Citrawarna Gala Night limited to 2,450 visitors - Nancy

SIMUNJAN (Sarawak): Only 2,450 visitors are allowed to attend the gala night of the Keluarga Malaysia Citrawarna Programme on Feb 26 at the Kuching Waterfront, said Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.

She said in view of the latest wave of rising COVID-19 infection around the world, Motac together with the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) had formulated strict standard operating procedures (SOP) for visitors attending the programme.

"Among them, we have increased the number of canopies from one to seven. Each canopy will accommodate 350 people and every movement in and out will be controlled by enforcement to comply with the number of visitors present," she said.

Nancy said this after visiting the Batang Sadong parliamentary constituency Keluarga Malaysia Sales Programme (PJKM) at Dewan Mesra Simunjan parking area, about 85 km from Kuching here today.

The sales, which is held over two days starting today, provided an opportunity for more than 40,000 locals to buy daily necessities offered at prices up to 20 per cent cheaper than the local market.

On the Keluarga Malaysia Citrawarna Programme, Nancy said the festival themed Unity in Diversity is a colourful fiesta with a variety of tourism activities as well as Malaysian arts and cultural performances and is expected to be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

She said it was imperative to stage the festival despite the threat of the COVID-19 outbreak because as the minister responsible for tourism, arts and culture, it would help many affected industry players to revitalise the economy.

She said the implementation of the Keluarga Malaysia Citrawarna Programme was also a benchmark for the implementation of future MOTAC events under the new normal.

"Indeed, when we hold the event at this time, there will be a 'fear factor' among the community. I myself am also worried but due to economic factors and other industry players who depend on the boost, it should be continued," she said.

Among the contents of the Citrawarna programme to be held over four days from Feb 24-27, apart from the gala night, are a Sarawak craft festival, Sape concert, Sarawak drum festival, Malaysian textile craft fashion show, food bazaar and a fireworks display and musical fountain show.

-- BERNAMA