Tourism Malaysia has named Mohd Amirul Rizal bin Abdul Rahim as its new Director-General, marking a significant leadership transition ahead of the country’s major tourism campaign, Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026). The appointment was approved by Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, under Section 10(1) of the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board Act 1992 (Act 481). He takes over from Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, who retired on December 6, 2025.
A seasoned tourism professional, Mohd Amirul Rizal also heads the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 Secretariat, positioning him at the forefront of Malaysia’s most ambitious tourism initiative in recent years.
Armed with a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), he began his career with Tourism Malaysia on 2 September 2002. Over the last 23 years, he has held several pivotal roles spanning research, domestic and international promotions, events, advertising, and digital strategy — experience that has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem.
His international exposure includes serving as Director of the Tourism Malaysia Office in Seoul, South Korea, while his domestic leadership roles include helming the Tourism Malaysia Terengganu Office. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of the Advertising & Digital Division, where he played a crucial role in driving the organisation’s branding and digital outreach. He also contributed significantly in his capacity as Chief Secretariat for Visit Malaysia 2026.
Beyond his formal portfolio, Mohd Amirul Rizal is known for fostering staff engagement and organisational culture. He currently serves as President of the Tourism Malaysia Recreation Club, underlining his commitment to both strategic leadership and people-driven initiatives.
With his extensive expertise and longstanding association with Tourism Malaysia, his appointment is expected to bolster the organisation’s global positioning. As Malaysia gears up for VM2026, he is poised to steer efforts to enhance destination visibility, boost international arrivals, and strengthen the country’s status as a premier global travel destination.
