KEDAH Menteri Besar (MB) Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has been told to watch his mouth and not make insulting comments if he is serious about bringing in more tourists to the state.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said it is pointless for Sanusi to discuss things that ought not be discussed just to make political points.
“If he wants to play with politics, that is not important for me.
“If he aims for a higher influx of tourists to Kedah, then the most important thing is to tell him to watch his mouth a bit, that is it,” Tiong told reporters after holding a meeting with the Melaka state government for organising a mega international event – the World Tourism Day (WTD) and the World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025 – today (Dec 4).
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP, cautioned Sanusi against jeopardising tourism development with his offensive comments.
“If he (Sanusi) does not watch his mouth, what will happen? The situation would be chaotic, and it is not good for the development of tourism.
“When people get angry, would they still want to visit the place?” Tiong questioned.
Tiong said this when asked if he would seek an apology from Sanusi over the Kedah MB’s latest insult against him.
On Wednesday (Nov 29), Sanusi slammed Tiong during the state legislative assembly sitting, saying: “If I were to make fun of his face, it’s like a bald, pot-bellied tokong (deity).”
This was when the PAS leader criticised Tiong for allegedly not providing any feedback during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in Sadao, Southern Thailand, on Nov 27.
Sanusi also claimed that Tiong did not have a “face that attracted tourists”.
In response, Tiong strongly rebuked Sanusi for making such a remark, accusing him of “losing his mind”.
Sarawak tourism minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah backed Tiong and called out Sanusi’s remark as inappropriate as it was aimed at a leader of a different faith. – Dec 4, 2023