GEORGE TOWN, Oct 17 — Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz today addressed concerns that the Bersih 5 in November could harm tourism in Malaysia, saying the rally may have the opposite effect instead.
The tourism and culture minister said the rally is a “compliment to Malaysia” as it would demonstrate that it was a country that was open and allowed freedom of expression.
“Bersih is not a problem at all. It can even be a part of our tourism product,” he told reporters after the official launch of the World Tourism Conference 2016 at E&O Hotel here.
He said the fact the rally was allowed to proceed further dispelled the view that the government was repressive towards events that were critical of Putrajaya.
The minister said that dispelling such views could help make Malaysia more attractive in the eyes of tourists.
“As long as they comply with the Peaceful Assembly Act, they are allowed to hold the rally and all those times, it was all very civilised without any untoward incidences,” he said.
Nazri was responding to questions on whether the Bersih 5 rally on November 19 could affect the country’s tourism.
Bersih recently launched a nationwide Bersih convoy campaign to spread awareness to the rural areas on the objectives of Bersih and the upcoming rally.
The event will be the fifth such mass rally demanding public reforms, and the fourth to be organised by electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0.