TOURISM SAFETY MUST BE NATIONAL PRIORITY AHEAD OF VM2026 - LEE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 25 (Bernama) -- Ensuring the safety of every tourist must be treated as a national priority as Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), said Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

He said a safe, seamless and trustworthy travel experience is essential to strengthening Malaysia’s global reputation as a preferred tourist destination, noting that tourism is a cornerstone of the national economy that provides livelihoods for millions of people.

“However, no amount of pristine beaches, vibrant cities or cultural richness can compensate for a perception - or worse, a reality - of unsafe travel conditions,” he said in a statement today.

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Lee said news of accidents, whether fatal crashes on highways or tragedies at sea, spreads swiftly and globally, potentially undermining Malaysia’s tourism aspirations ahead of the major international campaign.

He urged the government and relevant authorities to elevate safety as the nation’s top priority, stressing that safety is not merely a component of infrastructure or enforcement but the fundamental bedrock of a successful tourism industry.

Lee also called for a nationwide shift towards cultivating a strong safety culture, emphasising that safety cannot be enforced alone but must be ingrained through stringent enforcement of traffic laws and maritime safety regulations, alongside sustained public education and awareness campaigns.

He said this must be supported by robust infrastructure investment, including accelerated upgrades to high-risk road sections, improved lighting, signage and pedestrian facilities, as well as enhanced maritime navigation aids, safety equipment standards and port facilities.

“The success of VM2026 hinges not just on marketing brilliance, but on the tangible reality of a safe and secure environment,” Lee said, adding that Malaysia must strive towards “Vision Zero,” where all preventable accidents are prevented.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing reportedly said more major tourism events will be held beyond Kuala Lumpur to stimulate tourism activities and spur economic growth in other states.

Tiong said Malaysia is currently finalising a nationwide calendar of major events for VM2026, targeting 47 million international tourist arrivals and RM329 billion in tourism receipts.

-- BERNAMA