Sarawak's rights activist describes Umno Youth's call to cancel Rain Rave Water Music Festival as misguided and counterproductive

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.

Peter John Jaban says 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.  

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.

 

Future Gawai Dayak celebrations should be held in locations, such as longhouses, to better reflect Dayak identity, proposes Dr Rundi

BINTULU, May 3 2026: A Sarawak minister has proposed that future Gawai Dayaks celebrations should be held in locations that better reflect the identity of the Dayak community, such as longhouses.

Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development  Dr Stephen Rundi Utom (picture) said this approach is vital to ensure the community's cultural heritage continues to be preserved.

He said organising events in more authentic locations can elevate traditional values, including cultural elements such as Kumang and Keling, as well as customs related to Gawai.

"In the future, I hope Gawai celebrations can be held in locations that better reflect the community's identity, such as longhouses or our own places, rather than as they are now.

"We need to think of the future so that our culture remains preserved, including heritage such as Kumang, Keling, and various customs and activities associated with Gawai," he yesterday.

He was speaking at the Pengerami Ngabang Gawai Begulai Enggau Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas, organised by the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Kakus Branch here.

Dr Rundie, who also Kemena State Legislative Member (SLM), added that the Gawai celebration is not merely a festival but serves as a platform for the community to assess their achievements throughout the year, where the community should evaluate the results of their efforts, whether they have gained profit or otherwise, and take steps toward improvement to ensure continuous proress.

"We cannot become complacent with current conditions; instead, we must constantly challenge ourselves to compete in various fields, including education, employment, and the economy.

"If others can succeed, we are also capable of achieving it through hard work and high spirits," he remarked.

Also in attendance were Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Law and Native Customs) Jefferson Jamit Unyat, Senator Michael Mujah Lihan, Selangau Member of Parliament Edwin Banta, Jepak Assemblyman Iskandar Turkee, Bintulu Division Resident Nyurak Keti, Tatau District Officer Calvin Ligong Bujang @ Endawie, and Sebauh District Officer Thadeus Ling Bartholomew Allu.

41yo woman killed, two others injured in a car-lorry collision in Long Laput, Baram

MARUDI, May 3 2026: A 41-year old woman was killed when a car she was driving collided with a 10-ton lorry laden with oil palm  fruits at Simpang Long Laput, 6km from Long Lama, Baram, late this morning.

Caption: The lorry, loaded with oil palm fruits, collides with the car that kills a woman and injures two others.

Marudi Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the woman died on the spot while  a 19-year old woman passenger and four-year old boy were injured in the 11.30am accident.

The lorry driver, a 46-year old man, escaped unhurt.

The department said the deceased was trapped in the driver's seat and was confirmed dead by the Ministry of Health (MoH) personnel while the two injured victims were taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital before the fire department arrived.

The deceased was handed over to the police for further action.

After completing the operation and ensuring the situation was safe, the vehicle and personnel returned to the station.