KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the promotional video for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) is set to be reworked to focus on specific zones and attractions in each state.
Tiong expressed his team's dissatisfaction with the promotional video launched yesterday.
Following this, he has instructed a complete overhaul of the video, which is still in the finalisation process.
"I have seen the promotional video, and it's all over the place — jumping between Pahang, Perak, Selangor, and Sabah, then back to Pahang. Jumping here, jumping there.
"If Pahang is promoting itself, it should focus solely on Pahang. Don't jump around. If done like that, tourists overseas will be confused. So, we want the promotion to be serious," he told reporters after the Engagement Session with Industry Players of the Central Region 2025 here today.
Tiong added that the controversial 41-second montage video released yesterday is not the official promotional material.
"Yesterday, we only officially launched the logo, not the promotional video for Visit Malaysia Year, and it is not intended for that purpose," he said.
Since yesterday, the VM2026 montage video has faced significant backlash, including criticism from opposition leaders who have urged the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry to withdraw it.
Critics claim the video is negligent for failing to include any mosques while featuring places of worship such as churches and temples.
In response, Tiong urged all parties to avoid raising issues of race or religion and to refrain from politicising the montage video.
"Don't politicise everything; it will only create confusion and pressure on our society.
"Don't do that, whether from the media, social media, or any other party," he said.
Yesterday, Tiong assured the public that elements of mosque architecture will be incorporated into a more detailed promotional video for VM2026, which will be released soon.