THE International Workers’ Day celebration featuring the Rain Rave Water Music Festival, set to take place from 30 April to 2 May in Bukit Bintang, will proceed as an organised, closely monitored tourism event aimed at supporting economic activity in the capital, says Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
He said the festival forms part of preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026), with the objective of stimulating Kuala Lumpur’s economy, strengthening the tourism sector and providing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to him, the event is being organised on a medium scale and is designed to provide a “positive, healthy and inclusive interaction platform” for both local and international participants, particularly in conjunction with Labour Day celebrations.
“I strongly condemn several inflammatory and defamatory posts on the social media platform Threads by certain parties who deliberately cause confusion, and I do not agree with the action,” he said in a Facebook post.
He said such statements had distorted the nature and purpose of the event, resulting in misleading narratives that cloud public understanding.
“The statement in question has distorted the nature and purpose of the event, thus creating a misleading narrative and clouding the public’s view,” he added.
Tiong stressed that while the public is entitled to express opinions, such views must be grounded in facts and not used to incite emotion or manipulate perceptions in ways that could threaten social harmony.
He also drew comparisons with large-scale water festivals abroad, particularly Songkran in Thailand, which he said has long been successful in attracting tourists and generating substantial economic returns.
“Every year, many Malaysians also go to Thailand to experience the culture, which has a positive impact on tourist arrivals and economic activities,” he said.
He warned that attempts to stir controversy or distort facts would ultimately undermine both economic recovery efforts and national social stability.
Amid continued global economic uncertainty, he said the tourism sector remains a crucial driver in stimulating spending, supporting livelihoods and strengthening industry resilience.
Tiong also dismissed allegations that participants would be required to wear flashy attire, clarifying that the event is guided by community values and Malaysia’s legal framework.
“Malaysia, as a pluralistic country, needs to continue moving forward by maintaining a balance between economic development and social responsibility, without getting caught up in unproductive conflicts,” he said. - April 23, 2026
