The Housing Ministry allocates RM2million for Ipoh’s I Lite U urban lighting project to boost tourism for Visit Malaysia 2026.
IPOH: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will expand its Innovative Urban Lighting towards Sustainable Cities project to Ipoh City in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.
Minister Nga Kor Ming announced a RM2 million allocation for the project, known as I Lite U, following its recent launch in the federal capital.
He stated that RM1 million will be provided by the ministry while Ipoh City Council will contribute a matching amount.
“The Ipoh City Re-Lighting Programme is because Ipoh is now one of the most popular domestic tourism destinations,” Nga said during a media conference at the launch of Boon Bak Park MADANI Recreational Park.
He revealed that Ipoh attracted nearly 10 million domestic and foreign tourists last year, making it the top domestic tourism destination.
Nga added that Ipoh ranks among the most popular weekend destinations in Malaysia based on city council statistics.
The minister noted that Ipoh currently requires 13,000 hotel rooms to accommodate growing tourist numbers but has only 8,000 available.
“I encourage investors to come to Ipoh to develop hotels, especially eco-friendly and sustainable hotels,” he said.
Earlier, Nga visited the temporary market in Pasir Putih completed under the Sentuhan Kasih initiative with RM1.425 million funding after a fire damaged the original structure last year.
He announced a RM9 million special allocation for constructing a new Pasir Putih market through a design competition organised by Ipoh City Council and the Malaysian Institute of Architects.
“This is so that the Pasir Putih market has the potential to become a tourist attraction, similar to Pasar Pinji that is currently under construction and set to be completed by 2027,” Nga explained.
He confirmed that construction work on the new Pasir Putih market will begin next year under the 13th Malaysia Plan. – Bernama
