Prioritise tourism safety for Visit Malaysia Year 2026

Lee Lam Thye

As Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, ensuring the safety of every tourist must be treated as a national priority.

A safe, seamless and trustworthy experience is essential to strengthen our global reputation as a popular tourist destination.

Tourism is a cornerstone of our economy, providing livelihoods for millions and showcasing Malaysia’s beauty and hospitality to the world.

However, no amount of pristine beaches, vibrant cities or cultural richness can compensate for a perception – or worse, a reality – of unsafe travel conditions. News of accidents, whether fatal crashes on our highways or tragedies at sea, travels swiftly and globally.

As we prepare to roll out the red carpet for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, we must first ensure we are rolling it out on a safe ground and across safe waters and this needs meticulous preparation.

The government should look into the following:

Elevate safety to the nation’s top priority: We implore all relevant authorities to recognise that safety is not merely a component for infrastructure or enforcement; it is the fundamental bedrock upon which a successful tourism industry is built. It must become the non-negotiable, top-most priority in planning, execution and daily operations.

Cultivate a national safety culture: Safety cannot be enforced alone; it must be ingrained. We urge a nationwide shift towards fostering a genuine safety culture for all.

This requires –

• Stringent enforcement: Consistent, visible and uncompromising enforcement of traffic laws (speeding, drunk driving, seatbelt and helmet use) and maritime safety regulations (vessel seaworthiness, passenger limits and lifejackets)
• Robust infrastructure investment: Accelerated upgrades to high-risk road sections; improved lighting, signage and pedestrian facilities; and enhanced maritime navigation aids, safety equipment standards and port facilities
• Comprehensive safety education and awareness: Sustained public campaigns targeting drivers, riders, passengers, boat operators and tourists themselves, emphasising responsible behaviour and safety protocols
• Integrate safety into the Visit Malaysia Year campaign: Let us launch a parallel, high-visibility national campaign: Safe Malaysia: Safe for all visitors

This campaign must run alongside Visit Malaysia Year 2026, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to protect every visitor and citizen:

Targeted messaging helps, which include:

• Highlight safety measures and infrastructure improvements to reassure potential tourists
• Engage tourism operators (hotels, tour agencies and transport providers) as active partners in promoting and ensuring safety standards
• Empower local communities, especially in tourist hotspots and coastal areas, to be advocates and watchdogs for safe practices
• Provide clear, accessible safety guidelines for tourists using roads and engaging in water-based activities

The success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 hinges not just on marketing brilliance, but on the tangible reality of a safe and secure environment.

Every irreplaceable life lost in a tragedy, every accident reported chips away at our tourism aspirations.

We cannot afford to let preventable incidents undermine this crucial national initiative.

We must strive towards ‘vision zero’ where all preventable accidents must be prevented.

Let us act decisively, collaboratively and with the utmost urgency. Let us make Malaysia truly safe – for our people and for our visitors. Let a safe Malaysia be the proud and genuine foundation of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every visitor enjoys a safe and memorable experience in our beautiful country. – New Straits Times

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye is the chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community.

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