Michelle Yeoh invited to launch Visit Malaysia 2026

IPOH: Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh has been invited to attend the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026 in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who spoke to the Ipoh-born Oscar winner on the phone while meeting her husband Jean Todt at the Global Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, extended the invitation for her to join Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the launch in January next year.

Nga said Anwar would also officiate the lighting ceremony of Bukit Bintang’s Walk of Fame, which would symbolise the official launch of the tourism campaign.

He said Malaysia has become one of Asia’s most sought-after travel destinations this year, expressing hope that Yeoh would also help to promote Visit Malaysia 2026.

“By the end of 2025, tourist arrivals are expected to exceed 40 million, an 18.4% increase, surpassing Malaysia’s total population for the first time. Tourism now contributes 15% to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP), making it the second-largest source of national income,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 21).

“We must showcase the best of our culture, hospitality, and cleanliness. To achieve the RM150bil revenue target for Visit Malaysia 2026, every citizen should play a role as a tourism ambassador and help the world discover ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’,” he added.

In the cordial meeting with Todt, who is United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety, Nga discussed with him ways to strengthen road safety initiatives through improved urban planning and building design, aimed at reducing traffic accidents and protecting road users.

The former chief executive officer of Ferrari presented Nga with a signed copy of his latest book, The Silent Pandemic, while Nga gifted the couple a Malaysian batik necktie and scarf, symbolising Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage.

At the forum, Nga held a series of bilateral meetings with several dignitaries, including Iran vice president Dr Shina Ansari, Turkiye Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum, and Global Zero Waste Foundation chairman Samed Ağırbaş.

Malaysia also received the Global Zero Waste Leadership Special Citation Award at the forum, which recognises the country’s growing influence in the global sustainability movement towards cleaner, greener, and more resilient cities.