RXZ Gathering Powers Melaka Tourism Boost

The RXZ Members Ride Edition Melaka 3.0 draws over 70,000 visitors, boosting tourism and local businesses while also prompting community concerns.

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Melaka’s motorsports scene took centre stage over the weekend as thousands of Yamaha RXZ enthusiasts descended on the state for one of the country’s largest classic motorcycle gatherings, drawing crowds that stretched well beyond the riding community itself.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the RXZ Members Ride Edition Melaka 3.0 2025, held at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh, recorded an estimated 70,000 visitors over its two-day run starting December 12. The event brought together more than 20,000 RXZ owners from across Malaysia, with tens of thousands more attending as spectators.

Ab Rauf said the turnout underscored the growing influence of the RXZ community, which he described as no longer a niche interest but a nationwide movement capable of driving meaningful economic activity.

“This year’s response clearly demonstrates the scale and purchasing power of the RXZ community,” he said, adding that the event had delivered direct benefits to sectors such as accommodation, food and beverage, retail businesses and small traders.

According to the Chief Minister, hotels, resorts and homestays throughout Melaka reported full occupancy during the event, while eateries and roadside vendors experienced a sharp increase in customers, reflecting the wider economic ripple effect generated by the gathering.

He said the state deliberately aligned the event with its tourism roadmap as part of preparations for Visit Melaka Year (TMM) 2.0 and Visit Malaysia 2026, which targets 19 million tourist arrivals to the state. Ab Rauf added that motorsports-themed events help position Melaka as a diverse and attractive tourism destination beyond its historical appeal.

The Yamaha RXZ, a model that rose to prominence among young riders in the late 1980s and 1990s, remains one of Malaysia’s most iconic motorcycles. Ab Rauf, himself a motorcycle enthusiast, said his interest in two-wheelers dates back to his younger days. He owns several large-capacity motorcycles and actively participates in local superbike rider associations.

Despite its success, the gathering also drew criticism. Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong said residents lodged complaints over disruptions to daily routines, noise levels and traffic safety concerns arising from the large number of motorcycles.

State leaders, however, maintain that with better planning and enforcement, large-scale motorcycle events can continue to coexist with community interests while contributing positively to Melaka’s tourism growth and local economy.