Mohd Amirul Rizal appointed as Director General of Tourism Malaysia

The Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) announced the appointment of YBrs. Encik Mohd Amirul Rizal bin Abdul Rahim as the new Director-General of Tourism Malaysia effective 8 December 2025. This appointment was made by YB Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in accordance with the powers granted under Section 10 (1) of Act 481: Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board 1992. He replaces YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy who will retire on 6 December 2025.

Mohd Amirul Rizal holds a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). He began his career with Tourism Malaysia on 2 September 2002 and has since held various portfolios in the country’s tourism marketing and promotion. He previously served in the Research Division before assuming the position of Director of Tourism Malaysia Terengganu State Office and Director of Tourism Malaysia Seoul, South Korea Overseas Office in 2008. He has also served in the Domestic Promotion and Events Division, International Promotion Division (Asia & Africa), and most recently as Senior Director of Advertising & Digital Division. In addition, he also played an important role as Head of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Secretariat.

Apart from his important responsibilities in Tourism Malaysia, he is also active in associations and has been appointed as the President of the Tourism Malaysia Recreation Club, demonstrating balanced leadership in strategic, operational and employee empowerment aspects.

With 23 years of experience in various tourism marketing and promotion activities, his appointment is believed to strengthen the development of the country’s tourism industry in efforts to make Malaysia a leading global tourism destination ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).