LANGKAWI – The possibility of Langkawi being stripped of its duty-free status, and the fact that its people’s representative is no longer prime minister and in government, has many islanders wondering if this is the return of the seven-generation curse on the island.
Legend has it that a pretty maiden who lived in Langkawi between 1762 and 1800 cursed Langkawi with seven generations of bad luck after she was wrongly accused of adultery and, hence, stabbed to death as punishment.
Shortly after, Langkawi experienced a period of tribulations – from the Siamese invasion to a series of droughts and floods, prompting the populace to believe in the Mahsuri curse.
Fast forward to the present day, the island is badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many businesses shutting down and the political limbo that its representative Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is in.
“Is he (Dr Mahathir) going to retire or continue his struggle?” asked one of the villagers.
Prior to his decision to quit as the nation’s seventh prime minister last year, the constituency of 45,000 voters that he represented was considered the most powerful locality in the country.
Several propositions were mooted to upgrade the tourism industry, which powers 80% of the jobs on the island.
A sense of deja vu descended upon the island, as the islanders celebrated the return of their prodigal son, whom many residents have saluted for single-handedly navigating the rise of Langkawi.
But now, the island is engulfed in political uncertainty, which started with Dr Mahathir losing his trusted lieutenants –Air Hangat assemblyman Datuk Juhari Bulat and Kuah assemblyman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad – who decided to align themselves with Bersatu chief and Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Meanwhile, a protest brewed at the sole remaining public beach at Pasir Tengkorak over the possibility of the island losing its 34-year duty-free status.
The historic gathering on Friday ended with a declaration opposing any attempt to revoke Langkawi’s duty-free status.
Early this year, duty-free traders were informed of the Finance Ministry’s intention to remove the duty-free exemption for tobacco-related products, a move that struck fear in tourism industry players.
This time, unlike some three years ago, 24 travel organisation representatives and individuals banded together to submit a memorandum to Muhyiddin and Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, with no reference to Dr Mahathir.
“We hope Dr Mahathir can do something, but he is no longer in government so we must be realistic,” said Malaysian Nature Society Langkawi chapter head Eric R. Sinnaya.
Langkawi Businesses Association deputy president and tourism activist Datuk Issac Alexander said the duty-free status is synonymous with Langkawi, and that the island needs it to boost its competitiveness as a tourism destination.
The Malaysian Association of Hotels is hoping that the right policies are in place to boost tourism.
But, with hindsight, with trade liberalisation taking place globally through the World Trade Organisation and growing reliance on e-commerce, the “duty-free” brand may not be as strategic as before.
Still, Langkawi needs all the help it can get to revive its bread-and-butter industry, or risk falling under another “curse” that may well last the next seven generations if steps are not taken to revive its economy. – The Vibes, March 7, 2021
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