He said this in reply to a question on how the rallies being held by feuding parties were affecting tourism.

According to Nazri, the government’s move to give its “blessings” to the Bersih 5 rally and other street protests had not thwarted tourism in any way because it proved that freedom of expression was encouraged.

He also said protests held in Malaysia were civil in comparison to those in some of the countries where tourists came from.

“At least here it is all, you know, very civil, well guarded, no untoward incidents. My take is that it is not a problem at all, in fact it can be a part of my tourism product,” he quipped.

Nazri also rubbished claims that the government was trying to bar people from participating in demonstrations, and said that as long as a gathering complied with the Peaceful Assembly Act, the government would allow it to proceed.

Bersih’s fifth rally is set to take place in Kuala Lumpur on November 19, with organisers Bersih 2, demanding for free and fair elections, among others.

The electoral watchdog was now on a nationwide convoy leading up to the rally, with a counter group called the Red Shirts exerting pressure on them at every juncture, demanding they drop plans for the rally.

Nazri was speaking to reporters after opening the Fourth World Tourism Conference 2016, set to take place for three days here.

The event will see the participation of 733 participants from 32 countries, exchanging ideas and sharing their experiences to enhance the development of tourism.