He said Sabah and Sarawak were “jewels of ecotourism” drawing tourists due to their marine beauty and mountains.
“Right from the start as tourism minister, I already described them as jewels of ecotourism. They attract people from Europe, China, Japan and elsewhere who love the seas and mountains.
“The rapid development in the peninsula has reduced the number of places to promote ecotourism,” he said when winding up the debate on the allocation for his ministry in Budget 2018 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Nazri said he would provide assistance to every state in the country fairly and equitably without being influenced by politics.
Even the collection from the tourism tax would be distributed fairly, he added.
“I help opposition-run states. Ask Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, have I neglected him? Have I neglected Selangor and Kelantan?
“If states led by DAP, PKR and PAS receive my assistance, then I should do more for Sabah and Sarawak, which are my brother states. It’s mistaken thinking (accusing him of neglecting Sabah and Sarawak),” he said.
He pointed out that the arrival of tourists to opposition-run states, Sabah and Sarawak was good for him personally as the tourism minister.
“Penang, Kelantan and Selangor are all in Malaysia. More tourists visiting them will enhance my name.
“If millions of tourists visit Selangor, it means they visit Malaysia. Then my name will become famous. So, why should I oppress these states?” he said.