Joyful celebrations to usher in 2013

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 in the heart of the city, where Deputy Prime Minister Tan Tri 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 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 Dataran Merdeka organised by the Ministry of Information Communication and Culture saw Malaysians of various races converging to the area since 6pm.

Muhyiddin and his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman were joined at the square by Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and his wife, Datin Seri Maznah Rais and Cabinet ministers.

The New Year celebration at Dataran Merdeka, which was broadcast live on television also carried a video clip of the New Year Message from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun 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'.

Visitors at the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa were also entertained by artistes in the 'Konsert KL Aktif 2013' organised by the radio station, KLFM in collaboration with Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL).

In PUTRAJAYA, the fireworks which lightened up the sky complemented the celebration to usher in 2013 covering futsal competition, auto show, marching demonstration, and a procession of vehicles.

The celebration, organised by Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd and Ambank Group, was also broadcast live on television.

In MELAKA, the 2013 New Year was celebrated with religious programmes which were held at the Al-Alami Mosque and the Melaka International Trade Centre in Air Keroh.

The ceremony started with Maghrib prayers headed by State Mufti Datuk Wira Rashid Redza Md Saleh and included reading of the Yasin and tahlil.

Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam attended the ceremony which was joined by 1,000 people.

In JOHOR BAHARU, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek joined thousands of people to welcome the new year at Sutera Square in light drizzle.

Apart from a concert featuring local artistes and international stars from Taiwan and Singapore, a magician was also on hand to entertain the crowd.

In GEORGE TOWN, about 10,000 revellers of various ages flooded Padang Kota Lama to join in the countdown for the new year.

In IPOH, the new year celebration at Indera Mulia Stadium saw a 5,000-strong crowd joining in the occasion.