All set: The red carpet is being laid to welcome an expected 30 million people to the capital during Visit Malaysia 2026. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
Capital steals spotlight for Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign
THIS year’s Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign will put Kuala Lumpur in the spotlight as the capital city and central tourism hub.
The city aims to welcome a record-breaking 30 million inbound tourists this year, which is more than half of the nationwide target of 47 million.
Newly minted Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said this year would be exceptionally busy for the three territories due to VM2026.
“I am certain Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan will be major focal points for visitors.
“We can collaborate with all the various ministries involved and work together, especially since tourism is such a significant sector,” she said.
Tourist attractions
One major campaign is the lighting initiative, “I Lite U @ Bukit Bintang,” jointly funded by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
It will illuminate Jalan Bukit Bintang to prepare the popular shopping, entertainment and food street for a culture-rich parade early January.
ALSO READ: Bukit Bintang set to dazzle with lights, parade, colour in prelude to VM2026
DBKL also planned various activities throughout the year, lining up 35 major events to showcase Malaysia’s arts, culture and heritage.
For instance, the Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Festival (FOKL) will be held at the Bandaraya Auditorium from May 31 to June 28.
It is expected to draw ensembles from various countries, such as Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, China and Thailand to perform during the festival.
DBKL’s head of music unit Isabella Pek said music tourism and the creative economy aligned with the Warisan Kuala Lumpur national initiative and Kuala Lumpur Unesco Creative City, where creative industries can be concrete drivers of development.
The Light and Motion Putrajaya (Lampu) Festival will take place at Dataran Putrajaya, Precinct 3 at the end of the year.
“The third edition of FOKL strives to attract more visitors to Kuala Lumpur through its musical programmes.
“That aside, we can also help build local capacity and foster vital international networking opportunities,” she told StarMetro.
To showcase Asian culture and traditional dances, DBKL is expected to host three series of Kuala Lumpur Cultural Nitez at Lanai Seni at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman on June 13, July 11 and Aug 8.
Cultural performances will include the traditional zapin, menora and ronggeng dances as well as the traditional theatre art Mek Mulung.
Royal Floria Putrajaya, Malaysia’s premier flower and garden festival, will be held at Anjung Floria Putrajaya, Precinct 4, from Aug 22 to Aug 31.
Locals and international tourists can also participate in VM2026 festival celebrations in the city hosted by Tourism Malaysia.
Festive celebrations include Thaipusam and Chinese New Year (February), Hari Raya Aidilfitri (March), Vaisakhi (April) and Christmas (December).
In Putrajaya, a definite highlight is the Royal Floria Putrajaya that is expected to be held at Anjung Floria Putrajaya, Precinct 4 from Aug 22 to Aug 31.
The annual flower and garden festival inaugurated since 2007 will feature various types of plants such as bonsai, hibiscus, heliconia, rose, bougainvillea, begonia, lily and chrysanthemum.
Visitors can also expect to see the annual National Day celebration on Aug 31, commemorating 69 years of independence, while the National Sports Day will be held from Oct 9 to 11.
The Light and Motion Putrajaya (Lampu) Festival will take place at Dataran Putrajaya, Precinct 3 at the end of the year.
Visitors can check out the cultural dances at Borneo Arts Festival in Labuan from Sept 23 to 28.
The highlight of the event is a breathtaking projection mapping display that utilises cutting-edge technology to transform the grand Palace of Justice facade into a vibrant canvas of light and sound.
Beyond the show, the heart of Putrajaya’s Precinct 3, specifically around Kompleks Perbadanan Putrajaya, will become a luminous wonderland.
In Labuan, the Borneo Arts Festival is set to return this year at Kompleks Sukan Laut Antarabangsa Labuan from Sept 23 to 28.
Since its inception in 2010, the festival has been showcasing the uniqueness of Borneo’s art and culture with programmes such as visual art performances, fashion and music showcases and cultural competitions.
Issues and policies
In Budget 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM500mil fund to upgrade public housing facilities and hawker centres.
Of the total, RM200mil will be used to upgrade old food courts and hawker centres while the remaining RM300mil will fund People’s Housing Project (PPR) building maintenance.
The announcement brings much relief to residents of PPR flats affected by faulty lifts and ageing facilities at decades-old food courts.
Stakeholders can expect upgrades and proper facility maintenance at these areas to accommodate urban residents’ growing needs.
Kuala Lumpur folk might also see an assessment tax adjustment following DBKL’s plans to lift the cap on assessment tax increases.
The cap, which limited assessment tax increases to 10% for residential properties and 25% for commercial premises, was introduced in 2014 by then Federal Territories minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor following the last review of DBKL’s assessment rates in 2013.
StarMetro previously reported former mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif saying that the cap must be lifted so a new valuation exercise could take place every five years as required by law.
“Once this is addressed, we’ll move forward with the next valuation exercise, which will likely occur after 2026.
“But to ease the transition, we will implement the removal of the capping mechanism in phases to prevent undue financial strain on property owners,” she said.
Stakeholders’ wishes
With Yeoh alongside Deputy Minister Datuk Lo Su Fui and mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud heading DBKL since November, Kuala Lumpur residents are eager to see how the team would manage their respective portfolios.
Stakeholders hope to see more community engagement on public issues like floods, while proper infrastructure maintenance and over-development remain the primary concern of city folk.
Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association (KLRA+SD) secretary Joshua Low said residents wanted Kuala Lumpur to run with transparency, accountability and increased community engagement.
“This expectation is shaped heavily by recent experiences, such as the Federal Territories Planning Rules 2025 (FTPR 2025), which were approved and gazetted without meaningful consultation or input from civil society or elected representatives.
“That kind of top-down approach undermines public confidence and runs against the idea of a City for All.
“Residents also want to see draft budgets, understand the priorities and have a real say in where funds go.
The Kuala Lumpur Orchestra Festival from May 31 to June 28 is expected to draw ensembles from various countries.
“This allows for stronger checks and balances and clearer accountability at DBKL,” he said, adding that city dwellers want a city that is more walkable, inclusive, genuinely liveable and sustainable for everyone.
Save Kuala Lumpur (SKL) chairman Datuk M. Ali said the government should look into implementing the local government elections, starting with Kuala Lumpur.
“There is no reason to continue stalling the local government elections to elect the mayor and councillors.
“DBKL should also present the 2026 budget for public knowledge, as taxpayers’ money must be accounted for.
“For transparency, we also need to review Rule 3 and reinstate Rule 5,” he said.
Rule 3 under FTPR 2025 states that the Kuala Lumpur mayor is no longer obligated to consult “any interested party or authority” before granting planning permissions, while Rule 5 Under the Federal Territory Planning Act 1982 is a provision of law requiring the mayor to notify registered owners of adjacent land through newspaper advertisements and public exhibition.
This process invites objections to development applications that involve changes in land use, zoning or increased residential density.
Ali also hoped all water retention ponds that have been alienated for other purposes to be restored to their original function.
Lights are installed along Jalan Bukit Bintang for the VM2026 launch.
“Restoring water retention ponds is essential for curbing flash floods in the city as they serve as a vital mitigation against heavy rainfall.
“This goes in line with authorities scrutinising and ensuring the city’s developments are sustainable,” he said.
Putrajaya MPPWP sub-zone 3 chairman Zarina Ismail said there was great potential for ecotourism in Putrajaya.
“Community products such as kelulut honey are gaining traction in Putrajaya and tourists are visiting the community farms here.
“We hope the authorities can continue marketing the area to locals and international guests so that they can visit Putrajaya during VM2026,” she added.
