A Water Musical Festival is set to take over Bukit Bintang from May 1 to May 4, coinciding with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign and Tourism Labour Day celebrations. The announcement was made by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who also noted that several roads in the area will be closed to make way for the event. However, not everyone is on board with the plan.
Govt urged by PAS to cancel water festival
PAS Selangor Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar has come forward with a lengthy statement calling for the festival to be reconsidered, citing concerns over its location and potential impact on the public.
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According to Sukri, Bukit Bintang is one of Kuala Lumpur’s busiest commercial and public transport hubs. Closing major roads for several days, he argued, could disrupt traffic flow, affect small businesses, and raise safety and comfort issues, particularly for families and the elderly.
He also raised concerns about the nature of large-scale open-air festivals, pointing out that party-like street events with free mixing should be carefully evaluated through the lens of values, decorum, cultural sensitivities, and social harmony.
On top of that, Sukri warned that hosting such an event in an already congested area could expose the public to risks such as overcrowding, injuries, vandalism, pollution, and what he described as moral disturbances.
“Tourism should not be viewed solely through the lens of entertainment”
“Tourism should not be viewed solely through the lens of entertainment,” he said, adding that it should instead be rooted in sustainability, community wellbeing, and the country’s overall image.
Despite his criticisms, Sukri stressed that his statement was not meant to reject the government’s tourism initiatives. Rather, he said it was an appeal for events that better reflect Malaysia’s cultural identity, heritage, and values.
He urged the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to reassess the festival’s location, scale, and format, and to engage with local residents, traders, and stakeholders before moving forward.
“Malaysia’s greatest strength in the eyes of tourists does not lie in street parties or uncontrolled entertainment,” he said. “It lies in our culture, manners, heritage, and Eastern identity that shape the nation’s character.”
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