THE three-day National Water Festival 2007 in Langkawi, which starts tomorrow, will see the emergence of a new Malaysian culture called simbah kuyup (soaking wet).
Langkawi Tourism Action Council general manager Shaharudin Itam said simbah kuyup would be the Malaysian version of Songkran.
“We are inviting Thais, Singaporeans, Indonesians and other foreign tourists to join in the fun of getting wet with coloured, scented and cold water.
“As Malaysians are not used to such culture, we have created a wet zone stretching 100m in Pantai Cenang.
“During the three-day festival, whoever walks through the wet zone must be prepared to get wet and smeared with paint balls,” he said in Alor Star yesterday.
Small pails and water pistols would be used in the fun-filled event where people were free to “attack” others with water, he said.
Shaharudin said that about 250 people from south Thailand were invited to participate in the festival.
Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Wathiqu Billah Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shahwill open the event at Dataran Lang on Saturday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will also grace the event, touted to be the biggest ever water festival in the country where 59 types of games and events have been lined up for the estimated 50,000 visitors.
Five governors from Thailand had also confirmed attendance.
“We have also requested MAS and AirAsia to provide additional flights to cater to the demand.
“The ferry services will be extended from 7pm to 1am,” Shaharudin said, adding that hotels and motels in Pantai Cenang were already fully booked.
Popular artistes Mawi and Anita Sarawak will entertain the crowd during the opening ceremony while Francesca Peter, Ramlah Ram, Jinbara and Wings will be present at Pantai Cenang tomorrow night.
Events manager Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari said free shuttle services were also provided from 8am to 2am during the festival.
“Pick up points for the free shuttle services are Kuah Jetty, Pantai Cenang, Air Hangat, Padang Matsirat and Awana Porto Malai,” he said, adding that buses will ply the specified routes every 30 minutes.
For information, call 604-9698080.
Source : STAR
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