The new broom has cast his keen eyes on Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. And found it wanting.

Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir is miffed that there are no special activities or attractions to draw tourists, especially foreigners.

Of course the foreigners should be prioritised as they actually provide the lifeblood for the industry with their almighty dollar.

Datuk Broom, he, of the natty polka dot bow tie and stylish girth exuding newfound authority, also pointed out that tourists have become fussy about their holiday plans. Rightly so. Since they are spending hard-earned money.

He is also reported to have said late last month that when holiday makers want to go to some place, the first question on their mind is what special buildings they can visit or do there.

And so, he urged the Negeri Sembilan government and PD's hotel and resort operators to put their brains to work and come out with creative ideas and activities to attract tourists.

Abandoned buildings

Showing off that he is not lacking in that department, Broom threw forth some creative ideas of his own to inspire the muse in PD's hotel and resort operators.

In his own words: "Among the attractions they can have are theme parks, safari parks, zoos, museums and other historical buildings or sites."

Rather revealing, isn't it?

I would respectfully suggest to the Datuk that he first take a drive (oops, sorry, chauffeured drive, I mean) along PD's coastal road to take in the sight of the hulks of abandoned buildings which are being gleefully taken over by vines and lalang . Nature, the ever alert opportunist, reclaiming her rights.

Finally, as he winds along the road, he'll arrive at Teluk Kemang where most of the locals and others from outstation take the air on public holidays.

This is the sight that will greet him at the most popular stretch of the coast. Concrete garbage bins overflowing with all manner of filth, including various sorts of leftover food, plastic bottles, cigarette butts and so on and so forth.

Foreign species

And the clouds of flies, not just out for the air but also for the sumptuous meals so freely available. All thanks to the ever-flowing generosity of Malaysians.

The local authorities, packing up their responsibilities with their luggage, presumably spend their holiday breaks elsewhere, never mind if the garbage keeps piling up.

What is needed there is much more than a nifty bit of broom-work. Perhaps the Datuk will be so stricken by the sight, he will take the matter up with the state government with a degree of firmness which bespeaks of a no-nonsense approach. Basics first, he must insist.

After all, the health of tourists, particularly the foreign species, should be of paramount importance.

Bow-tie also wants Negeri to take India and China as examples of exploiting historic buildings to draw the tourist dollar.

Taj Mahals and Great Walls

He cites such monuments as the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square and the Taj Mahal. He wants the state government and the private sector to scour the state to identify such sites as well as develop them to promote them to foreign as well as local tourists.

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Talk about a tall order. When our boy from Kulim thinks, he thinks big. No doubt about that.

What his audience at the Negeri Hotel and Resorts dinner thought about his ideas is not mentioned in the news report.

It not known either, at what point the guests retired to hold their sides and laugh themselves sick.

Just picture this: Government officials and their counterparts from the private sector dutifully searching the state high and low to tag potential Taj Mahals and Great Walls.

That Datuk Broom is always bursting with ideas can be explained by the fact he had to wait for a mighty long time before gaining admittance as a full-fledged member of the august company of old and young farts that comprises the Cabinet.

These are movers and shakers of the country and the world - and yea! even the universe - as we're going to have an even 10 small satellites circling the globe. Mind you, some among eight new ones are going help in our nation's defence.

Wicked ones

So can you imagine Broom's thrill in striding along the corridors of power and all the perks that go with full ministerial status.

He can be forgiven for all the pent-up enthusiasm that is gushing forth now. Which is pretty good going for just about a year in office.

Of course, the wicked ones among us will be betting on when the spring will dry up. I suppose it will take a worldwide recession to test the mettle of our minister.

Whatever it is, Broom cannot be faulted for being gung-ho about his job because the ambition is for the industry to become the number one revenue earner for the country.

And of course, the icing to look forward will be the boss's precious, beaming approval once that target is reached.

I could suggest one brilliant idea for the good Datuk that will surely put him over the top with the old man. How about a theme park for Lunas before the next general election? Surely that will be a vote getter.

Go for it Broom, break the opposition's heart.

K SUGU began his journalistic career in 1964 and has worked in the New Straits Times , The Star , the National Echo and The Sun . He became a Buddhist monk in 1981 and had his first taste of press freedom when he worked in Bangkok for The Nation. He is now retired and spends his time writing and trying to get a handle on the fleeting nature of life.