KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS) expressed concern about the impact of a recent incident at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on the country's economic recovery and image.
Its president Francis Teo said in a highly-connected digital world, the incident, even if it is isolated, could go viral and affect the country's image.
"We are concerned this would affect business visitors' impression of our country, ultimately putting the business events industry at risk of losing quality business visitors," he said in a statement today.
The industry has already suffered greatly during the pandemic and is currently striving to recover.
Teo said as international trade gradually resumes, there has been an increase in international participation in trade events hosted in Malaysia.
"Many of these events feature substantial pavilions from China. News about Malaysia mistreating foreign visitors could seriously undermine the ongoing recovery efforts."
According to recent statistics from the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Malaysia has secured 88 future business events scheduled between 2023 and 2030.
These events are expected to attract around 104,834 delegates and generate an estimated economic impact of RM1.47 billion.
In the coming month alone, several key international trade events are set to take place in Malaysia, with at least 10,000 exhibitors, visitors, and delegates expected to participate.
The MyCEB is also in coordination with the Immigration Department to establish a Business Event Fast Lane to facilitate the entry of business visitors attending such events.
"We hope that the incident at the airport will not tarnish our image or deter business event visitors from visiting Malaysia.
"In fact, we are eager and look forward to hosting more international business events, ultimately leading to our nation's economic recovery," said Teo.
His comment follows an incident on June 30 when a foreigner was involved in a commotion with Immigration officers at KLIA upon their arrival to Malaysia.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing was involved because he had gone to KLIA Terminal 1 reportedly to rescue the woman from China, who had alleged that she was being extorted by Immigration officers.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said yesterday (July 5) that statements have been recorded from the 14 people, including the Chinese woman and a witness, who is also from China and from Tiong.
Azam had also said the duo from China had come for a holiday to Malaysia but had decided to leave after being embroiled in an alleged corruption case involving Immigration officers who had tried to "extort" them.
The duo returned to China yesterday (July 5).