PAS is protesting the organisation of the Tourism Workers’ Day Celebration, which is scheduled to be held alongside the Water Musical Festival in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. The three-day event, starting 1 May, is part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.
Previously, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) announced plans for several events across Bukit Bintang to support the campaign.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing stated that both events will run simultaneously and are expected to attract a significant number of local and international tourists. As a result, road closures in the Bukit Bintang area are anticipated.
Selangor PAS Youth is opposing the organisation of the Tourism Workers’ Day Celebration
Mohamed Sukri Omar, the Selangor PAS Youth Chief, argued that closing roads in the heart of the city for three days would significantly disrupt urban movement, affect small businesses, and raise concerns regarding public safety and comfort, particularly for families and senior citizens.
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He added that open-air festivals and large-scale street entertainment with free mixing and a party-like atmosphere should be more thoroughly assessed in terms of values, decorum, local cultural sensitivities, and social harmony.
Additionally, Sukri argued that organising such programmes in crowded areas also exposes safety, public health, and enforcement risks, including excessive crowding, injuries, vandalism, pollution, and sensitivities of local cultures. He stressed that the tourism approach should not be seen only through the lens of entertainment, but must be centred on sustainability, community well-being, and the country’s image.
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“This protest is not a rejection of Visit Malaysia 2026”
In his Facebook post this morning (28 January), Sukri reiterated that the call to cancel the Water Musical Festival is NOT a rejection of the Visit Malaysia 2026 initiative itself.
“The selection of flagship events must reflect Malaysia’s identity, rather than simply imitating foreign street party models that are not necessarily suitable for the local context,” he wrote.
The Selangor PAS Youth Chief urged MOTAC to re-evaluate the organisation of both programmes and to conduct engagement sessions with residents, traders, and local stakeholders.
He added that the Ministry must prioritise tourism events that highlight cultural, family, and community elements, in alignment with societal values and Malaysia’s global reputation.
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