SABAK BERNAM, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 November 2026 – Karnival Ban Canal 2026 (KBC 2026) welcomed more than 38,000 visitors and generated nearly RM125,000 in direct revenue for 34 local vendors and micro-enterprises. The three-day festival was held from 6 to 8 November 2026 at Ban Canal Parit 14, Simpang Lima, Sabak Bernam.
Organised by Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) (MBI Selangor) in collaboration with Pejabat Daerah dan Tanah Sabak Bernam (PDTSB) and Majlis Daerah Sabak Bernam (MDSB), KBC 2026 is an initiative under the Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA) framework. Guided by the theme “Alam, Budaya, Lestari” (Nature, Culture, Sustainability), it connected local tourism and cultural activities with business opportunities for the community.
The award-winning festival showcased Ban Canal, a 45-kilometre canal originally built to support Selangor’s agricultural heartland. It also highlighted the canal’s position within the nomination zone for the UNESCO Anjung Utara Selangor Biosphere Reserve (AUSBR).
YBhg. Dato’ Ts. Saipolyazan M Yusop, Group Chief Executive Officer of MBI Selangor, said KBC supported SABDA’s efforts to develop sustainable rural tourism and agritourism, with local communities taking an active role in the economy.
“This year marks a historic milestone as Karnival Ban Canal features international-level water sports for the very first time through a collaboration with the Selangor Canoe Association… This partnership has also opened participation to athletes from various countries such as Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and Somalia, thereby strengthening the international status of the water sports event” he said.
Alongside the sporting programme, KBC 2026 provided opportunities for local businesses to connect with festival visitors. The Platform Selangor (PLATS) entrepreneur showcase and Jualan Eko Tani enabled sellers to promote their products and generate income, with cottage industries and homestay operators also participating in the festival. This reflects MBI Selangor’s approach under SABDA to ensure local communities play an active role in tourism development and share in its economic benefits.
Local residents also helped shape the visitor experience through food, cultural performances and traditional skills. Local delicacies such as nasi ambeng and traditional kuih introduced visitors to Sabak Bernam’s food heritage. At Perkampungan Hos Komuniti Setempat (Local Community Host Village), dodol making and folk games gave visitors opportunities to experience rural traditions, with residents sharing the skills and customs that give the district its character.
Activities included Project Strong Ban Canal, hosted by Sinar Daily, with challenges inspired by everyday village life; stand-up paddleboarding (SUP); and Larian Warisan Alam, a marathon featuring traditional costumes. Visitors also enjoyed wall climbing and flying fox activities beside the canal, a tug-of-war competition and the SABDA Idol final.
Other family activities included face painting, a colouring competition, batik painting, congkak and Pertandingan Busana Tradisional (Traditional Fashion Competition). The community host village also featured the traditional play Musang Berjanggut.
Exhibitors included SABDA, MDSB, Jabatan Pertanian Daerah Sabak Bernam, Selangor Research Institute (SRI), Agrobank and Sinar Daily, showcasing services and engaging visitors on financial and media literacy. A concert featured Hazama, Dato’ Hattan, Kristal X and Umayrah.
At the official closing ceremony on 8 November 2026, YB Jamaliah Jamaluddin, Selangor State EXCO for Public Health and Environment, commended the community’s participation, “This carnival has demonstrated remarkable community engagement, recording an initial turnout of more than 34,000 visitors as of November 7th with the active participation of 34 PLATS entrepreneurs as well as 20 local product vendors under Persatuan Eko Tani. This achievement underscores the immense potential of Sabak Bernam as a leading eco-tourism and cultural hub.”
Through KBC, MBI Selangor connects Sabak Bernam’s tourism and cultural strengths with income opportunities for local businesses and communities. This supports the aspirations of Rancangan Selangor Kedua (RS-2) for balanced development and equitable opportunities, enabling rural communities to contribute to and benefit from Selangor’s economic growth.
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Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) (MBI Selangor)
Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporation) (MBI Selangor) is the strategic investment arm of the State Government of Selangor, mandated to drive sustainable economic growth and long-term value creation for the state.
For more information, visit: https://www.mbiselangor.com
SABDA
The Sabak Bernam Development Area (SABDA) is a strategic economic development initiative of the Selangor State Government under Rancangan Selangor Pertama. SABDA seeks to unlock Sabak Bernam’s full economic potential while strengthening Malaysia’s food production, raising local incomes and improving community livelihoods. Its vision is to establish Sabak Bernam as a driver of sustainable economic growth, food security, resilience and environmental stewardship.
