MALAYSIA. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is offering a myriad of activities to honour the upcoming Hari Raya celebrations.
“Hari Raya is perhaps the biggest celebration in Malaysia and is the perfect opportunity for us to acquaint foreigners and Malaysians alike with some of the fine art associated with the Malay culture,” said Malaysia Airports General Manager Commercial Services Encik Umar Bustamam.
“Visitors can also enjoy special promotions for traditional attire – Baju Kurung and Baju Kebaya for women and Baju Melayu for men – at selected boutiques in KLIA. The promotion also extends to accessories and the basic necessities to dress up for Hari Raya, which include kerongsang or brooch, tudung or head scarves and even fashionable shoes.”
 |  |
Two Australian travellers try on the samping as Malaysia’s vibrant culture is brought to life | |
With a line-up that includes songket-tying, gamelan and nasyid performances, special Hari Raya displays and many other colourful activities, Malaysia Airports said it is “pulling out the stops to give travellers and visitors an enjoyable peek into our rich Malaysian culture”.
The activities, which started on 24 September, are proving to be a big hit with foreign visitors, especially international travellers, said the airport company. Many have been trying on the samping at the songket demonstration and dancing along with the joget dancers.
Encik Umar explained: “Kain samping may be made of any material, but the Kain Songket Samping is usually worn at ceremonies and Hari Raya. Kain samping is worn by men to complement the Baju Melayu. Basically, kain samping is a short sarong worn over the trouser of the Baju Melayu ensemble. There are a few variations in tying the Kain samping and at the songket demonstration is where visitors can attempt in tying their own samping.
 |
Indain traveller P Laha gets into the spirit of the celebrations |
“KLIA’s Hari Raya activities do not end here. We also have our special “˜Biskut Raya’ giveaways, where we will distribute Hari Raya goodies to passengers at KLIA. The giving out of Hari Raya biscuits is just a small token from Malaysia Airports to our passengers so that they may enjoy the variety of biscuits served in local houses during Raya.”
Besides daily cultural experiences and giveaways, KLIA also plays host to visitors who would like to communicate with their relatives and friends overseas. Malaysia Airports has set up a video conferencing unit for all visitors who wish to communicate with their loved ones anywhere around the world. This complimentary service is available starting on 13 October.
“‘Celebrate Raya with the World’ is an avenue where our visitors can connect with friends and families via a video conferencing unit in the main stage area of the Main Terminal building. We are aware that some are not able to go home on time to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Eid ul-Fitr as it is known in other places in the world, hence we have this venue set up specially to bring our passengers and visitors closer to their families,” said Encik Umar.
The Hari Raya activities are part of the recently launched KLIA Shopping Campaign 2008/2009 – Magic 10 Celebration, which runs for 10 months from 26 August to June 2009.
The ambitious campaign includes three shopping contests offering RM2.7 million worth of prizes including two lots of RM 50,000 cash, a RM 30,000 holiday package, a Lexus GS300 and a host of other prizes to reward shoppers who have spent a minimum amount of RM 250.00 at KLIA or LCCT-KLIA.
Alongside Lexus as official sponsors of the Shopping Campaign, MasterCard Worldwide is also offering additional rewards for MasterCard holders who spend in KLIA and the low cost terminal.
 |
The first of the shopping contest series: (left to right) Malaysia Airports General Manager of Commercial Services Tuan Hj Umar Bustamam; Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) Chairman Y. Bhg Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Aris Othman; and Malaysia Airports Senior General Manager Operation Services Dato’ Azmi Murad at the ‘Magic 10 Celebration’ launch |
ABOUT MALAYSIA AIRPORTS
Malaysia Airports operates and manages 39 airports in Malaysia: five international, 16 domestic and 18 short take-off and landing ports.
It also has operations in Kazakhstan, India and Turkey. On 30 November 1999, Malaysia Airports became the first airport company to be listed in Asia.
[comments]
Your post will appear – once approved – in The Moodie Forum on our home page
MORE STORIES ON MALAYSIA AIRPORTS
Malaysia Airports first-half revenue grows +16% buoyed by strong commercial performance – 02/09/08
