JEDDAH, 12 May 2003 — Malaysia yesterday urged Saudi vacationers to consider the country “absolutely safe” from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. “The multi-ethnic country is truly Asia. Come and visit it and enjoy its many features,” said Ambassador Mokhtar Ahmad, who cut a cake to mark the inauguration of a 10-day Malaysian food festival at Al-Salam Holiday Inn Hotel.
“Saudi travelers should not be afraid to visit Malaysia, as the World Health Organization has not classified the country as SARS-affected,” Tourism Malaysia Director General Abdullah Junid said in his address.
Bandar M. Jamil, counselor and director of diplomatic affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the guest of honor at the event, which was attended by a number of invitees from the travel and hotel sectors.
Junid said the Malaysian government’s immediate priority was to ensure that the country’s health care system was fully prepared to contain the SARS threat. “We’re very much concerned about the welfare and health of our people, and above all we take extreme care for the safety and health of all tourists to ensure that they are protected from SARS while visiting our country,” he added.
“Malaysia has entertainment and theme parks for families and children, white sandy beaches with clear blue seas, nature and greenery, cool mountain resorts and modern cities with many five-star hotels offering room rates far below those found elsewhere.”
Two Malaysian chefs — Zainuddin Abdul Rahim and Ramlan Jaffer, flown in for the event from the Holiday Inn Penang — will cook Malaysian dishes from 14 states.
