#1. TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMD
He's taken on many roles, but he has never been tourism ambassador. But
thanks to him, there is no longer a need to explain where Malaysia is. Also
thanks to his vision, the country's tourist arrivals have been going strong
since he took the premier's office.
As premier, he was credited with engineering the country's rapid
modernisation and economic growth which created a boom in the tourism industry.
Some of Kuala Lumpur's most iconic landmarks - KL International Airport, Sepang
International Circuit and the most famous of all, Petronas Twin Towers, the
world's tallest building (until 2004) - were built during his premiership.
Not only that, he is also behind the rise of Langkawi and Labuan, both
duty-free zones. Langkawi has since become one of the world's preferred island
destinations, and Labuan, a haven for business travellers.
Fittingly, Dr Mahathir was recently presented with the Lifetime
Achievement Award at KL Mayor's Tourism Awards 2011 for his contributions to
local tourism.
#2. PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS (KLCC)
No visit to the country is complete without a trip to the 88-floor
Petronas Twin Towers in KL's central business district. The towers have been
featured in many international productions, including the 1999 Hollywood movie
Entrapment, a slew of Bollywood movies and a National
Geographic documentary.
The buildings, designed by Argentine architect César Pelli and
Filipino-Malaysian engineer-deejay Cerico, were completed in 1998 after seven
years, and had enjoyed the distinction as the tallest buildings in the world
for six years, until Taipei 101 wrested that title in 2004.
#3. UNESCO HERITAGE SITES
The country has three heritage sites: Gunung Mulu National Park
(Sarawak), Mount Kinabalu (Sabah), and the latest addition, the historic cities
of Strait of Malacca, Malacca and George Town (Penang). The first two fall
under the natural category (both entered the list in 2000), while the third,
the cultural category (2008).
#3. UNESCO HERITAGE SITES
Former busy trading ports, Malacca and George Town have a unique
townscape with buildings that reflect the cultural and architectural details of
the past. Great street food and shopping within their quaint streets add to
their appeal.
#3. UNESCO HERITAGE SITES
The 52,864ha Gunung Mulu National Park is the most studied tropical karst
area in the world. It is also home to the world's largest known cave chamber,
Sarawak Chamber, as well as 3,500 species of vascular plants and 109 palm
species.
#3. UNESCO HERITAGE SITES
The country's first Unesco heritage site, Kinabalu Park, is the habitat
of a majority of Borneo's mammals, birds, amphibians and invertebrates (many
threatened and vulnerable). It is also a centre of plant diversity, from the
rare Rafflesia and pitcher plants to orchids and ferns.
#4. RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL
The music festival would has gained a large following overseas. Every
year, thousands throng the Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching, Sarawak,
to celebrate the diversity of world music. The three-day festival brings
together musicians not only from around the country, but also from the rest of
the world, showcasing traditional and fusion, contemporary music. It has
garnered international kudos, including a listing as one of the 25 Best
International Festivals last year by Songlines Magazine, UK.
#5. DIVE HAVENS, SIPADAN AND REDANG
Sipadan, in the Celebes Sea off the east coast of Sabah, and Redang, 45km
off the shore of Terengganu, have earned global recognition as dive spots of
exceptional beauty. With waters teeming with over 3,000 fish species and
hundreds of coral species, their alluring underwater worlds continue to beguile
divers from all over the world.
Sipadan's bountiful marine life has been feted by legendary French
underwater world expert Jacques Cousteau, while Redang's World War II
shipwrecks The H.M.S Prince Of Wales and The H.M.S Repulse give photographers
and divers a thrilling underwater adventure.
#5. DIVE HAVENS, SIPADAN AND REDANG
The country also offers a few other equally gorgeous islands along the
east coast of the peninsula as well as small isles around Sipadan. In fact,
before Sipadan and Redang reaped international fame, Tioman, off the coast of
Pahang, was hailed as one the world's 10 most beautiful islands.
#6. DATUK NICOL DAVID
She's the first Asian to hold the world No. 1 ranking in women's squash.
The 28-year-old has won the British Open three times and the World Open five
times in the last six years. Other notable achievements include winning the
Asian Games singles title in 1998, 2006 and 2010 as well as the World Games
singles title in 2005 and 2009. Recently, she added the Australian Open crown
to her list.
That's not all. The petite player is the first recipient of the Order Of
Merit (Darjah Bakti) award from the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin. The award, established on June 26, 1975, is limited to only 10
recipients who have made significant contributions in the arts, sciences and
humanities.
