BN Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said although Mahathir was considered to have contributed to the island’s development, this progress would not have been possible without the support of the party which had nurtured him as prime minister.
Imagine if the BN has no power, there is no provision, Langkawi will not be built,” he said in an informal dialogue session with Langkawi youths here last night.
Recognising that the people in Langkawi still felt nostalgic for the time when Mahathir still helmed the country, he said the people should think about the future of the young people.
“We remember and thank Mahathir, but for the next 10 to 30 years, we must support the party leaders who are able to continue bringing progress to our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khairy said Prime Minister Najib Razak’s plan to enhance the reputation of the island to be on par with Monaco in Europe did not mean it was imitating the tourist attractions at the world famous resort.
He said the prime minister’s idea to turn Langkawi as “The Monaco of the East” was aimed at making the island more attractive to luxury travellers, thereby uplifting the economy of the people on the island.
“It is not that we want to set up casinos such as in Monaco, but we have our own unique way to develop Langkawi to become a well-known place (as a luxury tourism centre),” he added.
The dialogue, aimed at clarifying issues to the youth here, was also attended by Langkawi MP Nawawi Ahmad, Air Hangat assemblyman Mohd Rawi Abdul Hamid, Kuah assemblyman Nor Saidi Nanyan, Kedah Umno Information chief Othman Abdul and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) president Arul Kanda Kandasamy.