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FORMER Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has announced his intention to contest the Langkawi seat in the next general election.
Zaid, who once held the Kota Baru parliamentary seat from 2004 to 2008, said he wanted to contest because it was time to help Langkawi.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's son, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Najib, heads the Langkawi Umno division.
Although tourists are returning now due to the aggressive marketing of the Langkawi Development Authority, the leisure industry here is said to be outshone by the likes of Penang.
"I read with envy how lucky Penang is. In the last decade, it received more than (RM) 16 billion in investments from China alone.
“Since DAP joined the Madani government, the federal government has promised 30 billion for its traffic master plan, including LRT, tunnels, and the Ring Road. It already has two bridges and possibly a third one coming.
“Penang Island is half the size of Langkawi, yet Langkawi is not as developed. It's not so lucky,” said Zaid.
He hopes that as an MP, he can persuade the PM and the Menteri Besar of Kedah to do more for tourism in Langkawi, which is the lifeline of this island, but generates only (RM) 7 billion in revenue, compared to 300 billion Bhat in Phuket.
Up to 80 per cent of Langkawi is undeveloped, and the many small plots of padi fields may be nice to look at, but produce little economic value
“I hope the locals will accept me. Langkawi is not just the mystic of Mahsuri, but the symbol of how committed the government is to the development of the Malay world," added Zaid. - February 8, 2026.
