The journalist was detained for allegedly spreading "fake news" about the armed forces
world1 hour ago
Visitors flocked to the Malaysian island of Langkawi on Thursday as it became the country’s first holiday hotspot to reopen after a coronavirus lockdown that has hammered the vital tourism industry.
Restrictions on local travel had been in place for months and international borders remain largely closed as Malaysia battles its worst Covid-19 wave.
But with the outbreak gradually easing, Langkawi, one of tropical Malaysia’s premier holiday destinations, has been chosen for a pilot project to reopen the sector to domestic tourists.
The island began welcoming visitors Thursday, with water cannons firing over the first plane to land at its airport.
“We’re very excited because we haven’t been anywhere since February 2020,” Andrea Manason, an Australian woman based in Kuala Lumpur travelling with her family of six, told AFP.
“It’s real exciting for us to be here, and to actually have the kids leave the house.”
Under the initiative, hotels and businesses have been allowed to reopen while activities on the island’s palm-fringed beaches are resuming.
Tourists must be fully vaccinated to visit and have to take a virus test before departure.
Alexander Issac, head of a yacht charter firm, said he was delighted at the reopening as the island’s tourism sector had been “badly impacted” by virus curbs.
“We can’t afford any more lockdowns... We need to reopen the economy and get people working again.”
The island off Malaysia’s northwest coast has long been popular with domestic and overseas visitors, although for now foreign tourists are still barred from the country.
The journalist was detained for allegedly spreading "fake news" about the armed forces
world1 hour ago
Realtor holding a special sales day in Abu Dhabi
realty1 hour ago
Clym Evernden, one of London's most influential people in the art space, details his creative process, the role of social media, and AI-generated art
arts1 hour ago
Police said no one has yet claimed responsibility for the judge's abduction
world1 hour ago
Earlier today, the met alerted residents of unstable weather conditions and rainfall that might hit the country on Thursday
weather1 hour ago
The country remains committed to supporting all humanitarian efforts alongside the international community to mitigate the crisis
uae2 hours ago
Students in the country are gearing up for their I/GCSE and A Level exams that will be held between May 9 and June 25
uae2 hours ago
Western countries, including the US, have pleaded with Israel to hold back from attacking the southern city, which is sheltering more than a million Palestinians
mena2 hours ago