Pubdate: Sat, 20 May 2000
Source: Star (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2000 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  13 Jalan 13/6, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Website: http://www.thestar.com.my
Author: Ridzwan Bakar

GET THE MESSAGE ACROSS IN LESS 'TOURIST-UNFRIENDLY' TERMS

Datuk Dr Ridzwan Bakar of Kuala Lumpur (via e-mail) writes:

WHILE it is true that our strict visa rules are hampering the tourism 
industry, the Government should look at other archaic and outdated 
regulations which are blindly being followed by the stakeholders in the 
industry.

One should question whether it is necessary to make those nerve-wracking 
and tourist-unfriendly announcements on all planes arriving into the 
country that drug trafficking is an offence "punishable by death'' under 
the strict anti-drug laws.

While it is important to show our seriousness regarding this issue, the 
message can be conveyed in less "tourist-unfriendly'' terms.

For example, replacing "punishable by death'' with "capital punishment'' 
will carry the same message but in a more tourist-friendly term.

Similarly, more user-friendly signages at the KL International Airport 
pointing out specifically that all passengers need to take the monorail to 
Immigration and Customs clearance sections will certainly avoid confusion.

I once saw an elderly woman protesting that she just wanted to get to the 
airport exit and not go on the train to some distant destination.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart