Sun bear as face of VMY2026 must serve as commitment to conservation efforts

By choosing the Malayan sun bear as the VMY2026 mascot, Malaysia is bringing much-needed attention to the often-overlooked species.

In a landmark decision that intertwined national pride with environmental stewardship, Malaysia designated the Malayan sun bear as the mascot for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VMY2026).

This initiative not only shines a spotlight on one of the nation’s most unique and endangered species but also reinforces Malay­­sia’s dedication to global sustainability goals, particularly Sustain­able Development Goal (SDG) 15: Life on Land.