RAUB: Popular tourists spots should be maintained as safe and conducive places so that foreigners will choose Malaysia as a preferred holiday destination, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said that members of the public should help the authorities to build this image.

Dr Ng said the safety of foreign visitors should never be taken lightly as they brought in revenue of RM51bil a year.

“The tourism industry will suffer if foreign visitors decided to forgo Malaysia.

NEW YEAR GOODIES: Dr Ng (fifth from left), Lam (fourth from left) and Lim (sixth from left) presenting red packets to senior citizens at Ah Fatt Restaurant in Raub recently.

“Many investment and job opportunities will be affected and our people will lose out,” she said.

Dr Ng, who is also Raub MP, urged the people to work closely with the authorities to safeguard the country’s peace, particularly the safety of foreign visitors.

“I assure foreigners that the authorities are doing their best to uphold law and order.

“The crime situation is very much under control and Malaysia is a safe destination compared to others,” she said.

Dr Ng also urged local councils to maintain cleanliness at all tourism sites in their respective jurisdictions.

She said that the cleanliness of public toilets and the surrounding areas must not be overlooked as it reflected the state of the country.

“I have received complaints of dirty toilets and poor maintenance of public amenities at tourist spots.

“Local councils should respond to such complaints promptly as they have an adverse effect on tourism in the long term,” she said, adding that some tourism spots were developed by her ministry and handed over to local councils for maintenance.

She said that local councils could privatise public amenities such as toilets and playgrounds or employ single mothers or healthy senior citizens to upkeep them.

Earlier, Dr Ng presented Chinese New Year goodies and red packets to senior citizens here with Raub MCA division chairman Datuk Seri Lam Kam Sang and Raub Wanita MCA chief Lim Nget Yoon.