LANGKAWI: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is generally satisfied with the progress of the Langkawi tourism bubble pilot project, but the former prime minister feels that there are still many things that can be improved to ensure the success of the initiative.
The Member of Parliament for Langkawi said that among the things that the government should give attention to is the standard operating procedures (SOP) related to the process of entry of tourists to the island as well as compliance with SOP by tourists while here.
"For example, tourists who come by ferry and car they need to get a police permit. This slows down their journey and some of them cannot meet the conditions (to come to Langkawi).
"Regarding distancing between tourists, we find that they are often (being) close (to other tourists), not complying with the condition to stay away from other individuals as far as one metre, so this may have an impact later," he told reporters here today.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir was given a briefing on the development of the Langkawi tourism bubble pilot project by Langkawi Development Authority chief executive officer Nasaruddin Abdul Mutalib at a hotel here.
Dr Mahathir said the number of passengers on planes and ferries to Langkawi should also be reduced so that passengers do not sit too close to each other to avoid any risk of COVID-19 infection.
He said the frequency of flights or ferry trips should be increased to reduce passenger capacity at any one time, because according to him, about 2,000 tourists come to Langkawi using air travel and 700 use ferry services every day.
"So the number coming in by air is very big and they are sitting very close together as if normal. Although there are a lot of actions being taken to prevent people from getting infected, but when we discussed it, we feel that we should reduce the number of passengers so they are able to seat far apart," he said.
He also suggested that the government learn from what happened in a neighboring country when they decided to open up tourist spots there, but were closed again after an increase in cases of COVID-19 infection.
Commenting on the impact of the pilot project on Langkawi, Dr Mahathir said although the number of tourists was still small, it gave a lease of life to the resort island, especially for traders and believed the situation would improve after this.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat Sep 18 2021
![Mahathir generally satisfied with progress of Langkawi tourism bubble Mahathir generally satisfied with progress of Langkawi tourism bubble](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-09/61631875865_TunMlangkawi.jpg)
Dr Mahathir said the number of passengers on planes and ferries to Langkawi should also be reduced so that passengers do not sit too close to each other to avoid any risk of COVID-19 infection. - Astro AWANI photo
![KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/71682503318_PEMANTAUANUDARAAPM.jpg)
KDNK suku kedua dijangka lebih baik, hasil positif ekonomi MADANI - Ahli ekonomi
Prestasi paling penting ialah peningkatan perbelanjaan isi rumah, disebabkan oleh keyakinan isi rumah yang semakin baik.
![Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723691432_NidzaAfham.jpg)
Jenazah Nidza Afham dikebumi di Puncak Alam
Solat jenazah akan diadakan di Masjid Puncak Alam sebelum dikebumikan di Tapak Perkuburan Felda Bukit Cherakah selepas solat Zohor hari ini.
![Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723690075_ibumeninggalduni.jpg)
Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia
Allahyarham Meriam Ahmad menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada usia 74 tahun di Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar.
![Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688922_bolatamparsukma.jpg)
Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla
Pasukan bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang di Pantai Samila, Songkhla selama lima hari sebagai persediaan menggalas cabaran membawa pulang pingat pada SUKMA 2024.
![Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688542_KemalanganMaut.jpg)
Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara
Kemalangan melibatkan lima buah kenderaan termasuk tiga buah treler, sebuah lori satu tan dan sebuah MPV Toyota Vellfire.
Niaga AWANI: Jiwa SME: Kuih tradisonal sejuk beku 'diterbangkan' ke Tanah Suci
Inovasi pembuatan makanan sejuk beku, terutama kuih muih tradisional telah berjaya membawa produk itu ke peringkat global, terutama dalam memenuhi citarasa jemaah haji dan umrah rakyat Malaysia di Tanah Suci Mekah dan Madinah.
Global Financial Shifts: What emerging economies need to know
We're looking at recent shifts in the global financial scene. Today, we'll talk about how lower inflation and possible Fed rate cuts could impact investor confidence, global stability, and important sectors like tech and real estate. We'll also see how these changes might affect emerging economies like Malaysia, a key player in global trade. Let's break down these topics to understand what they mean for the future.
![MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723687760_AedyFadlyRamli.jpg)
MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan
JPJ merekodkan kutipan lebih RM28 juta menerusi aplikasi MyJPJ bulan lepas iaitu sebulan selepas transaksi dalam talian diperkenalkan pada Jun.
Urban Redevelopment Act: A comprehensive solution or a temporary fix?
Datuk Chang Kim Loong, Secretary-General of the National House Buyers Association (HBA), will speak about tackling one of the most pressing urban issues of our time: the Urban Redevelopment Act. Is this legislation the comprehensive solution we’ve been waiting for to eradicate urban slums, or is it merely a temporary fix?
![Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/41705320699_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok
Pada 8 pagi, ringgit meningkat sedikit kepada 4.4150/4250 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.4170/4235 ketika ditutup pada Rabu.
![Hati-hati sewa kereta di Langkawi, pengguna tidak dilindungi jika pengusaha tiada permit - JPJ Hati-hati sewa kereta di Langkawi, pengguna tidak dilindungi jika pengusaha tiada permit - JPJ](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722154552_SekatanJalanRaya.jpg)
Hati-hati sewa kereta di Langkawi, pengguna tidak dilindungi jika pengusaha tiada permit - JPJ
Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) mengingatkan orang ramai agar tidak menggunakan perkhidmatan kenderaan sewa tidak berlesen atau permit, terutamanya yang banyak beroperasi di Langkawi.
![Mayat remaja lemas cuba selamatkan adik ditemui di Pantai Cenang Mayat remaja lemas cuba selamatkan adik ditemui di Pantai Cenang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81722141905_lemaslangkawipol.jpg)
Mayat remaja lemas cuba selamatkan adik ditemui di Pantai Cenang
Remaja lelaki yang hilang dihanyutkan ombak ketika cuba menyelamatkan adik perempuannya ditemui lemas di Pantai Chenang, di sini pada Ahad.
![Remaja lelaki dikhuatiri lemas ketika cuba selamatkan adik Remaja lelaki dikhuatiri lemas ketika cuba selamatkan adik](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2017-09/81506586462_Drowning.jpg)
Remaja lelaki dikhuatiri lemas ketika cuba selamatkan adik
Seorang remaja lelaki dilaporkan hilang dihanyutkan arus ketika cuba menyelamatkan adik perempuannya daripada lemas dalam kejadian di Pantai Cenang, Langkawi, hari ini.
![ASP, 2 koperal polis didakwa bunuh Mohamad Hafiz di Langkawi ASP, 2 koperal polis didakwa bunuh Mohamad Hafiz di Langkawi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721731177_tbMahkamahLangkawi.jpg)
ASP, 2 koperal polis didakwa bunuh Mohamad Hafiz di Langkawi
Seorang pegawai polis berpangkat Asisten Superintendan (ASP) bersama dua koperal didakwa di Mahkamah Majistret di sini, pada Selasa atas pertuduhan membunuh seorang lelaki pada Januari lalu.
![Lima kedai sederet musnah dijilat api di Langkawi Lima kedai sederet musnah dijilat api di Langkawi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720579922_tbBBPPersiaranPut.jpg)
Lima kedai sederet musnah dijilat api di Langkawi
Kemusnahan dianggarkan melebihi 80 peratus struktur kedai.
![King Sing mohon maaf isu cadang Langkawi destinasi pilihan Muslim King Sing mohon maaf isu cadang Langkawi destinasi pilihan Muslim](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61719659054_TiongKingSing.jpg)
King Sing mohon maaf isu cadang Langkawi destinasi pilihan Muslim
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing memohon maaf berhubung cadangan yang dibuat timbalannya, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan untuk menjadikan Pulau Langkawi sebagai destinasi pilihan Muslim.
![Keputusan bina empangan bawah tanah Langkawi selepas lakukan kajian intensif - Sanusi Keputusan bina empangan bawah tanah Langkawi selepas lakukan kajian intensif - Sanusi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/51695806889_MuhammadSanusiMdN.jpg)
Keputusan bina empangan bawah tanah Langkawi selepas lakukan kajian intensif - Sanusi
Keputusan untuk membina empangan bawah tanah di Langkawi dibuat selepas kajian intensif dijalankan oleh agensi kerajaan Persekutuan.
![Tiada keperluan mendesak bina LRT di Langkawi - Mahfuz Tiada keperluan mendesak bina LRT di Langkawi - Mahfuz](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61714475112_MahfuzOmar.jpg)
Tiada keperluan mendesak bina LRT di Langkawi - Mahfuz
Tiada keperluan mendesak untuk membina Transit Aliran Ringan (LRT) di Langkawi dan kerajaan Kedah sepatutnya memberi keutamaan kepada isu rakyat yang lain.
![LIMA '25 pada 20-24 Mei 2025, ketengah kepentingan pemain industri LIMA '25 pada 20-24 Mei 2025, ketengah kepentingan pemain industri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/71686976670_TBLima.jpg)
LIMA '25 pada 20-24 Mei 2025, ketengah kepentingan pemain industri
Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan Adly Zahari berkata LIMA '25 di pulau peranginan Langkawi, Kedah itu bertemakan Innovate Today, Thrive Tomorrow.
![Bekas banduan ragut di Klang, lari ke Langkawi sebelum diberkas Bekas banduan ragut di Klang, lari ke Langkawi sebelum diberkas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81713503637_diragut.jpg)
Bekas banduan ragut di Klang, lari ke Langkawi sebelum diberkas
Suspek diberkas kira-kira jam 12.30 tengah hari di kawasan sekitar Pekan Kuah, Langkawi sebelum dibawa pulang untuk siasatan lanjut.