Experience Malaysia April
Hello Readers!
April is an exciting month to celebrate festivals all around Malaysia such as The 7th Malaysia International Shoe Festival (MISF) 2016 and the Nasi Ambeng Festival. Keep yourself cool at the water festivals in Langkawi and Labuan, where you can enjoy activities on shore and the water sports competitions! If you prefer something fun and non-competitive, join the SongkRUN Water Run 2016.
Come over to Sabah and dive in the richness of the culture at the 23rd Regatta Lepa in Semporna and Sabah Fest or get to know Malaysian birds at the Wings Of Kuala Kubu Bharu: Selangor Birds Race 2016.
Don’t miss the Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza and Friends Concert where she will be joined by Anggun, Afgan, Cakra Khan, Faizal Tahir and Hafiz, or if theatre is your passion, then celebrate the 400th Anniversary of William Shakespeare’s demise with Macbeth staged with a Malaysian twist. Meanwhile, visitors can experience the beauty of the Langkawi island in luxury at the first 6-star resort opening this month, St. Regis Langkawi Resort.
To give you some ideas of what to do this month, here’s a line-up of well-balanced events for tourists, both local and foreign, to enjoy in Malaysia. Plan your trip well, or engage the services of a licensed tour operator/ travel agent.
Happy Holidays!
Corporate Communication Division
Tourism Malaysia
23rd Regatta Lepa Semporna
The Regatta Lepa Semporna was officially introduced as an annual State event in 1994, paying homage to the lepa; a traditional single-mast sailing boat of the Bajau of Semporna. A flotilla of colourful boats dot the Celebes Sea as they compete for the title of ‘Most Beautiful Lepa’. The celebration includes various cultural performances, the Lepa Beauty Pageant, fireworks display, as well as traditional games and contemporary sports.
Date: 22 to 24 Apr 2016
Venue: Semporna
Organiser: Semporna District Office
Contact: +6089-781 518/663
Website: www.sabahtourism.com
Nasi Ambeng Festival
Have a taste of the unique culinary tradition of the Javanese Malay at The Nasi Ambeng Carnival, organised by the National Department for Culture and Arts at the Homestay Banghuris, Sepang. Nasi Ambeng consists of white rice served with side dishes such as chicken curry or chicken cooked in soy sauce, vegetables, fried noodles, and some salted fish, on a tray to be shared by up to four or five people.
Various activities will be held during the festival including the Javanese culture and Selangor's heritage exhibitions and batik painting competition. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the cultural exhibition and this fragrant rice dish!
Dates: 15 to 17 April 2016
Venue: Banghuris Homestay, Sepang Selangor, Malaysia
Organiser: Culture Development Division
Contact: +603-2614 8200
Email: rosli@jkkn.gov.my
Sabah Fest 2016
The Sabah Fest is a prelude to the State-wide Harvest Festival celebration that incorporates dance, music, fashion, food, and crafts that is ethnically Sabah.
This year’s Sabah Fest focuses on Sabah’s mysterious caves. Widely known as Agop by many communities on the east coast, caves have been a definitive feature of their cultural identity spawning a wealth of folklore and ancient practices related to dwellings, deaths, burials as well as a supply of resources for present-day economic activities.
The celebration of Agop this year takes us on an expedition to sample the charms of the communities living on the east coast of Sabah – Ida'an, Dusun Sungei, Begak and Dusun Subpan who identified with the ancient cave culture. Other rarely seen groups such as the Tidong of Tawau, Dusun Sandayoh of Paitan and Dusun Melangkap of Kota Belud will also be sharing the stage to perform and display their culture and musical traditions.
Date: 29 Apr to 1 May 2016
Venue: Auditorium JKKN Sabah
Organiser: Sabah Tourism Board / Sri Pelancongan Sabah
Contact: +6088-232 121
Website: www.sabahfest.com
Something wicked this way comes!
To celebrate the 400th Anniversary of William Shakespeare’s demise, Macbeth is being staged with a Malaysian twist – the full text of the English play will be complemented by traditional Chinese Opera costumes, stage make-up and stylised gestures!
Leading Malaysian theatre director, Chin San Sooi, known for his unique interpretations of famous theatre texts, will attempt to bring together two stage traditions to Malaysian audiences: Shakespeare, whose plays and poetry belong to the world, and Chinese Opera, the oldest form of the modern theatre.
The audience will literally be seeing two performances in one: Shakespeare and the splendour of the Chinese Opera. There will be Mandarin sub-titles during the performances.
Date: 22 April to 1 May
Venue: Damansara Performing Arts Centre, Damansara Perdana, Selangor
Contact: +603-4065 0001
Email: damansara.dpac@gmail.com
Website: dpac.com.my
The 7th Malaysia International Shoe Festival 2016
The 7th Malaysia International Shoe Festival (MISF) is set to be bigger and better. Once again, it will feature two legends, Prof. Datuk Dr. Jimmy Choo OBE and Datuk Zang Toi. This highly anticipated event draws local and international shoe manufacturers, as well as shoe enthusiasts from all over the region, to Malaysia’s biggest shoe exhibition and sale.
Among the highlights of this festival are the meet and greet sessions with Prof. Datuk Dr. Jimmy Choo and Datuk Zang Toi; Zang Toi Autumn Winter 2015 Fashion Show; shoe fashion show by Amori, Melissa, Fiorucci, Larrie, Kenneth Cole, Ecco, Sentini, and Fion Poon; and fashion show by Kornna.
Date: 29 April to 1 May 2016
Venue: PWTC Hall 4
Organiser: Malaysian Footwear Manufacturers Association
Contact: +603-9285 5382
Website: www.malaysiafootwear.com
Wings Of Kuala Kubu Bharu 2016
The fourth Wings of Kuala Kubu Bharu is a great opportunity for birders to come together to enjoy nature and expand their knowledge of the different species of birds and their habitats.
Participants will go through 10 different checkpoints starting from the charming town of Kuala Kubu Bharu, past the Kalumpung Hot Springs and ending at the Genting Highlands Awana Resort.The area is part of the Important Bird Area and has gems such as the Marbled Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Large Niltava, Silver-Breasted Broadbills and three hornbill species namely Rhinoceros, Great and Bushy Crested. Experience the green side of Malaysia here at the Wings of KKB Selangor Bird Race event.
Participants can get the registration form at wingsofkkb.blogspot.com before 15 April 2016. Get it now before it is too late. You do not want to miss this exciting opportunity.
Date: 22 to 24 April 2016
Venue: Kuala Kubu Bharu - Genting Highlands
Organiser: Hulu Selangor District Council
Contact: +603-6064 1331
Website: www.mdhs.gov.my and www.wingsofkkb.blogspot.com
SongkRUN Water Run 2016
SongkRUN is bringing the World’s First Water Fun-Run experience to casual runners and fun seekers in Malaysia. An un-timed, non-competitive 5km fun run, the SongkRUN™ course splits into five Water+Music Zones. Each zone has its own uniquely designed experience awaiting you.
SongkRUN will be held on 3 April 2016 from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Become a SongkRUN runner today, where each ticket will entitle you to join the Music Party featuring Fire Brigade showers for the first time.
For tickets, please visit www.songkrun.com. The party continues when you cross the finish line and the Wet-Music Festival kicks into gear! Jive and groove with the latest beats whilst friends try to drench you and vice-versa.
Run. Play. Get Drenched. Make Friends. Dance.
Date: 3 April 2016
Venue: Sepang International Circuit, Selangor
Time: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Organiser: Six Foot Yellow Worldwide
Facebook: fb/songkrun
Website: www.songkrun.com
Siti Nurhaliza Celebrates 20 Years of Music
Come April 1, it will be 20 years since local pop legend Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza released her self-titled debut album. This exclusive event is free and concert tickets are up for grabs to users of the Yonder Music app and Celcom Xpax.
To commemorate her 20-year career, music streaming service Yonder Music will be throwing a Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza And Friends concert, for its subscribers on 2 April 2016, 8.00 pm at Stadium Negara. She will be joined by Indonesian singers Anggun, Afgan, Cakra Khan and local artistes Faizal Tahir and Hafiz.
The musical guests were chosen by Yonder Music and Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza. Specially for the event, Siti will cover Anggun’s signature hit Snow On The Sahara while Anggun will deliver Siti’s Bukan Cinta Biasa.
Date: 2 April 2016
Venue: Stadium Negara
Time: 8.00 pm
Organiser: Yonder Music and Celcom
Website: www.xpax.com.my
Malaysia Water Festival 2016
What is the best way to keep yourself cool on a hot day? Join the various water festivals in Malaysia this April!
Participate in the water sports competition at the Langkawi International Water Festival, such as kayak race and underwater treasure hunt, fishing and beach netball competition, building sand castles and many more.
It’s not just Langkawi that offers fun water activities for water sport enthusiasts. The annual Malaysia Water Festival in Labuan not only offers deep fishing tournament and swimming challenges, but also fun activities on shore and a mini fair to be enjoyed with your family and friends!
Date: 1 to 3 April 2016
Venue: Pantai Chenang
Organiser: Langkawi Tourism Action Council, LADA.
Contact: +604-969 8083
Email: ltac@tourismlangkawy.gov.my
Date: 24 to 26 April 2016
Venue: Labuan International Sea Sport Complex, Labuan
Organiser: Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia
Contact: +603-8000 8000
Website: www.motac.gov.my
On transit in KL? Hop on!
If you are a traveller on transit for more than five hours in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2), why not take advantage of the Showcase KL package?
With a minimum of five hours transit time, you’ll have two hours to explore the sights and sounds of Kuala Lumpur. So, more transit time means more to see and do!
The Kuala Lumpur Transit Tour – Showcase KL will whisk you away from the airport to the heart of Kuala Lumpur in just 28 minutes on a high-speed train, the KLIA Express.
From the city centre, it’s easy to hop aboard the Kuala Lumpur Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour double decker bus, relax and enjoy the city’s landmark tourist attractions. The private bus runs a continuous circle from 9.00 am until 8.00 pm daily at around 30 minutes intervals. The tour goes by the “hop-on, hop-off” concept, which allows passengers to hop-on and hop-off at any of the 23 designated stops for the entire day.
The RM100 package includes a return ticket on the KLIA Express high-speed train from KLIA Airport/KLIA2 Airport to Kuala Lumpur Central Station, and a full-day tour on board the Kuala Lumpur Hop-On Hop Off (KL HOHO).
Contact: Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau (KLTB)
Tel: +603-2698 0332
Email: enquiries@kltourismbureau.com.my
Website: www.showcasekl.comorwww.visitkl.gov.my
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Visitklofficial
The St. Regis Langkawi
The St. Regis Langkawi Resort will become the first luxury resort to open in the island that is known to many as the Island Jewel of the Southeast Asia. The St. Regis Langkawi will be fully operational on 6 April 2016. It offers guests an intimate, luxurious abode from which to explore the area's natural beauty.
Swaying palms and the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea provide a warm welcome to The St. Regis Langkawi. Sheltered inside a secluded cove, the hotel overlooks a private white-sand beach, with the outdoor infinity pool providing the perfect spot from which to survey your surroundings. 85 spacious Suites and three opulent Water Villas represent the accommodation options here, all filled with luxurious amenities and views of the sea.
The St. Regis Langkawi is a family-friendly destination, and younger VIPs will be entertained with a host of daily activities as well as a dedicated kids' pool in which to splash around in. A nanny/babysitting service is also on-hand for times when adults might require a quiet evening to explore the many bar/restaurant options that can be found here.
Three gourmet restaurants serve up tastes of the world to suit any palate, while the presence of three bars ensure guests will be entertained until late into the evening. A fully-featured Athletic Club provides the perfect venue for guests to put themselves through their paces. Afterwards, retire to the hotel's in-house Iridium Spa and choose from the menu of relaxing, holistic treatments.
Venue: The St. Regis Langkawi. Jalan Pantai Beringin Pulau,Langkawi 07000, Malaysia
Contact: +604-960 6666
Website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/index.html
All information is correct at time of publication.
Visitors are advised to contact the event organiser for the latest updates.
For more media releases, media info and media features on Malaysia’s tourism industry, kindly visit the Media Centre of Tourism Malaysia’s website at http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/
MALAYSIA TOURISM PROMOTION BOARD OR TOURISM MALAYSIA is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia at all levels. Since its inception, Tourism Malaysia has grown by leaps and bounds and it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene. In 2015, Malaysia registered 25.7 million tourist arrivals and RM69.1 billion in receipts.
Through the Tourism NKEA (National Key Economic Area), collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, other Government agencies and the private sector have been enhanced to help secure Malaysia’s position as a leading tourist destination and achieve the country’s target of 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168 billion in receipts by 2020.
The targets set under the Tourism NKEA will be achieved through the implementation of twelve Entry Point Projects (EPPs) clustered under five themes: Affordable Luxury; Nature Adventure; Family Fun; Events, Entertainment, Spa and Sports; and Business Tourism.
Press contact:
Media Relations Unit:
Shukri Hanafiah, Senior Deputy Director, Corporate Communication Division
Tel: +603-8891 8767
Email: shukrihanafiah@tourism.gov.my
Editorial Unit:
Anis Rozalina Ramli (Ms), Senior Editor, Corporate Communication Division
Tel: +603-8891 8759
Email: anisramli@tourism.gov.my
For more information on Malaysia please contact Tourism Malaysia Overseas Offices or Tourist Information Centres (TIC) at your respective states, countries or region.