Melaka Attracts 15 Million Tourists Without Street Disco Events, Says UMNO Youth Chief

Melaka, a state renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, has once again proven its prowess as a premier tourist destination, drawing an impressive 15 million visitors last year. This remarkable achievement, generating billions in revenue, was accomplished without resorting to the controversial 'street disco' events that have become a point of contention. UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr. Akmal Saleh extended a direct invitation to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, urging her to visit Melaka and witness firsthand how the state has successfully cultivated a thriving tourism sector.

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I invite you to come to Melaka and I will present how Melaka has become a major tourist state in Malaysia without holding street disco-style events like in Bukit Bintang.

Saleh highlighted Melaka's unique approach to tourism promotion, emphasizing the integration of traditional elements such as heritage attire, singing, and cultural performances. He firmly believes that this strategy not only showcases Malaysia's distinct identity to the world but also fosters a deeper appreciation for local culture among visitors. This contrasts sharply with the promotion of foreign trends, which he argues do not authentically represent Malaysia's cultural fabric.

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If we want to promote tourism in this country, let's bring and promote the culture we have so that tourists can appreciate it and we can introduce Malaysian culture.

In response to calls for alternative plans for Visit Malaysia 2026, Saleh reiterated Melaka's successful model. He pointed out that while Melaka does host water-themed festivals, these are carefully curated to include traditional Malaysian elements, offering a genuine cultural experience. This approach, he contends, is far more beneficial for the nation's tourism industry than adopting external concepts like 'street discos,' which he deems unrepresentative of Malaysian culture and potentially detrimental to the industry's long-term growth. Melaka's success serves as a compelling case study for sustainable and culturally rooted tourism.

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Street disco while shooting water is not Malaysian culture.