Langkawi was a hive of activity recently, with hundreds of local and foreign tourist for the Deepavali weekend holidays. The Langkawi International Airport and Kuah jetty were equally busy with incoming and outgoing tourists and other passengers.

I have visited Langkawi on several occasions in the past and I must commend the Langkawi authorities for taking efforts to keep the island relatively clean despite the large turnout of tourist and visitors. I am very impressed with the authorities for maintaining the cleanliness and the many water sports activities going at Chenang beach. However, there is a need to review the safety features of some of the water sports-related activities at this beautiful sandy beach.

Another thing that the authorities need to take note of is that the main passageway - the Chenang Road - is choked with traffic especially at peak periods. We need to find ways and means to overcome the chaotic traffic at the busy Jalan Chenang especially along the busy stretch where the souvenir stalls, malls, eateries and other tourist attractions are situated.

With the rapid development that is taking place along this stretch of Chenang, the present road may not be able to handle the traffic. The authorities need to give high priority in ensuring the smooth flow of traffic to this busy tourist zone.

The Langkawi Cable Car (SkyCab) and Sky Bridge together with its associated promotions appear to be the the star attractions of locals and foreign tourist to Langkawi. Located at the Oriental Village at the foothill of Mount Mat Cincang in Patai Kok, it is simply an awesome experience for the hundreds of visitors that jam up this area during week ends.

From the cable car at a height of about 700 metres on Mount Mat Cincang, the scenery is breathtaking, with a clear view of the surrounding ecology and the Andaman Sea.

From the excitement and smiles seen among tourist and visitors especially children at Mount Mat Cincang’s spectacular SkyCab attraction, there is no doubt that the Langkawi Cable Car will be attracting many more tourist around the world soon. Pictures and experience of visitors at the Sky Cabeen circulated on the social media is further boosting the image of Langkawi globally.

The management of the SkyCab and the associated promotion theme park attractions at the foothill deserve to be commended for their professional approach in handling the large group of local and international visitors.

In view of the large turnout of tourist and local visitors the management should have in place contingency plans in the event of any emergency. The safety and security of visitors should be always given priority and should be frequently reviewed by the authorities, be it at the foothill or at the peak. Frequent emergency evacuation drills should be conducted to familiarise the staff to emergency procedures.

Having said that, I wish to draw the attention of the Langkawi Sky Cab theme park management to its Bunny House attraction where about 30 to 50 rabbits were kept in a small open enclosure and the visitors are allowed to feed them. Feeding animals especially small animals like rabbits is said to be very therapeutic and helps to reduce stress and tension.

I have nothing against this allowing the public to experience animal patting and feeding. However, it is sad to note that many of the rabbits in this bunny house happens to be suffering from some kind of infection, looking at their fur condition.

It is said that the skin of rabbits is a window to their general state of health. Skin ailments can range from irritations to life-threatening. Some rabbit infections are said to be contagious to other animal species and some instances humans, too, can be infected.

In need of veterinarian care

It is obvious that the rabbits need immediate veterinarian care. Ideally the rabbit enclosure should be temporarily closed for few days so that proper veterinary investigation and treatment can be undertaken. Exhibiting small animals like these sick rabbits with poor fur conditions to the public, especially to international visitors, does not reflect well on our stance on animal welfare and care.

The management should engage a vet to visit the bunny house regularly and to advise the handlers and care takers on issues related to veterinary care and hygiene, etc. The Veterinary and Wildlife Departments should make frequent visits to theme parks and other tourist attraction spots where animals are kept advise the management accordingly.

I enjoyed the three-days stay in Langkawi during the Deepavali holidays, visiting so many tourist attractions in the island with the family. It was indeed a great leisure trip break.

Despite the intermittent showers, tourist were seen enjoying their stay in Langkawi, with packed shoppers at the tax-free outlet. A major portion of the local tourists were seen at the tax-free outlet this time around. I understand this shopping spree was triggered by rumours that the government is planning to remove the tax-free status of certain goods in Langkawi by the end of December

Whether this is true or just a rumour, I am not sure because I have not heard anything official. Shops and tax-free outlet staff are also telling the same thing to visitors. I don’t know whether this another sales gimmick propaganda to boost sales. The way the locals are shopping appears to be that there must be some truth in the rumour.

Whatever it is, I hope the authorities will think twice before taking any drastic action with regards to withdrawing the tax-free status of goods (liquor/beer/cosmetics/tobacco/vape/etc) in Langkawi. The small traders and businessmen will be very hard hit by any move the authorities take to withdraw the tax-free status in Langkawi.

If this happens it will also have a serious impact on the tourist arrival figures and future development in this beautiful island.Why kill the golden goose? Local tourists will instead travel to other cheaper alternative tourist attraction islands like Phuket, Kosomoi and Haadyai, etc in Thailand.

An official clarification by the government on this tax-free status withdrawal rumour will ease the fear and anxiety among the public and all stakeholders.