KUCHING, May 3 2026 : Sarawak's human rights activist Peter John Jaban came to the defence of holding the Rain Rave Water Music Festival held in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, from April 30 to May 2, as part of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
He described a recent call by Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh to cancel the festival as misguided and deeply counterproductive.
He said Malaysia’s tourism success must not be derailed by narrow-minded agenda.
“At a time when Malaysia must strengthen its tourism industry to drive economic recovery and national growth, such demands send the wrong signal to investors, visitors, and the global community.
"Tourism is one of the most powerful engines of Malaysia’s economy,” Peter John said in a statement, today.
He added such event attract domestic and international visitors, create jobs, generate revenue and stimulate local businesses from hotels and transport providers to food vendors and retailers.
“To undermine such initiatives for political posturing or narrow ideological reasons is to ignore the broader economic realities facing the country, “ he said.
Peter John said over the past three years, Malaysia’s tourism sector has achieved extraordinary growth under the stewardship of Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Tiong King Sing.
“The results are not merely positive they are historic,’ he said, adding that from 2023 to 2025, tourism contributed an estimated RM899.9 billion to Malaysia’s gross domestic products (GDP), demonstrating the sector’s role as a major driver of national economic growth.
He said annual contributions rose steadily from RM275.8 billion in 2023, to RM291.9 billion in 2024, and RM332.2 billion in 2025.
“Equally significant are tourism receipts, which directly impact local livelihoods,” he said, adding that across the same three-year period, Malaysia generated RM359.1 billion in tourism receipts benefiting hotels, transport providers, restaurants, small traders, and countless entrepreneurs nationwide.
“Tourist arrivals also reflected this upward momentum, increasing from 29 million in 2023, to 38 million in 2024, and reaching 42.2 million in 2025.
“This achievement strengthened Malaysia’s standing as one of the region’s most competitive and attractive destinations.
“These accomplishments were supported by strategic measures, including the securing of over 48 new air routes, while Kuala Lumpur International Airport’s recognition as the most connected airport in Asia Pacific and the world’s leading low-cost carrier hub further reinforced Malaysia’s accessibility to global travellers.
“Malaysia’s international profile has also risen substantially, with Kuala Lumpur earning recognition as one of the world’s trending destinations, George Town celebrated for its culinary excellence, and Ipoh highlighted among Asia’s must-visit cities.
“Malaysia’s return to the top position in the Global Muslim Travel Index in 2025 further underscores the country’s appeal to diverse travel markets,” Peter John said.
The Rain Rave Water Music Festival was also rolled out across 12 other locations nationwide, including Sabah and Sarawak, extending its reach beyond the capital as part of a coordinated tourism push for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, which aims to attract 43 million visitors.
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