KUALA LUMPUR, 29 JUNE 2026 – The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) announced its newly elected Executive Council (EXCO) members for the 2026-2029 term at the 51st Annual General Meeting, held at the World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur (WTC KL).
The election marks a renewed chapter for MATTA as the Association enters its next phase of growth, advocacy and industry development under a refreshed leadership team. Reflecting the confidence of MATTA members, Nigel Wong Chun Teim has been re-elected as President for a second term after leading the Association through a period of significant transformation and industry advancement.
The newly elected EXCO represents a balanced combination of continuity and renewal, retaining seven experienced leaders from the previous term while welcoming three new members who bring fresh perspectives and expertise to strengthen the Association’s leadership.
This composition underscores MATTA’s commitment to building on past achievements while embracing the new ideas and energy required to meet the industry’s ever-evolving needs. The leadership team will continue driving the Association’s efforts in strengthening member engagement, advancing industry advocacy, supporting innovation and positioning Malaysia as a competitive and future-ready tourism destination on the world stage.
During the 2023–2026 term, MATTA has achieved significant milestones that have reshaped the leading voice of Malaysia’s travel and tourism industry through a series of strategic initiatives that benefited members and the wider tourism ecosystem.
As the industry celebrated MATTA’s milestone of 50 years as a leading trade association, the organisation introduced the MATTA Eco & Sustainable Tourism Initiative (MESTI), a forward-thinking initiative designed to position Malaysian travel businesses at the forefront of sustainable and responsible tourism practices.
During the term, MATTA acknowledged the growing demand for specialised travel experiences and successfully tapped into niche industry segments including sports tourism and Muslim-friendly tourism, creating dedicated platforms and resources to help members capture these high-value market opportunities.
The Association also prioritised safeguarding the industry through the introduction of TRUST, an industry advocacy initiative supported by the AI-powered TravelWatch.ai platform. Designed to strengthen industry accountability, improve reporting mechanisms and support efforts to address illegal tourism activities in Malaysia, the initiative reflects MATTA’s commitment to embracing technology and innovation while working collaboratively with industry stakeholders and government agencies to strengthen professionalism and consumer confidence.
The previous term also saw multiple high-impact Business-to-Business events that strengthened ties between Malaysian travel operators and international partners. These initiatives have proven instrumental in opening new markets and expanding export opportunities for MATTA members.
Additionally, in early 2025, MATTA became a strategic partner for the Visit Malaysia year campaign, working closely with the Ministry Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Tourism Malaysia to amplify Malaysia’s standpoint as a premier global tourism destination and ensuring that member businesses are integrated into the national tourism strategy and promotional campaigns.
Throughout this period, MATTA also collaborated with the government on several critical projects addressing industry challenges ranging from transportation regulations to digital transformation and accessibility, demonstrating the Association’s commitment to constructive dialogue with policymakers and regulatory bodies.
The MATTA Executive Council (EXCO) for the 2026-2029 term includes:
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President: Nigel Wong Chun Teim | Urban Rhythms Tours Adventures & Travel Sdn Bhd
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Deputy President: Mohd Hizzat Bin Mohd Shah | Al Furqan Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
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Honorary Treasurer: Kho Kwang Peow | Skyzone Tours And Travel Sdn. Bhd.
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VP Outbound: Chong Yu Ken | Global Net Travel Sdn. Bhd.
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VP Air Transportation: Fazil Khan Bin Abdul Kadir | Mitra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
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VP Land Transportation: Subramaniam A/L Kandasamy | SC Southern Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd
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VP Education & Training: Shazli Affuat Bin Ghazali | Legend Vacations Sdn Bhd
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VP Inbound & Domestic: Gopalan A/L Mariappan | Bary Tours Sdn Bhd
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VP Research & Technology: Adam Kamal Bin Ahmad Kamil | Suka Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
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VP Umrah & Hajj: Muhd Jafni Bin Mustapha | Maqbul Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
MATTA Chapter Leadership for term 2026-2029:
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Perak Chapter Chairman: Shin Wen Ying
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Kuala Lumpur Chapter Chairman: Venkatesvarrao Malla Naidu
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Pahang Chapter Chairman: Mohd Amirizuan Ahmad
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Kedah/ Perlis Chapter Chairman: Subramaniam Punusamy
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Kelantan Chapter Chairman: Muhammad Zaqer Asslam Mohd Zaki
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Terengganu Chapter Chairman: Wan Jaafree Wan Abd Hamid
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Johor Chapter Chairman: Lee Hwee Ching
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Sarawak Chapter Chairman: Dyg Azizah Abg Hj Zaidan
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Sabah/Labuan Chapter Chairman: Alex Chong Vui Loong
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Melaka Chapter Chairman: Halimah Ahmad
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Negeri Sembilan Chapter Chairman: Nurul Husna Satar
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Selangor Chapter Chairman: Vijiya Kumar M. Krishnan
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Penang Chapter Chairman: Leong Mei Ching
Over the next three years, the newly elected EXCO will focus on strengthening talent development, championing industry advocacy, accelerating digital transformation, enhancing member value, expanding international business opportunities and working closely with government agencies to support Malaysia’s tourism growth agenda.
“I am honoured to be re-elected as President of MATTA, and I am deeply grateful for the confidence our members have placed in this leadership team. One of our greatest achievements over the past term has been strengthening our commitment to serving our members. Every initiative we undertake begins with understanding our members’ needs and delivering practical solutions that create value for them.
This new EXCO brings together experienced leaders from our previous term alongside several fresh voices bringing new energy and ideas. Together, we will deepen our support for members, champion higher industry standards and position Malaysia as a leading global tourism destination. As we begin this new term, we will continue serving our members with excellence, integrity and unwavering dedication”, said Wong.
As MATTA embarks on its 2026–2029 term, the Association remains committed to strengthening industry advocacy, embracing innovation, supporting sustainable tourism development and creating greater value for members while ensuring Malaysian travel businesses remain competitive and future-ready in an increasingly dynamic global tourism landscape.