Merry Merdeka moments at i-City
About 40,000 Malaysians led by Anwar celebrate carnival-style National Day
SHAH ALAM: It was a Merdeka countdown to remember at i-City as its “Terima Kasih Malaysia” event ended in grand style.
About 40,000 Malaysians gathered from as early as 8pm for the countdown, and there was loud applause when special guest Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived later.
A carnival air prevailed as the crowd enjoyed rides and other attractions leading up to midnight, when a massive fireworks display was set off by Anwar, the PKR president-elect.
Adding to the merry atmosphere were hundreds of lanterns which were launched to brighten the night during the Sky Lantern Lighting ceremony.
Recently honoured by CNN Travel as one of the world’s 25 most brightest and colourful places, i-City’s skyline transformed into a mesmerising sight with the dazzling sky lanterns.
For Anwar, it was a nostalgic return as he was last at i-City during its inception ceremony back in 1997.
He was given a warm welcome by I-Berhad executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong and members of the senior management when he arrived at about 10.30pm.
Anwar was joined by Tourism and Culture Ministry secretary- general Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah, Star Media Group managing director/CEO Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang.
Anwar and the invited guests then joined Malaysian youths who had returned from abroad for Merdeka, having fun with them under the falling articifial snow.
There was also a Merdeka snowball challenge in SnoWalk, i-City’s latest attraction with an arctic-like environment of -8°C.
Anwar was shown around by I-Berhad group information manager Tang Soke Cheng, and witnessed a “Terima Kasih Malaysia” parade comprising 300 participants from Soka Gakkai Malaysia which showcased cultural dances and performances.
Other attractions included the Red Carpet 2, the country’s first wax museum which houses a re- enactment of the 1957 Mer deka Independence Declaration by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
The finale of the night was the fireworks display that lit up the sky as thousands shouted “Merdeka!” while the late Sudirman’s Tanggal 31 played in the background.