The Water Musical Festival, scheduled from May 1 to May 4 at Bukit Bintang as part of Visit Malaysia 2026, has drawn criticism from PAS over its potential impact on public safety, traffic, and local cultural values.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing announced that the festival will coincide with Tourism Labour Day celebrations, with several roads in the Bukit Bintang area to be temporarily closed.
However, PAS Selangor Youth Chief Mohamed Sukri Omar urged the government to reconsider the event. He highlighted that Bukit Bintang is a major commercial and transit hub, and road closures could disrupt urban mobility, small businesses, and the comfort of families and the elderly.
Sukri also raised concerns about open-air festivals and street entertainment that encourage free mingling in party-like atmospheres, citing potential risks such as overcrowding, injuries, vandalism, pollution, moral disturbances, and challenges to social harmony.
“Tourism should not be viewed solely through entertainment but must reflect sustainability, community wellbeing, and Malaysia’s image,” he said.
While emphasizing that his statement was not a rejection of government tourism efforts, Sukri called for events that better align with cultural identity, heritage, and local values. He urged MOTAC and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to reassess the festival’s location, scale, and format, and to engage residents, traders, and stakeholders in the process.
Sukri added, “Malaysia’s greatest appeal to tourists lies in its culture, manners, heritage, and Eastern identity, not street parties or uncontrolled entertainment.”
