Malaysia

India and Malaysia have signed 11 agreements during Indian President Modi’s visit to Malaysia, including on semiconductors, healthcare, training and the digital economy

The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry has reported that 81 accommodations in Semporna, Sabah, are operated by foreign companies and individuals. It proposed that the state government and other relevant ministries work together to investigate the issue

The MotoGP launched its season in Kuala Lumpur on 7 Feb in central Kuala Lumpur, its second launch after the inaugural one in Bangkok last year. MotoGP expressed optimism that its agreement with Malaysia would be renewed after the 2027 season “within the next few weeks”

5 hectares of forest at the Penang Botanic Gardens along Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang caught fire on 4 Feb. Penang Fire and Rescue Department conducted firefighting works to contain the fire

Penang welcomed over 1 million visitors for Thaipusam. Rapid Penang’s free bus and ferry services carried 10,000 passengers

The Tourism Minister said a total of 744 Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) participants have purchased homes in Malaysia as of 31 Dec 2025. The top 10 countries are China (304 people), Taiwan (91), Singapore (63), the US (41), the UK (40), Hong Kong (34), Australia (29), Bangladesh (19), South Korea (15), Indonesia (14) and Japan (14). He added that 2,637 MM2H participants are still in the process of purchasing homes, including finalising sale and purchase agreements, and identifying suitable home locations. The Minister also clarified that the MM2H program is a long-term social visit pass with multiple-entry visa facilities, and does not offer citizenship or permanent resident status to participants

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) will conduct special enforcement operations ahead of the Chinese New Year period, especially on express buses travelling beyond 300km to ensure there is a second driver. Kuala Lumpur JPJ director said the enforcement will focus on drivers’ licences, compliance of driving hour limits, and vehicle conditions

The Johor Government has submitted a request to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) for a cloud seeding operation in the state to support firefighting efforts in Bakri Batu 13 and 14 in Muar; Bio-Desaru, Tanjung Balau in Kota Tinggi; and Sungai Linau, Simpang Renggam in Kluang. Johor experienced hot and dry weather without rain for more than 25 days. He added that the fire is under control, but it has not been fully extinguished. More than 300 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and other relevant agencies are involved in the firefighting operations. He also said the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings in the affected areas remain under control, and the water levels at dams and main retention ponds are under control and sufficient for domestic use and daily needs. He advised the public not to carry out open burning

The Second Finance Minister said the Ringgit had appreciated to RM3.92 against USD on 28 Jan, making it one of the better performers in the region

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and SATS-Creuers Cruise Services organised a fam trip to Sabah and Sarawak involving representatives from StarDream Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and Marelle Cruises. The CEO of SATS-Creuers Cruise Services said this visit is to identify opportunities for new cruise itineraries between Singapore and East Malaysia. He added that the cruise operators usually look for high-quality day-exursion options to improve the passenger experience during the port call, which typically arrive in the morning and depart by sunset. Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan have been identified as key ports in Sabah, while Kuching and Miri will be important hubs in Sarawak. In 2025, Sabah recorded 23 cruise ship calls with 24,634 passengers, 2X of 14 calls and 16,727 passengers recorded in 2024. In 2019, Sabah welcomed 30 cruise ships with 36,183 passengers. Sabah has confirmed 25 cruise ship calls with 30,000 passengers in 2026. Sarawak has announced the construction of a new ship terminal at Damai Beach, Kuching, in the next 2 years

Selangor is promoting village tourism among Southeast Asian visitors. Tourism Selangor CEO said visitors can experience cultural and community-based activities such as traditional cooking classes, local craft workshops, agricultural experiences, and guided village tours. Tourism Malaysia allocated a booth to the Malaysia Homestay Association at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 in Cebu, the Philippines

The Transport Minister announced all online ticketing agents will have to use the QR code system for the interstate bus tickets from Feb at Bandar Tasik Selatan bus terminal (TBS). The QR system is being implemented following complaints from the public over the need to get a second boarding pass at TBS. This system causes massive congestion and even delays in departures time. The terminal operator will charge RM1 to the agents per QR code

The CEO of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) said that in 2025, Malaysia hosted 393 business events, generating RM4.07 billion in economic impact. He added that as of 23 Jan 2026, Malaysia has secured 92 business meetings and 4 international sporting events for 2026, with more expected to be secured soon. The business events are expected to generate RM1.63 billion economic impact with 230,284 local and foreign delegates, while the sporting events are expected to contribute RM76.1 million in visitor expenditure with a total of 82,190 attendees

Sabah Convention Bureau (SCB) CEO said Sabah hosted 92 MICE events and welcomed 10,551 delegates in 2025. Sabah will organise the Visit Sabah Year in 2027

YouGov Best Brand Ranking 2026 lists Malaysia Airlines at 8th place with a score of 44.5

Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) CEO said that the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link will have 100 immigration e-gate lanes at the Bukit Chagar Integrated Immi­gration, Customs and Qua­ran­tine (ICQ) Complex. He added that the e-gate will allow passengers to complete Malaysia and Singapore immigration clearance within a single facility. In addition to the 100 e-gate lanes, the Bukit Chagar ICQ Complex will have 10 security screening lanes for body checks, 18 baggage scanners, and dedicated lanes for passengers without luggage. He added that the RTS Link is projected to carry 40,000 passengers a day, with ridership expected to increase to 140,000 passengers daily, accounting for 30%-40% of Causeway movements at the peak

Jonker Walk Committee Chairman said they have sold 4,000 copies of a special passport known as the “Guardian of Jonker Walk” since they introduced it in Jun 2025 in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of Jonker Walk. The passport features a map of the area and information about the history of participating businesses and tourist attractions. The visitors can collect stamps from each participating premises as souvenirs. Currently, 10 industry players are taking part in the collaboration, and more are expected to join in the second phase

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur reopened to the public from 2 Feb after restoration works which began a year ago. The public can enter the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, which is located in the building, for free for the first month

Sarawak Tourism Board took part in the Matka Travel Fair in Helsinki, Finland. In 2025, Sarawak recorded a 30% growth of Nordic visitors

Sarawak organised its “Sarawak: Gateway to Borneo” Business Networking Sessions in Johor, Kuala Lumpur, and Langkawi with over 15 tourism partners from Sarawak meeting 160 travel agents and tour operators

Sabah saw 3,793,709 visitor arrivals in 2025, generating RM8.74 billion in tourism receipts, up from 2024’s 3.5 million visitors. In 2026, it is aiming for 4 million arrivals. Domestic arrivals were 2.3 million, and international travel was 1,498,709, up 2% vs 2019 levels. Key source markets include China (657,528), Singapore (38,638), Taiwan (34,342), the UK and Ireland (34,704), Australia (22,571) and Japan (16,980). Cruise tourism saw 23 ships and 24,634 passengers, with 19 vessels docking at Kota Kinabalu Port, 4 at Sandakan Port

Club Med Asia plans to open a new Club Med Borneo resort in Kuala Penyu, Sabah, in Sep 2026. Sabah Deputy Chief Minister welcomed the development and called it a positive step towards strengthening Sabah’s tourism sector, and it would create more than 300 job opportunities for Sabahans. He also said that the employees will get certified skills training and the initiative aligns with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 development roadmap, which puts focus on sustainable economic growth, human capital development, and greater participation of local communities in key strategic sectors

Sunway Group has launched a tourism initiative to support the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. The launch event was held at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, in the presence of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister launched two of Sunway’s key initiatives, the Sunway Tiny Toys special collection and the Malaysia Attraction Passport program (to encourage domestic travel through interactive experiences across 4 major family-friendly attractions

Melaka expects 50,000 to join its Thaipusam celebration, up from 40,000 in 2025. The main celebration will take place on 1 Feb

The MyNIISe QR code usage will be implemented at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, KLIA2, Penang International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Kuching International Airport from 1 Mar

The PM emphasised that all parties within the tourism sector must play a role to boost tourism, and that it needs both private and public collaboration, as well as support from the general public

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will operate 8 extra trains over Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, with 26,460 seats added for Chinese New Year, and 36,540 for Hari Raya Aidilfitri

The dispute over the construction of an escalator at Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur is expected to be solved by Jul, after the Selangor government rejected a licence for a commercial development that included the escalator

The Penang state executive has said that the erosion of beaches at Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah was triggered by a high tide phenomenon with waves 0.6m higher than in 2024, not due to land reclamation works around Penang and on Andaman Island

Malaysia has said that it is prepared to work with ASEAN to implement the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2026-2030, noting that is closely aligned with Malaysia’s own National Tourism Policy to advance sustainable tourism

Perlis Menteri Besar said they are targeting more than 300,000 visitors, including domestic and international tourists, for the Pesta Angin Timur (PAT) Perlis 2026. The event will be held from 6-8 Feb at Dataran Kangar Jaya, and in 2025, it recorded 50,000 visitors. 200 participants, including those from overseas, confirmed their participation in the event. PAT Perlis 2026 features recreational and family-oriented activities such as hot air balloons, paramotoring, a classic motorcycle gathering, as well as sales zones offering traditional food, small and medium enterprise (SME) products, and local handicrafts. The event aims for RM5 million in sales

The Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) held its 9th Penang Roadshow to India from 19-27 Jan, covering Mumbai, New Delhi, Kochi and Chennai. As of Nov 2025, it had received 42,367 visitors from India, making it the 6th biggest source market. In general, Penang held more than 2,900 business events by Nov 2025, generating an economic impact of RM1.3 billion

SATS-Creuers Cruise Services and Singapore Tourism Board met with Sabah to discuss cruise potential in Sabah, noting that cruise operators are looking for day excursions from Kota Kinabalu. In 2025, Sabah received 23 cruise ship calls and welcomed 24,634 passengers

Sarawak Tourism Board exhibited at the Thai International Travel Fair (TITF) in Bangkok under the Malaysia Pavilion

Malaysia has tightened its health surveillance at borders over concerns of the Nipah virus

The Electric Train Service (ETS) will run for 24 hours during festive periods, starting from Chinese New Year

Over 1 million are expected to attend the Thaipusam celebration in Penang from 31 Jan-2 Feb

The stronger ringgit vs the USD is stimulating outbound travel from Malaysia. Suka Travel reported that the strengthening is permitting it to either reduce tour package prices, or add in extra perks. It noted a growth in demand for Central and Eastern Europe for autumn and winter seasons. Apple Vacations reported a strong growth in Japan demand due to the weak yen, whilst travel to China was also strong. Apple Vacations are seeing repeat travellers looking for unique destinations. Bhara Tours in Bandung reported an increase from Malaysian MICE agents for 5* accommodation in centrally located areas compared to before

The Malaysia Inbound Tourism Association has defended criticisms of a planned Water Music Festival in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, from 1-4 May, noting that it is being held to celebrate Labour Day, and therefore can benefit from “unlimited creativity” in how it is celebrated. Selangor PAS Youth had criticised it as a “foreign street party” and stated that it could cause inconvenience to traders and the public with road closures

Penang state government is seeking federal intervention to protect Penang’s coasts after coastal erosion severely impacted popular beaches. The government would place sandbags in affected areas, and the Penang Integrated Shoreline Management Plan will be competed in Q3 2027

The Malaysian Tourism Minister said that regional air links were essential to tourism dispersal across Malaysia, with an MoC signed between Batik Air and Tourism Malaysia for joint promotions and boost connectivity

More than 40,000ha of mangrove forests have been lost since 2017, the Malaysian Natural Resources and Environment Sustainability Ministry has reported. The reduction is due to both natural and human-induced factors, including coastal erosion and land-use conversion

Malaysians who wish to travel to Hat Yai by car over Chinese New Year are being warned to make sure their car insurance covers flooding

The Malaysian Ringgit traded at 3.9540 vs the USD on 27 Jan, its strongest performance in 7 years

Malaysia is aiming to attract 4.7 million Indonesian tourists in 2026. Director of Tourism Malaysia noted that the target number may change considering recent natural disasters in Indonesia, such as the Sumatra floods. Malaysia is exploring collaborations with OTAs like Traveloka and Tiket.com, as well as airlines like Garuda Indonesia, to boost arrivals to Malaysia

The Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) forecasts that Indian arrivals to Penang will grow by 30% in 2025

Foreign Minister for Malaysia noted that some countries have now eased their travel warnings for Sabah to Level 2, allowing travel but with caution, from a previous Level 3

Homesuite Group in Kota Kinabalu, an Airbnb operator, has launched its hotel management operations with the opening of the SIGAR Hotel at Sutera Bay, Sadong Jaya. The hotel partners with local Sabahan brands and has signed an MoU with local businesses. The Sutera Bay was initially conceptualised as an Airbnb suite concept, but Homesuite united the owners to create it as a branded hotel

Tourism Malaysia and Aeon have signed a strategic collaboration to support Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Aeon will implement promotional activities at its malls across the country for both domestic and international tourists

The new Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery, home to the “Penang Woman”, Malaysia’s first complete Neolithic human skeleton has opened to the public in Penaga

The Sabah Tourism Board has held a 2-day rural community based training session on 21-22 Jan in rural Sabah, and will follow up with further training. It is aiming for 80% of its community based tourism operators to meet the ASEAN benchmark by 2030

Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur are set to see more than 3.5 million visitors for Thaipusam, with a mini-Thaipusam also being held

Sabah has achieved 3.5 million tourist arrivals in 2025, achieving its target

MATA supports the Tourism Ministry to require travel agents offering Umrah packages to require a bank guarantee

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture said that it is in discussion with the Ministry of Finance to allow travel agents to use insurance guarantees as an option, as well as bank guarantees, but that it is not finalised yet

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) launched its TRUST initiative, which encourages its members to speak out, whether on information sharing or responsible reporting. It held its first MATTA Membership Summit to give members a chance to share their challenges

Reef Check Malaysia reported that Malaysia’s average live coral cover in 2025 was at 39.94%, down from 2024’s 44.65%, noting that 10% of coral cover was lost in one year, whilst the cover was at 50% in 2022, meaning a loss of 20% since 2022. It attributed the decline to the 4th Global Coral Bleaching Event in 2024, coastal development, destructive fishing practices and unsustainable tourism. Reef Check called for a greater reef protection and sustainable tourism, saying “We are not anti-tourism – we are pro-sustainable tourism”

The Tourism Minister said that in 2025, 42 million visitors (including excursionists) visited Malaysia, just below the 43 million visitors target for 2026. Malaysia recorded RM291 billion in tourism receipts in 2025. Tourism Malaysia will increase worldwide promotional activities, with a focus on high-spending markets such as China, Singapore, ASEAN countries, and Europe. The Minister also said destinations beyond Kuala Lumpur and Sabah remain unfamiliar, and more promotion is needed. The Minister added that they are working with airlines to reduce transit duration from 3-5 hours to 1 hour from China’s second-tier cities

The Tourism Ministry will host the Tourism Labour Day celebration together with the Water Musical Festival, held for 3 days, starting from 1 May in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia will host more than 300 events highlighting its multicultural identity and heritage, with key events including Visit Malaysia 2026 Chinese New Year, Aidilfitri, Deepavali, Christmas, Tadau Kaamatan, and Gawai Dayak celebrations. The Tourism Minister also launched the Strategic Cooperation between Tourism Malaysia and Oriental Kopi for the “Rasa Malaysia” promotion on 21 Jan

The Housing and Local Government Minister clarified that the nominations for Chinese New Villages to UNESCO World Heritage were made by the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Malaysia

Express bus travellers between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore can use the Lalaport Transport Hub in Mitsui Shopping Park Lalaport Bukit Bintang City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, once the licensing process and facility upgrade are completed. The Transport Minister added that IOI City Mall Putrajaya, Sunway Pyramid, and One Utama shopping malls are being considered as express bus hubs for better integration. He cited Japan, where many terminals are integrated with the malls. Asia Success Resources Sdn Bhd, the company which operates the terminal at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 Transport Centre, will operate the Lalaport Transport Hub. The Lalaport Transport Hub will have a Centralised Ticketing System (CTS), 11 bus bays (6 departure bays and 5 arrivals bays), access to LRT and Monorail services, and a Bus On Demand (BOD) service connecting Lalaport with the Bukit Bintang and Mont Kiara areas. The hub will focus on bus routes from Singapore to the Klang Valley without competing with the South Integrated Terminal and the Gombak Integrated Terminal

The Penang International Airport (PIA) is currently testing autogates with the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe), which are set to operate before the Chinese New Year in Feb. There are 5 autogates installed in the departure area being tested by Malaysian travellers, and they will be open to all soon. 6 more autogates will be installed at the arrival hall. PIA is the second airport after Kuala Lumpur International Airport to roll out the NIISe system

Sabah Tourism Board (STB) will offer more support to private tourism industry players in 2026, including improving the support of tourism initiatives. The Sabah Government will provide strategic guidance, resources, and support to tourism industry players through STB. STB Chairman said that they need to increase promotion of Kaamatan Festival in Sabah and other unique celebrations as key tourism drivers during the festive season

The Transport Minister announced that Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will operate additional Electric Train Service (ETS) trips for the Chinese New Year and Aidilfitri season to accommodate the surge in passenger numbers. He added that tickets for the Chinese New Year period were nearly sold out, and the additional ETS services will be operated from 13-22 Feb, covering the KL Sentral-Butterworth-KL Sentral, KL Sentral-Ipoh-KL Sentral, KL Sentral-Padang Besar-KL Sentral, and JB Sentral-KL Sentral-JB Sentral routes, with two trips per day for each route. A total of 26,460 tickets will be available during this period, with a total of 52 trips per day during Chinese New Year. The sales of additional services will begin on 29 Jan. 44% of ETS tickets for Aidilfitri have been sold, with the balance expected to sell out by Feb. KTMB will add 8 more ETS services from 13-29 Mar for the JB Sentral-KL Sentral-JB Sentral, KL Sentral-Padang Besar-KL Sentral, KL Sentral-Ipoh-KL Sentral, and KL Sentral-Butterworth-KL Sentral routes, with two trips per day for each route. A total of 36,540 tickets will be available, and sales will start on 1 Mar

The Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) welcomed the government’s order to act strictly against those who misuse tourist visas. MITA President rejected some claims by SMEs that visa-free policies allow foreigners to “enter the market aggressively” and compete unfairly. She added that isolated incidents should not undermine visa-free policies. She said out of 3.45 million Chinese visitors in 2025, only 418 were arrested for abusing social visit passes, or 0.013% of arrivals. She pointed out that inbound tourism supports over 2 million jobs and urged stakeholders not to focus on isolated incidents

Mohammad Faisal Abu Suaib Khan has been appointed as the new Director-General of the Islamic Tourism Centre, effective from 19 Jan

The 23-year partnership between Aeroline and Corus Hotel KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, ended following the sale of the hotel and the land to Mah Sing group for RM260 million. Aeroline operator Zulco Sdn Bhd said the government gave the company a moratorium until 18 Feb to operate the bus service from Singapore to Corus Hotel KLCC in Kuala Lumpur. Through the Aeroline-Corus collaboration, the hotel managed to sell 7,000 room nights per year, with 4.7 million people using the Corus KLCC bus hub throughout their collaboration. 20% of them booked a room in Corus KLCC

The Semporna Local Bumiputera Tourism Operators Association met with Sabah State Assistant Tourism Minister to highlight concerns over crowding at the tourism jetty, noting that it is unsafe, and needs immediate action

The Melaka hotel under scrutiny for listing itself as “gay-friendly” on an OTA platform has apologised and admitted negligence in its management, noting that it has been removed

The Penang Governor has officially opened the Iconic Majorie Hotel on 17 Jan. Penang Chief Minister said the state has positioned itself as a key medical tourism hub in conjunction with the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism. In 2025, Penang recorded 449,289 foreign patients

The Tourism Minister asked all hotels in Malaysia, especially the 4 and 5-star hotels, to uphold best industry practices to safeguard Malaysia’s reputation as a leading tourism destination. He highlighted concerns over complaints related to the service shortfalls at certain high-end hotels. He asked the hotels to implement and review standard operating procedures, including vendor management, maintenance planning, refurbishment cycles, upgrade rooms and public areas for safety and comfort. He mentioned this during the opening of the second Iconic Majorie Hotel developed by the Iconic Group and Marriott International in Penang with an investment of RM180 million

The Chief Minister of Penang said the government is aware of the public’s concerns over the connectivity issues, including ferry services and rail links at the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Butterworth station. He has asked the executive councillors and the relevant agencies to take steps to upgrade the KTM Butterworth station and its surrounding facilities

Malaysia’s 2025 GDP’s official estimates showed a growth of 4.9%, ahead of the projection of 4.0%-4.8%, with growth of 5.7% in Q4 2025

Pahang is looking to attract 15 million domestic and international tourists and RM12 billion in tourism revenue in 2026, highlighting ecotourism destinations in the state. From Jan-Sep 2025, Pahang welcomed 11.5 million tourists. Pahang Tourism EXCO cited a survey where 34.3% of the respondents chose Pahang as their preferred destination to enjoy nature and relax. Pahang is targeting international visitors from Singapore, China, and Indonesia. Resorts World Genting recorded 20 million visitors in 2025. Resorts World Genting’s Executive Vice President of Public Relations said they are committed to supporting Pahang’s tourism vision and have introduced Eufloria, a new eco- and edu-tourism attraction. He added that they recorded an increase in Indian tourist arrivals in 2025, and with the reopening of the Awana Golf Course, they are targeting more tourists from Korea and Japan

The Prime Minister has instructed the Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) to ensure that autogate glitches never happen again, especially during the Visit Malaysia Year. An autogate glitch affected foreign passport holders at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (BSI) and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) on 9 Jan, and was only resolved on 12 Jan. AKPS Director-General said due to the old immigration system being replaced with the new National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe), technical glitches can arise

Immigration Director-General said there are several options to clear border checkpoints, such as physical passports and the MyBorderPass, besides the National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe) app. The MyNIISe app is not mandatory for now, and from 15 Jan, users must register for a MyDigital ID to use the app. MyNIISe app will replace the current MyBorderPass

The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) estimates Malaysia’s wellness economy has reached $31.8 billion USD, ranking 10th place in Asia Pacific and 29th place globally. GWI released the estimate in the Global Wellness Economy: Malaysia report, released in partnership with Green Wellness Malaysia

Penang Princess, the first high-end dining and sightseeing vessel, is expected to sail in 2027. This investment is between Ocean World Cruises Berhad, Viet Princess Cruiser Corporation, Vietnam Shipbuilding Engineering Group (VISEC), and Ships Classification Malaysia

Negeri Sembilan is set to record 25 million visitors during the Visit Negeri Sembilan Year 2026 campaign. Negeri Sembilan Tourism EXCO said that the state government made improvements to the infrastructure and basic facilities in key tourism destinations such as Teluk Kemang beach in Port Dickson and Ulu Bendul Rimba Eco Park in Kuala Pilah. Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025), the state government spent RM31.4 million to build, upgrade, maintain, and promote tourism products in Negeri Sembilan. Negeri Sembilan has started integrated and sustainable tourism development through high-impact projects such as Seremban Sentral, Pedas Wet World, Arena Seremban, and the Port Dickson Waterfront. The state welcomed 15.3 million tourists in 2023, 18.3 million in 2024, and arrivals are estimated to exceed 20 million in 2025. From Jan-Sep 2025, 362,049 foreign tourists visited Negeri Sembilan, +5.2% YoY

K-pop group BTS will hold their concert in Kuala Lumpur on 12 and 13 Dec, for the first time since 2015. The details about the ticket and venue are yet to be confirmed

The Government will offer free Safety Induction for Tourism Industry (SITI) training for 10,000 tourism workers as part of the preparation for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign. This will be provided by the Human Resources Ministry through the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in collaboration with the Tourism Ministry. RM2.65 million has been allocated for this program, which is open to all frontline tourism workers, including tour guides, hoteliers, drivers, and caterers. The one-day program will offer 7 hours of training and serve as a basic induction on requirements under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2022

Tourism Malaysia Chairman launched a special-edition gold coin to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 in partnership with SMS Deen Jewellers. The limited-edition 24-karat coin weighing 0.2g is priced at RM199, while a foldable pack of 8 coins costs RM1,599

The Sabah Tourism Destination & B2B Session was held in HCMC on 12 Jan, organised by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), Tourism Malaysia in Vietnam, and the Sabah Enhanced Innovation and Tourism Development Association (SETIA). 18 travel operators from Sabah and representatives of Tourism Malaysia in Vietnam met with 65 Vietnamese tourism partners

The junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has now won enough seats to form a government with military appointees, marking its return to power after its 2010 election. They now control 360 seats, more than the 294 required for a majority. Parliament will convene in Mar to appoint a new government in Apr. Analysts believe that there will be “military ministers in civilian clothing”

The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (SAMENTA) expressed concern over the seizure and one-day closure of an alleged “gay-friendly” hotel in Melaka. SAMENTA President said the one-day closure was carried out despite the authorities finding no breach of the Syariah Criminal Offences. He added that, “When administrative power is used to penalise businesses based on sentiment rather than established law, it creates an environment of unpredictability that drives away both local and foreign investors and visitors”. He requested the authorities to return the hotel business licence immediately and allow the hotel to resume operations while the investigation continues

2026 Henley Passport Index ranked Malaysia’s passport in 9th place with visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to 180 out of 227 destinations

Selangor Menteri Besar said permits for family-friendly glamping activities are allowed in the state; however, the state will not allow “deviant practices” in the state following an order from the Selangor Sultan to state religious authorities to take action against such practices. Earlier, the “Glamping With Pride” program was scheduled to be held in Hulu Langat

Authorities in Melaka conducted a raid in a hotel in Banchang, after it listed itself as a “gay-friendly” hotel on its website. Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) withdrew the operating licence of the hotel on 13 Jan, and the establishment must explain why it listed as “gay-friendly” on its website

The Transport Minister announced the proposed Penang water taxi project will have to undergo a comprehensive approval process before the project commences. He said they welcome any proposals for water taxi services, especially from private investors, and they must comply with licensing requirements and safety regulations. He added that the key issue is finding and constructing proper landing points or jetties. Rapid Bus planned to acquire up to 1,600 electric buses in phases from 2026 to 2031

In the first phase, 250 electric buses will be delivered from Mar 2026 to Mar 2027. 175 buses will be deployed by the Rapid Kuala Lumpur, and Rapid Penang will deploy 75 units of buses. Rapid Penang operated 310 buses

Sabah Tourism Minister said tourism and conservation must complement each other to deliver long-term benefits to the state. He earlier officiated the opening of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre’s new entrance foyer and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre’s new information centre. The Sun Bear Conservation Centre welcomed 90,760 visitors in 2025, and the number is expected to increase during the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) has launched a special train service called Railway to See Malaysia in conjunction with the Chinese New Year between KL Sentral and Padang Besar. The service will operate on 13, 14, 16, and 17 Feb, and a total of 1,344 tickets will be available for sale

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts opened 5 new hotels and signed 3 additional properties in Malaysia in 2025. The new hotels it launched in Q4 2025 are Wyndham Grand i-City Shah Alam in Selangor, Wyndham Garden Suites Ipoh ICC in Perak, Howard Johnson by Wyndham Kota Kinabalu City Centre in Sabah, the Isola KLCC in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kuala Lumpur, and Trigo Kuala Lumpur in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. The 3 new signings are Wyndham Garden Kuantan J-City, Wyndham Grand Ipoh, and Orion Tower Kuala Lumpur. With this, Wyndham now operates 19 hotels in Malaysia with over 5,200 rooms and 8 brands, including Ramada, Days Inn, and Wyndham Grand

The Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (BSI) on the Johor-Singapore land border saw land checkpoints with long queues due to a technical glitch impacting the autogate systems. 39 autogates at the entry areas and 29 machines at the BSI bus hall exit areas had reportedly experienced issues over the past few days, but crashed due to the high volume of traffic. Malaysian passport holders saw the autogates still working for them

The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency announced that the autogate system failure has yet to be resolved, and that foreign travellers should use the NIISe app and manual counters. Tens of thousands of foreigners were reported to be experiencing long queues at the border between Malaysia and Singapore

Malaysia is targeting 4.6 million Indonesian tourists in 2026 as part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026). In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 4.1 million Indonesian tourists, and from Jan-Nov 2025, the country recorded 3.8 million Indonesian tourists. The Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia launched the VM2026 in Jakarta in collaboration with Indonesia AirAsia. Head of Indonesia AirAsia’s Affairs and Policy said that AirAsia offers 396 direct flights from 16 Indonesian cities to Malaysia every week, with a total seat capacity of 72,822. Indonesia AirAsia is looking to launch a new route to Malaysia, which will be finalised by mid-2026

The Federal Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry will offer assistance for grassroots entrepreneurs, including for homestay development, expansion of tourism jetties and the enhancement of tourism assets

The 466-room hotel, Kimpton Naluria, the first Kimpton in Malaysia, is open in the Tun Razak Exchange area, Kuala Lumpur

The Prime Minister announced an additional allocation of RM5 million to Zoo Negara to upgrade facilities. Previously, the government allocated RM5 million for Zoo Negara in Nov 2025. He added that preservation of green spaces remains a priority, despite concerns about the Zoo Negara’s land being sold during the pandemic, to raise funds. He also thanked the Selangor Government for ensuring no new development within the surrounding area of the Zoo, to protect the area

The Johor Government will increase promotional efforts for the Visit Johor Year 2026 (VJY2026), including programs for tourists at entry points. Johor Information EXCO said they have organised welcoming programs at 16 entry points so far. The Johor Government will distribute tourism materials to the media in collaboration with the Information Department and other agencies. He highlighted Pengerang’s potential as a tourism destination with tourist attractions such as Pulau Tanjung Surat, oyster farms, food farms, and a zoo. Tanjung Belungkor Jetty, Tanjung Pengelih Jetty, and the Desaru coast are the entry points for Pengerang

Agoda’s New Horizons ranking lists Perhentian Island as the fastest-growing destination for international travellers in Malaysia, ranking at 14th place in 2025 vs 16th in 2024. Agoda also listed Sitiawan, Perak, as an emerging domestic destination, ranking at 43 in 2025, vs 48 in 2024

Trip.com’s booking data ranks Malaysia among the top 5 outbound destinations for travellers from Southeast Asia and China. Malaysia also ranks among the top 10 destinations of choice for visitors from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea. Globally, Kuala Lumpur ranked in 8th place as the most popular city for travellers. Millennials are the largest group of travellers, with 51% of the booking volume, surpassing bookings by Gen X and Gen Z combined. In Q1 2026, Malaysians prefer to visit domestic attractions such as Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, and Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park, while popular domestic destinations are Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching, and Johor Bahru, based on flight bookings

The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) announced the unemployment rate in Nov 2025 dropped to 2.9%, with 518,400 unemployed people, the lowest in 11 years. The labour force recorded 17.61 million persons in Nov 2025, +0.2% MoM, with the labour force unchanged at 70.9%. Employed persons reached 17.09 million, +0.2% MoM