Joyful Celebrations To Usher In 2013

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- Spectacular fireworks illuminated the sky above Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur as Malaysians welcomed 2013 in joyful celebrations throughout the country Monday night. The focal point of the celebration was the historic Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square) in the heart of the city, where Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin joined an estimated 130,000 people in the countdown to 2013. As the clock on the nearby Sultan Abdul Samad building chimed 12 times at the stroke of midnight, revellers at Merdeka Square erupted in joyous celebration as colourful fireworks erupted above the square. Similar scenes were repeated at other locations in the capital like the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) dominated by the Petronas Twin Towers, Bukit Bintang commercial district, as well as Putrajaya, the country's federal administrative capital. The New Year celebration at the Merdeka Square organised by the Ministry of Information Communication and Culture saw Malaysians of various races converging to the area since 6pm. Muhyiddin and his wife, Noorainee Abdul Rahman were joined at the square by Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim and his wife, Maznah Rais and Cabinet ministers. The New Year celebration at Merdeka Square, which was broadcast live on television also carried a video clip of the New Year Message from Prime Minister Najib Razak. At the KLCC Park, about 10,000 visitors thronged the public park at the Suria KLCC shopping centre as early as 5pm to witness the 'New Year Countdown at KLCC-NYC@KLCC'. At the show themed "HEADL12NERS", visitors were entertained by the performance 'Lake Symphony Fountain Show', accompanied by a light and sound display before fireworks filled the night sky above the Twin Towers exactly at midnight. Visitors at the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa (Titiwangsa Lake Garden) were also entertained by artistes in the 'Konsert KL Aktif 2013' (KL Active Concert 2013) organised by the radio station, KLFM in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA