Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has questioned why the Rain Rave Water Music Festival held in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, has been labelled as “immoral” by certain parties.
In a Facebook post, he said he was puzzled by the criticism and asked why similar water-related celebrations, such as Thailand’s Songkran Festival, are widely accepted despite involving public water-splashing activities.
Zaid shared his personal experience, saying he had previously brought his family and grandchildren to Bangkok to participate in Songkran, describing it as a fun, family-friendly event enjoyed by people of all ages.
“Children love it, and even people like me enjoyed it. So what exactly is offensive about it?” he said.
However, he acknowledged that during such festivities, wet clothing may sometimes lead to unintended exposure, although he noted that the atmosphere remained generally under control and peaceful.
“People were simply enjoying themselves,” he added.
The Rain Rave Water Music Festival, held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026, is taking place in Bukit Bintang from yesterday until May 2.
The event has sparked criticism from various quarters, including Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar, who said it does not reflect Malaysian identity, while UMNO Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh questioned its approval amid government austerity measures.
The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan) has also expressed opposition, saying the festival could have negative moral implications and erode societal values. However, it clarified that entertainment is not prohibited in Islam, provided it complies with Shariah guidelines.
