Malaysia To Target One Million Indonesian Tourists In 2006!

[Dr. J George]

I NEARLY FELL OFF MY SEAT LAUGHING AT THIS STATEMENT – MALAYSIA TO TARGET ONE MILLION INDONESIAN TOURISTS IN 2006!

Interestingly, Malaysian Tourism Minister, Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad, now in Indonesia to woo more tourists to Malaysia, believes that the target of one million tourist arrivals from this island republic this year is within reach.

He says that the target was based on a 44.8 per cent increase to more than 821,000 arrivals registered for the first 10 months of 2005 compared with the corresponding period in 2004.

Accordingly it is stated most of the arrivals or 60.6 per cent, were repeat visitors while their average length of stay was 9.7 days with average spending of RM1, 400 to RM2, 100 per person!

Promoting Malaysia here as a value-added-travel destination, he further stated that the Indonesian market had proven to be a strong and viable venture for Malaysia.

It was the third largest contributor in visitor arrivals, after Singapore and Thailand!

Dr Toyad stated that the Indonesians loved Malaysia for shopping, sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, attending conferences, seeking health and medical treatment and education.

What he forgot was, we already have perhaps more than 2 million unwanted 'illegal tourist' making a living in this country and perhaps, many among them carrying Mykads as well! :D

[expat1609]

yup, exactly my first thought when reading the title loooooooool
and yes, he is talkin bout arrivals only, no departures mentioned :D

What he forgot was, we already have perhaps more than 2 million unwanted 'illegal tourist' making a living in this country and perhaps, many among them carrying Mykads as well!

so it must have been 1 million allready in the 2004 and 2005 statistics :rolleyes:

[Teeque]

And furthermore, we will have cases of Police abuse of Indonesian 'tourists' added to their profile now. And we then hv to send our Home Minister for a 'free trip' there to give explanations for the bungles of the agencies of the Internal Security Ministry and the ill-conceived plans of the Tourism Minister. :rolleyes:

[Jose Mourinho]

Act of desperation and scrapping the bottom of the barrel.

[alexhay]

Out of the 1 million tourist, for sure more than half will stay back here...hmm....

By the way, did he include those that came in via sampan and tongkang ??

[cherry]

By the way, did he include those that came in via sampan and tongkang ??

Does swimming counts too... :D We already have that figure donkey years ago. I do agree that some already have Mykad number as follows ..(yy/mm/dd of birth).. - (numbers that do not range from 01-14) - ..(4 digit).. I keep on asking myself this question..why do these foreign workers or their employers allow them to bring their wife to their temporary homes(house under construction, plywood cottage) and breed? :confused:

[sirgalahad2010]

Dr George seems to be unduly fond of criticising whatever the Msian govt does. It seems that he has a one-track, blinkered view of what happens in Msia. Or, maybe, he has his own agenda to pursue?

I see no reason why Msia should not encourage more tourists from Indonesia to visit. They can eat, shop, take advantage of our medical facilities and, perhaps, invest in upmarket Msian real estate.

After all, Indonesians are already one of the largest sources of tourists for Singapore. The Spore tourism authorities are avidly courting Indonesian tourists - you just have to look at the number of flights between Spore and major Indonesian destinations.

To have the issue of Indonesian tourists deliberately confused with that of illegal immigrants is both specious and misleading.

Like I said, perhaps Dr George has his own axe to grind. It would be nice if he were to admit it upfront rather than having people draw conclusions from his acerbic, or even truculent, posts.

[Jose Mourinho]

Wow...... :D

[bobkee]

Sheesh .. any idea how racist and xenophobic some of the folks in this thread sound?

I thought we'd be mature enough to tell the difference between an illegal immigrant originating from Indonesia (which without a doubt is a problem) and a tourist from Indonesia who enters this country legally.

[mallanhead]

I think what most of us always think of Indonesian are those who works in Malaysia as a labourer, maid and etc. Those rich one are less visible. But one things for sure, the rich are really rich and think nothing of spending money. Those are the one we are really targeting. Isnt it? They are everywhere here in Aussieland with their expensive designer label attire and so on. And you know its them because they speak Bahasa Indonesia. So there is nothing wrong with targeting the Indonesian as long as they are they right one.

[bobkee]

And you know its them because they speak Bahasa Indonesia. So there is nothing wrong with targeting the Indonesian as long as they are they right one.And who makes the moral judgement about which Indonesian is the "right" one?

[layman]

Dr George seems to be unduly fond of criticising whatever the Msian govt does. It seems that he has a one-track, blinkered view of what happens in Msia. Or, maybe, he has his own agenda to pursue?

I see no reason why Msia should not encourage more tourists from Indonesia to visit. They can eat, shop, take advantage of our medical facilities and, perhaps, invest in upmarket Msian real estate.

After all, Indonesians are already one of the largest sources of tourists for Singapore. The Spore tourism authorities are avidly courting Indonesian tourists - you just have to look at the number of flights between Spore and major Indonesian destinations.

To have the issue of Indonesian tourists deliberately confused with that of illegal immigrants is both specious and misleading.

Like I said, perhaps Dr George has his own axe to grind. It would be nice if he were to admit it upfront rather than having people draw conclusions from his acerbic, or even truculent, posts.


axes to grind?

the official inflation rate is 3%,MMR2 debacle is due to poor design and the inclement tropical weather.

do we have to agree?

[idolfan]

Dr George seems to be unduly fond of criticising whatever the Msian govt does. It seems that he has a one-track, blinkered view of what happens in Msia. Or, maybe, he has his own agenda to pursue?

I see no reason why Msia should not encourage more tourists from Indonesia to visit. They can eat, shop, take advantage of our medical facilities and, perhaps, invest in upmarket Msian real estate.

After all, Indonesians are already one of the largest sources of tourists for Singapore. The Spore tourism authorities are avidly courting Indonesian tourists - you just have to look at the number of flights between Spore and major Indonesian destinations.

To have the issue of Indonesian tourists deliberately confused with that of illegal immigrants is both specious and misleading.

Like I said, perhaps Dr George has his own axe to grind. It would be nice if he were to admit it upfront rather than having people draw conclusions from his acerbic, or even truculent, posts.

aisehman galahad...drgeorge shouldn't have the distinct credit of being "unduly fond of criticising whatever the Msian govt does. It seems that he has a one-track, blinkered view of what happens in Msia. Or, maybe, he has his own agenda to pursue?" unfortunately most of us who make efforts to type out our opinions dun have sweet bouquets for the authorities .. you would have to agree that authorities can do a better job in running the country.

Its up to the reader to see the irony if any at all in the lead post. I dun see any misleading statements from the author..

there are other posts including mine and yours which might be read as bitter and pugnacious.. cause for reflection dun u think ?

[mallanhead]

It is not wrong expecting the right one to tour malaysia, isnt it? They one that does not overstay or work here illegally and etc. The right one does not have to be rich. Who make the moral judgement that they are the right one? The tourist themself. As long as they know what is wrong and what is right, they are most welcome. And if they have money, that is better too. If they just want come and tour only, also can. We accept everyone. The right one. What is so wrong to be the right one. When you tour a foreign country, in your mind you will know that you will always come back. When you are there, you follow whatever law of the country. But if even before stepping feet in that foreign country, you already set in your mind that you are not coming back, that is wrong. Especially doing it illegally. But I guess any other country in this world would expect the same one. It not only limited to the Indonesian but to all those who come to Malaysia. We hope that they are a genuine tourist.

[KakiLang]

How come no one mentions abt China tourists? There are many China nationals who come in as tourists but overstay to make money, and yet our Ministry of Tourism still promoting Malaysia as a tourist place in China.... :rolleyes:

[idolfan]

How come no one mentions abt China tourists? There are many China nationals who come in as tourists but overstay to make money, and yet our Ministry of Tourism still promoting Malaysia as a tourist place in China.... :rolleyes:

have you heard of any of them who have managed to get citizenship ?

[sirgalahad2010]

I suspect that if the good minister were to front a campaign to woo more tourists from the likes of, say, India, Japan, Korea, Australia, the US or Europe, there wouldn't be a peep of protest, or a sarcastic commentary, from the likes of Dr George.

It's as if Indonesians are being portrayed as bogeymen who cause a deep sense of disquiet among Malaysians.

Like I said, axes to grind..........Or, maybe, a deep sense of deprivation.

And, no, we don't have to agree with all that the Msian govt does to know when specious arguments, deliberate nay-saying and possible hypocrisy are being aired!

[Rocky19]

Sheesh .. any idea how racist and xenophobic some of the folks in this thread sound?

I thought we'd be mature enough to tell the difference between an illegal immigrant originating from Indonesia (which without a doubt is a problem) and a tourist from Indonesia who enters this country legally.

agree with bob.

what is wrong with targeting Indonesian. They have 200million people or so. Do you think there is no educated people there? are there no middle class or rich people there that can afford a holiday in Malaysia?Not all of them are maids. Please lah...10% middle class is almost the size of Malaysia's population. Some of the folks from Indonesia are richer than all of us put together in this forum. I personally have seen them in various countries;USA, Europe,China etc where they are tourist.and I see more of them than msians in this countries.

Yes we do have an issue with illegal immigrants, partly our fault for lack of enforcement and we also have PR/citizenship indonesian issue, which is the govt's fault as they are the ones who did it and more are coming and getting all kinds of privelege from the govt.

Maybe it best for those wo are really concern to fight the battle with the govt on this PR/citizenship issue and illegal immigrant issues. In the mean time lets give the Indonesian some respect and courtesy. Our borders are open to visitors, more so for from Asean countries. I do hope you guys get better chairs. ;)

[wAISEKMAo]

Accordingly it is stated most of the arrivals or 60.6 per cent, were repeat visitors while their average length of stay was 9.7 days with average spending of RM1, 400 to RM2, 100 per person!

Promoting Malaysia here as a value-added-travel destination, he further stated that the Indonesian market had proven to be a strong and viable venture for Malaysia.

It was the third largest contributor in visitor arrivals, after Singapore and Thailand!

Dr Toyad stated that the Indonesians loved Malaysia for shopping, sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, attending conferences, seeking health and medical treatment and education.

What he forgot was, we already have perhaps more than 2 million unwanted 'illegal tourist' making a living in this country and perhaps, many among them carrying Mykads as well! :D

Even though Dr George laugh his head off...it's without merit though. During the past few weeks before holidays(christmas and CNY), we were in singapore for shopping. There are indeed lots of "visible" indonesian (i mean the loaded) in all of the singapore shopping malls. One of my indonesian friend told me that they preferred to shop in singapore because it's nearer, hassle free, cleaner and also because there are much more varieties of brand in singapore's shopping mall. In almost all of malaysian shopping center, you will notice all the shops and brand are about the same.

Now, we are wooing one million indonesians visitors to malaysia. There is indeed nothing wrong with it..but the reality perception are the type of visitors we actually wooed and whether they misuse their permit for other things than being a "visitors". Of course there are certain percentage who will be visitors who are actually spending money here. But what if only 10% are actually genuine visitors while 90% are opportune visitors? What are the odds?

[wAISEKMAo]

I think what most of us always think of Indonesian are those who works in Malaysia as a labourer, maid and etc. Those rich one are less visible. But one things for sure, the rich are really rich and think nothing of spending money. Those are the one we are really targeting. Isnt it? They are everywhere here in Aussieland with their expensive designer label attire and so on. And you know its them because they speak Bahasa Indonesia. So there is nothing wrong with targeting the Indonesian as long as they are they right one.

U know what, Indonesians who are really rich are not stupid. They can go anywhere...etc singapore, US, Japan, UK, Europe, Australia (btw .. are nearer) for much cheaper and newer design. Why should they come and buy in Malaysia?

[isarahim]

Why should they come and buy in Malaysia?

I think it's more relevant to ask: why not?

[gtl]

those rich indons are mostly chinese which keeps their money in singapore a/c + sending their children to schools in sin. i doubt there are a lot of indon chinese doing similar in malaysia.

[sirgalahad2010]

There are plenty of middle-class Indonesian tourists visiting Singapore, not only for shopping, but also for medical treatment. Not just the rich and ultra-rich, who, in any case, prefer to shop in HK than in Spore.

No reason why Msian tourism authorities can't target this same group of Indonesians.

But we are getting away from the thrust of this thread - which is why confuse illegal immigrants with bonafide tourists? And why target one particular country?

[mallanhead]

Some indonesian chinese do send their children to Malaysia to study. Just go to Carrefour or any other hyper market. If they look like Chinese, and speak what Bahasa Indonesian, then they are chinese. Eventhough thier name does not sound like one.

Agreed with Isarahim, Ya, why not the rich one coming to malaysia to shop? And btw, the designer good in Australia are certainly not cheaper than in Malaysia...

[AllUrban]

Act of desperation and scrapping the bottom of the barrel.

what act of desperation, and what/who are you describing as "the bottom of the barrel?"

That kind of statement...wow...better clarify, please!

Cheers, m

[joker2107]

sirgalahad, i dont know if djg has his own website or blog whatever but if u wanna say that he is " unduly fond of criticising whatever the Msian govt does" then u will hv 2 describe keadilan, dap, mggpillai n a host of other people in superlatives. if d politicians make a joke of themselves than we taxpayers shud show our appreciation of d clowning by luffing it out hard n loud. djg made no mistake - i personally cant see any sense or truth in d suggestion that "the target of one million tourist arrivals from this island republic this year is within reach." simply bcos d immigration n hr ministries already acknowledge more than that number of landing by indons, albeit not in d way this minister speaks of. these other now unspoken "tourists" average much more than "9.7 days with average spending of RM1, 400 to RM2, 100 per person". in fact they even contribute directly 2 our gdp and employment mkt by being more than tourists. maybe thats y action agst em is more often than not a seeming whitewash.

[Jose Mourinho]

what act of desperation, and what/who are you describing as "the bottom of the barrel?"

That kind of statement...wow...better clarify, please!

Cheers, m

I stand by what I said and mean exactly what I said. I am talking about relativity.

:)

[sirgalahad2010]

"Relativity"? You've got to be kidding!

Are we, for example, suggesting that the Spore tourism authorities are bonkers for trying to attract more tourists from Indonesia (and from India, China, Australia and the rest of the region)? If so, then Spore must be "scraping the bottom of the barrel" too.

Compare the number of flights from Singapore to various Indonesian destinations with the number of flights from KLIA and JB to Indonesia and you will see which country is more aggressive in establishing air links (and thereby faciliating 2-way tourism) with Indonesia.

If anything, I would fault the Msian tourism people for not more aggressively going after the regional and Asia-Pacific markets and for not mounting co-ordinated marketing campaigns with our leading private hospitals, hotels, resorts and shopping centres.

But then, ambiguous arguments and dubious opinions are easy to make, and emotively attractive for those less inclined towards intellectual rigour.

[Jose Mourinho]

But then, ambiguous arguments and dubious opinions are easy to make, and emotively attractive for those less inclined towards intellectual rigour.

Please do explain what you mean.

:D

[Dr. J George]

I must say – ‘Syabas!’ to sirgalahad2010, who within the span of 5 months – Sept 2005-Feb 2006 (his/her time posting in this forum) has been able to provide an exhaustive evaluation of my intellectual ability, actions, personality, world-view and political positioning. :rolleyes:

(My medical doctor wife of over 20 years has still not figured me out!) :D

I am equally happy to note that the ‘sirgalahad2010 posts’ do not contain ‘ambiguous arguments and dubious opinions’ and are full of ‘intellectual rigor’ – I am indeed happy for him/her. :D

Praise The Lord! :D

What can I say – sirgalahad2010 – ‘the master’ with such ‘intellectual ability, track-record, domestic and international accomplishments and knowledge’ has spoken and a mere mortal like me is left speechless? :D


Now back to reality – Yes friends, I do have a weblog at http://www.drjacobgeorge.com/ and there is again, the CASSA website at http://www.cassa.org.my/ .

[wAISEKMAo]

Some indonesian chinese do send their children to Malaysia to study. Just go to Carrefour or any other hyper market. If they look like Chinese, and speak what Bahasa Indonesian, then they are chinese. Eventhough thier name does not sound like one.
...

Err...most of the indonesian kids you see in carrefour sj or in sunway pyramid are students who are studying in the colleges in SJ or sunway. It's similar situation in nilai where you see lots of chinese from china.

[Jose Mourinho]

I am equally happy to note that the ‘sirgalahad2010 posts’ do not contain ‘ambiguous arguments and dubious opinions’ and are full of ‘intellectual rigor’ – I am indeed happy for him/her. :D

Dr George. I believe he was also referring to me when he talked about those 'less inclined towards intellectual rigour'. It is a frightening thing when a person begins to think that he/she is superior to others. Hey. After all, I really cannot be that stupid after masterminding my team to beat Liverpool 2-0 and Everton 4-1. If any further refrences are required, please contact my employer, Roman Abramovich la.

:D

[Dr. J George]

Yes Bro Jose - it is indeed frightening but I am sure our friends in this community blog know us and appreciate us, for what we really are - that is what really matters!

Have a teh tarik on me bro! :D

By the way well done for master-minding "the defeat of Liverpool 2-0 and Everton 4-1."

Now go for the treble! :D

[idolfan]

But then, ambiguous arguments and dubious opinions are easy to make, and emotively attractive for those less inclined towards intellectual rigour.

hmmm, DrJ and The chosen One , Don't lah rush to be labelled "those less inclined towards intellectual rigour" ..

he gives credit to some for "making ambiguous arguments and having dubious opinions" which might be emotively attractive to others like himself who might be "those less inclined towards intellectual rigour".

[Jose Mourinho]

Aiyah. The Special One, you mean. He is right. It is true that I gave many "ambiguous arguments and having dubious opinions". Here is a list... (enjoy reading):

On my new job - July 2004
If I wanted to have an easy job...I would have stayed at Porto - beautiful blue chair, the Uefa Champions League trophy, God, and after God, me.

On Tottenham - September 2004
As we say in Portugal, they brought the bus and they left the bus in front of the goal. I would have been frustrated if I had been a supporter who paid £50 to watch this game because Spurs came to defend. There was only one team looking to win, they only came not to concede - it's not fair for the football we played.

On Arsenal after their 5-4 win at Spurs - November 2004
That was not a football score, it was a hockey score...in training I often play matches of three against three and when the score reaches 5-4 I send the players back to the dressing room, because they are not defending properly.

On Sir Alex Ferguson - January 2005
Maybe when I turn 60 and have been managing in the same league for 20 years and have the respect of everybody I will have the power to speak to people and make them tremble a little bit.

On Sir Alex Ferguson - January 2005 (a few days later)
People want a storm but there isn't one. I respect Sir Alex a lot because he's a great manager, but he must follow the procedure. I don't speak with referees and I don't want other managers doing it, it's the rule. One thing is to speak, one thing is to shout. This is nothing against Sir Alex whatsoever. After the game on Wednesday we were together in my office and we spoke and drank wine. Unfortunately it was a very bad bottle of wine and he was complaining, so when we go to Old Trafford for the second leg, on my birthday, I will take a beautiful bottle of Portuguese wine. But he is a great manager, he is clever and used his power and his prestige. The referee should not allow it. I have a lot of respect for Ferguson. I call him boss because he is the manager's boss. Maybe when I become 60, the kids will call me the same.

On David Beckham - January 2005
He is someone I respect as a man and as a player. He is the captain of England and has been a European champion. I have never been critical of him and reports implying that are incorrect as I've never made comments about him.

On Blackburn - February 2005
During the afternoon it rained only in this stadium - our kitman saw it. There must be a micro-climate here. The pitch was like a swimming pool. Look at the blond boy in midfield, Robbie Savage, who commits 20 fouls during the game and never gets a booking. We came here to play football and it was not a football game, it was a fight and we fought and I think we fought fantastically.

On leading the title race - February 2005
We are on top at the moment but not because of the club's financial power. We are in contention for a lot of trophies because of my hard work.

On losing to Barcelona - February 2005
When I saw Frank Rijkaard (Barcelona coach) entering the referee's dressing room I couldn't believe it. When Didier Drogba was sent off (after half-time) I wasn't surprised.

On Roman Abramovich - March 2005
If he helped me out in training we would be bottom of the league and if I had to work in his world of big business, we would be bankrupt!

On winning the Premiership title - May 2005
This is the start of a process not the end. I want more for me and Chelsea.

On Liverpool after Champions League loss - May 2005
It was a goal that came from the moon - from the Anfield stands. The best team lost. After they scored only one team played, the other one just defended for the whole game. Liverpool scored, if you can say that they scored, because maybe you should say the linesman scored. They are in the final and from my heart I hope they win it. The night belongs to them and I don't want to criticise them.

On Manchester United - May 2005
I saw their players and manager go for a lap of honour after losing to us in their last home game. In Portugal if you do this, they throw bottles at you!

On Arsenal and their vice chairman and FA board member David Dein - July 2005
A person who works in the club should not work in the FA. The FA is the FA and the club is the club. I am not concerned about how Chelsea are viewed morally. What does concern me is that we are treated in a different way to other clubs. Some clubs are treated as devils, some are treated as angels. I don't think we are so ugly that we should be seen as the devil and I don't think Arsene Wenger and David Dein are so beautiful that they should be viewed as angels. Is Jose Mourinho the only one who can look at the fixtures and find something very strange?

On the Champions League - September 2005
I won't hold back. What I did last season was the consequence of something. So, if the competition is absolutely normal without anything strange, I would love to be a good boy and to behave well.

On Chelsea's start to the new season - October 2005
We have eight matches and eight victories, with 16 goals, but people say we cannot play, that we are a group of clowns. This is not right.

On the loss of their 100% league record at Everton - October 2005
Everybody is crying that Chelsea keep winning and winning and winning so I think that draw at Goodison Park makes everyone more happy. It gives people more hope and brings to the Premiership what everybody was waiting for. I may look stupid saying this, but I think we should be going home with three points because we scored two great goals and usually, when you score two and concede one, you win the game.

On losing to Charlton in the Carling Cup - October 2005
I want to give my congratulations to them because they won. But we were the best team. We didn't lose the game. Ninety minutes was a draw and it was a draw after two hours. We lost on penalties.

On winning ways - October 2005
Everybody was waiting for Chelsea not to win every game and one day when we lose there will be a holiday in the country. But we are ready for that.

On Arsenal's French farce of a penalty - October 2005
You have to wonder why they did that penalty. Because they have so many penalties in the season, that's why. They have to do something special and different.

On Arsene Wenger - October 2005
I think he is one of these people who is a voyeur. He likes to watch other people. There are some guys who, when they are at home, have a big telescope to see what happens in other families. He speaks, speaks, speaks about Chelsea.

On Kwchang - February 2006
I can see a huge banana coming.... I better stop.

(Copyright from BBC Sports except for LAST quote}

[Rocky19]

Hey. After all, I really cannot be that stupid after masterminding my team to beat Liverpool 2-0 and Everton 4-1. If any further refrences are required, please contact my employer, Roman Abramovich la.
:Djose,

lets get this straight. You are not the special one!! yes your nick is what it is. But in no way you are the special one. I've lots of respect for the true special one. He is the one who had all those success as you listed out. Lets not confuse everybody.The real special one will not be so happy if he knows someone is claiming to be him and taking credit for his achievements. And the special one for sure will have no time for usj.co.my nor have heard about it!!!! ;)

Some can have a nick, say Albert Einstein, and then what..he is the man who found the equation E=mc2 thus we should all think that he is the real einstein(ok he is dead). maybe someone should sign a nick of your boss and push you around, will that be ok? So lets make a difference between reality and fantasy. ;)

[chin_wan]

Immigrants are the best entrepreneurs on the planet because they are obsessed with succeeding. They have got the hunger and obsession with success.
-- The Body Shop Founder, Dame Anita Roddick

[orchipalar]

Err...there is NO need for an Indonesian to apply for visit to Malaysia...as long as they have a valid passport...

Ahem...Malaysian immigration would grant a 30 days social visit visa stamp on their passport...

Err...after 30 days...we would know how many left the country or didn't leave the country...ahem...or do we?

[anitamoh]

Err.., maybe S'pore managed to capture the 'real tourist' aka those rich n loaded Indonesian which would spend plenty on luxury n branded. Whereas, Malaysia will managed to capture the not so rich ones (maybe millions) which are more interested in other 'attractions'?

[AllUrban]

I stand by what I said and mean exactly what I said. I am talking about relativity.

:)

So based on your statement, can I assume that you think Indonesia is relatively the "bottom of the barrel"...or that targeting Indonesian tourists is scraping the bottom of the barrel?

Or perhaps you think Indonesians belong at the "bottom of the barrel?" Perhaps they are joined there by the other immigrants who come to take demeaning, dirty, and dangerous jobs in this country....so that other people can justify their smug superior attitudes about other countries and races.

If you want to think about it that way then let me point out that to many people in this world, Malaysia would hardly be among the "top of the barrel..."

If any of my assumptions about your attitudes are correct...then let me quote you: "I weep for this country..." I weep for Malaysia if this country has people who carry such attitudes towards their neighbours and dont look at themselves first...

Please tell me Im wrong.

M

[Jose Mourinho]

jose,

lets get this straight. You are not the special one!! yes your nick is what it is. But in no way you are the special one. I've lots of respect for the true special one. He is the one who had all those success as you listed out. Lets not confuse everybody.The real special one will not be so happy if he knows someone is claiming to be him and taking credit for his achievements. And the special one for sure will have no time for usj.co.my nor have heard about it!!!! ;)

Some can have a nick, say Albert Einstein, and then what..he is the man who found the equation E=mc2 thus we should all think that he is the real einstein(ok he is dead). maybe someone should sign a nick of your boss and push you around, will that be ok? So lets make a difference between reality and fantasy. ;)

You have a serious problem coming to terms with yourself and others? You need to cool down, man, it is not good for your health. Either you are a Liverpool or a Everton fan. If not, then I am perturbed as to why you are attacking me for no reason whatsoever. Or perhaps you think you are Rocky as in Sylvestor Stallon and Thursday is bashing people's day.

:)

[Jose Mourinho]

So based on your statement, can I assume that you think Indonesia is relatively the "bottom of the barrel"...or that targeting Indonesian tourists is scraping the bottom of the barrel?

Or perhaps you think Indonesians belong at the "bottom of the barrel?" Perhaps they are joined there by the other immigrants who come to take demeaning, dirty, and dangerous jobs in this country....so that other people can justify their smug superior attitudes about other countries and races.

If you want to think about it that way then let me point out that to many people in this world, Malaysia would hardly be among the "top of the barrel..."

If any of my assumptions about your attitudes are correct...then let me quote you: "I weep for this country..." I weep for Malaysia if this country has people who carry such attitudes towards their neighbours and dont look at themselves first...

Please tell me Im wrong.

M

Gee....... :D You do get very personal. Forgot your vitamins this morning? I thought this is a discussion thread or do you get personal and kill off people who do not agree with you? Yes. I weep for Malaysia.....

[Teeque]

Hehehe...how a discussion of tourists and immigrants can develop into a footie related discussion. :p

Well, all said and done, ofcos we would do well to hope the Malaysian authorities can attract all tourists to our country, a Truly Asian country. We hv so much to offer to tourists with our diverse culture, exciting places of interest and the famed Malaysian hospitality. But, sometimes, this hospitality can be misconstrued and 'abused' by some quarters. And with the Malaysian dilemma of Malaysia (Apa pun) Boleh and MAS (Mana Ada Sistem) culture, who is to say that these abuses would not turn the well meaning plans of the Tourism Ministry into a public and international fiasco.

Attracting the 'right' tourists is well and good for our country. Tourism is one of the biggest earners to the economy of our country. But hopefully, the Malaysian authorities hv in place of measures to monitor and check the much publicised immigration abuses. Like it or not, there hv been many well publicised reports of these abuses happening right under our noses. Already, without the 'open door' policy, there are the 2 million illegals in the country. With the 'open door' policy, how many more will 'take advantage' of it?
The China tourism plans are cases in point and a model for the authorities to learn from. When the Chinese tourists are wooed, has anyone thought of how to differentiate the actual tourists frm those seeking employment here? Well, can it be differentiated in the first place before we get complaints of rights abuses? And there ARE well documented cases in point on this recently. And what of the roughly 10,000 Chinese nationals who are 'missing' in our country? And this, according to experts, is just a conservative figure, as also with the illegal immigrant figure.

So, I laud and applaud the Tourism Minister's optimism and enthusiasm in attracting tourists frm the third most populous nation in Asia. Its a fantastic goldmine in terms of the tourism industry and a much needed boost to our staid economy. But in the same vein, the optimism isnt complemented with the many cases of incompetency of the agencies of our Public Administration in handling matters of tourism and immigration related issues.

[AllUrban]

Gee....... :D You do get very personal. Forgot your vitamins this morning? I thought this is a discussion thread or do you get personal and kill off people who do not agree with you? And indeed I do weep for this country (to borrow your own words) 'if this country has people who carry such attitudes' as yours.

Hmmmm good point

Actually youre right, JM.

I am taking this one personally. Yesterday had a disagreement with gf. Am currently dealing with a problem caused by my doctor (prescribing wrong medication). Gf asked "what was the doctor's name?"

I knew what was coming...yes she said "I wont go to a malay dr." and then the attempted justification that "Malays get positions in uni because of affirmative action and the non-malay are wary of malays especially in the health-care field."

And if that wasnt enough, then she said: "Im not criticizing muslims, just malays in Malaysia"

Seriously I didnt know how to react. This is the woman I love...I can understand that there are issues in this country, but racism and prejudice...they are sickening to me.

Im seeing it on all sides, more and more while Im here, and I dont like it.

So, to be honest, your comments reminded me of that...it appeared from your words that you are holding racist views (or at the very least, die hard prejudiced views)...but I could be wrong.

I dont mean to take it personally and Im sure that you and everyone has good intentions in our crazy messed up world...better for m to sit this one out.

Cheers, m

[Jose Mourinho]

So based on your statement, can I assume that you think Indonesia is relatively the "bottom of the barrel"...or that targeting Indonesian tourists is scraping the bottom of the barrel?

Or perhaps you think Indonesians belong at the "bottom of the barrel?" Perhaps they are joined there by the other immigrants who come to take demeaning, dirty, and dangerous jobs in this country....so that other people can justify their smug superior attitudes about other countries and races.

If you want to think about it that way then let me point out that to many people in this world, Malaysia would hardly be among the "top of the barrel..."

If any of my assumptions about your attitudes are correct...then let me quote you: "I weep for this country..." I weep for Malaysia if this country has people who carry such attitudes towards their neighbours and dont look at themselves first...

Please tell me Im wrong.

M

Please do not make assumptions about my attitudes. You are making too many. You do not even know me and thus it is grossly unfair to make assumptions and reach your own conclusions. The reason why I did not want to elaborate further was because I did not want to get into a lengthy academic argument. Please allow me that privilege. Peace.

:)

[AllUrban]

Please do not make assumptions about my attitudes. You are making too many. You do not even know me and thus it is grossly unfair to make assumptions and reach your own conclusions. The reason why I did not want to elaborate further was because I did not want to get into a lengthy academic argument. Please allow me that privilege. Peace.

:)

Fair enough. Agree to disagree and all that :)

Cheers, m

[AllUrban]

Err...there is NO need for an Indonesian to apply for visit to Malaysia...as long as they have a valid passport...

Ahem...Malaysian immigration would grant a 30 days social visit visa stamp on their passport...

Err...after 30 days...we would know how many left the country or didn't leave the country...ahem...or do we?

Orchi,

Like many other foreigners who come to Malaysia to work, M has also "overstayed" on his social visit pass.

How? M entered Malaysia at the end of a december on a 3 month social visit pass. His work permit (arranged in advance) was finally delivered about 2 months later.

The next time M left Malaysia was in April. But M left using the work permit. So officially he "overstayed" on the 3 month social visit pass, and will be counted among the "overstayed" statistic for 2005.

Of course, customs didnt seem to mind, given that they let m back in.

Cheers, m

[Rocky19]

You have a serious problem coming to terms with yourself and others? You need to cool down, man, it is not good for your health. Either you are a Liverpool or a Everton fan. If not, then I am perturbed as to why you are attacking me for no reason whatsoever. Or perhaps you think you are Rocky as in Sylvestor Stallon and Thursday is bashing people's day.

:)
I've no problem coming to myself. as for my nick, well I'm not going around to claim that I'm so and so and please talk to my agent(actor mah) bla bla.There is a link between my nick and my name fyi. As for others(i was addresing you but you want to pull others in), well I guess i've no issue there as well. I may disagree with the issue or the view of others. But you seem to keep refering yourself to the real Jose and taking credit and saying things like quote below..I really cannot be...talk to my boss.... and this is not the first time.


Dr George. I believe he was also referring to me when he talked about those 'less inclined towards intellectual rigour'. It is a frightening thing when a person begins to think that he/she is superior to others. Hey. After all, I really cannot be that stupid after masterminding my team to beat Liverpool 2-0 and Everton 4-1. If any further refrences are required, please contact my employer, Roman Abramovich la.

:D

and thanks for thinking on my behalf....thursday is a bashing day bla bla. BTW why do you think I'm not a chelsea fan? No need to quote all Jose's achievements, the real Jose that is!!! :p

and please keep to the topic.

[bobkee]

This thread reminds me of an observation I made a while back.

When Dr Liew got killed in a construction site accident, there was a major outcry on workplace and occupation safety and health standards, both by the media and folks on the streets. Even in the blogging community, many people were making comments about this matter.

A few weeks later, an Indonesian migrant worker was killed (http://teresakok.blogsome.com/2006/01/20/106/) in another workplace accident (http://teresakok.blogsome.com/2006/01/20/scjan06/). The relative silence from the usual commentator suspects was quite deafening.

[orchipalar]

Attracting the 'right' tourists is well and good for our country. Tourism is one of the biggest earners to the economy of our country. But hopefully, the Malaysian authorities hv in place of measures to monitor and check the much publicised immigration abuses. Like it or not, there hv been many well publicised reports of these abuses happening right under our noses. Already, without the 'open door' policy, there are the 2 million illegals in the country. With the 'open door' policy, how many more will 'take advantage' of it?

So, I laud and applaud the Tourism Minister's optimism and enthusiasm in attracting tourists frm the third most populous nation in Asia. Its a fantastic goldmine in terms of the tourism industry and a much needed boost to our staid economy. But in the same vein, the optimism isnt complemented with the many cases of incompetency of the agencies of our Public Administration in handling matters of tourism and immigration related issues.Err...TQ Teeque:) for putting it so nicely...n just to add a wee bit more...

Ahem...our country has open its doors to many 'tourists' n 'students' from the African nations too...err...no visas required.

Err...problems arise as with the Indonesians...when we failed to address the issues of them overstaying in our country...

Take one clear example...highly profiled n self proclaimed 'multi billionhaire' Najem...err...who is also 'wanted' in some other countries...overstaying here so openly... :rolleyes:

[joker2107]

tis 1 is 4 teeque. know what this thread got thats related 2 d epl? d epl depends on foreign players. as much as bolehland does (i dont mean abt football here). only dif is we bolehlanders stinge on our rm whereas our counterparts in particular those of russian origin buy success with their superlative affluence of wealth. its d oil cash thats bringing on d blues.
once a red, always a red - 4 better or 4 worse, in riches or in poverty, in sickness n in health...

[Teeque]

It's not only that the English Premier League (EPL) depends on foreign employment to assist in their organization's objectives and goals (no pun intended). Developed and many developing economies do depend on foreign employment to meet its human resource needs and/or shortages. The difference between foreign employment and tourists is that one is an out-flow of foreign exchange and the other is an in-flow of it.

The discussion here in this thread is the resourcefulness of our esteemed Tourism Minister in sourcing for the in-flow of valuable foreign exchange from a grp of people who are, in effect, part of our nation's mass foreign employment partaking in the out-flow or consumption of our country's currency. What is of importance and significance here is that these much welcomed tourists do not make a very thinned line 'migration' into the mass foreign employment sector and thereby, denying this country the intended opportunity to earn much needed tourism currency that will contribute very positively to our nation's coffers. I hope the various administrative agencies has in place measures and checks and balances to counter the negative implication of an otherwise, laudable move by the Tourism Ministry. Recent, very publicised immigration related cases has proven otherwise.

All said and done, on another related note, recently our Tourism Minister launched a 1 million Euro sponsorship with the Chelsea Football Club for the advertising of our Tourism Malaysia program in the Stamford Bridge stadium grounds. More interestingly, Roman Abramovich, the billionaire owner of the football club, pledged to invest in a marina development project in Malaysia, purportedly in Langkawi.

Firstly, one may wondered what has Malaysian tourism got to do with the football club and its fans, localised or internationally. Does Chelsea play periodically in Malaysia enough to induce its London fans and followers to travel with the team to visit our lovely country? What is the rationale in marketing Malaysia to a group of football fans? Is the intended target market (read: local football fans) a touristy lot with a penchant for touring exotic Asian locations like Malaysia? Or, since EPL matches are televised worldwide to millions of audience, is this an appropriate exercise for Tourism Malaysia to be associated with a 'world renowned' football brand to market its tourism? If so, would a TV watching Chelsea fan, for eg. lets say in Nepal, after watching a live Chelsea football match would so much be intrigued and enticed to visit Malaysia? Is there anything Malaysian in Chelsea football matches for that matter? It is very much unlike Formula 1 where one of the legs of the race is held in Malaysia and race fans who travel with the F1 circus are targetted to visit and watch the race here so we sponsored the Sauber team to the tune of RM10 million. Lets not even go into Abramovich's intentions for investing in Malaysia.

Or on a lighter note, is the tourism promo at Chelsea so effective that it has eventually 'seduced' Mr. Jose Mourinho into visiting our award winning usj.com forum, a part of Malaysian cyberspace, participated in some ways and has eventually made his 'cybersquat' into a sort of a 'cyberhome' here in usj.com? :D Hmmm...can we say then that Tourism Malaysia has failed in its objective? :eek: :) ;)


Once a European Champion, always a European Champion... :rolleyes:

[Jose Mourinho]

It is okay. My team and I have faced worse barrage than here. I guess even the very mention of my name, Jose Mourinho, does upset certain people. As the Special One, I am used to people who wake up in the morning and choke over their own saliva because Chelsea has just won again the night before.

:D

[Jose Mourinho]

This thread reminds me of an observation I made a while back.

When Dr Liew got killed in a construction site accident, there was a major outcry on workplace and occupation safety and health standards, both by the media and folks on the streets. Even in the blogging community, many people were making comments about this matter.

A few weeks later, an Indonesian migrant worker was killed (http://teresakok.blogsome.com/2006/01/20/106/) in another workplace accident (http://teresakok.blogsome.com/2006/01/20/scjan06/). The relative silence from the usual commentator suspects was quite deafening.

The world and humanity is a real bitch, isn't it? Welcome to the real world.

[sirgalahad2010]

Its a pity that Dr George has to resort to obfuscations and fudging the issues!

I thot my points were reasonably clear and couched in relatively temperate language:

(1) what is Dr G's agenda?
(2) does he have an axe to grind?
(3) why mix up the issue of illegal immigrants with that of attracting tourists?
(4) why the particular emphasis on Indonesia?

On a positive note, I am happy to see that my posts have been thought to be "intellectually rigourous". That should be preferable, surely, to wooly-headed arguments and opinions?

Calling them as I see them......

[JackRyan1975]

I NEARLY FELL OFF MY SEAT LAUGHING AT THIS STATEMENT – MALAYSIA TO TARGET ONE MILLION INDONESIAN TOURISTS IN 2006!

I hope it is QUALITY tourists the govt is attracting without unduly worrying about the target NUMBERS. Afterall, the ministry is only interested in the economic benefits that this effort will bring. I hope that is the objective of this drive. Our country is not an economic juggernaut that can provide endless charity to it's much larger neighbour.

[bobkee]

The world and humanity is a real bitch, isn't it? Welcome to the real world.Yep .. hence the need to call this hypocrisy everytime one sees it :D