Party island to piety island? Tourists flee as PAS tightens grip on Langkawi, claims columnist
LANGKAWI, once proudly called the “Jewel of Kedah”, is losing its shine, and veteran Sarawak columnist Francis Paul Siah squarely points the finger at the conservative policies of PAS, which has governed Kedah since 2023.
In his latest column for the English edition of Sin Chew Daily, Siah writes that the island he once loved for its relaxed, duty-free, cosmopolitan vibe now feels neglected and overly moralistic.
He cites widespread complaints about fading infrastructure, over-commercialisation, and most controversially, the chilling effect of PAS-led enforcement on dress codes and alcohol.
“I’m not sure if PAS people understand that alcohol is not just about lifestyle. It’s a significant revenue driver, especially for international tourists,” he said.
“Restrictions or negative publicity about alcohol could deter high-spending tourists, affecting hotels, restaurants and bars,” Siah added.
According to him, news of “tourist-unfriendly” rules, whether or not they are fully enforced, spreads quickly, especially via social media. For budget-conscious or image-conscious travellers, the risk of being hassled or judged may be enough to choose other destinations.
Siah recalls the public spat between federal Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, where Tiong accused local authorities of harassing tourists over shorts and alcohol purchases. Sanusi dismissed the claims as unfounded.
“Part of Langkawi’s charm was its party-friendly holiday feel,” Siah argues.
The columnist warns that while PAS insists it is protecting a certain values, its approach risks killing the golden goose that has made Langkawi one of Malaysia’s top revenue earners. —Nov 30, 2025
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Teresa Kok has been right in suggesting that Langkawi be turned into a federal territory and governed as such (thus putting the island out of the lebais' reach)
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