KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Veteran Taiwanese Mandopop singer Johnny Chiang Yu Heng has been appointed as Malaysia’s Tourism Ambassador to promote the country’s tourism to specific markets.

He is the third tourism ambassador appointed this month, the other two being world-renowned Malaysian magician and mentallist Kabir Khan Mohamad Reaz and famous Kollywood film actress and model Shantini Theva who were appointed on October 5.

Chiang will promote Malaysia to the Chinese, Hong Kong, Taiwanese, Japanese and South Korean markets.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz presented the certificate of appointment to Chiang yesterday at a welcome dinner for 150 golfers from Guangzhou, China, led by Chiang.

"I know you are all huge fans of Johnny (Chiang). He will help us to show the best Malaysia has to offer and he will make sure you’ll fall in love with Malaysia after this,” he said in his welcome address to the Rasa Sayang Malaysia Golfing Holiday Group.

He said China was the third largest inbound tourist market in Malaysia.

"Boosting the arrival of Chinese tourists has always been one of our top priorities and I look forward to welcoming more of them,” he said.

"We have all the attractions that appeal to Chinese tourists, besides excellent facilities for ease of travel to Malaysia. There are better air connectivity and visa facilitation.”

Chiang said when he found out he was going to be the tourism ambassador, he was so excited he couldn’t sleep.

"When I was nine, I wanted to be a diplomat, but I couldn’t because we were poor. Now, it doesn't feel impossible anymore,” he said.

"Thank you to the tourism minister and the Malaysian government for believing in me. I am very happy and I will do my best in fulfilling this job.”

Nazri also formally introduced new Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Siew Ka Wei. His appointment took effect from September 21.

"I am very honoured to be appointed to this role,” Siew said.

He said he was also confident Chiang would be able to bring more Chinese tourists to the country.

"You see today, it’s a success and he got his fans to come. I’m sure he’ll do a lot more,” he said.

On the move to introduce personalities to attract tourists to Malaysia, Siew said it was a brilliant and clever move by Nazri.

"It is very innovative and this is something we’re going to continue,” he said.

Chiang, also known as Jiang Yu Heng, originated from the Republic of China although he was born in Seoul, Korea.

He started his singing career in the late 1980s and had held 19 live concerts and produced 24 albums.

Kabir Khan will promote Malaysia in the United States and United Kingdom, while Shantini would promote the country within the South Indian film industry, especially for Malaysia as a film location.

The Tourism Ambassador Programme was introduced in 2009 and since then has garnered 18 luminaries, all of whom were carefully selected to propel the country’s tourism.

Ambassadors will assist in presenting ideas and strategies to build the image of the country as well as share their experiences about Malaysia with their fans, audiences or network of contacts.