Nov 19, 2015
EXPERIENCE MALAYSIA DECEMBER
Dear Readers,
as 2015 ends, let’s get into the holiday spirit one last time this year!
Head
north for the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival to see muscle
and team spirit at work, rowing traditional dragon boats across water in
perfect unison.
Want
something tougher? Get your adrenaline pumping at the 8th Royal Cup
Muay Thai Championship, the 4x4 Rainforest Challenge, or the Festival
International Sport Extreme (FISE) World Malaysia – three big events
that’s all about brawn, brains and great skills.
With
the monsoon rains upon us, it’s the perfect time to head to the
Cherating International Surfing Competition to find the best wave
breaker in this part of the world.
But
if you’re not after hard-hitting action, you can relax and enjoy cool
jazz music by the beach at the Penang Island Jazz Festival.
Don’t
forget, Christmas in the tropics is just as nice in Malaysia (get your
last-minute shopping done during the Malaysia Year-End Sale!).
Happy holidays!
Azizah Aziz
Director of Corporate Communication
Tourism Malaysia
Cherating International Surfing Competition
This
surfing event at Cherating Beach in Pahang is one of the destinations
most favoured by surfer enthusiasts from around the world. Cherating
Beach is renowned for its long and ideal waves, which attracts
intermediate surfers.
Date: 11 to 13 December 2015
Venue: Cherating Beach, Kuantan, Pahang
Organiser : Ministry of Tourism and Culture Pahang
Contact : 09-5171111
Email: pahang@motac.gov.my
Penang Island Jazz Festival.
The
island of Penang comes alive with music at the 12th edition of the
Penang Island Jazz Festival (PIJF), from 3 to 6 December 2015.
Apart
from the outdoor main 'jazz by the beach' stage featuring local and
international performers, the festival also has a number of other
supporting musical activities such as workshops, exhibitions, sunrise @
tsg, after hours jazz jam, creative Malaysia fringe stages and the
'island music forum sessions'.
The
festival attracts a regional audience and has established itself to be
one of the most highly anticipated and important musical festivals in
Southeast Asia. This year's festival will feature the Makiko Hirabayashi
Trio, Cabocubajazz, Tobias Preisig Quartet, Andreya Triana, Dos
Orientales, Angelika Niescier Now Trio, Anne Paceo Yokai, Nina & The
Butterfly Fish and the Penang Philharmonic Big Band.
Date: 3 to 6 December 2015
Venue : Bayview Beach Resort, Hard Rock Cafe Hotel,
Park Royal Penang Resort and Tropical Spice Garden Penang, Penang Island
Organiser: Capricorn Connection
Contact : 012 296 7800 / 012 356 5544
RFC-Rainforest Challenge
The
RFC is an off-road 4x4 event which is among the world’s top ten
toughest motor races. It takes place annually from end November to early
December. Every year, it attracts the bravest of the land daredevils
from Europe to Asia to face the odds in the jungle for 10 days braving
the mud, rain, steep uphill, downhill and undulating terrain plus the
wrath of Mother Nature from the monsoon. An extraordinary event for
extraordinary adventurers set in an extraordinary season, the monsoon.
Date : 28 November to 7 December 2015
Venue: Seremban , Port Dickson, Gemas, Kuala Pilah & Jelebu (Negeri Sembilan)
Organiser : RFC (Rainforest Challenge) International.
Phone: 03-9200 8908, 012-211 7080
8th Royal Cup Muay Thai Championship
The
Royal Cup Muay Thai Championship, the longest running muay thai event
in Malaysia, returns again for the eighth consecutive time this
December.
The
event, organised by Z1 International Sdn Bhd, is sanctioned by the
World Muay Thai Council and Malaysia Muay Thai Association. This year’s
championship is organised as an effort to promote Malaysia as a muay
thai venue and to expose local talents to the world.
Experience three hours each night of the best fighters gathered at the historic Stadium Negara Kuala Lumpur.
Date: 4 to 5 December 2015
Venue: Stadium Negara Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Organiser: Z1 International Sdn Bhd
Email: www.z1international.com.my
5th Sibu Bike Week, Sarawak
The
Sibu Bike Week has become an international affair judging by the
approximately 2,000 bikers from across the globe participating in its
fourth edition last year.
Among
them were bikers from Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Kalimantan on Borneo
island, Peninsular Malaysia, Germany, Spain, the Philippines, Holland,
Australia, Abu Dhabi, Indonesia and Thailand.
As
always, the three-day event has lots of exhibitions and competitions
such as Miss Sibu Bike Week, Tattoo Show, Bikers Game, Cars Exhibition,
Bikes Exhibition, Bands Competition, Scooters Competition, Big Bikes
Competition/Games, Slow Rides Competition, Skateboard & BMX
Competition, Karaoke Competition and many more.
Date: 4 to 6 December 2015
Venue: Sibu Town Square – Phase 2
Organiser: RAZZ Chopper Malaysia
Contact : 019 855 7171 (Helen)
Facebook: Razz Chopper M’sia
FISE World Malaysia 2015
The
Festival International Sport Extreme (FISE) was created in 1997 and is
now the biggest action sports festival worldwide for sport professionals
and amateurs in skateboard, BMX, wakeboard, inline skate and mountain
bike.
For
nailing-biting action and to see the latest stunts and tricks in this
extreme sports, head on to beautiful Langkawi island for front-row
seats.
Date: 18 to 20 December 2015
Venue: Eagle Square, Langkawi Kedah
Organiser : FISE World Series
Website : www.fise.fr
Penang International Dragon Boat Festival
Cheer
on your favourite rowing teams featuring 20 to 22 sturdy men and urge
them on to cross the finish line first and gain the ultimate victory at
the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival.
Watch
as traditional dragon-headed boats decorated in flamboyant décor and
painted in multi colours glide across the waters to the rhythm of
pounding drumbeats. The event also gives you the chance to witness a
host of ancient religious and cultural rites including those featuring
rice dumplings, performed at Teluk Bahang Dam.
Date : 12 to 13 December 2015
Venue: Teluk Bahang Dam, Pulau Pinang
Organiser : Penang State Tourism & PIBDF Committee
Contact : 04 6505136 / 016 411 0000
Website : www.penangdragonboat.gov.my
Facebook : penangdragonboat
Malaysia Christmas Open House Celebration
Celebrate
Christmas in the tropics with the Prime Minister of Malaysia!
Experience the festivities in an open house celebration, a programme
that brings people together to celebrate the country’s various festivals
in line with the spirit of 1Malaysia. Guests will be enthralled by
cultural performances and traditional delicacies.
Date : 27 December 2015
Venue: Portuguese Settlement, Melaka
Organiser : Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia
Contact : 603-8000 8000
Website : www.motac.gov.my
International Sailing Federation (Youth Worlds Championship)
The
ISAF Youth Worlds has seen a whole host of star studded names compete
and take honours across its 44 -year history. Over 300 of the world's
top youth sailors are expected to compete in Langkawi in a bid to add
their name to the star studded list that includes Olympic and America's
Cup stars such as Russell Coutts (NZL), Alessandra Sensini (ITA) and Ben
Ainslie (GBR). The 2015 ISAF Youth Worlds, the 45th edition of the
regatta, will see the addition of the Girl's Skiff - 29er where the
winner will be awarded with a brand new ISAF perpetual trophy, the
Malaysia Sailing Association President's Trophy.
Date: 27 December to 3 January 2016
Venue: Langkawi Island, Kedah
Organiser : Kedah Sailing Association
Contact : 604 9663 099
Illusion: Nothing Is As It Seems
Families
with children, youths and young adults visiting Malaysia will love the
“Illusion” exhibition going on from now until 10 January 2016 at
Petrosains, Malaysia’s exciting science exhibition centre in Kuala
Lumpur.
The
exhibition, brought in from the Science Gallery at Trinity College
Dublin, explores science in an interesting way, combining it with art,
technology and illusion to appeal to all ages. Curated by psychologist
and author Richard Wiseman, and researched by magician and escapologist
Paul Gleeson, the exhibition will challenge your perceptions and get you
to use your senses to understand how the brain works. Expect magic with
psychology, optical illusions with scientific reasoning, and confusion
with clarity!
Date: Now until 10 January 2016
Venue: Petrosains, The Discovery Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Organiser : Petrosains, The Discovery Centre
Website : www.petrosains.com.my
Contact : 603 2331 8181
A Day Trip To Melaka
Lovers
of history and heritage will love a trip to Melaka. With new and
exciting attractions in store, there’s more of Melaka to enjoy now. But
if you’re short on time, here are the top new attractions not to miss.
The
Shore Shopping Gallery (theshoreshoppinggallery.com) is a newly-opened
shopping mall with a charming location on the Malacca River Cruise and
monorail route, and opposite the Eye of Malacca. A stylish
lifestyle-tourism focused shopping mall with 100 stores, its major
attractions are the world’s longest aquarium – the Melaka Oceanarium, as
well as The Shore Sky Tower that accords a splendid panoramic view of
the waterfront and beyond.
The
Shore Sky Tower (theshoreskytower.com) is Melaka’s tallest building
with 43 levels. From the observation deck on the highest level, one can
enjoy views of the entire city and see Melaka like you’ve never seen it
before. The operation hours for the observation deck is from 10 am till
10 pm daily. The entrance fee is RM18 per pax.
The
Shore Oceanarium (oceanariummelaka.com) is located on the 2nd floor of
The Shore Shopping Gallery. Learn about sea creatures such as star fish,
sea cucumbers, sea urchins and even the bamboo shark at the interactive
touch pool. Visitors can also see live turtles at Kg. Penyu (Turtle
Village) and learn about other sea and river creatures. The entrance
ticket for adults is RM28, while children and senior citizens are
charged RM18 each. This oceanarium is open daily from 10.30 am till 9
pm.
For
a bit of history, don’t miss a trip to Melaka Alive
(melakaalive.com.my) to catch the 45-minute Winds of Melaka live
performance. Combining spectacular visual effects, music and live
acting, Winds of Melaka tells the story of Melaka’s rich and diverse
history, from the establishment of the city by its founder Parameswara
to its fall at the hands of the Portuguese. The show is performed twice
daily, at 7.30 pm and 9 pm. Tickets are priced at RM45 for adults and
RM28 for children. Special discounts are available for Malaysian
viewers.
Celebrate Portuguese Heritage At Casa Del Rio Melaka
Fancy
having Portuguese cuisine for dinner in a luxury boutique hotel by the
river? You can do so at Casa del Rio Melaka’s Saturday Night Portuguese
& BBQ Buffet Dinner, which offers authentic modern Portuguese
dishes specially crafted by Chef Micael Valentim of Sagres, Western
Algarve, Portugal.
Casa
del Rio is the first hotel built on the bank of the idyllic Melaka
River. Its distinct Mediterranean architecture, design, and colour, pay
homage to the Portuguese influence on Melaka, making it the perfect
place to enjoy Portuguese cuisine.
This
is also a part of the hotel’s efforts in promoting the historic city of
Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through the celebration of
Portuguese heritage.
Organiser: Casa del Rio Melaka
Date: Every Saturday Night (6.30pm - 10.30pm)
Location: The River Grill, Casa del Rio Melaka
Contact : +60 6 289 6888
FRIM Closes Its Canopy Walkway And Rover Track
Forest
Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) regrets to inform that the Canopy
Walkway and Rover Track will be closed effective 13 October 2015 until
further notice due to the extensive damages to the bridge as well as the
trail caused by the recent thunderstorm.
FRIM would like to conduct thorough safety assessments of the trail and the whole of the Bukit Lagong forest area.
We
apologise for any inconvenience and appeal for understanding and
cooperation from all visitors especially FRIM regular joggers to refrain
from using the Rover Track.
FRIM’s
decision to close both the Canopy Walkway and Rover Trail was made with
public safety in mind. For any query or assistance, call the FRIM One
Stop Centre at +603-62797592 / +603-62797649 or e-mail
to:frim_enquiry@frim.gov.my.
Damages
to the FRIM Canopy Walkway caused by the recent storms. A Melembu tree
fell onto the second part of the walkway, causing stress on the whole
system.
The
decision to close Rover Track and Canopy Walkaway at the Forest
Research Institute Malaysia is for the long-term sustainability of its
forests.
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 2014, Malaysia registered 27.4 million tourist
arrivals and RM72 billion in receipts, making tourism its second largest
foreign exchange earner.
Malaysia celebrated its fourth VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR (VMY) in 2014 with the theme “Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia”. The promotion of the country continues with the MALAYSIA YEAR OF FESTIVALS (MyFEST)
campaign in 2015 with the theme “Endless Celebrations” emphasising the
various festivals celebrated by its multicultural society. Both
campaigns are key drivers towards achieving the country’s target of 36
million tourist arrivals and RM168 billion in receipts by 2020, as
outlined in the Tourism NKEA (National Key Economic Area).
Through
the Tourism NKEA, 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. 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:
Chresentia F.B. Sadatal (Ms), Assistant Director, Corporate Communication Division
Tel: +603-8891 8776
Email: chresentia@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.