Tokoh Johor Museum is undergoing RM10mil renovations and set to reopen for Visit Johor 2026. — Filepic
JOHOR is leaning on its tapestry of culture and tradition to showcase its historical position as a vibrant crossroads where people met and traded.
This is on the state government agenda as it aims to share such experiences with foreign travellers to Johor.
Culture and heritage are among key tourism sectors in Johor, said state unity, culture and heritage committee chairman K. Raven Kumar.
The others are ecotourism and nature, adventure and outdoor, leisure, recreational and business as well as MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), he added.
Raven Kumar said the government was keen to promote Johor’s rich history, heritage and culture to the world.
“In January, Johor hosted Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025, during which Asean Travel Exchange (Travex) was also held.
“This was the first time in a decade that Malaysia has hosted both ATF and Travex. The last time Travex was held here was in Sarawak 10 years ago,” he told StarMetro.
Raven Kumar said the hosting of ATF and Travex helped promote Johor to international tourism players − who were the attendees − as an ideal tourism destination in Malaysia.
He said this year’s Travex had attracted 221 sellers showcasing the best of Asean tourism, 323 buyers from 42 countries and 100 international media representatives from 35 countries.
“After Sarawak hosted Travex, there was a boom in its tourism sector particularly from international tourists.
“We are expecting similar results for Johor,” he said.
“This is why we launched Visit Johor Year 2026 during the ATF 2025 to kick-start the state government’s initiatives to attract more tourists – domestic and international,” he added.
Raven Kumar: Sultan Abu Bakar Heritage Complex and Tokoh Johor Museum upgrades will help attract foreign tourists.
Raven Kumar said that while Johor has many tourism products to offer, the state was banking on culture and heritage to push tourism numbers.
He said a total of 16.6 million foreigners visited Johor in 2023. Last year, the number rose to over 22 million.
Raven Kumar described the figures from the last two years as encouraging for Johor’s tourism sector as well as local tourism players and businesses.
“This is among reasons why the state government is upgrading museums such as Tokoh Johor Museum and Sultan Abu Bakar Heritage Complex in Johor Baru,” he said of the institutions parked under Johor Heritage Foundation (YWJ).
Kota Tinggi Museum, Mersing Museum and Dato Onn Gallery in Batu Pahat also fall under YWJ’s purview.
“The 100-year-old Tokoh Johor Museum is currently closed as it is undergoing a RM10mil upgrading and conservation project.
“The Sultan Abu Bakar Heritage Complex will be upgraded too,” said Raven Kumar.
“Upgrading works at both locations are expected to be completed later this year as the buildings will open for Visit Johor 2026.”
He said Tokoh Johor Museum housed information on well-known figures from the state’s history, including Datuk Seri Amar Diraja Abdul Rahman Andak, Datuk Jaafar Muhammad and Wong Ah Fook.
Sultan Abu Bakar Heritage Complex is a hub for Johor culture which includes showcases of food (above) and art (below). — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
He said visitors would be able to know more about these leaders and how each played a major role in shaping Johor.
“Sultan Abu Bakar Heritage Complex is a one-stop centre for tourists to learn about Johor’s rich culture and history, and it also houses the Johor art gallery, Johor fabric gallery and artefact repository centre.”
Visitors to the centre are able to experience first-hand the state’s culture, including the zapin dance, he said.
The Tenggaroh assemblyman said the heritage complex attracted a total of 70,608 visitors in 2023 which then doubled in 2024 to 146,936.
“It is important for us to make sure that both institutions continue to attract local and foreign visitors, through the upgrading works we have planned.
“Some tourists prefer going to museums, heritage centres and galleries because they are interested to know more about the history and culture of a country or state. They can spend hours at such places,” he added.
Raven Kumar said museums and heritage centres in other countries were successful in attracting tourists and maintaining a steady number of visitors.
With this in mind, he led a delegation to visit Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching and National Museum in Kuala Lumpur recently as part of the state’s preparation for Visit Johor 2026.
Raven Kumar noted the exceptional welcome received during the Kuching visit, with delegates, who included representatives from YWJ and Tourism Johor, greeted with a performance featuring the Orang Ulu dance while a cultural show concluded the tour.
“The visit served as a benchmark exercise, positioning Sarawak Cultural Village as a model for cultural development and planning in Johor.
“Known as an iconic destination, the village has become a major attraction for tourists,” he said.
Raven Kumar said delegates took part in engaging activities including a tour of the Bidayuh longhouse, sampled a local delicacy called kuih chap and participated in traditional bamboo spitting activities.
“The hands-on experience provides valuable insights and inspiration for Johor’s ongoing efforts to enhance its cultural landscape,” he added.
Besides these museums, Johor also has the Royal Abu Bakar Museum at Istana Besar and more than 10 museums and galleries that are either privately owned or run by organisations and groups.
Raven Kumar said the National Museum visit fostered an exchange of insight and experiences with officials from Malaysian Museums Department, National Museum and Royal Museum.
“The discussions focused on collection management, archiving, marketing and exhibition practices that could be implemented in museums across Johor.
“The delegation also explored the integration of cutting-edge exhibition technologies and stringent security measures for collection storage.”
He said one of the key objectives of the meeting was to leverage best practices from established institutions in preparation for modernising Johor’s museums by 2026.
“It is hoped that the exchange of input, experiences and perspectives will yield fruitful results for Johor as we prepare our museums for the future.”
Raven Kumar said the visit marked a significant step in strengthening Johor’s cultural infrastructure.
The state government, he said, aimed to create dynamic and secure museum environments to promote Johor’s rich heritage.
“This would, in turn, support its growing tourism industry.
“With everything planned for Visit Johor 2026, including working closely with local tourism industry players, the state is on the right track to welcome more tourists to Johor,” he added.
