Anwar the real tourist attraction for M'sia - tourism group
According to a tourism association leader, the real tourist magnet to Malaysia is Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim...
Summary
Malaysia International Tourism Development Association president claims many tourists come to Malaysia because of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership.
The comments come amid a backlash against the government for not including mosques in a promotional video for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Forget about Malaysia's scenic beauties, magnificent places of worship - Muslim and non-Muslim alike - and delicacies.
According to a tourism association leader, the real tourist magnet to Malaysia is Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
"In truth, our prime minister is a tourism product for Malaysia," said Malaysia International Tourism Development Association president Mahadzir Mansor was quoted as saying by Astro Awani last night.
"Many people don't know but what brings tourists to Malaysia is because of Anwar’s efforts and his leadership as prime minister is a tourism product," he added.
Mahadzir’s remarks come amid backlash from conservatives over a Visit Malaysia Year 2026 video, for not including a mosque.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing said the video being attacked is just a teaser, and that mosques are included in the longer promotional video.
It is unclear if Anwar will also be featured in the full-length video.
M’sia’s healthcare rocks
Meanwhile, besides fawning over Anwar, Mahadzir also said that another major tourism attraction in Malaysia is healthcare.
He said it was puzzling that Malaysians are sceptical about the quality of healthcare services in the country and making comparisons to other nations like Singapore.
"Malaysia is far ahead in various sectors and that mentality must be inculcated in the minds of each citizen so they can have a strong sense of self-worth," he added.
Medical tourism to Malaysia involves high-end private healthcare.
Meanwhile, most complaints about Malaysian healthcare are in regard to public hospitals.
