The National Water Festival (Pesta Air) 2005 will begin on
Friday, 1 April 2005 in Putrajaya, Malaysia's new administrative
centre. This fiveweeklong
event will be held at various locations
throughout the country, culminating on 8 May 2005 in Sibu,
Sarawak.

The launching ceremony will be held on Saturday, 2 April 2005 at
2:00 p.m. by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Malaysia
at the Putrajaya Lake Club, Putrajaya.

This annual festival involves waterbased
competitions and
activities, such as the long boat race, fishing, canoe polo and
kayaking. These water activities are all in line with Malaysia's
intention of becoming a worldclass
sports tourism destination.

At the launch day in Putrajaya, there will be demonstrations of jetskiing,
sailing, water stunts, F1 Powerboat race and water rescue.
Various other activities will cater to visitors from different age
groups, such as exhibitions, seafood preparation competition, live
musical performances, facepainting
and telematches for children
and adults.

The closing ceremony of Pesta Air 2005 in Sibu from 6 to 8 May
2005 will be officiated by Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, Sarawak's
Tourism Minister at the Taman Esplanade, next to the Rejang
River.

Various activities such as the F3 Powerboat race, remote control
boat race, traditional sports, rivercrossing
swimming competition,
exhibitions and floats parade will colour the threeday
event. The
highlight of the closing ceremony is a fireworks display on the night
of 8 May.

Issued by: Communications Division, Tourism Malaysia
Date: 25 March 2005