After five years at the helm, Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) chief executive officer (CEO) Khalid Ramli retired on Nov 30.

He was succeeded by Azizan Noordin, formerly deputy director-general (promotion) in the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board.

Azizan can start by sprucing up Langkawi as a new broom tends to sweep clean.

Recently, I was in Langkawi for three weeks training and walked along Jalan Pantai Tengah and Jalan Pantai Cenang every evening for dinner at one of the many local restaurants.

While the former road was devoid of traffic, the latter was a busy thoroughfare, as long rows of shops lined both sides of the street. But sadly, it was more like a cowboy town than a great beach resort.

If there was proper planning, shops, restaurants, hotels and other buildings would be confined to one side of the road, and no man-made structures on the other side towards the beach.

With a clear view of the coast, sea, boats, islands and sky, Jalan Pantai Cenang could have been a golden mile and attracted investments on high-end facilities to cater for upmarket tourists.

What I saw there was more of a local crowd and backpackers enjoying the cheap chocolates and beers the island has to offer.

But everyone suffered when walking along Jalan Pantai Cenang, which was more of an obstacle course than pedestrian-friendly.

There were uncompleted road works at many sections, forcing pedestrians to walk close to the middle of the street, exposing themselves to danger from passing traffic.

Many stretches of the sidewalks were dug up previously without covering back with tiles, leaving soft sands and mud for people to step on.

On a hot day, Pantai Cenang was sandy and dusty and after rain, the puddles of water on the road can drench those waiting nearby when a vehicle passes by without slowing down.

Fallen trees and cables were left unattended throughout the three weeks I was there, including a wheel being stolen from an abandoned car.

No doubt all these are the responsibilities of the Langkawi Municipal Council, but doing nothing will negate Lada’s efforts to promote and develop Langkawi.