DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government has showcased a range of tourist attractions and regional specialties to delegations from Malaysia and Thailand. The delegates traveled to North Sumatra to attend the 32nd Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Ministerial Meeting and Related Meetings, which are being held in Medan from September 7 to 10, 2026.
The
North Sumatra Provincial Government is using the delegates' arrival as an opportunity to introduce several major destinations as well as the region's culinary diversity. The initiative is part of the welcoming program and also serves as an opportunity to promote
North Sumatra's tourism potential to countries with which Indonesia shares close geographical and cooperative ties.
The Malaysian delegation arrived at Kualanamu International Airport in Deli Serdang on Monday, September 7, 2026. North Sumatra Assistant for Government Affairs and People's Welfare Basarin Yunus Tanjung, along with Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs at the North Sumatra Provincial Secretariat Ardan Noor Hasibuan, welcomed the delegation at the CIP/VIP Lounge.
North Sumatra Promotes Tourist Destinations
During the welcoming reception for the Malaysian delegation, Basarin Yunus Tanjung provided an update on the current situation in Indonesia, particularly in North Sumatra. He also explained volcanic activity in several areas, including eruptions of Mount Sinabung.
In addition to providing information about the regional situation, Basarin drew the delegates' attention to various destinations they could visit during their stay in
North Sumatra. In particular, he recommended several attractions in Medan that could be included in a city tour.
"For a city tour, you can visit Maimun Palace, Tjong A Fie House, the Grand Mosque, and the Rahmat Museum. You can also enjoy the atmosphere of the old town, known as Kesawan," he said.
Basarin then explained the history and role of Tjong A Fie, a prominent figure who had a major influence on the development of Medan. He described Tjong A Fie as a successful entrepreneur, banker, philanthropist, and Kapitan of the Chinese community from Guangdong, China.
According to Basarin's account, Tjong A Fie played an important role in advancing Medan's economic development. He also contributed to maintaining social cohesion and cultural diversity, which remain defining characteristics of the city of Medan.
The provincial government's recommendations, however, are not limited to destinations in central Medan. Other major tourism areas across
North Sumatra were also introduced.
Lake Toba and Berastagi are among the destinations recommended to participants of the
IMT-GT meetings during their stay in
North Sumatra.
MEDAN TOURIST DESTINATIONS INTRODUCED: North Sumatra Assistant for Government Affairs and People's Welfare Basarin Yunus Tanjung welcomes the Malaysian delegation and introduces several tourist destinations in Medan, as well as Lake Toba and Berastagi. (PHOTO: Munawar Harahap)
Traditional Cuisine Adds to the Attraction
The North Sumatra Provincial Government did not only introduce tourist destinations to the delegates. As part of the welcoming program, guests from Malaysia were also served a selection of traditional dishes and sweets.
The regional specialties included wajik, lemper, pudding, and guavas. The culinary selection received a positive response from the delegates, including the Chief Minister of Perlis, Abu Bakar bin Hamzah.
Abu Bakar said that some of the specialties he sampled were similar to traditional dishes found in Malaysia. However, he noted that people in the two countries use different names for some of these foods.
The visit to
North Sumatra also sparked Abu Bakar's desire to see
Lake Toba in person. In his view, a trip to
North Sumatra would not be complete without visiting one of Indonesia's most prominent tourist destinations.
"It does not feel complete to have reached North Sumatra without going to Lake Toba. Another plan could also be Berastagi," he said.
Abu Bakar was accompanied by Perlis State Secretary Dato' Noor Azman bin Abdul Rahman and other delegation members. They expressed their appreciation to the
North Sumatra Provincial Government for the welcome they had received since their arrival in the region.
According to Abu Bakar, North Sumatra has strong tourism appeal for Malaysians. The geographical proximity and close ties between the people of the two countries contribute to the strong interest North Sumatra attracts among Malaysian travelers.
INTEREST IN LAKE TOBA: Chief Minister of Perlis Abu Bakar bin Hamzah appreciates the welcome extended by the
North Sumatra Provincial Government and expresses his desire to visit
Lake Toba and Berastagi. (PHOTO: Munawar Harahap)
Thai Delegation Also Welcomed
In addition to the Malaysian delegation, the
North Sumatra Provincial Government also welcomed the delegation from Thailand.
North Sumatra Assistant for Economic and Development Affairs Ardan Noor Hasibuan, accompanied by several heads of regional agencies, welcomed the Thai delegation.
As part of the reception, the provincial government also showcased traditional attire from the region. The cultural presentation was intended to introduce guests from neighboring countries to North Sumatra's identity and cultural diversity.
The presence of the Malaysian and Thai delegations is connected to the 32nd
IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting and Related Meetings. The events are taking place in Medan from September 7 to 10, 2026.
IMT-GT is a subregional economic cooperation initiative between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The three countries established the forum in 1993 with the aim of accelerating economic transformation, strengthening regional integration, and expanding connectivity across the areas covered by the cooperation in the three countries.
The establishment of the
IMT-GT cooperation was based on an agreement among the leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand at the time. Indonesia was represented by President Soeharto, Malaysia by Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, and Thailand by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.
The presence of delegates at the IMT-GT forum in Medan provides more than an opportunity to discuss economic cooperation and regional connectivity. North Sumatra is also using the event to introduce the region's potential to the participants.
Promoting tourism, history, culture, and culinary diversity plays an important role in strengthening
North Sumatra's image as a tourism destination in Southeast Asia. Through the delegates' visits, the provincial government hopes that this potential will become even more widely recognized, particularly in Malaysia and Thailand.
With destinations such as Lake Toba and Berastagi, along with numerous historical and cultural attractions in Medan, North Sumatra has a strong foundation for developing its tourism sector. At the same time, tourism can help further strengthen people-to-people ties among different countries within the framework of IMT-GT cooperation. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala