"Surreal Experiences” at MOTAC Turn into Real-Life Farce

By Mihar Dias October 2025

It’s official. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has decided to redefine “surreal experiences” — not as dreamlike adventures across Malaysia’s cultural tapestry, but as jaw-dropping public relations disasters that leave everyone asking, “Who approved this?”

First up: a “strategic cooperation” between MOTAC and Starbucks Malaysia to promote Visit Malaysia 2026.

Wow, a ministry of culture partnering with a coffee chain that has become the global symbol of boycott movements. Somewhere in the ministry, someone must have said, “Let’s make tourism exciting by alienating half the country.” Bravo.

The campaign, themed “Surreal Experiences”, lives up to its name. Because it’s truly surreal that, in a year when Malaysians are marching in solidarity with Palestine, the very ministry representing our “arts and culture” thinks it’s culturally enriching to slap a sun bear mascot on a Starbucks tumbler.

The collaboration unveiled “locally inspired drinks” and “special edition” tumblers, which, judging by social media’s reaction, were as inspiring as a wet kopi O.

One design looked like a lazy PowerPoint slide, while another seemed to be decorated by someone who mistook clip art for culture.

Also, just when the public thought things couldn’t get more surreal, MOTAC doubled down — this time with a gala dinner where glasses of what looked suspiciously like alcohol were clinking under government banners.

Outrage erupts. Because Malaysians, who are used to circulars reminding them that government functions are alcohol-free zones, suddenly found their tourism ministry frothing over with “international hospitality”.

When questioned, Minister Tiong King Sing gave a masterclass in accountability: “It wasn’t us, it was the private sector."

It’s as if MOTAC’s strategy team has taken a vow to test how far they can stretch public patience. First, by choosing a globally boycotted brand as the face of Malaysian hospitality; then, by allowing alcohol to make a surprise appearance at what was supposed to be an official event. One might call it Visit Malaysia 2026: Surreal, Senseless, and Sponsored.

You have to hand it to MOTAC — few ministries can manage to offend the devout, the patriotic, and the socially conscious all in one week. That’s efficiency.

Meanwhile, ordinary Malaysians are left wondering: if this is how our “cultural ambassadors” behave, what’s next?

A Visit Malaysia 2026 promo featuring casinos, coffee frappes, and karaoke versions of the Star-Spangled Banner?

MOTAC’s “Surreal Experiences” campaign was supposed to celebrate Malaysia’s diversity. Instead, it’s become a masterclass in tone-deaf decision-making.

Maybe next time, before launching another “strategic partnership,” the ministry could try a simpler approach — listening.

Because right now, Malaysians aren’t buying the drinks, the tumblers, or the excuses.

Mihar Dias (mihardias@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!

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