KUALA LUMPUR: More than 14 years after producing the spectacular opening ceremony of the Petronas Twin Towers, Michael Gomez yesterday officially received a testimonial for his remarkable effort from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The internationally recognised Malaysian events management specialist and the founder and CEO of Carlsonwhite received the testimonial from the former prime minister in Putrajaya yesterday.
“We are very grateful to Tun Dr Mahathir for so graciously giving us the letter now officially for the magnificent role Carlsonwhite played in the launch of the Twin Towers which is now synonymous with everything great about Malaysia,” said Gomez in a statement issued here yesterday.
On National Day 1999 the then world’s tallest building came alive when it was presented to the world in a grand opening ceremony that was created, directed, and produced by Gomez.
Dr Mahathir, who was then Prime Minister, had signed the plaque and his signature was projected onto a mega sky screen in the five minute multimedia display entitled ‘A Vision Realised’, tracing the efforts of the nation and its achievement and what the Tower represents.
Carlsonwhite under Gomez went on to produce many more spectacular events in Malaysia and round the world and there was always a request to see a testimonial for the role played by the firm in the launch of the 88-storey Twin Towers.
Though he received a testimonial through mail upon request eight years after the launch, there was no photo or video record and Gomez sought one last week and Dr Mahathir agreed to officially hand over one to him. — Bernama