Malaysians Can Write Letters To PM On Countrty's Tourism Industry

CYBERJAYA, July 4 (Bernama)-- Malaysians can have the opportunity to write unofficial letters to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to channel their ideas and suggestions to enhance the country's tourism industry through the '2014 1Malaysia Letter-Writing Competition.'

Communication and Multimedia Communication deputy secretary-general (Communication) Datuk Che Azemi Haron said the tourism theme was chosen in conjunction with the 'Visit Malaysia Year' with more participation expected this year compared to 79,875 last year.

Participants can select one out of the three Malay titles, namely "Kenapa Malaysia Menjadi Destinasi Pilihan Pelancong Asing" (Why does Malaysia become the destination choice of foreigners), "Pengalaman dan Keistimewaan Melancong di Malaysia" (Experience and uniqueness of travelling in Malaysia) and "Cadangan Untuk Meningkatkan Industri Pelancongan di Kawasan Anda yang Berkonsepkan Pelancongan 1Malaysia" (Suggestions on enhancing the tourism industry in your area through the 1Malaysia tourism concept).

Apart from the primary school category (150-250 words), secondary school 350-500 words) and aged 18 and above open (550-700 words), he said the new category being introduced was for the disabled, aged 9 to 45 (not more than 300 words).

"The letter must be hand written and cannot be typed except for the visually disabled which has to use the braille typewriter with the work to be submitted with translation into Malay," he told a news conference here Friday.

The fifth edition of the competition is organised by Pos Malaysia Bhd and Malaysian Communcations and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) jointly with the ministry and Education Ministry from July 1 to August 31.

"We have also make the 100 best letters every year into four books over the past four years and these will be published for the public with the cooperation of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) soon," he said.

He said besides encouraging a writing culture among the young generation and Malaysians as well as enhancing competency in writing, the competiton could also increase awareness on the importance of the tourism industry.

Ten winners from every cateogy will receive cash, stamp album, certificate, netbook and other prizes, worth RM72,800, which is expected to be held on October 9 in conjunction with World Post Day celebration.

Those keen to take part can surf the website www.pos.com.my, www.skmm.gov.my or at facebook account www.facebook.com/surat2014 and www.twitter.com/surat1malaysia
-bernama.