KUALA LUMPUR: Promote local cultural celebrations instead of Western events such as Halloween, says Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
The Masjid Tanah MP said such events are not part of local culture, yet were recently promoted by the Tourism Ministry.
“We are about to celebrate Deepavali soon. Why can’t we hold a large programme for Deepavali instead of Halloween celebrations,” she added.
“Halloween is not our culture and not that of Asian people,” she said at a press conference in Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 7).
She cited a recent Tourism Malaysia social media post promoting a private Halloween event which drew flak from netizens.
Critics claimed the ministry was promoting a Western event over the coming Deepavali celebration.
Earlier, Ermieyati expressed disappointment that her question during Prime Minister’s Question Time was deferred.
She said she wanted clarification over alcohol served at the Global Travel Meet gala dinner, which she claimed was hosted by the Tourism Ministry.
She said the ministry’s action went against Muslim sensitivities, particularly at an official event to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing dismissed the claims as baseless and misleading.
Tiong clarified that Tourism Malaysia was not responsible for the event and only facilitated promotion of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 calendar.
He said the private sector organised the catering and it was not part of Tourism Malaysia’s official programme.
On Monday (Oct 6), the dinner co‑hosts expressed regret over the controversy that alcohol was served.
The Malaysian Indian Travel & Tours Association, the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association and the Malaysia My 2nd Home Consultants Association conveyed their regrets to Tiong.
They said they understood the sensitivities raised.
The dinner was the first of its kind in Malaysia and gathered more than 600 international buyers.
It also drew over 100 international media representatives.
The event generated more than RM420mil in economic impact.
