THE withdrawal of UAE's top investment conglomerate - Bin Zayed International Group of Companies (BZI) from the RM40 billion Langkasuka mega development project in Padang Matsirat, Langkawi may be a blessing in disguise.
According to community leaders and activists, people tend to overlook the fact that Langkawi is a Unesco-accredited global geo-park destination where its underlying principle is sustainability, conservation and socio-economic development.
Excessive and mega-type development projects no matter how well the investor may mean may not be the right tonic to spur tourism to greater heights here, said Tropical Charters Sdn Bhd owner Datuk Alexander Issac.
Isaac, who co-founded the Langkawi Businesses Association, Langkawi is endowed for sustainable tourism or eco-tourism, which the Unesco geo-park status entails.
Yesterday BZI local firm's managing director Datuk Seri Dr Shamir Kumar Nandy confirmed that the UAE investors have decided against pursuing the project.
Despite some earthworks being constructed, the decision was made purely from a business standpoint although it is learnt that the BZI, which is family-owned, decided to pull the plug after its founder passed on two - years ago.
The remaining family members felt a need to go in a different direction.
The decision however is seen as bad politically for Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor, who was pushing for a mega project to act as a catalyst to pull in more investments to develop both Langkawi specifically and Kedah.
"We are no longer involved in the Langkasuka project. Since 2022, we have decided to withdraw and concentrate on viable opportunities with greater potential," said Shamir.
In 2021, Kedah-based Widad Business Group Sdn Bhd entered into a strategic partnership with BZI to develop a mixed-development project valued at RM40 billion, known as Widad@Langkasuka in Langkawi.
It entails reclamation and the construction of a floating city off Padang Matsirat, which drew a rebuke from conservationists - Sahabat Alam Malaysia and local interest groups.
Isaac said that the islanders welcome development but it should be sustainable, bearing in mind its fragile ecology, nested together with 99 other smaller islands.
Former Langkawi Development Authority general manager and now the founder of the Friends of Langkawi Geo-Park group (FLAG) Datuk Dr Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani, said the geo - park is the identity and concept which drives Langkawi's development.
"We cannot overdo development. Geo-park is about knowledge-based tourism and its returns are good for the island," said Kamarulzaman.
He said that many Malaysians do not understand what a geo-park is, though the country has 10 national - ones with Langkawi as the international destination for now.
Langkawi is synonymous with the geo-park and everything the authorities do, needs to identify with the status.
Back to basics
Veteran tourism practitioner Ahmad Pishol Isahak said that the island needs to go back to the basics of why it became a popular regional destination.
"We shouldn't be distracted by things of grandeur and focus on what counts here."
Ahmad Pishol said that Langkawi needs more attention than ever, as it looks to move forward confidently after three years of standstill due to the pandemic. - The Vibes, November 23, 2024
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