KUALA LUMPUR: A 60-metre high structure “Eye on Malaysia”, similar to the “London Eye”, will be unveiled at the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2007 on Jan 6 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa here.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will, at a click of a button, light up the Ferris wheel comprising 42 gondolas to start the celebrations.
“The Prime Minister will then take a 45-minute ride on the wheel to see the breathtaking view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline,” said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
“Apart from the Ferris wheel, there will be activities like water skiing, fireworks display as well as a laser show at the lake,” he told a press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre’s Dewan Tun Hussein Onn yesterday.
“A giant screen will be installed to show scenes of Malaysian history from pre- to post-independence.”
Tengku Adnan said it would cost RM30mil to set up the wheel and discussions were still ongoing on whether the structure would remain a permanent feature after next year.
He said that on a clear day, Ferris wheel passengers could see the KL Tower and as far as 20km.
The structure is in its final stage of construction and will open to the public on Jan 7.
The Swiss technology used to make the giant wheel is the result of a strategic partnership between a Malaysian company known as MST AD Suria Sdn Bhd and an Australian company.
He said Taman Tasik Titiwangsa was picked as the venue for the launch over Dataran Merdeka because the ministry wanted to promote the spot as a new tourist destination.
He said 240 events would be organised nationwide next year, with 50 to be held on a large scale.
The other major events would include a floral parade, an international aerospace exhibition and an international fireworks contest.
“We are targeting 20.1million tourist arrivals next year, and we expect to generate an income of about RM44.5bil. Eighty per cent of the tourists are expected from Asian countries, with more than 60% from Singapore,” he said.
The London Eye is the world's tallest observation wheel at 135m high and is located on the banks of the Thames River, offering an unrivalled view of the city.
Visited by over 3.5 million people a year, it is a breathtaking feat of design and engineering, and passengers in the London Eye's capsules can see up to 40km in all directions.
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Source : STAR
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1 comment:
The wheel is simply great. Let's go there one of these days and take a ride!
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