40,000 at colourful N-Day countdown

The crowd waving the Jalur Gemilang to show their love for the country.

IT WAS a night to remember for thousands of Malaysians who made their way to i-City in Shah Alam to join the National Day countdown celebration.

An estimated 40,000 people took part in the “Terima Kasih Malaysia” National Day celebration that began around 8pm at the 29ha ultrapolis i-City.

It was attended by special guests PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tourism and Culture Ministry secretary-general Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah, Star Media Group managing director/chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang.

An awesome fireworks display lighting up the sky at the stroke of midnight to mark the culmination of the ‘Terima Kasih Malaysia’ National Day countdown at i-City. 

I-Berhad executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong and members of the management showed the special guests i-City’s various attractions when they arrived at about 10.30pm.

The crowd was jubilant and there was a strong spirit of patriotism in the air as well as a merry atmosphere – thanks to the many attractions and programmes lined up.

Children and their families enjoyed various theme park rides including Space Walk and Disco Ride, while being surrounded by brightly-lit colourful artificial trees at the City of Digital Lights section.

At i-City’s latest attraction called SnoWalk, an indoor winter wonderland with icy temperatures below 8° Celcius, visitors had the chance to play in real snow and with slides made of ice.

There is also the Red Carpet 2, the country’s first wax museum which houses wax sculptures of famous celebrities, world leaders and historical figures from the present and the past including Donald Trump, Xi JinPing, Vladimir Putin, Queen Elizabeth II, and the British royal family.

The crowd being treated to a parade involving 300 participants from Soka Gakkai Malaysia during the countdown celebration. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI /The Star

The museum also featured a re-enactment of the Declaration of Independence by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj in 1957.

Several of the attractions were free of charge during the event, among them the House of Horror and the Trick Art Museum at the CityWalk.

Children and adults alike were seen gleefully lining up to have their pictures taken with roaming costumed performers dressed up as popular movie characters such as Darth Vader and Ironman.

Visitors were also transported to a dreamlike world when they took a stroll in the Rose Garden, with the ever-magical digital lightscapes evoking a fairy tale-like ambience.

The CentraWalk of i-City was a hive of activity with children and families enjoying a myriad of programmes including face-painting, magician and clown performances, as well as the Malaysian cartoonist showcase.

Apart from the many exciting attractions, members of the public also took part in a sky lantern lighting ceremony which saw hundreds of paper lanterns lit and launched, like little hot air balloons peppering the night sky with orange glow.

A parade involving 300 participants from Soka Gakkai Malaysia, showcasing cultural dances and performances such as drums, acrobatics, brass bands, as well as lion and dragon dances, was another highlight of the night.

The celebration culminated in a fantastic display of fireworks at the stroke of midnight, with the crowd cheering Merdeka! to the tune of Sudirman’s Tanggal 31 playing in the background.