DATO’ MAZLAN LEADS MBI DELEGATION ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO MEGA HALAL EXPO & TOURISM MALAYSIA IN BANGKOK

BANGKOK, 17 JULY 2025 – Ipoh City Council (MBI) Chief Whip Dato’ Mazlan Abd. Rahman, representing the Ipoh Mayor, led an official MBI delegation to Bangkok, Thailand for three days to strengthen strategic networks and explore collaboration opportunities in the tourism sector and halal industry at the international level.

The delegation included MBI Councillors Clr. Muhammad Hamzah Hamdan and Clr. Faidz Ismail, as well as MBI Public Relations Officer Mohd Syahrizal Azmi.

Among the main components of the visit was participation in the Mega Halal Expo Bangkok 2025, held from 16 to 18 July at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Halls 98-101. This international-scale expo was officiated by Sheikhul Islam Thailand Arun Boonchom, and served as an important platform for promoting halal products and services across various industries, such as food, beverages, health, wellness and tourism.

MBI's participation aimed to identify economic and investment potential in the regional halal sector, as well as to expand global cooperation networks in line with the aspiration to make Ipoh a hub for halal tourism and economic development.

The MBI delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Tourism Malaysia Office in Bangkok, where a discussion session with Tourism Malaysia Director Nurul Ain Mohammed Yunus, and Thanapat Tiyanont, Marketing Officer of Tourism Malaysia in Bangkok, was held in a relaxed atmosphere. The discussion focused on strategies to intensify Ipoh’s tourism promotion in the Thai market, ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, with emphasis on Ipoh's strengths in historical heritage, eco-tourism, culinary arts and sports tourism.

To support the Sports Tourism agenda, the delegation also had the opportunity to visit the Muay Thai Training Centre owned by Rodtang Jitmuangnon, ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. Discussions were held with the centre's management to explore potential collaboration in combat sports development and the provision of sports-based tourism packages in Ipoh.

Moreover, the delegation also held informal discussions with Muslim media practitioners in Bangkok to further efforts in promoting Ipoh as a Muslim-friendly and investment destination.

Hopefully, this official visit can open up more collaboration opportunities between MBI and international industry players, thereby strengthening initiatives to make Ipoh a Smart and Prosperous City that is progressive, sustainable and globally competitive.