Attendees criticise Citrawarna 2026 for directing performances towards VIPs, leaving public watching dancers’ backs
KUALA LUMPUR: Citrawarna 2026, officially launched on July 26 at Dataran Merdeka, has triggered criticism online after some attendees claimed the performances were directed mainly towards the VIP section, leaving members of the public watching the dancers’ backs.
The flagship Tourism Malaysia event, held as part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VMY2026) campaign, showcased Malaysia’s arts, culture and heritage through a colourful parade featuring traditional costumes, music and cultural dance performances. The event attracted large crowds of both local and international visitors.
However, despite the vibrant showcase, several netizens expressed disappointment over the event’s organisation, with many saying the performances were not arranged with the general public in mind.
One attendee, who travelled from Kuantan to watch the event, described it as the “worst comeback event”, claiming the programme, which was scheduled to begin at 8pm, only started at around 10pm.
In a social media post, he wrote:
“The worst comeback event goes to Citrawarna Parade 2026. Why? The parade only started at 10pm. What kind of parade begins at 10pm when there are children attending? Many of them were already asleep while their parents sat along the roadside waiting.
“The dancers were performing towards the VVIP stage, while those on the other side could only see their backs. There should have been large screens on both sides so everyone could enjoy the performances.”
He suggested that the choreography could have been arranged so that some dancers faced the VIP section while others performed towards the public, allowing all spectators to enjoy the show.
The attendee added that he eventually left the event because he felt he was unable to properly watch the performances.
Despite his disappointment, he praised the dancers and performers for their dedication.
“A big round of applause and a standing ovation to everyone involved in Citrawarna 2026. You all did a great job. The public isn’t angry with you at all — they’re angry with the event organiser.
“You were amazing. It’s just that we couldn’t fully appreciate and enjoy your beautiful cultural performances. I salute all of you. Get some well-deserved rest after all the rehearsals,” he wrote.
Several other attendees echoed similar sentiments, saying they had also spent much of the evening watching the backs of the performers instead of being able to fully appreciate the cultural displays.
While the performances themselves received praise, many netizens urged organisers to improve stage orientation, crowd visibility and scheduling for future editions of the event to ensure a better experience for all spectators.
