Budget 2023: RM250mil to promote tourism ahead of Visit Malaysia 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM250mil has been allocated to promote the tourism sector through the 2023 Budget, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said the total allocation was in line with the Visit Malaysia Year in 2025, with a targeted arrival of 23.5 million international tourists and a projected income of up to RM 76.8bil.

The government will also implement several infrastructure projects to alleviate traffic congestion which has affected tourist hotspots.

"A new road will be constructed from Habu to Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, at a cost of RM480mil, and an upgrade of Jalan Tun Hamzah to the intersection of Semabok along the Lebuh AMJ in Central Melaka, at a cost of RM300mil.

"A road and bridge will also be built over Sungai Sepang to connect Bukit Pelandok in Port Dickson and Sungai Pelek in Sepang, at a project cost of RM160mil,” he said when presenting the 2023 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Feb 24).

Anwar also said that the highway network to Pengerang in Johor will be upgraded through the construction of an overtaking lane on the Senai Desaru Expressway.

"We will also widen the North-South Expressway, from North Yong Peng to North Senai - Phase 1, Johor, from four to six lanes, at a cost of RM525mil, in phases,” he said.

The unity government, led by Anwar, presented the 2023 Budget today, which has allocated a total of RM388.1bil, with RM289.1bil for operating expenditure, and RM99bil for development expenditure, including RM2bil in contingency savings.- Bernama