However, its minister Mohamad Din Ketapi did not reveal when the competition, which is opened to the public, will be held.
“We won’t remove everything. We might edit out the orangutan and highlight the Petronas Twin Towers more,” he said after attending the pre-launch of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions at Parliament today.
Din was referring to the artwork featured in the logo, which also included a turtle wearing sun-glasses and the motto which read: Travel. Enjoy. Respect.
When it was unveiled in January this year at the launch of a promotion in Chiang Mai, Thailand, many poured scorn on its design, labelling it a joke.
Social media users called the design amateurish, while others claimed the logo was designed using a simple programme like Microsoft Paint and had put Malaysian graphic designers to shame.
The then Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz, however, defended the design and said it would continue to be used to promote Malaysia to the world despite the criticisms against it.
He also claimed that when it was launched in Chiang Mai, “everyone praised it”.
Nazri also revealed that the logo was designed by the ministry’s staff.
On a separate matter, Din said there was an increase in the number of Chinese tourists to Malaysia after the May 9 polls.
“The Chinese tourists like Malaysian durians and now it is the season, so many are flocking to the country.”
Visit Malaysia logo: It was free and everyone praised it, says Nazri