Chiew calls for more vibrant events to boost Miri tourism for Visit Malaysia 2026

MIRI (Feb 9): More vibrant events are needed to attract tourists and further boost Miri’s tourism sector in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Chiew Choon Man.

He said such events play a crucial role in positioning Miri as a lively city rich in culture and known for its warm hospitality, and he would work closely with more organisations to organise similar initiatives in the future.

“Vibrant events are important in attracting both local and foreign tourists to explore Miri. As Deputy Minister, I will continue to take opportunities to further develop Miri’s tourism industry, as it is a key driver in strengthening the local economy,” Chiew said when officiating at the 2026 Year of the Horse Carnival held at the Boulevard Shopping Mall open car park here on Saturday.

Chiew, who is also Miri MP, said he was pleased to see the return of the carnival and festive atmosphere for the Year of the Horse, noting that the event had previously been paused.

He stressed that Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations in Miri should be lively and filled with joy, as they reflect the spirit of togetherness among the people.

“The festive spirit embodies harmony, unity and the shared culture of our community,” he said.

Chiew said the carnival, which runs from Feb 5 to 14, features more than 50 booths offering a wide range of CNY goodies, food and handicrafts.

He added that the event not only highlights Chinese cultural heritage but also showcases Sarawak’s rich multicultural identity.

More than 25,000 visitors are expected to attend the carnival throughout the event, he said, providing a boost to the city’s retail and culinary tourism sectors.

“There will be nightly Chinese cultural performances, each with a different theme. Visitors and tourists can look forward to 60 lion dance performances, along with dragon dances, traditional Chinese dances, as well as Sarawak’s traditional performances such as the Iban Ngajat and the Bidayuh bamboo dance,” he added.