Drone formation light show to usher in the New Year

KUALA LUMPUR: The Culture, Arts and Tourism Ministry will deploy a drone formation light show to usher in the New Year and to mark the Visit Malaysia 2020 countdown.

“Between 200 and 300 drones will take to the sky to perform a light show during New Year’s eve celebration at Dataran Merdeka,” said ministry secretary-general for culture, Saraya Arbi after announcing the 2020 countdown programme at the Malaysia Tourism

Centre here yesterday.

She said multi-coloured drones will be used to make 11 formations in the sky showcasing Malaysia’s unique attractions, including trishaw, wayang kulit and durian in the countdown programme that had received RM2mil allocation.

Events lined up for the countdown include the Malaysia Christmas Open House, Extravaganza Malaysia Time Capsule concert featuring hit songs through the eras and #KITAPUNYA2PULUH2PULUH container concert.

The biggest foreign draw is Korean pop star Jang Han-byul while the local artistes include Awie, Ella, Hujan, Santesh, Bunkface and Pop Shuvit.

“Dataran Merdeka will be bursting with activities from 10am on Dec 31 to 12.30am Jan 1.

“At 4.30am (on Jan 1), Dataran Merdeka will be crowded again with the Kuala Lumpur Run 2020,” Saraya added.

Other interactive programmes lined up during the day on New Year’s Eve are cultural adventure games, culinary demonstrations and cultural exhibitions.

“We have programmes to promote the tourism industry in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020.

“Ambang 2020 @ Kuala Lumpur is the best platform to expose locals and tourists to our culture, tradition, customs and harmonious co-existence,” said Saraya, who also advised people to use public transport.

“Those taking the MRT can enjoy 50% discount on that day,” she said.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to launch the 2020 Countdown at 11.30pm.

Several exciting developments are expected next year. Unesco is expected to declare Kuala Lumpur as its 20th World Book Capital.

Malaysia will also host the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation 2020 with the theme “Optimising Human Potential Towards a Future of Shared Prosperity”.