Reports by MARTIN CARVALHO, RAHIMY RAHIM and TARRENCE TAN

       MALAYSIA is hoping to reopen tourism activities to international travellers as early as December this year, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

       The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said at present, the government only allowed international travellers to visit Langkawi beginning Nov 15 and the authorities would observe the development.

       “For the whole of Malaysia, we will look at the situation in Langkawi first, and only then will we consider the reopening of the whole country.

       “Let us pray that it can happen at the earliest time. Perhaps after Nov 16, and maybe early December. That is not promised but we will try,” she said in reply to a question from M. Karupaiya (PH-Padang Serai) during Question Time.

       Karupaiya had asked the ministry to state the timeline to reopen tourism activities for international travellers nationwide.

       To the original question, Nancy said the international tourism travel bubble pilot project in Langkawi would be a benchmark for the country to open more travel bubbles to other destinations based on the review from the National Security Council and the Health Ministry.

       She added that under the domestic travel bubble project in Langkawi, the island received an estimated 100,000 visitors from all over the country between Sept 16 and Oct 15.

       “The tourism activities have given a positive impact, resulting in economic benefits to other sectors and good development to the local community,” she said.