The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will push for federal allocations to help state governments upgrade existing tourist destinations and develop new locations, as Malaysia ramps up efforts ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026-2027.
Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the move was necessary because tourists constantly seek fresh and interesting destinations, and many states have promising locations that remain underdeveloped due to funding constraints. “Let all the states work together to attract more tourists to come and travel to our respective states. We must work on allocations for the states,” Bernama quoted him as saying at the opening of the Malaysia Cultural Festival (FBM) 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on 13 September.
Tiong spoke at the launch of the six-day FBM, which runs until Wednesday at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa. The festival features traditional arts performances, cultural exhibitions and heritage showcases from across the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.
The ministry’s push for state-level funding follows a pattern of targeted infrastructure investment across Malaysia. In Perlis, The Capital Post reported that MOTAC approved 12 tourism infrastructure upgrading projects worth RM6.605 million as of August 2026. Those initiatives aimed at strengthening tourism facilities in the state while supporting the Visit Perlis 2024-2026 campaign.
Tiong highlighted the festival’s track record as evidence of tourism’s economic potential. Previous FBM editions held at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa and Johor Bahru in 2025, as well as in Ipoh, Perak, attracted 772,192 visitors and generated a return on investment of RM56.5 million, proving the festival’s capacity to promote Malaysia’s arts, culture, heritage and tourism sectors.
“Through this festival, economic opportunities are also created for the people, from local food operators and transport drivers to arts practitioners, small entrepreneurs and craft artisans,” he said. “This is the true value we wish to bring through tourism and culture, a growth whose benefits can be felt by the people.”
Tiong described the festival as a platform to introduce Malaysia’s cultural diversity to international tourists in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026-2027 campaign. He called on Malaysians to adopt the “Mesra Malaysia” spirit, maintain cleanliness and serve as ambassadors for the country.
“More importantly, our efforts continue to strengthen the position of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia as a unique, competitive and world-class cultural tourism destination,” he added.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Chiew Choon Man and MOTAC Secretary-General Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot also attended the event.
