The Malaysian Indian Travel & Tours Association (Mitta), the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association (Mica), and the Malaysia My 2nd Home Consultants Association (M2HCA) said the Oct 1 gala dinner was hosted and paid for by tourism industry players – and not by Tourism Malaysia, or the tourism, arts and culture ministry.
The groups said the ministry, together with Tourism Malaysia, used the Global Travel Meet to launch the Visit Malaysia 2026 calendar of events.
“Mitta, Mica and M2HCA fully understand the controversy arising from the gala dinner and sincerely express our regrets to the ministry and Tourism Malaysia, and in particular to tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing,” they said in a statement.
They said GTM was a “resounding” success as it had generated more than RM420 million in economic impact.
It also brought together over 600 international buyers and more than 100 international media.
The groups said they issued the statement to counter the “irresponsible” and “misleading” information being spread about the gala dinner.
Bersatu MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin had posted a video on Facebook last Saturday questioning why alcoholic beverages were served at a government event, saying this breached cultural and constitutional norms.
Tiong then denied that alcohol had been served at a government-hosted gala dinner, stating that it was organised by private sector partners to celebrate Malaysia’s first global travel event of its kind.
He also said that while Tourism Malaysia was initially the organiser, private sector players saw an opportunity to secure substantial business deals and took over the organisation of the dinner.
Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said he would raise Umno’s objection to the serving of alcohol at the upcoming Cabinet meeting.
Advice to civil servants attending dinners
Separately, Cuepacs stressed that civil servants are strictly prohibited from participating in any activity or event that involves alcoholic beverages.
Cuepacs president Adnan Mat said civil servants’ participation in activities that could create a negative image of their department or the government is “completely unacceptable”.
He also urged the private sector to respect the cultural and religious sensitivities at official events and called on government departments to be more cautious in selecting events they participate in.
Adnan advised all civil servants who received invitations to attend formal or informal banquets to obtain confirmation from the organisers if alcoholic beverages were being served.
“If there is any doubt (whether alcohol will be served) or information that the event involves alcoholic beverages, civil servants should immediately decline and report it to the authorities or their respective heads for further action to be taken,” he said.