KANGAR: The Perlis International Kite Festival will be made an annual event, says state tourism, arts, culture and rural development committee chairman Abu Bakar Hamzah.
He said the inaugural one-day festival drew 112 participants from 42 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Brazil, China, Canada, England, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Indonesia, Switzerland, Poland, Scotland, the Philippines, Thailand, Turkiye, Vietnam and Taiwan.
"The 2025 Perlis International Kite Festival attracted over 2,000 visitors.
"The event was in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the reign of the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.
"It is part of the 56 events planned by the state government and non-governmental organisations throughout the year,” he told reporters after the opening ceremony officiated by Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin in Kuala Perlis near here on Tuesday (Feb 18).
Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil were in attendance. Also present was Perlis Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
According to Abu Bakar, the festival featured illuminated kites flown at night, part of a tour from Pasir Gudang in Johor to Satun in Thailand, in collaboration with the Perlis Modern and Traditional Kite Flyers Association.
Meanwhile, association chairman Rodzake Namis hoped that the festival could be held during the school holidays and the east wind season to attract more visitors.
He also called on the state government to provide more support to the association so that the festival can grow and become a major tourist attraction. – Bernama
