DAP MP wants PAS, Akmal to pitch ideas for VM2026

 Teresa Kok says it is not enough to simply oppose street concerts or music festivals without proposing alternatives to help drive tourism.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said the majority of foreign tourists come to Malaysia to relax, seek entertainment, and experience the vibrancy of urban culture, not to be constrained by excessive moral restrictions.

PETALING JAYA:

 DAP MP Teresa Kok has urged PAS and Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to move beyond mere objections and give constructive proposals to attract foreign tourists and boost the local economy in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.

The Seputeh MP noted that PAS and Akmal were particularly vocal in opposing the three-day Rain Rave Water Music Festival held in Bukit Bintang, which ended last night.

“If they oppose the organisation of street concerts or music festivals, then it is incumbent upon them to propose alternative programmes capable of drawing millions of visitors.

“Both, despite their strong opposition to this tourism-driven event, have failed to present any meaningful alternatives to help drive the country’s tourism industry forward,” she said in a statement.

Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar had claimed the event did not reflect Malaysia’s identity, while Akmal questioned why it was not cancelled to save government funds.

Kok took aim at PAS’s track record in the tourism sector, saying it is “deeply concerning”.

“Take the situation in Langkawi, for instance. Shortcomings in state governance have led to a sharp decline in both foreign and domestic tourist arrivals.

“We cannot allow the image of Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia as a whole to suffer due to narrow policies that ultimately harm the people’s economy,” she said.

She also said PAS and Akmal must be realistic, bearing in mind that the majority of foreign tourists come to Malaysia to relax, seek entertainment, and experience the vibrancy of urban culture, not to be constrained by excessive moral restrictions.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan had also said it would have been more appropriate for the private sector to have organised the Rain Rave Water Music Festival and held it behind closed doors as the festival had sparked controversy.

In response, Malaysian Artistes’ Association (Karyawan) president Freddie Fernandez said the event was designed to attract visitors, particularly those from overseas.

He also said that without an admission charge, there was insufficient commercial return to attract a private organiser at the scale that such an event required.

Relocating the event to an indoor venue would have reduced its visibility, reach, and impact on the international visitors it was designed to attract, he said.

Fernandez also said it is worth noting that Saudi Arabia has in recent years hosted large-scale outdoor entertainment events as part of its national tourism strategy under Vision 2030, without abandoning its values or identity. - FMT