Welcoming 2023 with a splash

The huge crowd resonating with the music at Sunway Lagoon during the countdown. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star

REVELLERS in both Selangor and Penang rang in the New Year with gusto.

At Sunway Lagoon in Petaling Jaya, the atmosphere was electric during the Grand Wave New Year Countdown 2023.

The massive crowd of thousands was energised with performances by Alan Walker, R3HAB, Mariana Bo, Ray Ray and Havana Brown.

The opening acts by South-East Asian artistes such as Joe Flizzow, Sonaone, Yonnyboi, Ben Utomo, IRONBOY, Pradaa, 24k.Right and DJ Jakeman also helped to pump up the crowd.

The crowd got larger and larger throughout the celebration as it neared midnight, with people mingling and making new friends.

The countdown to the New Year began in the middle of Alan Walker’s performance. Artificial snow was later sprayed outside Sunway Pyramid.

In Penang, crowds welcomed 2023 at various spots in the heritage enclave of George Town including the Esplanade. Chulia Street and Love Lane, especially, were bustling with cheer.

Gurney Paragon also held a New Year’s Eve celebration which drew a family from the United States.

Pharmacist Anna Tye, 37, who is from New Jersey, was in Malaysia for a three-week holiday.

“My husband, two kids and in-laws came with me.

“This is the first international trip after Covid-19 for my children aged three and seven.

“They had a great time dancing to the beat of the music. The New Year celebration here feels more personalised compared with the ones in the United States,” she said.

Tye added that her mother-in-law who migrated to the United States 50 years ago was from Penang.

“She wanted to bring her grandchildren to experience Malaysia.

“We had the time of our lives here, enjoying the beautiful scenery and delicious food.

“It was indeed a memorable Christmas as well as New Year for us,” she said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia student Ong Wei Hua, 21, from Selangor, was among a group of 15 friends at the celebration.

“All of us are from other states including Sarawak and this is our first time away from home for the festivity.

“We felt homesick and decided to cheer ourselves up by joining the countdown here,” Ong said.

Programmer Ivan Raszl, 48, from Canada, who has celebrated New Year in Malaysia for the past four years, brought his 12-year-old son to enjoy the festivity at the mall.

“My son’s school friends wanted to tag along with us. This is the children’s first outdoor celebration since the Covid-19 pandemic started and they are excited.

“We are from Canada, Japan, Australia, China, United Kingdom and other countries,” he said.

Visitors to the mall enjoyed songs by a live band and DJ performance before counting down to 2023.