PULAU LAYANG-LAYANG HAS POTENTIAL FOR TOURISM

LABUAN (Malaysia), March 6 (Bernama) -- Pulau Layang-Layang, noted for its
coral reefs and scuba diving activities, has the potential to be turned into a
tourist attraction based on marine life, said Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"I notice many tourists come here and this augurs well for the country's
tourism industry.

"I'm very happy with the development taking place in the area...much better
compared to the past. I hope the environment here will continue to be well
maintained," the Prime Minister told reporters during a visit to the island
Thursday.

Abdullah, who was accompanied by his wife Jeanne Abdullah, said
he was also impressed with the facilities provided to the tourists coming to
Pulau Layang-Layang, which he had visited about 20 years ago.

Others who accompanied the Prime Minister on the visit were Federal
Territories Minister Zulhasnan Rafique, Labuan Member of Parliament
Yusoff Mahal and the Chairman of Labuan Corporation, Suhaili Abdul
Rahman.

Pulau Layang-Layang is located about 300 kilometres off the coast of Sabah
and is only about one hour by air from Kota Kinabalu.

-- BERNAMA