Experience Malaysia February Issue

Malaysia is certainly a country blessed with many cultural celebrations and holidays. In this second month of the Malaysia Year of Festivals 2015, we see the celebration of the Federal Territory Day on1 Feb which is typically marked with street parades; Thaipusam on 3 February; and the Chinese New Year on 19 and 20 February. Certainly, February will be a month of culture that tourists to Malaysia will appreciate! 

Malaysians, too, will get to enjoy long stretches of public holidays to “balik kampung” or go for a short holiday nearby.

To give you some ideas of what to do this month, here’s a line-up of well-balanced events for tourists, both local and foreign, to enjoy in Malaysia. Plan your trip well, or engage the services of a licensed tour operator/travel agent. 

Happy Holidays! 

Thaipusam 

Customarily, Thaipusam is celebrated during the month of Thai in the Hindu calendar (January 15 – February 15) at an astronomically significant point of time. This year, the Hindu devotees in Malaysia will celebrate Thaipusam on 3 February.

During this day, the Hindu temple at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, will be a hive of activity as it becomes the centre of the largest religious gatherings.  Hindu devotees from all over the world will come and celebrate the festival in Batu Caves, beginning with an 8-hour procession from the Kuala Lumpur city centre to the cave temple, bearing offerings as simple as milk in pots to elaborate kavadis carried on their shoulders. 

Organiser: Batu Caves Hindu Association
Date: 03 February 2015
Venue: Batu Caves, Selayang, Selangor
Contact: 03 61896284
Website: batu_caves@malaysia.com

Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2015 

For the first time in Penang, a one-of-a-kind experience can be found at the Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. There will be 15 hot air balloons over the two-day festival and they will float against the picturesque backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town. Besides the impressive hot air balloons, there will also be family-friendly activities such as fun inflatable playgrounds, creative workshops, photography competition and more!

Organiser: Supported by the Penang State Government with the cooperation of the Municipal Council of Penang Island & Penang Global Tourism

Date: 21 – 22 February 2015
Venue: Padang Polo
Contact: +6 04 264 3456
Website: www.mypenang.gov.my/hab

World Kite Festival 2015

The skies over Pasir Gudang in Johor will be filled with beautiful, colourful and unique kite creations during the World Kite Festival 2015, said to be the largest in Asia. Some kites look too huge to even make the lift-off, but don’t be surprised that when they do, they will fly beautifully!

Kite enthusiasts from all over the world gather at this annual event and they certainly take their kite-making and kiteflying activities seriously! Last year, 180 kite-flyers from 25 countries took part, all wanting to show off their latest creations and kite-flying technology! Be enchanted by the amazing variety of kites while you enjoy parades, contests, kite-flying demonstrations, displays as well as an assortment of food. 

Organiser: Pasir Gudang Municipal Council
Date: 25 February 2015 – 1 March 2015 
Venue: Bukit Layang-Layang, Taman Bandar Pasir Gudang, Johor
Contact: +6 07 251 3720
Website: www.mppg.gov.my

Johor Bahru Jazz Fest 2015 

The Johor Society for the Performing Arts (JSPA), organisers of eleven years of the JB Arts Festival, is proud to present a new event set to bring live, improvised music sure to quicken the pulse of jazz fans around the region – The Johor Bahru Jazz Fest 2015.

Living legends are coming to JB to entertain you! The JB Jazz Fest 2015 will feature world-class saxophonist Sadao Watanabe, Italian acapella group Mezzotono, along with well-known jazz names from around the region such as Steve Thornton, Jeremy Monteiro and Alberto Marsico with the Jazz-Blues Brothers, The David Gomes Jazz Ensemble with Junji Delfino, together with Xiong Quintet.

Tickets will be available at www.ticketpro.com.my from mid-January onwards. Don’t miss the special early-bird promotions. 

Organiser:  The Johor Society for Performing Arts
Date: 26 – 28 February 2015
Venue: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel
Contact: +6 019 713 9900
Website: www.facebook.com/events/1611264682428463/

Malaysian Chinese New Year Open House Celebration 

This is when the Chinese usher in the Lunar New Year with lion dances and mandarin oranges. Experience the festivities in an “open house” celebration, a programme that brings people together to celebrate the country's various festivals in line with the spirit of 1Malaysia. Guests will be enthralled by cultural performances and traditional delicacies. All are invited to this free event! 

Organiser:  Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) No. 2, Tower 1, Jalan P5/6, Precint 5, 62200 Putrajaya
Date: 28 February 2015
Venue: Teluk Intan, Perak
Contact: +6 03 8000 8000 / +6 03 8891 7100
Website: www.motac.gov.my  

Penangites’ CNY Celebration 

Welcome the Chinese year of the goat with various activities and performances around the heritage area of George Town. The celebration promotes the Penang Chinese community’s intangible heritage like its cultural practices, religious festivals, traditional arts and performances, cuisine and more.

Learn about the various clan associations and their history in Penang, the process of making traditional snacks and dishes, Chinese chess, calligraphy, music and martial arts. Witness art and craft demonstrations of making Chinese knots, printmaking, opera mask making as well as enjoy snake shows, traditional poem presentations and more. 

Organiser:  Penang State Government & Penang Chinese Clan Council
Date: 28 February 2014
Venue: The Heritage Precincts of George Town
Contact: +6 04 262 1957 / +6 04 264 2020
Website: www.penang.gov.my

New Attraction! The China-Malaysia Friendship Garden 

To celebrate the good bilateral relations between Malaysia and China, the China-Malaysia Friendship Garden was built recently in Putrajaya, Malaysia’s administrative city centre. The design of the garden is in the style of the Lingnan Garden that emphasises the elements of mountain, water, stone, building, calligraphy and plants.

A stroll in this serene lake-side garden will bring one to appreciate the unique flowers and plants, architecture, courtyard, pavilion and scenery, which all stand as a testimony to the long-lasting friendship between China and Malaysia. 

Location:  Anjung Floria, Precinct 4, Putrajaya
Product Owner: Putrajaya Floria Sdn Bhd
Contact: General line +603 8887 7137  Mr. Ariff Yunus (+6016 208 2042/ariff@ppj.gov.my) Ms. Sashikala Nathan (+6012 903 6005/ sashi@ppj.gov.my)

All information is correct at time of publication. Visitors are advised to contact the event organiser for the latest updates. 

-Tourism Malaysia.