GOLF SHOULD BE DEVELOPED AS PART AND PARCEL OF OVERALL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, SAYS NAJIB

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- Golf should be developed as part and parcel of the country's overall tourism development strategy, said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Najib said that the tourism industry was considered as strategic for the
country.

In this context, Najib, who launched the Mines Golf City here tonight, said
that this massive development with a high quality golf course would be another
success.

"With 63 holes and high quality golf course...certainly this is a very-very
strong selling point (in attracting golfers and tourists)," he said in his
speech.

Mines Golf City is Malaysia's first, largest and only 63-hole golf course,
sprawling over 2,073 acres and situated in the Northern Klang Valley and the
first 18-hole is designed by Annika Sorenstam, the best woman golfer of her
generation who also attended today's event.

Planned as a world class residential golf resort, it offers an
international community lifestyle, and has facilities such as medical tourism,
international school and learning academies, among others.

Najib said that this golf course would really put Malaysia on the world map
as it had some of the world's best facilities.

Najib also said that the main ingredients for success for everyone from
golfers to politicians were ability and the right and positive attitude.


"And if you never give up, even when we are facing a global recession or
Asian financial crisis, a time will come you will succeed," he said.

In her speech, Sorenstam said that as a woman, she was honoured to design
the first 18-hole of the Mines Golf City.