PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow ushered in the New Year with a fervent hope that Malaysia would become more united and enjoy an improved economy.
He said this after leading about 1,000 revellers in a ‘New Year Countdown Party’ at The Top Penang in Komtar.
“As we just celebrated in welcoming 2019, I wish all the people of Penang and Malaysia a very Happy New Year,” Chow said.
“We’ve a new hope that with the political change (in 2018), Malaysia would emerge a better country.
“2018 was a challenging year but the general public stayed united in facing the challenges.
“So, with the new Malaysia in 2019, I hope we will continue to be united when confronting any problems to further strengthen our economy.”
Seconds before the clock struck 12 midnight, Chow made the countdown together with Only World Group Holdings Berhad (OWGHB) founder and chief executive officer Tan Sri Richard Koh, OWGHB co-founder and chief operating officer Puan Sri Jean Koh, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee as well as the revellers.
This was followed by a five-minute spectacular fireworks display that lit up the night sky.
The auspicious event took place at a height of 816-feet above the sea level at The Top Penang, the state’s highest iconic entertainment tower.
Dubbed the ‘Magical Snowfall & Fireworks Countdown Party’, the event started off with a deejay music spin that set the mood for an exciting night of revelry.
The party was further hyped up as emcee Emily Poon, who is also a famous My.fm radio station deejay, played some on-ground interview games.
It became hotter when Malaysian songstress, actress and model Nutselar Lim took the mike to entertain the party goers.
Immediately after the countdown, The Top started to ‘snow’. The magical ‘snowfall’ had captured and awed the merrymakers who started to take selfie or wefie.
Koh said The Top Penang, as an iconic destination in the Pearl of the Orient, would continue its effort to organise events to attract local and international tourists.
“By packing up the year with several key events whether it is entertainment or leisure related, this will set our venue as a place for good fun, good food and good living,” he said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud & Law Suun Ting
Video by Chan Kok Kuan