It aims to attract more Muslim tourists by focusing on family-friendly and spiritual tourism .

Khairul addressed the Dewan Rakyat , emphasising the need for Malaysia to focus on niche sectors to compete with other regional islands . He noted that while Langkawi may struggle against other popular destinations , it could stand out by catering specifically to Muslim tourists .

Seputeh Member of Parliament ( MP ) Teresa Kok Suh Sim raised concerns about the potential negative impact of state-level policies on tourism . These policies , such as prohibiting alcohol drinking and wearing shorts , are not seen as tourist-friendly .

Said Khairul : “ The situation is well and under control .”

Khairul does not believe this concern warrants significant attention or intervention , labelling it as a ‘ trivial matter ’.

Yet , Khairul ’ s proposal sparked concerns among various stakeholders . Former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim expressed scepticism , questioning the practicality of this approach .

Zaid pointed out that Muslim-friendly destinations like Kuala Terengganu and Kota

Bharu and international cities such as Jakarta and Dubai already cater to this market .

He argued that Langkawi might struggle to attract Muslim tourists unless significant changes are made , such as segregated beaches for men and women and reducing the availability of certain types of entertainment .

Industry players in Langkawi have also voiced their reservations .

Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) of a boat charter company , Alexander Isaac , and Malaysian Association of Hotels ( MAH ) Kedah and Perlis Chapter President Eugene Dass stressed the importance of upgrading existing facilities rather than imposing new religious guidelines .

Dass argued that focusing on one specific demographic will not necessarily make Langkawi more competitive as a tourist destination .

“ Even if we can push to become a ‘ preferred Muslim destination ’ now , our facilities are not ready ,” he added .

Meanwhile , tour operator Pishol Ishak dismissed the proposal as a marketing gimmick , arguing that Langkawi should remain open to all tourists to maximise its appeal .

“ Once we focus only on wooing Muslim tourists , we will lose out ,” he said .

This viewpoint adds to the ongoing debate about the future of Langkawi ’ s tourism sector , underlining the crucial importance of considering all perspectives and finding a balanced approach that caters to the diverse needs of all tourists .

Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan

THE LABUAN International Business and Financial Centre ( Labuan IBFC ) and the Qatar Financial Centre ( QFC ) released a joint publication titled “ Mutual Cooperation Towards Global Connectivity ”.

The launch was accompanied by a masterclass series that included panel discussions on Shariah-compliant leasing and wealth management solutions .

This publication follows the two organisations ’ Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) from last year . The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation between Asia ’ s leading economic and financial hubs . The non-binding MoU will remain in effect for three years .

The publication is an invaluable resource for industry stakeholders interested in Islamic finance . It emphasises the significance of global connectivity in shaping the development of Islamic finance in Asia and beyond .

Labuan IBFC Inc . Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ), Datuk Iskandar Mohd Nuli , expressed confidence in the collaboration : “ We are confident that this publication is a significant step towards ensuring both Labuan IBFC and QFC are active participants in the push for the digitalisation and globalisation of Islamic finance .

“ This is underscored by the introduction of the Islamic Digital Asset Centre in Labuan IBFC , which acts as a Shariah-compliant digital gateway .”

QFC CEO Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida emphasised the shared vision between the two organisations : “ This partnership exemplifies our shared vision to advance Islamic finance solutions across sectors and regions , promote closer collaboration , and bridge markets , ultimately driving economic growth in our respective jurisdictions .”

A strategic relationship between the two financial centres will increase the adoption of Islamic products in Asia and the Middle East and North Africa ( MENA ) regions . Moreover , it will enable fintech and its supporting ecosystems to thrive in new markets .