Negative reports affect Visit Terengganu Year 2017

Police have denied reports on the social media of female tourists who were allegedly raped or assaulted on two resort islands in the state.

Besut District Police Chief Supt Mohd Zamri Mohd Rowi said so far the police had not received any such reports concerning local or foreign female tourists visiting Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang.

"There has been only one case of an Iban woman who claimed she was raped by a boat operator on Pulau Perhentian, and that was last year.

"Upon investigation, we found the claim to be false because the woman did not give any strong evidence that she was raped by the man.

"The case is still being investigated but the man has been released on police bail," he told Bernama here today.

Mohd Zamri advised the public, especially female tourists to Pulau Perhentian not to be worried or frightened by the stories on the social media because they were purely fiction.

The 'Oh Bulan' portal today reported the story of a woman 'Cheryl Wong' who claimed that foreign female tourists who wore sexy clothes were often taken advantage of or duped by local tour guides.

Denying the incident, Deputy Chairman of the State Tourism and Culture Committee, Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman said if it really happened on the islands, the victims would have lodged a police report.

"The story which went viral could not be verified...and if it really happened, there would have been police reports made and action taken against the culprits," he said.

He said the police should investigate the writer of the story as such claims could affect the Visit Terengganu Year 2017.

According to an island resort employee who wanted to be known only as Saiful, since he started work six months ago, there had not been any negative stories about tourists being raped or taken advantage of by tour guides or boat operators.

According to Batu Rakit State Assemblyman Bazlan Abd Rahman when contacted, the matter would be investigated as it was the first time it had allegedly happened on Pulau Redang.

"The wild accusation about the tour guides should not be made as they are locals and would not do something that would affect their income," he said.

"The article seems to be an attempt to frighten tourists to the island. It is impossible that if it had happened, none of the victims have made a report to the authorities," he added.

According to the Chairman of the Pulau Redang Village Development and Security Committee, Roki Ami said the negative article by 'Cheryl' could be a reaction to the disappointment of one person on the island.

"I consider it an act of sabotage to the tourism industry on Pulau Redang which is popular among local and foreign tourists. If it is true, I as chairman of the committee would have known about it, because tourists here are my responsibility," he said.

He added that so far, there had been no such negative reports. -- Bernama