Malaysia rolled out a vibrant cultural welcome in Dhaka on Saturday evening as High Commissioner Mohd Shuhada Othman said deeper tourism and people-to-people links with Bangladesh remain central to Malaysia’s vision for 2026 and beyond.

Speaking at a gala dinner marking the Malaysia Tourism Fair, he said Festival Malaysia was designed to “fill Dhaka with the colours, flavours, and rhythms of Malaysia,” showcasing the nation’s multicultural harmony and long-standing friendship with Bangladesh.

Education Adviser Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Tourism stakeholders, ambassadors from various missions, and Adviser Abrar attended the celebration, which transformed InterContinental Dhaka into a miniature Malaysian city of lights, aromas, and artistic energy.

Malaysia targets 3 lakh Bangladeshi tourists in 2026

Earlier in the afternoon, while inaugurating the Malaysia Tourism Fair and launching the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, Othman announced Malaysia’s goal of attracting 3 lakh Bangladeshi tourists next year.

“Bangladesh remains one of Malaysia’s strongest and fastest-growing tourist markets,” he said, adding that electronic visa compliance and proper use of the official e-Visa portal are essential to ensuring smooth travel.

Addressing concerns about travellers being turned back at Malaysian immigration, he said the e-Visa process is “systematic and straightforward” when completed through the official platform, warning that third-party submissions may cause discrepancies leading to complications, including blacklisting.

He encouraged Bangladeshi travellers to contact the High Commission for guidance, noting that the official e-Visa link is regularly posted on its Facebook page.

Cultural splendour and culinary artistry