Embracing positivity in 2026

AS WE bid farewell to 2025 and welcome 2026, there’s a palpable sense of cautious optimism in the air.

Malaysians need to be ­reminded that the negativity and toxicity that has occasionally affected the country needs to be replaced with a healthy dose of positivity.

As we step into 2026, we stand on the cusp of a promising year. Despite global headwinds like trade uncertainties and ­moderating external demand, the nation’s economy is projected to grow at a resilient 4%-4.5%, ­according to forecasts from the Finance Ministry, International Monetary Fund, and analysts like S&P Global.

This moderate but steady expansion is anchored in robust domestic demand, strategic investments, and key sectoral ­catalysts that position Malaysia as one of South-East Asia’s more ­stable performers.

At the heart of this optimism is the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, an initiative expected to supercharge the tourism sector.

With an ambitious target of attracting 47 million visitors through enhanced marketing, infrastructure upgrades and events, tourism – already ­contributing over 15% to GDP – is poised to drive broad-based growth in services, retail and ­hospitality.

So, what exactly is in store for Malaysians? Quite a lot of goodies actually. I have broken these up into three areas:

Cash Aid/Subsidies

A new personal tax relief of up to RM1,000 for entrance fees to local tourist attractions and cultural programmes under VM2026. Hopefully, this tax relief will act as a catalyst and boost domestic tourism this year.

Another round of Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) scheme. Eligible Malaysians will have RM100 credited to their MyKad for purchasing basic necessities to be disbursed in mid-February just in time for Ramadan and Chinese New Year.

RM100 may not be much if you’re middle class but this provides some relief to the B40 group. A good option would be to utilise Sara to buy essentials and then donate to orphanages or old folks’ homes.

We will continue to enjoy ­subsidised petrol via Budi95. This isn’t a new development for 2026 but rather a continuation of the government’s efforts to keep related costs down.

Still, at RM1.99 for RON95 ­petrol, Malaysians continue to enjoy one of the lowest petrol prices in Asia and globally.

Transportation

A slew of new infrastructure projects will be operational in 2026. This includes the Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project which is scheduled to begin passenger services by the end of this year.

It will connect Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru to Woodlands North in Singapore in about five minutes. The project is progressing well, with significant milestones like track installation and commissioning of high voltage power achieved and is currently in the testing phases for its automated trains.

The LRT3 (Shah Alam Line) faced delays but is now scheduled for the second quarter of 2026. Connecting Bandar Utama in Petaling Jaya to Johan Setia in Klang, it will serve key areas like Shah Alam and Bukit Raja, and offers interchanges with the MRT Kajang Line at Bandar Utama and the LRT Kelana Jaya Line at Glenmarie for seamless travel within the Klang Valley.

Phase one of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) between Kota Baru and Gombak is scheduled to become operational late this year. This project will boost the ­economy of the East Coast, acting as a catalyst to attract more investments to the region while creating numerous job opportunities in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

Subang Airport’s expansion is well underway, focusing on niche markets and regional connect­ivity, with an expected increase in flight frequencies and new routes this year, particularly for VM2026.

Airlines like Batik Air will be adding new routes, boosting ­connectivity for tourism and business.

Lifestyle/Sports

A stellar lineup of international and local concerts is in store this year, including acts like K-Pop giants Super Junior, international acts such as My Chemical Romance, Bryan Adams and ­rapper J.I.D. A slew of local acts, including songstress Siti Nurhaliza, will also grace concert venues across the nation.

The two big sporting events hosted in Kuala Lumpur that are at an international level will once again be the MotoGP in Sepang and the Maybank Championship at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club where the world’s best female golfers will compete.

Beyond these two October-slated events, expect marathons, ultra trails, and potential regional sports tie-ins.

The focus on wellness, adventure, and sustainable tourism under VM2026 encourages more outdoor and cultural ­experiences.

In summary, in 2026, Malaysia isn’t just recovering — it’s ­repositioning for sustained ­prosperity.

From vibrant tourist hotspots to cutting-edge tech hubs, the nation offers reasons for cautious optimism in an uncertain world.

While global uncertainties linger, domestic strengths like tourism and investments provide solid momentum.

Happy New Year my fellow Malaysians. Here’s to a year of steady progress, shared growth and staying positive.