Something special for Miri 2018 New Year Countdown — Mayor

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Yii showing the VMY 2018 logo downloadable through mobile application via Miri App.

MIRI: Members of the public, especially Mirians, can expect something special for this resort city’s 2018 New Year Countdown celebration.

Mayor Adam Yii said besides ushering the New Year 2018, it is also a countdown for Visit Miri Year (VMY) 2018.

“The year of 2018 is a special year for Miri because it is a tourism year for the city. We have put in place the countdown programme spread over three days starting from Dec 29th until Dec 31st,” he stated to the media after chairing a full council meeting at MCC’s chamber yesterday.

Yii added the three-day event would be taking place at Marina Central Park. He further said the programme for December 29 to 30 would be similar; starting with a bazaar from 10am until 10pm and the park will turn lively in the evening with stage events such as musical and dance performances from 6pm to 10pm.

On Dec 31, he said Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin is expected to represent Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg as the guest of honour to officiate the New Year and VMY 2018 countdown.

“We are going to reveal the VMY 2018 mascot and present prizes to the winner for MCC’s tourism video contest as well as stage performances scheduled from 6pm until 12.30 midnight that will showcase local talents.

“The eight-minute firework display would be the highlight for the countdown celebration.”

For the bazaar, he said the business opening hours would be extended until midnight.

Touching on VMY 2018 with the tagline ‘Discover Miri, Uniquely Borneo’, he said it will have economic spin-offs on tourism organisations, hotels, cottage industries and other businesses across the state and country. Thus, he encouraged parties to use the VMY 2018 logo in their merchandise which can be downloaded via Miri App.

The VMY 2018 is a tourism initiative by MCC in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Miri Resident’s Office, Miri District Office, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and non-governmental organisations.

Some 30 events have been proposed for the VMY 2018, among which are International Conference on Sustainable Building Asia (SBE), opening ceremony of Miri Handicraft Centre, 40th anniversary celebration of Malaysia Dragon Temple Krokop 5, Mural Art, Miss Grand Miri, Pet Expo, Sarawak Native Festival, South East Asia Poet Convention and reunion events for Curtin University, Shell and Petronas.

These events would bring more colours to existing signature events for the city such as Bazaar Gong Xi, Miri Colours Rush Run, Miri Country Music Fest, Borneo International Jazz Festival, Miri International Marathon Run, AfroLatin Conference and many others.