KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will strive to secure allocations to assist state governments in upgrading existing tourist spots and developing new attractions, says Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

Speaking at the opening of the Malaysia Cultural Festival (FBM) 2026 – ‘WOW Malaysia’ tonight, Tiong emphasized that state-level cooperation and funding support are critical, as many potential destinations across the country face financial constraints despite high demand from visitors seeking new experiences.

“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,” Tiong said.

The six-day festival, running through Wednesday at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, showcases traditional arts performances, cultural exhibitions, and heritage elements from across Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man and MOTAC Secretary-General Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot.

Highlighting the tangible impact of cultural events, Tiong noted that previous FBM editions held at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Johor Bahru, and Ipoh collectively attracted 772,192 visitors and generated a return on investment (ROI) of RM56.5 million.

“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 added.

Tiong noted that the festival also serves as a key platform to promote the Visit Malaysia Year 2026-2027 (VM2026-2027) campaign while fostering the ‘Mesra Malaysia’ spirit, promoting public cleanliness, and reinforcing Kuala Lumpur’s position as a competitive cultural destination.

–NMT

Tags: MOTAC Tiong King Sing tourism