‘A brighter M’sia ahead’: Ministry welcomes RM700 mil boost for tourism, arts, culture in Budget 2026

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 12: Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Seri Tiong King Sing welcomed the allocation of over RM700 million under Budget 2026 to boost the country’s tourism, arts, and culture sector in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026).

In a Facebook post on Oct 11, Tiong thanked Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as the sector is among the key drivers of the national economy and a unifying force for all Malaysians.

“This sector not only drives economic growth but also strengthens national identity and creates opportunities for Malaysians to participate in the nation’s development

“Let us join hands to ensure the success of this development agenda for a brighter and more prosperous Malaysia,” said Tiong, who is also the assemblyman for Dudong and MP for Bintulu.

In tabling Budget 2026 on Friday (Oct 10), Anwar said that that RM500 million will fund the VM2026 campaign and RM60 million will support promotional activities, marketing efforts, and the organisation of tourism and cultural events.

According to Anwar, the government has set a target of 47 million visitors and RM329 billion in tourism revenue.

Additionally, RM50 million is allocated to assist arts and heritage entrepreneurs in generating income, including local craftsmen, batik makers, and weavers, while another RM50 million in matching grants has been allocated to encourage more international and charter flights to Malaysia.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said RM25 million will be used to enhance tourism facilities, including the preservation of UNESCO heritage sites such as the Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Lenggong Valley in Perak, and FRIM Forest Park in Selangor.

Meanwhile, an allocation of RM20 million is expected to strengthen health tourism programmes under the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC).

To revitalise domestic tourism, the government will roll out tax incentives for the tourism and cultural sectors, allowing businesses to claim up to RM500,000 in deductions for upgrading and refurbishing their premises.

Tour operators and event organisers will also receive up to 100 per cent income tax exemptions for hosting international tourism, cultural, and business events that attract foreign participants. — DayakDaily

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