SINGAPOREANS STILL BIG SPENDERS IN MALAYSIA

JOHOR BARU, Dec 13 — Singaporeans are still big spenders in Malaysia despite facing some tough economic conditions back home.Figures gleaned from the 2008 Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival statistics showed that Singaporeans spent the most with a whopping US$18.1 million (RM65 million) in credit card transactions.

Indonesians are next with US$12 million and that is why Tourism Malaysia is confident 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 Savings Sales 2008 at the Plaza Pelangi last night, Datuk 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 Baru being the closest to the republic is our main focus.
"People say that during this 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 hop over to Johor Baru 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 Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said at the Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 29 and since then it has had launches in Langkawi, Miri, Kota Kinabalu, Penang and now Johor Baru.