Kuala perlis: The five-day Kuala Perlis International Water Festival 2025, which began on September 12, attracted over 50,000 visitors and generated nearly RM200,000 in returns for local entrepreneurs. State Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Rural Development Committee chairman Abu Bakar Hamzah stated that the festival supported food vendors as well as accommodation and other related service providers.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abu Bakar emphasized that the festival had a direct impact on local traders and businesses, suggesting that it has the potential to become an annual event of international caliber. He shared these insights with reporters after attending the festival’s closing ceremony in Kuala Perlis.

The closing ceremony was officiated by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, who was accompanied by the Raja Perempuan of Perlis, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid. The festival’s main attraction, a Dragon Boat Race, drew participants from 11 countries, including teams from Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines, alongside expatriate teams representing Australia, England, Syria, Brazil, Libya, Canada, the United States, and Indonesia.

The festival also featured community sports, cultural performances, and exhibitions that showcased Perlis’ unique Malay heritage. Abu Bakar highlighted the launch of the Royal Boat Jarum Emas Putra Jamalullail as a significant event of the festival, marking it as a new icon for water events in Perlis.

The vibrant longboat and dragon boat races animated the Kuala Perlis waterfront, bringing a lively atmosphere to the area. Abu Bakar added that such events not only strengthen community bonds but also provide an opportunity to position Perlis as a premier tourist destination.