Non-Muslims are entitled to events that they do not consider to be wrong, such as the Miss Tourism International event in Langkawi today, Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told PAS.

While reminding that it is BN and not PAS that is in power, Nazri said the government would continue to support such events.

“I think PAS should remember that in this country, there are about 40 to 45 percent non-Muslims who are also the rightful citizens of this country and entitled to all these events.

“We must also ensure that the rights of the 45 percent non-Muslims are given respect. What is not haram to them, I think we should do,” he told reporters today.

Nazri said this when asked to comment on PAS Kedah chief Mahfuz Omar’s statement yesterday opposing the Miss Tourism International event.

Mahfuz ( left ) said Langkawi is already capable of drawing tourists without the beauty pageant, and that it "does not bring out a healthy culture".

In response, MCA central committee member Chin Tung Leong challenged Mahfuz to explain how the event is unhealthy.

“Is PAS saying that boosting tourism, the development of Kedah and income into our national coffers, harnessing talent and government-private sector cooperation are unhealthy?

“YB Mahfuz Omar forgets that besides cultural exchange, one aspect of a beauty pageant is its focus on charity and needy causes. Hence, are philanthropy and enhancing knowledge through exposure to another culture unhealthy too?” Chin asked in a statement today.

'PAS practising double standards'

Chin, who is also the party’s Overseas Liaison Bureau deputy chief, accused PAS of practising double standards for not speaking up against the Miss World Muslimah Awards in Yogyakarta this year, with Kuala Lumpur slated to be next year’s venue.

On another matter, Nazri said he remains hopeful that Malaysia can achieve the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 goal of drawing 28 million visitors by the end of the year.

This is despite multiple crisis hitting Malaysia’s tourism industry this year, including the loss of two Malaysia Airlines aircraft, Flights MH370 and Flight MH17, and kidnappings in Sabah’s east coast, including resort areas.

Up to August, Nazri said, the overall tourist arrivals have increased by 14 percent compared with the same period last year, and he hopes Malaysia can draw enough visitors during this December holiday season.

"I pray to Allah that our target of (28 million tourists) will be achieved. Insha'allah (God willing)," he told reporters when asked on the sidelines of the “Treasures from the Summer Palace” exhibition at the National Museum.

The exhibition - featuring artefacts from the Qing Dynasty Summer Palace - is in commemoration of 40 years of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.

Speaking on tourist arrivals from China, which had been a main target for this year’s Visit Malaysia Year campaign, Nazri said the numbers had dropped by as much as 35 percent in May and June, compared with the year before, but this number reduced to just a 0.4 percent drop by August.

He said this shows that Chinese tourists are returning to Malaysia, and he hopes the statistics will show a positive growth by the end of the year.

Making it easier for tourists to get visas

Of the 239 persons on board MH370 when it went missing on March 8 while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, the majority (152 persons) were Chinese nationals.

Two Chinese nationals were also among those kidnapped in Sabah by armed militants – a tourist and a fish farm manager.

To help boost tourist arrivals, Nazri said, he would be discussing with the cabinet efforts to make it easier for tourists to obtain visas.

He said Thailand has already done so and managed to increase tourist arrivals despite coups and internal conflicts, while Indonesia is also contemplating on relaxing visa conditions for Chinese tourists.

"I think Malaysia should follow suit, because China is now different from what it was 30 years ago.

"I will strive to get a consensus from the cabinet for tourists to obtain visas easier," Nazri added.

Additional reporting by Jake Carter.