COMMENT By WONG CHUN WAIThursday Nov 30, 2006


YOU'VE got to be joking, Yang Berhormat Datuk Mohd Said Yusuf.The MP forJasin may have closed one eye on his other controversies but he must haveclosed both eyes for likening Bukit Bintang to Patpong in Bangkok famed forits raunchy entertainment

.It's a gross exaggeration because any visitor to Kuala Lumpur will know thatBukit Bintang is not what Mohd Said has described it to be.

Bukit Bintang is known to have the best shopping malls, restaurants, hotelsand entertainment spots.But has anyone seen Malaysian women in bikinis pole dancing on bar tops ortouts inviting foreigners to tiger shows?

According to Mohd Said, his Arab friends told him that the sex activitiesmade Malaysia "better than Thailand".

Mohd Said is known as the "close one eye" MP for his controversial remark toCustoms officials to overlook a consignment belonging to his company'sclient that was seized for exceeding the size limit.

He had also accused certain Customs officials of selling confiscated luxurycars cheaply to their friends in the palace. He could not produce anyevidence to back his allegations.

Mohd Said should have personally investigated what his Arab friends had toldhim and if he could not do it personally, he should have submitted theinformation to the authorities.

To make these allegations, just when Malaysia is about launch Visit MalaysiaYear 2007 is damaging, to say the least.We like to be known as a destination for family holidays and one where wiveshave no reason to worry when their husbands are here on business trips.Most wives know there are very few options for their husbands when they cometo Kuala Lumpur, but not so in Bangkok, Manila, Phnom Penh, Singapore oreven Jakarta.

Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has correctly rebutted MohdSaid, saying that Malaysians and not foreigners are confused as to howMalaysia was being promoted overseas.

Correction Tengku, it is Mohd Said who is confused and not Malaysians. Therest of us are proud of the commercials being aired to promote Malaysiaahead of the big event because we understand the economic impact.

We are ready to put on our best smiles and to extend our famed hospitalityto the millions of tourists coming our way because they like the seas, theforests, the multi-culturalism and the food.

These tourists know what to expect of Malaysia when they planned theirholidays and if racy adult entertainment is their choice, it is unlikelythat they will pick KL.

Sure, there are nightclubs, and if foreigners look hard enough, there wouldbe sex workers but surely not on the scale of other sex cities.And if there are local women who like foreigners at bars and pubs, who canstop them if they want to go further! It's nobody's business.Let's not mistake the foot massage outlets along Bukit Bintang for tiredshoppers, because these are clean places.

Bukit Bintang MCA chief Senator Datuk Dr Lee Chong Meng has good reasons tobe upset and to feel insulted by Mohd Said's remarks. He should know histerritory better.

As Tengku Mansor, the Federal Territory Umno chief said: "We cannot goaround branding everything which resembles entertainment as sinful andillicit."The trouble with many politicians is that while they are quick to criticisewhat they perceive to be sinful, the same decibel is not heard when it comesto corruption.

Corruption is a sin and surely we should hear more politicians back DatukSeri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his fight against graft.Not only are many of our politicians not on the forefront, but they alsoseem to shy away from talking about accountability and credibility.Many, including those seemingly religious in their diet and dressing, appearto be selective when it comes to their pick of sins. Somehow, corruption,abuse of power and women do not affect their religious practices, regardlessof their spiritual belief.

The authorities should also call on Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia lecturerZawawi Muhammad Lukman to back his claim in a survey of 4,000 people, thatminors between the ages of nine and 18 were involved in vice.This is a serious allegation. He also said he came across a mother who askedher 11-year-old daughter to have sex with her boyfriend.

The police must find out whether this is a case of sexual abuse, rape orprostitution because providing sex for money is something different alltogether.

We hope the newspaper has quoted the researcher wrongly, andInspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has correctly said thepolice would probe the matter.

Again it is an issue that has tarnished the image of Malaysia. For manypeople, including those involved in non-governmental organisations, they canonly express disbelief.People in position, politicians or otherwise, must realise that they cannotsimply make general statements which can bring negative implications.

This damage is irreversible.

The bottom line is let's open our eyes when we see something that we knowmust be brought to the notice of the authorities.