He said this when apologising for a statement by his deputy, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, about turning Langkawi into a niche holiday destination for Muslims.
Tiong said Khairul may not have clearly explained the matter and he had spoken to his deputy about it.
“I was abroad on duty a few days ago and the deputy minister might not have explained it clearly, which led to a public backlash,” he said in a Facebook post.
He said the ministry aimed to promote understanding and respect among all Malaysians and international visitors, enabling them to enjoy the country’s diverse and rich cultural heritage.
“Inclusivity forms the core of our cultural tourism strategy and embodies the values we strive to uphold” he said.
Khairul had made the suggestion in the Dewan Rakyat on June 24. He said Langkawi could be made a “preferred Muslim destination” to compete with other islands in the region for the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026).
He said one way for Malaysia to be competitive with other countries is to focus on niche sectors.
He was replying to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who asked whether the approach taken by certain state governments in imposing policies that are not tourist-friendly, such as prohibiting the consumption of alcohol and wearing of shorts, could affect the success of VMY2026.
Khairul appeared to defend the rights of states that impose conservative rules on tourists, saying they could cater to niche markets.
Citing Langkawi, he said the island could be positioned as a destination for Muslim tourists.
“We know that Langkawi may struggle to compete with other islands within the region.
“Therefore, we are considering positioning Langkawi as a preferred Muslim destination, aiming to make it more family-oriented and (its tourism) focused on spiritual aspects,” he said.
Khairul said the ministry had engaged with state governments which enforce certain rules, but found that “the situation is well and under control”. He said there was no need to look into such trivial matters.
Last September, Tiong was reported to have said that tourists had complained about an alleged abuse of authority by certain government officials in Langkawi for harassing them on their dress code and alcohol consumption.
Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor denied Tiong’s allegations and described them as unfounded. He said Tiong should go to Langkawi and “see for himself”.
Sanusi said the state government had no plans to make Langkawi a Muslim-friendly destination, and there was no ban on wearing shorts on the island.
DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng had asked Khairul to retract his statement as it had raised concerns among those in the travel industry who had invested in the island as an international resort.
“Limiting Langkawi to niche sectors, such as the Muslim market, would be counterproductive by depriving itself of the non-Muslim tourism market,” he said.