Jom Makan, the new tagline to lure tourists
By Sharif Haron
2008/06/11
Jom Makan (Let’s eat). Jom Melawat (Let’s visit). That could be the new tagline to lure tourists to Malaysia (O: How bout “It’s a clean and safe country to visit”?). A dining experience at the newly-opened Jom Makan on Tuesday night left Datuk Seri Najib Razak convinced that Malaysian restaurants abroad could become great tourism ambassadors for the country. The deputy prime Minister said food outlets like Jom Makan had the potential to not only make profit, but help put Malaysia on the world tourism map as well.
(O: I still think it's easier to sell on “Clean and Safe”)
“They (local patrons) will know Malaysia, and then maybe visit Malaysia and buy Malaysian goods,” he told Malaysian journalists after the dinner. Earlier, he officially launched the restaurant.
(O: WaLau Eh! You’ve spent so much $$$ on the programme and you only wish for a “Maybe”?)
While acknowledging that neighbouring Thais had had a headstart in gastronomic tourism, Najib believed it was not too late for Malaysians to play catch-up and be just as successful.
“We have a wide variety of food to offer and appeal to a broad section of customers.”
He hoped that more Malaysian restaurant operators would venture abroad to take advantage of the opportunities.
(O: Let’s see if your Jom thing is still alive next year before you tell others to follow)
Jom Makan, located at Pall Mall here, is operated by JomMalaysia (UK) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS).
PNS operates under the ambit of the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry, which has been given the responsibility to develop Malaysian restaurants, products, franchises and brands worldwide.
Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar, PNS chairman Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Datuk Abd Aziz Mohammed and about 150 guests were present at the launch.
(O: Ooou…! A big party eh!)
Asked about the food he sampled at Jom Makan, Najib said among the dishes he liked were nasi goreng kampung, roti canai, rendang and mee bandung.
Wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who was seated next to him, quipped: “We had small bites of many things.”
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/NewsBreak/20080611165857/Article/index_html
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