KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 16 -- The current haze situation in the country has not deterred tourists from traveling to Malaysia, Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said today.

He said since the haze is a phenomenon that other Asean countries are also experiencing, it has not affected the arrival of tourists into the country.

"The haze is something felt by all other Asean countries. This is an unavoidable phenomenon. In fact, Singapore too cannot avoid it.

"But not all parts of Malaysia are affected by the haze. I was just back from Langkawi and Penang, these areas are not affected by the haze.

"So if they don't want to be in the capital city (Kuala Lumpur), they can still travel to other parts of the country...