Datuk Manoharan Periasamy has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) with the role effective from 8 December 2025.
The announcement was made by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who said the appointment was made under Section 5(1)(a) of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Act 1992. Datuk Manoharan replaces Datuk Dr. Yasmin Mahmood as chairman.
Datuk Manoharan brings over 30 years of experience in both public service and the tourism industry to his new role. Before this appointment, he served as the Director-General of Tourism Malaysia and held several senior leadership positions within the agency, including as senior director of the International Promotion Division for Asia and Africa, senior director of the Advertising and Digital Division, director of the Package Development Division and director of the Corporate Communication Division.
He has also played a key role in boosting Malaysia’s presence in the South Asian tourism market, having led the agency’s promotional operations as Tourism Malaysia’s director in Mumbai and New Delhi, India from 2000 till 2016.
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said Datuk Manoharan is expected to strengthen Tourism Malaysia’s strategic direction particularly by enhancing the coordination of tourism promotion programmes and activities ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
Datuk Manoharan expressed appreciation for the confidence shown in him and reaffirmed his dedication to collaborating closely with the management and staff of Tourism Malaysia. His focus will be on the successful execution of VM2026, which aims to enhance Malaysia’s reputation as a prominent global tourist destination.
Source: BERNAMA, Berita Harian
