(Kuching, 29th) The federal government has been urged to increase the allocation for the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to ensure that the 'Visit Malaysia Year 2026' (VMY 2026) can be implemented more effectively and achieve its intended goals.
Stampin Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen made this call yesterday during the Parliamentary debate on the 2026 Budget.
He said that although 'Visit Malaysia Year 2026' has been promoted as a major nationwide event expected to attract 47 million foreign tourists and generate RM329 billion in revenue for the country, the budget allocation for the tourism ministry has only seen a slight increase.
'In 2025, the Ministry of Tourism was allocated RM1.418 billion; in 2026, that increases to RM1.568 billion, which is only about a 10% increase. This is obviously insufficient for an event of such scale,' Chong pointed out in his speech.
He emphasized that without a more substantial allocation, the ministry would have difficulty effectively implementing the event and achieving its ambitious goals.
Chong called on the government to review the allocation to ensure that 'Visit Malaysia Year 2026' truly becomes a key driver for the growth of Malaysia's tourism industry.
Stampin Member of Parliament Chong Chieng Jen made this call yesterday during the Parliamentary debate on the 2026 Budget.
He said that although 'Visit Malaysia Year 2026' has been promoted as a major nationwide event expected to attract 47 million foreign tourists and generate RM329 billion in revenue for the country, the budget allocation for the tourism ministry has only seen a slight increase.
'In 2025, the Ministry of Tourism was allocated RM1.418 billion; in 2026, that increases to RM1.568 billion, which is only about a 10% increase. This is obviously insufficient for an event of such scale,' Chong pointed out in his speech.
He emphasized that without a more substantial allocation, the ministry would have difficulty effectively implementing the event and achieving its ambitious goals.
Chong called on the government to review the allocation to ensure that 'Visit Malaysia Year 2026' truly becomes a key driver for the growth of Malaysia's tourism industry.