Malaysia’s ‘free mixing’ water musical festival draws ire from PAS

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by The StarJanuary 29, 2026 at 06:38 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) is opposing an upcoming water musical festival scheduled to be held in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar stated the event should be reviewed due to concerns about "free mixing," cultural sensitivities, and social harmony in Malaysia. PAS is worried about potential disruptions to businesses, traffic, and the workforce, as well as safety, health, and moral risks associated with the large-scale event in a crowded area. The party believes tourism should prioritize sustainability, the people’s welfare, and the nation’s image, and clarifies that their opposition is not a rejection of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Selangor 50% Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) 50% Kuala Lumpur 60% Water Musical Festival ×270% Mohamed Sukri Omar 70% Bukit Bintang ×270% Malaysia ×280% Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) ×290%

Keywords

water musical festival 100% pas 90% cultural sensitivities 70% social harmony 70% tourism 60% moral disturbance 60% bukit bintang 50% malaysia 50% visit malaysia 2026 40%