Yayasan Johor Corporation (Yayasan JCorp) has launched the Pentas Seni Johor Tour 2026 (PSJ26 Tour), a statewide initiative celebrating Johor’s arts, culture and heritage across Pontian, Segamat, Batu Pahat, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru adding a new milestone in Johor’s cultural landscape.
Held in conjunction with Visit Johor 2026 and Visit Malaysia 2026, the five-district tour provides an integrated platform to connect and promote the distinctive cultural offerings of Johor’s districts under a shared state narrative.
Through arts, culture and heritage, the programme aims to strengthen Johor’s cultural identity, deepen community participation, create economic opportunities for local artists, artisans and creative entrepreneurs, and promote cultural tourism across the state.
Supported by strategic collaboration partners, the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), Tourism Johor, Tourism Malaysia and the Johor State Cultural Council (MKNJ), the PSJ26 Tour will celebrate the distinctive identities of participating districts through traditional performances, heritage gastronomy, local crafts, creative entrepreneurship and immersive community-led experiences.
Each district will present a distinctive cultural showcase reflecting its traditions, stories, creativity and local character. Together, these programmes will form a tapestry of authentic cultural tourism experiences that celebrate the richness and diversity of Bangsa Johor’s living heritage, while strengthening Johor’s appeal as a premier cultural tourism destination.
Pontian, the first stop of the tour, will spotlight the district’s Bugis heritage through the Festival Rumpun Bugis Johor. The festival features traditional performances, cultural showcases, heritage competitions, culinary demonstrations, cultural workshops, creative marketplaces and immersive community experiences.
The PSJ26 Tour was officially launched by Pannir Selvam a/l Paliksina, chairman of the Johor Unity, Heritage and Culture Committee, at the Daing Haddadek Sri Salewangeng Memorial in Tanjung Piai, Pontian, Johor.
Following Pontian, the tour will continue to:
Segamat: 25–27 September 2026
Batu Pahat: 30–31 October 2026
Kota Tinggi: 14–15 November 2026
Johor Bahru: 19–20 December 2026 (Grand Culmination)
The launch also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) between Yayasan JCorp and Tourism Malaysia. The MoC was signed by Dato’ Mizan Yahya, Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan JCorp, and Wizani bin Rosmin, Deputy Director General (Planning), Tourism Malaysia.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthen the local creative economy and cultural-industry ecosystem; generate sustainable socio-economic impact through arts, culture and heritage initiatives; and foster greater public appreciation of Johor’s cultural identity and heritage assets.
It will also support efforts to position Johor as a leading creative and cultural tourism destination in conjunction with Visit Johor 2026, while driving domestic and international visitor arrivals through coordinated promotional activities.
Speaking at the launch, Dato’ Mizan Yahya said Pentas Seni Johor had evolved from a performance programme into a platform that has the brand equity to rally the ecosystem and bring together artists, creative communities and the local economy.
“Pentas Seni Johor is no longer merely a physical stage. It has grown into a platform that communities can access and use to tell their own stories and express their creativity.
“Through this tour, we want each district to take ownership of Pentas Seni Johor, using it to reflect its identity and showcase experiences that its community can genuinely call its own.”
He added that the tour would celebrate the distinct character of every district while demonstrating the diversity that makes Bangsa Johor culturally rich.
“Johor’s strength lies in the diversity of its districts and communities. We share one state, yet every district has its own colour, stories, talent, food, arts and heritage.
“By bringing these distinctive offerings to a wider audience, the PSJ26 Tour creates new opportunities for local talent, artisans, creative entrepreneurs and communities, while strengthening Johor’s cultural tourism appeal.”
Since its introduction in 2024, Pentas Seni Johor has grown under Yayasan JCorp’s Arts, Culture and Heritage focus area. It has evolved from a performance programme at B5 Johor Street Market into a wider cultural initiative that brings together artistic and creative expressions from across Johor.
Its expansion into a district-based tour marks a new chapter for the programme, enabling each location to reflect the distinctive character, traditions and creative offerings of its local community.
As the PSJ26 Tour travels across Johor, it will bring the state’s diverse cultural expressions closer to audiences and create meaningful connections between people, places and experiences.
The district showcases will support Johor’s cultural-tourism aspirations in conjunction with Visit Johor 2026 and Visit Malaysia 2026, while contributing to the continued appreciation and preservation of the state’s cultural legacy for future generations.
As the dedicated Membela arm of Johor Corporation (JCorp), Yayasan JCorp advances the Group’s commitment to improving environmental and social well-being through impactful initiatives that expand opportunities across Johor and Malaysia.
Through its Arts, Culture and Heritage pillar, the foundation preserves Johor’s cultural legacy while creating platforms that nurture talent, strengthen communities and support sustainable socio-economic development.
