Peaceful, Harmonious Malaysia Drives Strong Tourism Growth - Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- The tourism industry in the country is developing well due to Malaysia’s peaceful conditions as well as its harmonious multiracial diversity, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the rich diversity, imbued with culture from all states in Malaysia, was a source of pride that should be preserved by all Malaysians.

“We see from all states, our culture from Perlis to Sabah and Sarawak, all our races take pride in it, this must be preserved,” he said when officiating the launch of the “I LITE U” Lighting Innovation Project at Pavilion Bukit Bintang here, tonight.

Also present were Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming; Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing; Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil as well as several other ministers and deputy ministers.

The launch was also enlivened by the presence of Oscar Award winner Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh, who is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Prime Minister also thanked all the ministers present for supporting the organisation of the I LITE U project in Kuala Lumpur in a peaceful and calm atmosphere.

“Hannah Yeoh is taking care of Kuala Lumpur now, see how peaceful and calm it is, all races are here, keep it up, thank you my fellow colleagues, we do it together,” he said.

Anwar also thanked Michelle for attending the launch ceremony organised by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

He described Michelle as a versatile and disciplined actress who has shone in Hollywood and made the country proud.

“It is a rare honour, a real pleasure and a distinguished honour for all Malaysians that we have with us the outstanding and the first Asian Oscar winner.

“What is it that drives her to prove a Malaysian girl from a remote town in Perak could come up and emerge as a great Hollywood star?” said the Prime Minister.

I LITE U, which is an acronym for Infrastructure, Lighting, Innovation, Technology and Eco-Sustainability towards Urbanisation, is a strategic initiative to beautify the urban landscape and enhance Kuala Lumpur’s global tourism appeal ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM 2026), with a target of 28 million tourist arrivals and the generation of RM76 billion in revenue.

The project differentiates Kuala Lumpur from other global cities through urban lighting, with a focus on creating a safe, inclusive and sustainable city; enhancing pedestrian safety and comfort as well as facilitating access to tourist hotspots at night.

-- BERNAMA