CALLS by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh to cancel the Rain Rave Water Music Festival 2026 are both unconvincing and counterproductive, especially at a time when Malaysia urgently needs tourism to generate growth and revenue.
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry exists to propel our tourism sector forward. Events like this are not frivolous. Instead, they are strategic efforts to draw visitors, stimulate spending, and reinforce Malaysia’s standing as a vibrant international destination. Taking an emotional and confrontational position against such initiatives only risks harming our economy and tarnishing our global image.
At a time of global uncertainty, tourism remains one of the most effective “smokeless industries” we have. Supporting a wide network of sectors, including food and beverage, hospitality, retail and entertainment, tourism delivers real and immediate economic returns.
In 2024 alone, international tourists contributed RM106.7bil to our economy thereby accentuating clear evidence of its importance.
Hosting the festival in Bukit Bintang is no coincidence. It is one of Malaysia’s most prominent tourism and commercial hubs, making it an ideal location to maximise visibility and impact. Large-scale events like this uplift countless small and medium businesses - from hawkers and drivers to shop owners and hoteliers—who depend on such opportunities to sustain their livelihoods.
With this year designated as Visit Malaysia 2026, the government has set an ambitious target of attracting 47 million visitors and generating RM300bil in revenue. Achieving this requires fresh, creative approaches to tourism, and the water music festival is precisely the kind of initiative we should be supporting, not opposing without sound basis.
Critics should approach this matter with reason and constructive thinking, rather than allowing personal sentiments or narrow viewpoints to dictate their stance.
Malaysia’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths. As we prepare to welcome the world, we must showcase this richness with confidence.
Our economic recovery has been hard-earned, and it should not be jeopardised by unfounded objections that hold the nation back.
DATUK LAWRENCE LOW
MCA Economic & SMEs Affairs Committee Chairman
MCA Vice President
