Well-Known Magician Wants To Promote Malaysia As Top Tourist Destination

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- After establishing himself as a magician internationally, Penang-born Kabir Khan Mohamad Reaz wants to promote Malaysia as a top tourist destination. The 31-year-old Malaysian may have found fame and fortune abroad, but he always feels a "strong sense of pride" when his country of origin is mentioned. "In 2011, I was backstage waiting for my turn to perform in a hotel in Hollywood. When it came to my turn, the master of ceremonies said 'Ladies and Gentlemen, we never had this magician before. He comes all the way from Malaysia. Please give a round of applause to the Malaysian Magician, Mr Kabir Khan. "That was the time I felt honoured to represent my country internationally," he told Bernama here Monday. Kabir Khan said he had never felt more patriotic until that moment, and after that he would always try to promote Malaysia either during his performance on stage or at any event he attended. "This is my way of promoting my country. I put my country first, and I see myself as a branding tool for Malaysia," he said, adding that he was due to meet Malaysia's Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz on Tuesday. "I want to present my proposal that was crafted for Tourism Malaysia to Nazri on several effective methods to promote Malaysia internationally. My aim is to increase tourist arrivals, achieve the target of 36 million tourist arrivals in the country by 2020," he said after making a courtesy call on Bernama chairman Azman Ujang here on Monday. Kabir Khan said he met Tourism Malaysia chairman Wee Choo Keong recently and told him about his plans to promote Malaysia internationally. He said he hoped that his success at the international level would inspire Malaysian youths to become 'world-beaters' and excel in all sectors. "I have met several representatives from local universities and private colleges as I plan to organise motivational talk sessions with students and share my experience," he said. Referring to National Day, he said unity among all races was vital and wanted the people to be united and proud to be Malaysian. Penang is Malaysia's northern state. --BERNAMA