COMMENT | Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong is a tough guy. Some hate him. Others cheer for him.

You can say what you like about him, but he is willing to tackle thorny issues head-on.

These include:

1. Demoted a Malay director-general (DG) for poor performance.

2. Exposed the alleged extortion of tourists at KLIA.

3. Raised how morality policing in Langkawi harms tourism.

4. Supported bak kut teh (BKT) as a national heritage.

Some say Tiong (above) is doing what DAP used to do - speak out fearlessly on difficult issues. Others feel he is a grave threat to Malay values and dominance.