MALAYSIANS should support the actions of Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing for his bravery in standing up for people and tourists.
His efforts to address and resolve emergencies are commendable and can even contribute towards enhancing Malaysia’s image globally.
On the controversy of a KL International Airport (KLIA) Immigration officer who allegedly denied a Chinese national entry, we need to evaluate the issue from a broader perspective.
While it is necessary to uphold and respect the rule of law, it does not mean that we should mechanically and literally translate and enforce the law in all situations without exercising discretion.
If a small number of individuals or Little Napoleons were to abuse their power, resulting in Malaysia being perceived as "unfriendly" by tourists, the losses would outweigh the gains.
Minister Tiong's actions demonstrate his commitment as a national leader. In order to enhance the potential for tourism development, he is not afraid to reach out at the grassroots level to gain a deeper comprehension of the situation.
This not only increases the confidence by international tourists in our law enforcement agencies, but also gives a positive impact to the development of our tourism industry.
It needs to be emphasised that all law enforcement units in Malaysia should pay more attention to the impact of their actions on public perception and Malaysia's image internationally. The enforcement of the law should embody fairness and humanity, not just procedural operation.
At the same time, all our political leaders, including Umno Youth, should approach these types of problems with an open and understanding perspective to promote social progress and justice in our country.
Umno Youth also needs to understand that such incidents have happened more than once and have severely affected the country's image.
If they continue to let things go, or demand so-called "respect" for the relevant units, our country’s image worldwide and tourism industry will be further hit. This could serve a fatal blow to our economy.
We hope the government can deepen the training of the relevant law enforcement units to enhance their ability and level of handling emergencies.
At the same time, the government should also pay more attention towards communication with the public and tourists, explain relevant policies and actions at regular intervals, and dispel public doubts and concerns.
TAN CHEE HIONG
MCA Youth deputy chairperson and Alor Setar MCA chairperson
