Liew (right) having a discussion with Heinecke (left) and Wong.
PUTRAJAYA: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the official launch of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) Campaign by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the MAB Engineering Complex, Sepang here today.
Liew urged tourism players in Sabah to pay heed to the Prime Minister’s message that efforts to promote tourism must meet the national aspiration.
“By national aspiration, the Prime Minister means sustainable tourism and sharing of economic benefits by both urban and rural communities as well as all stakeholders, including the food and beverage (F&B) service and other related industries,” she said, adding that Sabah will hold the VM2026 campaign through roadshows and festivals.
Anwar had also called on all state ministries concerned to boost their tourism capabilities for VMY 2026.
Meanwhile, Liew met up with the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke at the event.
She was receptive to Liew’s move for Australia to resume direct flights or initiate new routes to Sabah this year. AirAsia Group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) President Nigel Wong expressed their support for this exercise.
Liew was accompanied by her Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai and Sabah Tourism Board’s Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit. Also present was Liew’s Political Secretary Vivien Lee.
