They unveiled a programme of sporting and cultural events as part of Sports and Recreation year 98, culminating in the Commonwealth Games in September. Previous promotion campaigns such as Visit Malaysia Year 1994 and 1990 pushed the number of tourists arrivals to record levels - and the Year of Sports and Recreation 98 is expected to see visitors top the 10 million mark - worth more than £3 billion in foreign exchange.
Millions of dollars are being spent on stadiums and the athletes' village for the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.