Makar Fest XL: Organiser Fined, Security Deposit Forfeited

KOTA BHARU, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- The organisers of the Makar Fest XL programme, which took place over three days from Jan 29 at the Mydin Mall Tunjung parking lot, are facing enforcement action after being found to have failed to comply with the 2025 Kelantan State Entertainment and Sports Guidelines.

State Local Government, Housing, Health, and Environment Committee Chairman Hilmi Abdullah said that the organiser's security deposit of RM8,000 has been forfeited and furthermore, the organiser may be subject to a maximum penalty of up to RM30,000 and risk being blacklisted if they fail to settle the compound issued.

He noted that the food festival was originally intended to serve as a business platform for small entrepreneurs, local traders, and art practitioners, as well as a meeting point for art enthusiasts, and had obtained entertainment approval from the Kota Bharu Municipal Council-Islamic City.

According to him, monitoring throughout the festival found that all guest artists - including Sabri Yunus, Wan Hanafi Su, Zack Budak Kacamata, Budak Nakal Hujung Simpang, Wargaswara, and dikir barat performers-- complied with the established enactments and guidelines.

“However, a breach of terms and guidelines occurred during the performance by the band Masdo during the closing concert at approximately 10:30 pm on Jan 31,” he said in a statement today.

Elaborating further, Hilmi said that enforcement officers had removed several audience members who acted provocatively and groups of visitors who violated entertainment guidelines.

However, the situation was not fully controlled by the organiser, who was found to be negligent or failed to stop the performance, in addition to the occurrence of the intermingling of men and women without adequate security control.

He said that after reviewing the written report from the Director of the Licensing and Business Control Division as well as viral video footage, the Licensing Officer found that the organiser had committed an offence under Section 13(1) of the Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Control (Kelantan) Enactment 2025.

He emphasised that the state government supports the organisation of festivals that generate economic benefits for the people but remains firm in ensuring that etiquette, culture, and morality are preserved.

-- BERNAMA