PESTA PULAU PINANG CONTINUES TO BE A MAJOR DRAW

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Pesta Pulau Pinang, which is held every year, continues to be a highly anticipated event not only for the people of the state but also for residents of northern states regardless of race, religion and background.

The festival not only offers entertainment and various interesting events but has also been a symbol of unity for the diverse community for a long time.

Pesta Pulau Pinang committee manager Dr Khairusany Mohamed Yusof said the 59th Pesta Pulau Pinang began on Dec 6 until Jan 10 from 6 pm to 11 pm on weekdays and 5.30 pm to 12 midnight on weekends and public holidays.

He said this edition also continues to maintain its appeal with several elements and improvements offered to visitors and his party is targeting up to 500,000 people to attend compared to 350,000 visitors last year.

"In total, more than 80 stalls selling various food and drinks, not only from Penang but also from several other states and countries, and exhibition spaces are operating within the Pesta Pulau Pinang site.

"Consumers also don't need to worry because the prices offered are reasonable, in fact we are working with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living to conduct continuous monitoring to ensure traders comply with the regulations set and that there are no overpriced prices," he told Bernama.

Khairusany said the 8.14-hectare festival site is also complete with various facilities including mini parks and pavilions for state agencies such as the State Secretariat Office, Penang City Council (MBPP) and Penang Development Corporation (PDC).

He said it is also a symbol of diplomatic relations through the Thailand, North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Acheh Pavilions which also offer various contents including food sales and their traditional clothing.

"Among other attractions are performances by retro and modern artists such as Kristal, Hattan, Zamani, XPDC, Awie, Ella, Ukays, Ara Johari and Haziq, besides ‘Malam Pesta Berselawat’ with nasyid groups such as Inteam, UNIC with Ustaz Don.

"The performance will take place in the performance arena every night throughout Pesta Pulau Pinang,  so it will definitely provide a different atmosphere and genre to the visitors who attend," he said.

In addition, Khairusany said that his party is also collaborating with a company KCA Amusement Entertainment which specially brings high-tech games from Europe, including "Air Force" to give visitors the opportunity to try out unique experiences and challenges every day and test their adrenaline rush.

"We also have 17 semi-extreme games and 18 other games that are specifically for the whole family and in terms of safety, everything that is available at the Pesta Pulau Pinang has been inspected as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Committee (DOSH)," he said.

He said this edition maintains the lighting concept to add excitement and create an attractive atmosphere for visitors and provides more photo booths and photo corners to provide a new experience for visitors to capture the best moments at the iconic site.

According to him, there are also various programmes at Arena 3 such as the Cat Festival, Silat, Boxing, Muay Thai, Kabaddi, E-Sport, Choral Speaking competitions as well as an exhibition of the country’s security forces.

-- BERNAMA