SHAH ALAM - The official logo for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026), featuring a sun bear, was created by a local artist and not generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as some had previously speculated.
The clarification came from the artist’s son, who defended his father’s work on social media platform X.
"Hi, this is not AI-generated, it is an original drawing by my father," said @Muhdhelmiyani.
To support his statement, Helmi shared a screenshot of a conversation with his father discussing parts of the early design process, including several sketches shared through messaging application WhatsApp.
The official VM2026 logo had recently become a hot topic on social media, with netizens claiming that it was created using advanced technology.
Although controversy surrounded the origins of the design, the logo received praise from many for its creativity and the uniqueness of local art.
The sun bear was selected as the icon and mascot for the VM2026 campaign because it is the smallest bear species in the world and native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.
Adding to its charm, the characters of Wira (the male bear) and Manja (the female bear) were designed in an animated style to appeal to people of all ages and attract tourists to the country.
The logo embodies Malaysia’s rich culture, natural beauty and global appeal, symbolising the country's readiness to welcome tourists from around the world.
Alongside the logo, a theme song entitled "Surreal Experiences" was launched to promote Malaysia’s unique attractions to international visitors.
The VM2026 launching event was held at the Malaysia Airlines Berhad Engineering Complex and officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Monday.