to resolve them.
“The floods this year alone have claimed more than 40 lives and cost RM6.5 billion in losses.
“We can’t be willing to sacrifice 40 lives and RM6.5 billion to promote volunteer tourism. There should be pragmatic efforts to resolve the floods, not encourage them,” he said in a statement.
Nazri was quoted as saying by Sinar Daily, the English version of Malay daily Sinar Harian, that tourists could help with volunteer work during the floods.
“If you know it is coming, then start planning now.
“Maybe we can have voluntary tourism where people come to the country to help us with the floods, and it is not about them coming here just to enjoy but for them to also learn,” he said.
Padang Rengas MP Nazri Abdul AzizNazri gave the example of Kuala Krai, Kelantan, which he described to be “like a festival” during floods.
“In Kuala Krai, for example, the flood is like a festival. Every monsoon, we have a flood festival, and people will come.
“Because now there is volunteerism, where foreigners come to do volunteer work, and they pay (to buy tickets and so on),” he was quoted as saying.
Syed Saddiq said it would be better for tourists to visit Malaysia without having to witness any disasters.
He renewed the call for the government to urgently address the country’s flood problems and reminded Putrajaya of Muda’s six-point memorandum.
This includes the formation of a parliamentary special select committee on climate change, disaster and the environment and spearheading the disaster risk reduction agenda at all local councils.
He also called for the National Disaster Management Agency to be revamped to reduce bureaucracy and to make the National Security Council more inclusive at all levels of government.
He added that the government should also push for a Climate Change Act and expedite the National Adaptation Plan.
Last December, Taman Sri Muda in Selangor and parts of Pahang were hit by unprecedented floods.
Poor disaster response saw residents stranded on rooftops overnight. - Mkini

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