Yen Yen plans to convert old palace into MICE venue

KUALA LUMPUR: The old Istana Negara building may be converted into a Meeting, Incentives, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) venue to take advantage of its high historical and tourism value, said Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

The Tourism Minister said the Cabinet agreed in principle to her proposal during a discussion on future plans for the historic site yesterday. “We can make use of the many rooms there without unnecessary distortion of the current structure,” she said after launching the Kesatria 1Malaysia programme here last night.

The Government has agreed to include an official from the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition bureau (MyCEB) on a committee recently set up to study the future use of the former palace. Dr Ng said the plan was intended to maximise the old Istana Negara’s potential as a tourist draw, which might include the setting up of galleries and a museum on all the country’s past Kings.

She said the Government was also mulling over the possibility of reinstating the changing of the guard ceremony at the old Istana despite the King having moved to the new Istana at Jalan Duta. This is because the old palace is a key attraction that has drawn an average of over one million tourists annually. A total of 17 leaders of key industry sectors have signed on as Kesatria or knights under the Kesatria programme in a bid to boost Malaysia’s market share in the business tourism industry.
-thestar online.

photo: pelancongan kini