GOASIAPLUS September 2019

INSIGHT
3
“The experiences are memorable,
the scenery is breathtaking and the
food is mouth-watering..”
sign indemnity forms. Anything can happen even if
it’s a short boat ride,” said Abdul Rashid who intends
to enforce registration of tour boat operators and
indemnity forms in these few years.
With all new regulations comes resistance
but being the seasoned politician, Abdul Rashid is
confident of stifling the voices of dissent among the
locals who are used to the lax in enforcement.
“We have to protect not only the tourists but
also the boat operators. Yes, they will have to charge
a higher fee because of the cost in getting a license
and all the extra precautions needed to be registered,
but it is for their own good,” said Abdul Rashid in an
interview.
While the sky mirror can be a crowd puller, it
is seasonal and is only accessible for two days in a
month when the tide is low. Golf, on the other hand
can be played all year round in Malaysia’s sunny
tropical weather and that is Abdul Rashid’s latest
game plan.
“Golf tourism is our new package. We engage
with the golf associations, host a tournament here
and we have been receiving good responses from the
overseas participants,” he said.
With 38 golf courses in Selangor and 20 certified
as international standard turfs, Abdul Rashid is
crafting packages for foreign golfers not only to play
but also to savour local cuisines and experience first
class facilities at the hotels.
Aside from the luxurious experiences, golfers
or other tourists could consider having a medical
checkup at an affordable price. A growing industry,
Malaysia’s medical tourism has been thriving in
recent years with 80,000 foreigners seeking medical
treatment in private hospitals in Selangor last year.
According to Abdul Rashid, the private hospitals
in Selangor are popular not just among foreign
tourists but also Malaysians from other states.
“We are among the best in terms of medical
tourism in Malaysia. Our prices are great and people
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