Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing has defended the Rain Rave Water Music Festival 2026, arguing that it is a voluntary public event and should not be made into a controversy.
"If anyone feels it is inappropriate, they can simply choose not to participate, but it is not right to deny other people's choices or impose one’s will upon others.
"The views of any political party or individual should not be played up into a social issue, let alone a racial and religious issue. Malaysia is a plural society with many races and religions," Tiong (above) said in a statement today.
The minister explained that the event is a carefully planned urban tourism project carried out under close supervision, and not an “uncontrolled” or “disorderly” event as described by its critics.
He described the objections raised by certain parties as exaggerated and could potentially mislead the public.
Tiong said the event organisers never promoted anything contrary to Malaysia's social values. Instead, the festival promotes the country's cultural diversity, including its food, and traditional arts and crafts.
Tiong also rebutted the critics' focus on interactions between different genders.
"According to this logic, shops, roads, and public spaces - do all these need to cease operations when people come into contact with one another? Do all these need to be questioned?
"For example, we often take public transport to supermarkets and shopping centres. During peak hours, the distance between people will inevitably be close, and sometimes there will be contact. How should this situation be interpreted?
"No matter how big the place becomes, the number of people will correspondingly increase, and it will still be crowded. If we avoid public spaces for fear of touching, how can society function? Public spaces exist for people to use," he said.
Tiong was hitting back at critics of the event, namely Federal Territories PAS Youth and the Bukit Bintang PKR division, who had both voiced their objections to the upcoming festival.
‘Failure of moral sensitivity’
Federal Territories PAS Youth chief Azmer Syazwan Ahmad Suparmin said the wing is firmly opposed to the programme, which is set to be held in Bukit Bintang.
“The organisation of this festival is not merely an entertainment issue, but reflects a crisis of values, a failure of moral sensitivity, and confused priorities in the country.
“At a time when the world is witnessing mass killings, oppression, and prolonged suffering in West Asia, specifically in Palestine, holding a large-scale entertainment event like this is a betrayal of humanity and the solidarity of the ummah,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He further claimed that the festival promotes hedonism, commonly associated with free mixing between genders, exposure of the “aurat”, substance abuse, and “unrestrained” entertainment (“hiburan bebas”).
“This is not just a perception; this is a reality repeatedly seen in similar festivals.
“Is this the kind of generation we want to produce? Malaysia is not a nation without identity. Islam is the religion of the federation.
“Yet programmes like this, especially if supported by certain quarters, reflect a failure of leadership in guiding societal values.
“It also shows leniency towards deviant culture and prioritising entertainment over character-building. This is no longer about tourism, it is about the nation’s identity,” he added.
Azmer then called for the immediate cancellation of the programme, an official explanation from the parties involved, and stricter, syariah-compliant entertainment guidelines.
Concerns about road closures
Meanwhile, Bukit Bintang PKR division chief Anwar Pawan Chik said “unrestricted” entertainment festivals are not in line with Malaysia’s norms, values and culture, which emphasise decency, harmony and sensitivity among its multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.
“Such programmes not only risk creating an uncontrolled environment, but may also negatively impact morality, the city’s image and the well-being of the local community.
“More concerning is the duration of the event, which involves road closures and activities over 11 days, an excessive and unreasonable period that shows a lack of sensitivity towards the daily lives of urban residents.
“This extended duration not only puts pressure on road users and traders, but also risks prolonged disruption to public order,” he said in a statement.
However, checks by Malaysiakini found that road closures will only take place over seven days.
According to the Kuala Lumpur Command and Control Centre (KLCCC) website, closures will be carried out in stages along Jalan Bukit Bintang, in front of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
From April 22 until today, and from April 27 to 28, roads will be closed from 11pm to 5am.
On April 25 and 26, closures will take place from midnight to 7am.
Anwar also stressed that large-scale entertainment events running late into the night do not take into account the sensitivities of Islam as the religion of the federation, particularly in terms of morality, social boundaries, and the appropriate atmosphere in public spaces.
He urged the government not to approve such programmes in Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur and Bukit Bintang.
According to him, the government should prioritise the well-being of local communities over commercial interests and review guidelines for approving entertainment events to better align with cultural values and religious sensitivities.
“Furthermore, the road closures involved will significantly impact daily life, including serious traffic disruptions in key areas.
“It will also affect the economic activities of local traders, especially small businesses, and pose risks to public safety and residents’ peace,” he added.
Promoting tourism
The Rain Rave Water Music Festival 2026 is a music event scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from April 30 to May 2 - organised by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry as part of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
It is promoted as a unique combination of music, water, and modern entertainment elements.
Rain is incorporated as part of the festival experience, alongside music performances, lighting and interactive elements designed to create an engaging atmosphere for visitors.
The event will feature a mix of local and international artistes, as well as elements of contemporary culture and lifestyle. It is aimed at positioning itself as a modern entertainment platform capable of attracting foreign tourists.
Local artistes set to perform include Joe Flizzow, DJ Cza, Killa Driz, Mimi Fly, Dolla, and De Fam.
Wujackers - a new collaboration between Dutch duo Bassjackers and Singapore’s DJ Wukong - will headline the international line-up.
Also performing is an all-female DJ line-up featuring DJ MiJi and DJ Yoyo from China, DJ Loa from South Korea, DJ Lovezy from the Philippines, Moski Love from Indonesia, and DJ Pixzy from Thailand.
Beyond entertainment, the festival is also part of efforts to promote Malaysia’s tourism sector.
Tourism Malaysia previously said the programme is supported by various promotional initiatives, including hotel packages nationwide to encourage both domestic and international travel.
Bukit Bintang itself is one of the capital’s key tourist hotspots. - Mkini
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