KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 ― Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz urged Malacca today to reconsider shuttering the state’s popular Jonker Street tourist spot, reminding the state of its reliance on the travel industry.
“Without tourism, what will Malacca be known for?” Nazri told reporters at Parliament here today. “I hope the chief minister will seriously reconsider it.”
Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron was reported by Chinese-language newspaper Kwong Wah Daily yesterday as saying that the decision to close down the popular night market on weekends was made after Malacca residents purportedly voted for the DAP instead of the MCA in Election 2013.
“The market needs to be there. It’s good for Malacca tourism,” Nazri (picture) added.
Nazri, however, disagreed that the Malacca government’s action was tantamount to “punishing” the Chinese, pointing out that the state was only closing down Jonker Street on weekends for a four-week trial period to resolve traffic congestion.
“It is nothing personal with the Chinese,” said the Padang Rengas MP.
Speaking separately, MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong also said Jonker Street should not be closed down.
“That is a tourist destination,” Wee told reporters.
“I don’t see any justification to close it down. Tourists, we want to earn their money,” added the Ayer Hitam MP.
PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli echoed the sentiment, saying that closing down Jonker Street would affect residents of all races, including the Malays, in Malacca.
“Our livelihoods are so intertwined,” the Pandan MP told reporters.
