GEORGE TOWN: Penang is open to hosting international-level music festivals if the budget, location and sponsors permit, says state Tourism and Creative Economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.
Wong said the state government viewed music festivals as a tourism product that could attract domestic and international visitors.
“We have experience organising music festival-style events.
“In 2024, when we moved the Penang Bridge International Marathon to Batu Kawan, we held a music festival before the run took place.
“The festival was held before the marathon and was mostly attended by the participants,” he said during the state assembly sitting in Lebuh Light on Tuesday (May 12).
Wong was responding to an additional question by Joseph Ng (PH-Air Itam) on whether Penang was ready to host festivals like the recent Rain Rave 2026 Water Music Festival event in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Wong said many might not be aware a rave-style music festival had been held in conjunction with the marathon in 2024.
“It was held at night before the run so the runners could enjoy the music festival experience before the running event,” he said.
Wong said the state government would consider organising more festivals in the future based on the suitability of the location, financial capacity and the organisers’ commitment.
Earlier, responding to Ng’s written question on new tourism products and attractions and tourism promotion initiatives introduced by the state government and private sector in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Wong said the state government, through Penang Global Tourism, had formulated various strategic initiatives to strengthen the state’s tourism sector.
Wong said there were 14 different attractions, including museums, sights and locations, to attract tourists.
“We not only want to introduce new products, but we want to give our existing ones more dimension as well.
“Taking Penang Hill as an example, people can not only take the funicular train but also opt to hike up.
“They can camp overnight and there is even a night walk.
“Many dimensions can be added to existing experiences,” he said.
Wong said tourists could also experience Penang by sea, including taking a boat ride to see both bridges up close.
“It may be the same sea and the same hill, but there are different ways of seeing it, which will encourage people to return multiple times,” he said.
