PD, Langkawi brim with post-MCO tourists

Tourists enjoying themselves in Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson, yesterday.

-NSTP/AZRUL EDHAM MOHD AMINUDDIN

PORT DICKSON: The seaside destination here has reopened to the public with many holidaymakers adhering to standard operating procedures under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).

A survey by the New Sunday Times revealed many out-of-towners choosing Port Dickson as a weekend getaway spot.

Trader Diana Abd Manan, 37, said she recently resumed her business selling swimming trunks and floats. She had closed it when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was imposed on March 18.

"Throughout the MCO, traders like me were badly affected as this is my family's only source of income. But I am thankful because customers are now buying my products.

"This resort town has been deserted for the past three months," said Diana, who survived by selling women's wear online.

Jody Chew, 35, from Kuala Lumpur, was with her husband, Kevin Jo Kok Wai, 36, and their two children, aged 5 and 9. The family of four checked into the Avillion Hotel for a holiday.

"My children were bored at home. Since the interstate travel ban was lifted, we're taking the opportunity for a family vacation."

Mohd Salorwadi Mohd Noor, 45, from Ipoh, said he jumped at the chance to visit his wife's family in Port Dickson.

"My wife and I brought our 10-month-old daughter, Nurduha Sofia, to take her first dip in the sea.

"It is a good spot to holiday as the beaches are wide enough to practise social distancing."

Port Dickson Municipal Council president Mohd Zamri Mohd Esa said all beaches had reopened with an SOP in place.

"Unfortunately, since the RMCO began, we have received complaints about rubbish strewn along some beaches due to the increasing crowds.

"We will find a way to prevent people from littering the beaches besides stepping up enforcement and imposing fines. We will consider setting up closed-circuit television cameras."

Port Dickson is among many beaches that are seeing an influx of tourists since the RMCO began on Wednesday, with some restrictions lifted to allow tourism to resume.

In Langkawi, Bernama reported on Friday that many tourists were seen taking pictures on Pantai Chenang.

There was a lively scene in Jalan Pantai Chenang as businesses — such as duty-free shops, stalls, restaurants, food trucks and hotels — were back in business.

Resident Yasmin Abdullah said she and her husband came to Pantai Chenang for recreation.

"We are happy to be taking a walk on Pantai Chenang after almost three months of not being able to leave the house during the MCO, and it is good to do so without fear of getting arrested," said the employee of a hotel here.

A Russian tourist, who wanted to be known only as Igor, said he and his wife had planned to come to Langkawi earlier but were stranded in Kuala Lumpur during the MCO period.

"We came here from Kuala Lumpur and took the ferry from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi. It was not easy because the ferry was full."

-nst online.