Perkasa urges cancellation of Water Festival 2026 in Bukit Bintang

Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) has strongly urged the immediate cancellation of the upcoming "Pesta Air 2026" (Water Festival 2026), slated to take place in the bustling tourist hub of Bukit Bintang. The organization views the event, scheduled for April 30 to May 2, as a matter of national dignity, societal morals, and a disregard for the pressing needs of the Malaysian populace.

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When the people are struggling with daily life, the organization of carnivals like this is seen as a waste of water, money, and time.

Perkasa's acting president, Borhan Ahmad Zakaria, questioned the appropriateness of hosting such a festival while citizens grapple with the rising cost of living and fundamental issues like water supply and traffic congestion. He characterized the event as a wasteful expenditure of water, money, and time. Furthermore, Perkasa contends that the festival's premise, which allegedly involves open mixing of genders, is fundamentally at odds with the Eastern values and societal norms deeply ingrained in Malaysian culture. "Malaysia is not a place for sin festivals," Zakaria stated, asserting that such events foster immorality and do not reflect the true identity of the nation's people.

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Malaysia is not a place for sin festivals. Events like this only create room for immoral things and do not reflect the identity of the country's people.

Beyond the moral objections, Perkasa also raised practical concerns, including the potential for significant traffic disruptions, environmental pollution, and adverse effects on small businesses and residents in the Bukit Bintang area. The organization is calling on the government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens over the organization of entertainment events. While Perkasa does not oppose healthy and constructive entertainment, it vehemently rejects events that disregard religious sensitivities, imitate foreign cultures, or deviate from local customs and traditions.

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Perkasa does not reject healthy and constructive entertainment, but strongly rejects events that ignore religious sensitivities, imitate foreign cultures, and are not in line with local customs.