PENANG expects to see a boost in tourism from the 63rd OSEAL Forum 2026, which is bringing about 8,000 participants, including Lions members, their families and guests, to the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said about 6,050 Lions members from across Asia and other parts of the world were expected to attend the forum, with the remainder comprising their families and guests.
“Many of them will be visitors to Penang, and their stays, meals and trips around the state add to local tourism,” he said in his speech at the opening of the forum at Setia SPICE Arena in Bayan Lepas today.
The forum’s return to Malaysia after a 20-year gap also marked a significant occasion, with Penang hosting the international gathering this year.
Chow thanked forum chairman Datuk Ooi Chao Syhuan, the organising committee, Lions leadership and volunteers for their efforts in making the event possible.
He said Lions members had been serving communities for more than a century, with much of their work taking place behind the scenes through various welfare and community initiatives.
“Most of that service never makes the news. It shows up as a free eye check at a community hall, a meal for a family in a hard week, or a volunteer who stays after everyone else has gone home,” he said.
Chow said the state government also shared the same commitment towards the welfare of the people through various assistance programmes.
He said RM50.93 million had been allocated under the first phase of the i-Sejahtera programme this year, benefiting 281,135 recipients, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities and single mothers.
The state had also allocated RM8 million to the Social Welfare Department (JKM) for financial assistance, including the Bantuan Agenda Ekonomi Saksama.
He said part of the allocation was channelled through grants to voluntary welfare organisations operating residential care centres, daycare centres and rehabilitation programmes for children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
On domestic violence, Chow said the state government, through JKM, had brought together the police, hospitals, religious bodies and volunteers under the Wonderful Lives programme to tackle the issue.
He said police had investigated 157 domestic violence cases in Penang up to June this year, compared with 349 cases recorded throughout 2025.
Chow said this year’s OSEAL Forum theme, “Bridging the World”, reflected the importance of building understanding, trust and cooperation across communities, cultures and countries.
He added that the theme also complemented the Lions’ motto, “We Serve”, and Penang2030, the state’s development vision for a family-focused, green and smart Penang.
Earlier, Ooi said he was pleased to serve as the forum chairman, adding that the gathering was more than just a conference.
“It is a celebration of friendship, shared purpose and the incredible spirit that binds our Lions family together,” he said.
During the event, forum torch ambassador Datuk Seri Goh Eng Hoe passed the torch as part of the ceremony.
Among those present were state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, Penang Port Commission chairman and Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, and Lions International president Mark Lyon.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Alissala Thian