Rain rave water music festival in Malaysia

Authorities expect boost in visitors’ demand and support to local economy Putrajaya: Kuala Lumpur is prepared to celebrate the World Labour Day Celebration cum Rain Rave Water Music Festival from April 30 to May 3 in Bukit Bintang. The festival presents an opportunity to welcome visitors from across the region and beyond to be part of a shared, cross-cultural experience in Malaysia. In addition to the main event in Kuala Lumpur, seven states have also expressed their readiness to organise...

min read

Rain rave water music festival in Malaysia

Authorities expect boost in visitors’ demand and support to local economy Putrajaya: Kuala Lumpur is prepared to celebrate the World Labour Day Celebration cum Rain Rave Water Music Festival from April 30 to May 3 in Bukit Bintang. The festival presents an opportunity to welcome visitors from across the region and beyond to be part of a shared, cross-cultural experience in Malaysia. In addition to the main event in Kuala Lumpur, seven states have also expressed their readiness to organise complementary related-themed activities, tailored to their respective local contexts and cultural elements. These include Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, Kedah, WP Labuan, Pahang and Terengganu, reflecting a broader nationwide participation in celebrating the occasion. The event is co-organised by ‘Tourism Malaysia’ and ‘The Fame’ as part of the broader Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism ecosystem. The Rain Rave Water Music Festival is positioned as a strategic urban tourism activation that reflects Malaysia’s multicultural society and promotes inclusivity, bringing together industry players, creative partners and commercial stakeholders, while driving visitor traffic and stimulating spending across retail, hospitality and services sectors. Beyond entertainment, the festival integrates Malaysian multicultural elements, local creative talent and curated lifestyle experiences, reflecting the strength of Malaysia’s creative industry ecosystem while appealing to both domestic and international audiences. Visitors can expect immersive environments inspired by rain, a diverse lineup of international and regional DJs alongside Malaysian acts, as well as curated local market experiences featuring Malaysian food, culture and creative expressions. Malaysian Identity Rain Rave remains rooted in Malaysian identity with a contemporary approach that reflects both tradition and modern creativity. Inspired by rain as a vital natural element in Malaysia’s environment, the festival transforms this familiar element into a creative and cultural expression while showcasing Malaysia’s diverse cultural traditions, through traditional performances, food, and games. Held in conjunction with Labour Day, the festival serves as a meaningful tribute to the contributions of all working communities and will be developed as a signature annual event, strengthening its role as a key highlight in Malaysia’s tourism calendar and positioning the country as a youthful and energetic destination. The event is further supported by a network of public and private stakeholders. Cultural and content support is provided by agencies such as Istana Budaya, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, the National Department for Culture and Arts and the Department of National Heritage, enhancing the overall visitor experience. Comprehensive planning is in place, including traffic management, crowd control measures, safety protocols and coordination with enforcement agencies, to ensure a safe, orderly and well-managed environment for all visitors.

India bears the brunt: Nifty crashes 1,100, Sensex nosedives 3,900 points after US trade shock

Correspondent
Apr 7, 2025
2 min read

India woke up to a financial jolt this morning as its equity markets suffered their steepest fall in nearly a year, shaken by the ripple effects of US President Donald Trump’s aggressive new tariff regime. The Sensex plunged over 3,900 points at opening bell, while the Nifty tumbled more than 1,100 points, dragging Indian stocks to a 10-month low.

This sharp decline follows a global equity rout triggered by Trump's protectionist measures, which have sent panic waves across Asia and raised the spectre of a global recession. Investors dumped shares in a massive sell-off, with Indian benchmarks reacting sharply in early trade. The Sensex dropped to 71,425.01 — down 3,939.68 points — while Nifty slipped to 21,743.65, marking a 3.5% slide from the last session.

Adding to the pressure, the Indian rupee depreciated 30 paise to open at 85.74 against the US dollar.

India Among the Hardest Hit

Trump’s latest tariff hike — framed as a push to restore fairness to global trade — has imposed country-specific duties that go as high as 50%. India has been slapped with a 26% tariff, while a 10% baseline duty applies to all nations. This has set alarm bells ringing among Indian exporters and traders already struggling with global demand volatility.

President Trump, unfazed by the financial carnage, likened the move to a bitter but necessary cure. “Sometimes you need the medicine to fix something,” he told reporters earlier today.

Analysts Urge Economic Safeguards

Market experts believe that India's current market turmoil isn't rooted in domestic issues but is rather a consequence of being tightly woven into global investment flows.

“India will face the heat, not due to domestic reasons, but as an interlinked chain in the global portfolio flows,” said Ajay Bagga, a noted market expert. “India will need a fiscal, monetary, and reform package to protect the domestic economy from this global economic winter that is threatening to settle in.”

Sunil Gurjar, SEBI-registered research analyst, warned that the Nifty50 index has breached its first support level and is approaching the next. "A further breakdown could worsen the trend and accelerate the fall," he cautioned.

Asian Markets Bleed

The tremors from Trump's announcement were first felt in Asia, with key markets suffering steep losses. China's stock markets fell over 4% amid retaliatory tariffs of 34% against the US. Hong Kong's Hang Seng nosedived more than 10%, while Japan’s Nikkei index fell 6.5% after plunging 8% earlier in the day. Taiwan saw a near-10% collapse, and Singapore dropped over 8%.

Wall Street Braces for Impact

US markets, though yet to open, appear set for a rough start. Futures contracts on the New York Stock Exchange are sharply down, suggesting heavy losses once trading resumes.

Market sentiment globally has turned bearish, with fears of a looming recession taking hold. Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management described the scene as “free-fall mode,” noting, “Trump’s team isn’t blinking. The tariffs are being treated as a victory lap, not a bargaining chip.”