Ban Canal Carnival 2026 Eyes Turnout Of Over 35,000

SHAH ALAM, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The Ban Canal Carnival (KBC) 2026 is targeting a turnout of more than 35,000 visitors when it takes place at Parit 14, Simpang Lima, Sabak Bernam, from Nov 6 to 8.

Selangor Rural Development, Unity and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Rizam Ismail said the carnival, held annually since 2022, served as a platform to showcase the district’s scenic landscapes, distinctive culture and rich agricultural heritage.

Rizam, who is also Sabak Bernam Consultative Council (SBCC) chairman, said the flagship project under the Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA) initiative, spearheaded by Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) (MBI), had received an encouraging response, with visitor numbers rising steadily each year.

“Last year’s edition drew more than 32,000 visitors, highlighting Sabak Bernam’s potential as an ecotourism destination and growing public interest in nature-based activities. 

“We are therefore targeting more than 35,000 visitors over the three-day carnival this year, which carries the theme ‘Alam, Budaya, Lestari’,” he said during an interview on BERNAMA Radio’s ‘Jendela Fikir: KBC 2026’ segment at Wisma BERNAMA today.

Rizam said the Ban Canal, constructed by the British around 1932, remained an important source of irrigation water for padi farmers stretching from Tanjong Karang to Sabak Bernam.

“Organising this carnival allows us to highlight the canal’s distinctive landscape, which connects peat swamp forests, an extensive network of waterways and Sabak Bernam’s vast padi fields.

“The KBC, which earned recognition at the MITDA 2025 Tourism Industry Awards, also has the potential to develop into a high-impact tourism event promoting the area's distinctive natural heritage and local attractions,” he said.

Rizam added that KBC 2026 would feature a wide range of exciting activities for visitors of all ages, including sports, entertainment and educational programmes.

“Visitors can take part in a wide range of activities, including the Nature Heritage Run, wall climbing, flying fox rides, fishing competitions, traditional attire contests, cooking competitions and dragon boat racing. 

“We will also be holding the Bual Bicara Malam Jumaat programme featuring Imam Muda Hassan, Asyraf and Amin Idris, as well as a concert featuring popular artistes such as Datuk Hattan, Hazama, Kristal X and Umairah,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rizam said the KBC had generated substantial economic benefits for the local community, particularly food vendors, local product traders and tourism operators, including homestay providers.

“Last year’s carnival generated RM100,000 in sales, and we hope a higher turnout this year will provide an even greater boost to local products, including a variety of traditional snacks such as kerepek,” he said.

According to Rizam, SABDA was a strategic development initiative under the Second Selangor Plan (RS-2), designed to strengthen the agriculture, fisheries and tourism sectors.

He said several key initiatives were being undertaken, including the development of an Agricultural Produce Collection Centre under Koperasi Negeri Selangor, the Sungai Lang Fisheries Industrial Zone (ZIPS) and the Sekinchan Integrated Landing Port (SILP) project.

--BERNAMA