Tourism Malaysia Appoints Mohd Amirul Rizal bin Abdul Rahim as New Director-General Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026

Tourism Malaysia has announced the appointment of Mohd Amirul Rizal bin Abdul Rahim as its new Director-General, effective 8 December 2025. A seasoned tourism professional with over 23 years of experience in marketing, promotion, and international destination branding, Mohd Amirul Rizal succeeds Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, who officially retired on 6 December 2025.

The leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment as Malaysia prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), a nationwide tourism campaign expected to revitalize the industry, elevate the nation’s global profile, and drive significant visitor growth.

A Proven Leader in Tourism Promotion

Mohd Amirul Rizal first joined Tourism Malaysia on 2 September 2002, beginning a career defined by strategic contributions across multiple divisions and global markets. His extensive portfolio includes roles in the Research Division, the Tourism Malaysia Terengganu State Office, and a key international assignment as Director of the Tourism Malaysia Seoul Office in South Korea in 2008.

He has also held leadership positions within the Domestic & Events Promotion Division and the International Promotion Division (Asia & Africa). Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Advertising & Digital, where he led digital transformation initiatives, advanced Malaysia’s online presence, and strengthened global promotional campaigns.

Driving the Vision for VM2026

In addition to his operational and marketing expertise, Mohd Amirul Rizal played a central role as Chief Secretariat for Visit Malaysia 2026, contributing to strategic planning, stakeholder coordination, and program development for the upcoming national tourism year.

His appointment is expected to accelerate Tourism Malaysia’s efforts to enhance destination competitiveness, diversify tourism offerings, and forge new partnerships as the country positions itself as a world-class travel destination.

Commitment to Excellence and Industry Engagement

Beyond his official roles, Mohd Amirul Rizal is known for his active engagement within the organisation. He currently serves as President of the Tourism Malaysia Recreation Club, fostering employee wellbeing and organisational cohesion.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), underscoring his strong academic foundation in addition to his extensive field experience.