KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) will strive to secure allocations to help state governments upgrade existing tourist destinations and develop new locations to attract more tourists.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, said the move was important as tourists are always looking for new and interesting destinations, adding that some states have many potential locations that could be developed but face funding constraints.

“Let all the states work together to attract more tourists to come and travel to our respective states. We must work on allocations for the states,” he said when speaking at the opening ceremony of the Malaysia Cultural Festival (FBM) 2026 – ‘WOW Malaysia’ here last night.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Chiew Choon Man and MOTAC secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot.

Tiong said the six-day FBM, which runs until Wednesday at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, features various events, including traditional arts performances, cultural exhibitions and the uniqueness of heritage from across the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the festival, organised by MOTAC alongside agencies, strategic partners, as well as arts and cultural practitioners, is a programme that celebrates the beauty of the arts, cultural richness and the nation’s heritage treasures.

According to Tiong, the organisation of FBM at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa and Johor Bahru last year, as well as in Ipoh, Perak recently, attracted 772,192 visitors and generated a return on investment (ROI) of RM56.5 million, proving the immense potential of the festival in promoting Malaysia’s arts, culture, heritage and tourism.