ISLAMIC THEME PARK NOT A WASTE, SAYS AZALINA

KUALA TERENGGANU (Malaysia), Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The Islamic Civilization
Park is not a waste of money, but has become a tourist destination and source of
income for the people of Malaysis's east coast state of Terengganu, said Tourism
Minister Azalina Othman Said.

She slammed the opposition for saying the theme park in Pulau (Island) Wan
Man here was a waste of money.

"To me the opposition just like to criticise and find faults, but they
will do the same thing if they are in power.

"This can be seen in states headed by the opposition and they also see
tourism as an important sector," she told reporters after launching the `Zoom!
Taman Tamadun Islam' tourism promotion programme at Pulau Wan Man Thursday.

The 23-hectare theme park has attracted more than two million visitors since
it opened last February. It features 21 replicas of Islamic monuments and
architectural masterpieces from around the world.
-- BERNAMA