04 February 2014| last updated at 10:59PM

VISIT Malaysia Year 2014 is the campaign enticing tourists from all over the world on the promise of beautiful beaches, a wide range of shopping options and the cultural pluralism that makes the country "truly Asia". Malaysia boasts eco-tourism that includes such natural wonders as the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower; the orang utan and other wildlife; and, beautiful waters for snorkelling and diving. In short, almost a paradise here on Earth. For the most part, all this is not too far off and tourists are seldom let down. Many will be visitors to this country again and again. In Penang, heritage is a big selling point given the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) recognition. The whole island is liberally dotted with all kinds of tourist attractions, and prime among them are the beaches of white sand and blue seas.

That pristine and postcard-worthy picture is now being marred by the severe pollution of Batu Ferringhi beach. The blue seas are tainted by a large patch of black water, the source of which is a mystery, but nevertheless polluted and not merely there for the colour contrast. The beach is also strewn with rubbish left unattended by the local authorities. It is an ugly representation of official neglect not in keeping with the photographs and videos making the rounds worldwide of beautiful "Malaysia Truly Asia". Instead, a regular visitor would voice disappointment and disgust at the apparent carelessness of those in charge -- who else but the DAP-led state government ensconced there for the last five years and now fresh in their second term, but already exhibiting a lacklustre performance as witnessed by the effluents polluting the waters off Batu Ferringhi and the uncollected rubbish on its beaches.

Undoubtedly the state government is busy with ensuring Penang island's physical connectivity to the mainland, what with the soon to be officiated second bridge and the much-objected-to proposed tunnel. Even if this is intended to ease tourist access to the island, of what use are they if the final destination is nothing less than a rubbish dump? The idyllic setting of Penang Island with its colonial and multi-cultural heritage is being denuded by lack of care. To what end is not certain, but one thing nearly undeniable is that all the states now in the hands of the so-called Pakatan are exhibiting a degree of wear-and-tear symptomatic of administrators who are novices at the game. But Kelantan, after decades of Pas, suggests that the Pakatan parties are just not equipped to govern. The Batu Ferringhi pollution then is testimony to DAP's mistaken priorities and an agenda unfathomable from the perspective of the public good.

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Administrative ineptitude