The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, announced the appointment of Datuk Manoharan Periasamy as the Chairman of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) with effect from 8th December 2025.
This appointment is made in accordance with the provisions of Section 5(1)(a) of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Act 1992 (Act 481). Datuk Manoharan, who was previously the Director General of Tourism Malaysia, was appointed to the position to replace Datuk Dr Yasmin Mahmood.
With his extensive experience in public service and the tourism sector for over 30 years, he has held several key positions including Senior Director of the International Promotion Division (Asia & Africa), Senior Director of the Advertising & Digital Division, Director of the Package Development Division, and Director of the Corporate Communications Division.
Additionally, he played a crucial role in strengthening Malaysia’s presence in the South Asian market when he was entrusted with leading the country’s tourism promotion operations as Director of Tourism Malaysia Mumbai and Director of Tourism Malaysia New Delhi in India from 2000 to early 2016.
Manoharan expressed his commitment to carrying out these responsibilities with full dedication.
“I deeply appreciate the trust placed in me through this appointment. The responsibility entrusted is significant, particularly in ensuring the success and implementation of VM2026. I am committed to working closely with the management and all staff of Tourism Malaysia to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a top tourism destination,” he stated.
His appointment is expected to reinforce the strategic direction of Tourism Malaysia, especially in efforts to enhance the coordination of the country’s tourism promotion programmes and activities ahead of the implementation of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Campaign.
