Colourful Malaysia: The Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign was launched in Sepang on Monday, but there is there is plenty of work to be done before we roll out the carpet for visitors next year. — Bernama
THE Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign has been launched and there is plenty of work to be done before we roll out the carpet for visitors next year.
Every Malaysian must be involved to make tourists feel welcome. The frontliners, especially the Immigration officers, for one, need to learn to flash their smiles.
For some reason, Immigration officers, everywhere around the world, just look stern and unwelcoming. Every day is a bad day for them and a frown seems to just be part of their starched uniform.
I am not sure if they still wear the “Put On A Smile” button. Probably not. It would be an ironic flop.
The truth is: They should actually be our tourism ambassadors, and it helps to just say, “Welcome to Malaysia” to as many visitors as they can.
The long queues at the KL International Airport will end, or at least, be shorter soon with more autogates being installed. That could be the answer to the frustrations of the frowning officers.
Then, there are the Customs officers. It would be nice and professional if they are seen to be attentively working standing up while on duty.
Most times, they are just seated. I, for one, am not complaining as it means they are ignoring me instead of subjecting me to a full check. And I can get out of the airport and go home quickly.
Still, they need to be seen to be working when on duty.
The arrival area at KLIA is a chaotic mess, really. Unlike at our airport, most countries do not have arrival pick up areas for private vehicles. These vehicles must be left at those multistorey car parks.
You can drop off passengers at designated spots, yes, but never pick them up upon arrival.
Our airlines – Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and AirAsia – really need to be super conscientious with their departure and arrival times. Constant delays will be bad for Visit Malaysia Year.
Then there’s the luggage carousel. The slow arrival of luggage at KLIA is a long-standing embarrassment, literally. Passengers just have to stand around for a long time and wait.
I know we are notorious for “Malaysian Timing” but that “on the way” excuse should not show up at our airports. More about that later.
There are plenty of positives, too. Malaysia is a safe place, unlike London or Paris, where pick-pocketing is rampant.
Our watchful cops are everywhere, sometimes even hiding under the trees and underpasses.
For some reason, though, the traffic cops always seem to be stopping migrant workers. I think they may be checking if they are getting the minimum wages from their employers.
Also, we need to improve ourselves as ordinary Malaysians. We want to be seen in a positive light.
We don’t want to appear on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram for the wrong reasons.
We all take pride in our Malaysian food. No matter which culture it comes from, it’s tasty and delicious – but cleanliness is also important.
We often sit next to a filthy longkang without a second thought but that’s unacceptable to many visitors. Singapore has beaten us flat in this area with its clean food courts.
Our local governments also have to put a stop to toilet rolls being used at many roadside warung. These stall holders need to understand that these are not serviettes. They are meant to serve a different purpose and it does not involve eating.
We can take pride in the fact that English is widely spoken in Malaysia. That’s definitely an asset.
Indonesian, Chinese and Indian tourists would also have no problem moving around as we can speak their languages too.
You won’t be fined for jaywalking, unlike in Singapore. But a word of warning to tourists, our delivery boys are colour blind at the traffic lights and they never seem to be penalised. Be careful at traffic lights as you risk being run down by these delivery boys who cannot see red.
Now, let’s talk about the “Malaysian Timing” or our tolerance for being late.
It is best that we forewarn visitors that when we say we are “around the corner” it actually means “I have just left the house”.
When we say “just 10 minutes away” – it’s actually more like a 30-minute delay.
Of course, as first timers to Malaysia, you will regularly hear “Bad traffic jam, Boss, sorry”.
You will love Malaysia because we are a nation of friendly, helpful and loving people. We love to forgive and pardon people.
Politics is also a passion in Malaysia. There is a lot of noise and drama. Don’t be alarmed, though. Unlike other countries, our protests are often short and peaceful.
Unlike the Thais, or South Koreans, we can’t be on the streets for more than two hours. We need to go and eat after that.
That’s why our best protest spots are at Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, preferably outside air conditioned malls, so we can shop later. Or at places with plenty of shade, like Padang Merbok also in KL.
Only the big Bersih protests were exceptions.
Finally, we are not just law abiding but we can debate over legal jargon for weeks.
The most used term now is “addendum” and most of us can give lengthy opinions. Never mind if we had never heard of this word until last week. Many of us seem convincing or maybe just confused.
It’s a word that has now encroached into our daily lives. My better half always has the last word whenever we get into a quarrel. But now, I can ask her to “read and understand” my addendum after the argument is over.
A friend says he has no idea what an addendum is but he has been placed under “house arrest” by his wife. His wife won’t let him go to meet his friends at the pub.
For visitors, you may be lost in this Malaysian quirkiness, but you will soon get used to it, and love it here.
