PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA December 20, 2025 – Tourism Malaysia is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal bin Abdul Rahim as the new Director-General, effective 8 December 2025.
The appointment was made by the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, in accordance with Section 10(1) of the Tourism Malaysia Promotion Board Act 1992 (Act 481).
Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal, 47, succeeds Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, who reached mandatory retirement age on 6 December 2025.
A holder of a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), he began his career with Tourism Malaysia on 2 September 2002 and brings 23 years of extensive experience across various marketing and promotion portfolios in domestic and international tourism.
Among the key positions he has held are:
– Director of Tourism Malaysia Terengganu State Office
– Director of Tourism Malaysia Overseas Office in Seoul, South Korea (2008)
– Senior Director of the Advertising & Digital Division (most recent position)
– Head of Secretariat for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026)
He also currently serves as President of the Tourism Malaysia Recreation Club, demonstrating well-rounded leadership that encompasses strategy, operations, and staff welfare.
Minister Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing stated that the appointment is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Malaysia’s tourism industry on the global stage, particularly in ensuring the success of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
“With Mr. Mohd Amirul Rizal’s vast experience in digital marketing and international promotion, I am confident he will elevate Tourism Malaysia to greater heights and achieve our target of attracting 35.6 million international tourist arrivals in 2026,” the minister said.
The appointment is viewed as a strategic move by the government to ensure continuity of experienced leadership at the country’s primary tourism promotion agency as Malaysia prepares to welcome the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign year.
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