By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: Ipoh is set to further strengthen its tourism sector with RM12.5 million allocated to upgrade the Kinta Riverfront, while the Ipoh Coffee Festival will also be made an annual event.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the allocation would be jointly channelled with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to upgrade the landscape and infrastructure along the Kinta Riverfront.
He said the initiative was aimed at revitalising the more than century-old heritage area while enhancing visitors’ overall experience.
“This initiative aims to revitalise the more than century-old heritage area and Kinta Riverfront, while enhancing the overall visitor experience,” he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Ipoh Coffee Festival 2026 at Kinta Riverfront yesterday.
The four-day festival, which runs until Sunday, is expected to draw visitors from across Malaysia, including foreign tourists, to Ipoh’s Old Town.
He said the Ipoh Coffee Festival and Ipoh Food Festival, or “Jom, Makan Ipoh!”, would be made annual events by the state government.
“A world-class city must have its own branding and heritage. We must preserve this taste and tradition so that the aroma of Ipoh white coffee can continue to reach the world,” he said.
He added that the Ipoh White Coffee Master Competition would be introduced at next year’s festival to provide white coffee brewers with a platform to showcase their skills.
He said the competition would help preserve the art and craftsmanship of Ipoh white coffee-making, while further promoting one of the city’s most recognisable brands internationally.
Also present were Perak State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Jenny Choy; Perak Tourism Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee; Tourism Perak chief executive officer Suhaimi; as well as several Members of Parliament and state assemblymen from Perak.
