SINGAPOREANS STILL THE BIG SPENDERS IN M'SIA DESPITE ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN

JOHOR BAHARU (Bernama), Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Singaporeans, despite facing
some tough economic conditions back home, are still the big spenders in
Malaysia.

Figures gleaned from the 2008 Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival statistics showed
that Singaporeans spent the most with a whopping US$18.1 million (US$1 = RM3.58)
in credit card transaction.

Indonesians are next with US$12 million and that is why Tourism Malaysia is
confident that the Malaysia Savings Sale 2008, which began on Nov 29 and ends on
Jan 4, will enjoy the same success, if not better.

Speaking at the Johor launch of the Malaysia Saving Sales 2008 at the Plaza
Pelangi in this southern city Friday night, Idros Mohd, the chief executive
officer of Pempena Sdn Bhd, the Shopping Malaysia arm of the Tourism Ministry,
said that Singapore was still the country's No 1 market.

"There is no denying that we depend a lot on Singaporeans as far as tourist
arrival figures are concerned. In fact last year we welcomed an estimated 10.5
million Singaporeans.

"In a way, the Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 is targetted primarily at the
Singapore market and Johor Baharu being the closest to the republic is our main
focus.

"People say that during these tough economic climate, shopping is the last
thing on their minds. But I see it as a blessing in disguise for Malaysian
retailers.

"Times are tough and consumers are more careful with their money. That's
why
it's so attractive for Singaporeans to make their short hopover to Johor Baharu
to shop because of the favourable exchange rate," he said.

The opening of the new Customs and Immigration Complex scheduled for
Tuesday
also means that Singaporeans will enjoy a smoother drive into the city, Idros
added.

The Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 was first launched by Tourism Minister
Azalina Othman Said at the Pavillion in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 29 and since
then it had launches in Langkawi, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Penang and now Johor
Baharu cities.
-- BERNAMA