Tiong pans ‘false, baseless’ claims on water festival, Labour Day celebration

 The tourism, arts and culture minister says no one is forced to take part in the two events at Bukit Bintang.

Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing said irresponsible parties were intentionally creating confusion by spreading lies on Threads. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing has hit out at “false and baseless” claims on social media surrounding two events to be held in the capital soon.

Tiong said the World Labour Day celebration and the Rain Rave Water Music Festival, set to be held in Bukit Bintang from April 30 to May 2, were annual events.

They are also part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, aimed at stimulating Kuala Lumpur’s economy.

Tiong lamented that irresponsible parties were intentionally creating confusion by spreading lies on Threads.

He said these detractors were creating narratives to mislead the public on the nature and purpose of the two events.

He said large-scale events like the Songkran water festival in Thailand had attracted tourists to the country, including Malaysians, and generated huge returns.

Tiong also said the two events in Malaysia are being organised on a moderate scale.

“Participation is voluntary. Those who feel they are unsuitable don’t have to take part. No one is forced (to participate in these events). We must learn to respect other people’s choices,” he said.

He denied claims that participants in the water music festival had been told to come in swimsuits or revealing clothes.

“Do not politicise or racialise this issue,” he said.

He also said such events offered opportunities for small business entrepreneurs, especially those from the B40, who depend on such initiatives to generate an income.

In January, Selangor PAS Youth urged Tiong’s ministry to rethink the location, scale and format of the water music festival.

Its chief, Sukri Omar, said while he was not objecting to the VM2026 campaign, major events should reflect Malaysia’s identity rather than copy foreign street events that might not suit local conditions. - FMT