(From l to r): HE Dato’ Zainol Rahim Zainuddin, Sr. Tuan Haji Ishak bin Ismail, Mr Shahrizan bin Sudiman (FAMA) and Haji Hamzah bin Abdullah

MALAYSIA’S annual signature event in Singapore that showcases the sights, sounds and taste of Singapore’s neighbour begins on 25th July 2019 at the Singapore Expo 6A. In a press conference hosted by HE High Commissioner,  Dato’ Zainol Rahim Zainuddin, last week at the Malaysian Embassy, the organiser and some of the major supporting partners announced that this year the fair will be bigger and better, announcing several of the highlights:

Briefly: the Chairman of FAMA, Sr. Tuan Haji Ishak bin Ismail from the Malaysian national body that regulates and markets the country’s fruits and foodstuffs, said visitors will be introduced to the latest products, many by upcoming Malaysian entrepreneurs as well as the introduction of two fruits that are new to the Singapore market – the Crystal Longan and Tarap from East Malaysia. The first is similar in taste to normal longans but in a black shiny brittle skin, while the latter is somewhat similar to jackfruit in terms of smell but with its own unique taste.

The Director of Tourism Malaysia, Mr Edzuar Zar Ayob, noted tourist arrivals from Singapore is increasing and that more flights are being introduced and highlighted the new routes and frequencies for example by Scoot to Kota Bahru (in July) and Kota Kinabalu (in December).  Several resorts and airlines will also be offering “exclusive travel promotions” such as Sunway Hotel & Resorts, Lost World of Tambun and Resort World Genting as well as Scoot, Malindo Air, among others.

The State of Terengganu stands out this year as the biggest exhibitor with 30 booths flying under the flag of the State this will be in addition to the other major pavilions put up by Tourism Malaysia, Sabah, Selangor, Terengganu, Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) and FAMA Malaysia. All in all, this year’s Malaysia Festival promises to make a huge splash.  If you have plans to go to Malaysia or want to update yourself with all the latest that our next door neighbour has to offer , don’t miss Malaysia Fest 2019.

Last Note from the Organiser: This is the fourth edition of the Malaysia Fest series that originated in 2007 and was rebranded in the current Fest format since 2016. At a reception following the press conference, members of the press were treated to some of the fruits that will be featured at the Fest’s FRUIT EMPIRE section. Noting how Singaporeans love food and travel, Haji Hamzah bin Abdullah, Director of MegaXpress International Pte Ltd who are the organiser of the event, said there are other dimensions to this year’s event. Sipping on a cup of KDC Durian Coffee from Selangor, he said, “Apart from the popular ‘Food Truck’ and ‘Food Cart’ and the Travel Zone ‘Go Malaysia’, we have several well-known celebrities and personalities from Malaysia in our ‘Icons of Malaysia’ talks where they share their experiences in their entrepreneurial ventures and some of them are also involved in the agricultural industry! So it is also a celebration of the Malaysian entrepreneurial spirit!”