Sunday January 1, 2006
Partying into the New Year
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The revelry at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, as the nation welcomes the New Year. – STARpic by KAMAL SELLEHUDDIN |
Unlike the last New Year, when celebrations were cancelled because of the tsunami tragedy, the events this time round attracted people by the thousands.
Despite the downpour in the Klang Valley, revellers converged at Dataran Merdeka, KLCC, the Golden Triangle and many other locations for countdown celebrations.
For those who turned up at Dataran Merdeka, where the AmBank Group’s “Gemilang 2006” concert was held, the rain proved to be just a minor annoyance.
The event also saw the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 Campaign being launched by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, accompanied by Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad.
Najib said the tourism industry would remain as one of the main contributors to the nation’s coffers and called on Malaysians to play their part in promoting the country.
“All of us should start learning how to make our guests feel welcome and always eager to return not just once but many times,’’ he said.
Earlier, the crowd were entertained by popular artistes like Reshmonu, Ruffedge, KRU, Zainal Abidin, Erra Fazira, M. Nasir, Ezlynn, Winnie Kok, Manivanan and Teh Tarik Crew.
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JOYOUS OCCASION: Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor ushering in the New Year at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. With them were Dr Toyad and Acting Federal Territory Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. - STARpic by KAMAL SELLEHUDDIN |
The crowd cheered when fireworks lit up the sky at the stroke of midnight and went on for eight minutes.
Revellers also thronged KLCC to enjoy the different events there.
The Petronas Concert was held in front of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre while many packed an adjacent carpark for the Celcom X-Pax 3G open air party, which featured famous DJs like Above & Beyond and Filterheadz from Britain as well as DJ Blink and Twilight Action Girls from Malaysia.
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MERRY ATMOSPHERE: Fireworks display at the KLCC in Kuala Lumpur to welcome the New Year. — STARpic by GLENN GUAN |
At the Golden Triangle here, thousands gathered at the stage in front of the Sungei Wang Plaza on Jalan Sultan Ismail, which had been closed to traffic for the Street Party Countdown 2006.
Local Chinese artistes and Hong Kong singer Fiona Sit joined people from all walks to bid farewell to the old year and greet 2006.
In Penang, overcast skies also did not discourage New Year revellers from gathering at Gurney Drive for the PG2006 celebrations.
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