Gimmick “Buka Lemang” by YBhg. Dato’ Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, Secretary General, Ministry of Tourism Art & Culture (MOTAC)
Malaysia welcomed both local and international tourists with vibrant Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities held at five major airports: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 & Terminal 2, Penang International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport, and Kuching International Airport on 1st April 2025, in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
The celebrations, officially launched by YBhg. Dato’ Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) at KLIA Terminal 1, were attended by notable figures including YBrs. Encik Chua Choon Hwa, Deputy Secretary General of MOTAC, YBhg. Datuk (Dr.) Yasmin Mahmood, Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, and YBrs. Encik Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia. The events highlighted Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage and multicultural harmony, offering festive treats to visitors in the Arrival Hall and inviting guests to experience the sharing of Hari Raya delicacies, showcasing Malaysia’s renowned hospitality.
Tourism Malaysia gave the tourist “raya gift” during the Hari Raya celebration
The celebrations featured lively cultural performances, including a special Aidilfitri-themed show. The Visit Malaysia 2026 mascots, Wira and Manja, delighted attendees with their energetic presence. Traditional activities such as the “kacau dodol” session, preparing the popular Malay sweet, and the symbolic “buka lemang” ceremony, where lemang (a glutinous rice dish cooked in bamboo) was opened, added to the festive spirit.
Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to recover strongly, with a remarkable 31.1% increase in visitor arrivals in 2024, reaching 38 million compared to 29 million in 2023. This growth momentum continued into January 2025, with a 54.4% rise in arrivals, reaching 3.8 million, surpassing even the pre-pandemic numbers from 2019.
Group photo with YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General Tourism Malaysia (third from the left), and YBhg. Datuk (Dr.) Yasmin Mahmood, Chairman of Tourism Malaysia (middle).
For more information, please visit https://www.tourism.gov.my/
