Batu Caves 1Malaysia Carnival

Batu Caves has all the potential to be developed into a national tourist attraction, a view not lost on the government which will set aside an allocation to do just that.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government would do what it can to make the holy site a major tourist attraction.

"I hope this will be a new beginning for Batu Caves as an important area for tourism as well as the development of the 1Malaysia concept as a whole," he said, though he did not disclose how much would be set aside for the plan.

Najib, speaking at the Batu Caves 1Malaysia Carnival yesterday evening, stressed that unity would only boost the country's potential as a "gateway to the world".

He said Malaysia held the distinction of having ties with all the major Asian cultures.

"No other country can claim this. We are a gateway to the Chinese, Indians, Malay world and the Middle East. We must convert this to our strategic advantage."

Najib said that the 1Malaysia concept was not a zero-sum game, saying all Malaysians would reap the benefits of being citizens if they are willing to change their mindsets "from mere tolerance to total acceptance of a plural society".

He assured the Indian community that no community would be left behind in the government's plans to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.

"Malaysia is blessed with bountiful resources. If we ensure our economy remains strong, we can help every community in Malaysia."

Source : NST
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