The much touted tourist haven of Langkawi looks set to lose its inbound tourists in view of the PAS-led state government of Kedah’s plans to create gender-based zones for men and women at recreational and tourism spots in the state. New Straits Times, 26 May 08 reported that Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak said that for a start, he would ask the state tourism committee to propose the creation of separate zones at the Ulu Lengong Hot Springs Recreation Centre. He also cited western countries, without identifying which one as having separate zones for men and women at such recreational centres.

Known as a romantic paradise, Langkawi honeymoon has been the getaway for many newly-wed couples. But Langkawi too has suffered the infamy of overzealous religious enforcement. On 12 Oct 06, religious enforcement from the Langkawi Islamic Affairs Department raided a condominium rented by an American couple at 2 a.m. and accused the retirees of committing khalwat and demanded to see their marriage certificate, besides demanding to “see the lady” who was then clad in only a sarong (Star, 28 Oct 06). Tell me, which tourist arrivals in Malaysia carry their marriage certificates with them? For that matter, which married non-Muslim Malaysians carry matrimony certificates with them?

The Menteri Besar has justified his proposal citing that “in Western countries, there are separate zones for men and women at such recreational centres.” However, the MB has failed to identify which country holds such a practice, and even then, for which indoor or outdoor activity.

Meanwhile, what is defined as “recreational” and “tourism spots”? Would not any form of leisure be construed as “recreational” including playing golf, shopping, snorkeling and scuba-diving which attract both domestic and foreign tourists Langkawi? How does one practice gender segregation for water-based activities?

Tourism is a major income churner for Langkawi. If this island resort follows the footstep of PAS-led Kelantan of having segregated seating arrangements at cinemas, or separate check-out counters at supermarkets, international tourists who have traditionally flocked to Langkawi would now be inconvenienced with these new arrangements unfamiliar to them. They may be discouraged from visiting Langkawi now.

Moreover, being a duty-free island, alcohol is openly sold at one-quarter or one-fifth the price of alcohol sold in the Peninsular. Would restaurants and coffee shops in Langkawi look forward to following their Kelantanese counterparts in having to sell alcohol discreetly, thereby resulting in a lowering of their daily takings?

To the Kedah MB, please give us more information on how you intend to conduct gender segregation queues and sections in Kedah. We want prospective tourists to be prepared in advance, and not be too shocked when they have to line up at separate queues at check-out counters, or scuba-dive at separate beaches, or attempt a hole-in-one at distinct golf courses for men or women.

-Chloe Ting-