The appointment of senior and experienced Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz as Tourism and Culture minister shows Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak recognises tourism as an ‘economic ministry’ in generating revenue for the country, said outgoing tourism minister Dr Ng Yen Yen ( below ).

ng yen yen 270213 07 She described the appointment of Nazri, who was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for the last nine years (since the 2004 general election) as her successor, as “the right man” to lead the Tourism and Culture Ministry to greater heights.

“I am confident Nazri will do a great job for the ministry. The appointment of Nazri will speed-up progress towards achieving 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168 billion receipts by the year 2020,” she told reporters after officially handing over her duties to Nazri at a special ceremony at the ministry, in Putrajaya today.

Also present were the Tourism and Culture Ministry secretary-general Ong Hong Peng, Tourism Malaysia director-general Mirza Mohammad Taiyab and former Deputy Tourism Minister Dr James Dawos Mamit, who has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

Welcoming the announcement by Najib yesterday to bring tourism and culture under one ministry, Ng said it was a synergy to boost the Malaysia Truly Asia brand.

“The people are making Malaysia, truly Asia. It is about people and culture.

“It is a perfect combination. I think the prime minister really recognises Malaysia's tourism industry… I’m sure the whole (tourism) industry is very happy about it,” she said.

Ng, who held the portfolio as tourism minister since 2009, said she would share her experiences in the tourism industry with Nazri, who is also Padang Rengas member of parliament.

Asked on her future plans, Ng said she would start to travel to countries such as Hong Kong and China.

“Previously, it was only work-related travel. Now, I want to travel as a tourist,” she said.

Ng, who is also an MCA vice-president, was dropped from BN's candidate list for the Raub parliamentary seat in Pahang in the just-concluded general election.

- Bernama