Sabah should be accorded fair share of tourism funding to prepare for VM2026
- nabalunews
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
29 April 2025
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah deserves a fair share of tourism funding from the federal government as preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026 gather momentum.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, made this statement at a tourism industry engagement session organised by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) today.
Joniston emphasised that Sabah’s consistent performance in attracting international visitors reflects its significant contribution to the national tourism sector.
“Sabah has performed well in bringing international visitors to Malaysia and in meeting our 2024 tourist arrival targets.
“As we prepare for Visit Malaysia 2026, I sincerely hope that Sabah will receive the support and fair allocation it rightly deserves from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to further boost Malaysia’s tourism success,” he said.
In addition to serving as Assistant Minister, Joniston is also the Chairman of STB. He mentioned that a list of proposals for Visit Malaysia 2026 had been submitted on behalf of Sabah, and he remains hopeful for a favourable response.
He further stated that STB is expected to meet with the MOTAC Minister soon to discuss these proposals in greater detail.
Last October, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the federal government had allocated nearly RM550 million to support tourism activities and prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
While emphasising the importance of continued collaboration between the government and the private sector, Joniston highlighted that strategic backing from federal authorities is vital to unlocking Sabah’s full tourism potential.
“Ongoing engagement ensures we stay grounded. We want our plans to be more than just ideas on paper; they must be shaped by meaningful input from industry stakeholders,” he said.
He acknowledged the vital role played by tourism operators and local communities in driving Sabah’s tourism growth and encouraged stakeholders to continue innovating and working closely with STB and relevant government agencies.
Also present was STB Chief Executive Officer, Julinus Jeffery Jimit, who provided updates on current initiatives and key focus areas as Sabah refines its strategies to meet evolving market demands.
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