Experience MALAYSIA June 2016

How time flies! We’re almost halfway through the tourism year with still plenty of events and destinations to explore here in Malaysia. June is a special month for Muslims as they welcome the arrival of Ramadhan, a month of fasting and prayer to cleanse the mind and body. Why not experience what it’s like to break a fast and have a meal at one of Kuala Lumpur’s busiest road? Check out Iftar@KL for that.

Durian lovers can rejoice the arrival of the King of Fruits this season. Penang’s Bao Sheng Durian Farm is making a week-long festival of it for die-hard fans of the fruit.

Those looking for some family entertainment shouldn’t miss the Potted Potter, Shrek the Musical or Sabah’s Sunset Music Fest shows. For culture buffs, head to Melaka to take part in the Fiesta San Pedro, or to Sarawak for Pesta Babulang where daredevils ride the back of buffaloes in a thunderous mud race.

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!

Corporate Communication DivisionTourism Malaysia

Harry Potter takes to the stage!

Potted Potter – The Unauthorized Harry Experiences – A Parody by Dan and Jeff is an Olivier Award-nominated production that takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books and real life games of Quidditch into seventy hilarious minutes. The Potted Potter will make you laugh even if you don’t know the differences between a horcrux and a HufflePuff. Potted Potter is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed), created by two-time Olivier Award-nominated actors Daniel Clarksong and Jefferson Turner.

Date : 2 – 5 June 2016 
Venue : Pentas 1, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) 
Organiser : Milestone Production 
Contact : 03-4047 9017 
Website : www.pottedpotter.com

SHREK THE MUSICAL

SHREK THE MUSICAL is based on the Osca r-winning Dreamworks Animation film that started it all. This live adaptation brings the hilarious story of everyone’s favourite ogre to the stage. In a far away kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an ogre – not a handsome prince – shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey that does not keep quiet, a villain with a short temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand and his name is Shrek. Book your ticket at TicketCharge.com.my or call +60392228811.

Date : 2 – 5 June 2016 Venue : Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya 
Organiser : Tremendous Entertainment Group and Base Live Entertainment Sdn Bhd 
Contact : +603 9222 8811 
Website : http://www.istanabudaya.gov.my/en/frontpage/shrek-the-mus...

A Ramadan Feast in KL

Ramadan is a month where all Muslims in Malaysia fast. The Muslims welcome Ramadan with gratitude, albeit, with an air of festive cheer.

Iftar@KL is one of the exciting and unique experiences where people break their fast on the busiest road in Kuala Lumpur with the commanding backdrop of historic monuments, Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Dataran Merdeka.

Popular Ramadan dishes are served at Iftar@KL such as bubur lambuk (spiced rice porridge), dates and cakes. There will be some performances that will take us on a journey of spirituality like nasyid, marhaban, remembrance, Quran reading and more.

Date : 11 – 26 June 2016 
Venue : Dataran Merdeka Kuala Lumpur 
Organiser : National Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) 
Website : www.jkkn.gov.my 
Contact : +603 2614 820

Bao Sheng Durian Festival

Durian season in Penang is back and there is no better place to celebrate than at Bao Sheng Durian Farm. On this hillside farm overlooking the Straits of Malacca, visitors can indulge in the deliciousness of the Malaysian durians, learn about the tropical fruits and healthy vegan eating, play in the tropical sun and enjoy each other’s company.

For those who participate in the week-long sessions, there are some exciting activities such as group exercise like yoga, running, hiking and cycling. There will also be food demos to explore the flavorful world of durian and other tropical ingredients. Furthermore, some outings to explore the cultural and natural wealth of Penang Island such as the Tropical Fruit Farm, Penang Hill and Monkey Beach.

Shorter stays can also be arranged – just purchase the day pass to participate in all the fun activities that have been lined up.

Date : 9-16 June & 16-23 June 2016 
Venue : Bao Sheng Durian Farm, Penang 
Organiser : Lindsay Gasik & Grant Cambell 
Website : http://www.yearofthedurian.com/durian-tours/bao-sh... 
Email : durianyear@gmail.com

Sunset Music Fest

The annual Sunset Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo takes place in June at the northern most tip of Borneo called Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. Taking place not far from the town in Kudat, the Sunset Music Fest is Sabah’s biggest open air concert and attracts an impressive line-up of home-grown and international acts.The Sunset Music Fest delivers music as diverse in taste as classical music, folk and contemporary, with evergreen local hits that wil get the crowd to their feet and dancing to the infectious rythms.

Reputed as one of the most spectacular destinations in Sabah, the northern most tip of the island of Borneo delivers breathtaking views, and rugged, unspoiled coastlines. The district of Kudat is further known for longhouses, coconut plantations and cottage industries famous for honey and gongs, percussion instruments often used for cultural events and important occasions.

Date : 4 June 2016 
Venue : Tanjung Simpang Mengayau 
Organiser : Sabah Tourism Board / Sri Pelancongan Sabah 
Contact : +608 8232 121 / +608 8265 540 
Email : zachary@sabahtourism.com 
Website : sunsetmusicfest.my / sabahtourism.com

Fantasy Rainforest

In an enchanting tale of peace, harmony and co-existence, the magical rainforests of Malaysia and its inhabitants are brought to life in the first ever year-long live theatre performance titled “Fantasy Rainforest”.

Premiering on 20 Jan, 2016 at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC Putrajaya), Fantasy Rainforest promises a magical rainforest journey unlike any other in the world!

With a story centred on the special connection between human beings and Mother Nature, the performance showcases the various flora and fauna in Malaysia’s rainforests, as well as the tribes who live there and interact with their surroundings.

People of all ages will be thrilled with the unique cultural performances, mind-boggling stunts, world-class acrobatics and the powerfully-engaging storyline, complete with cutting-edge lighting, sound and special effects.

The 60-minute musical features over 60 world class performers and more than 30 backstage personnel who have worked tirelessly to bring this show to life. The show was conceptualised as a result of over 3 years of research involving cross-country studies in Cambodia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and France. Experts from various backgrounds in history, culture, environment and nature were also brought in to assist in this multimillion dollar production.

Venue : Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) 
Contact : +603-88876000 
Website : http://fantasyrainforest.com/web/

Fiesta San Pedro

A yearly event held at the Portuguese Settlement, Fiesta San Pedro welcomes visitors and foreign tourists to Melaka to join the 3,000-odd residents in songs, dances, fun fairs, games, decorated boat festival and solemn procession of the statue of St. Peter. It is the only carnival celebrated by the local Portuguese-Eurasian community.

The fiesta observes the feast of St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. Its special position in the community dates back to the days when fishing was the main livelihood of the settlement’s residents and those living at Praya Lane and Kampong Bandar Hilir.

The Settlement itself is tightly knit, holding out against outside influences but retaining age-old traditions, rituals, customs, practices and lifestyle dating back some 500 years ago.

Date : 27 – 29 June 2016 
Venue : Portuguese Settlement, Melaka 
Organiser : Portuguese Settlement Regedor’s Panel 
Contact : +606 2847 050

Pesta Babulang 2016

Pesta Babulang is a festival significant to the Bisaya community in Batu Danu and Limbang, Sarawak. Organised by the Bisaya Association, this annual event is a means to promote tourism for Limbang.

The highlight of the festival is the buffalo race involving teams from Sarawak itself, Sabah and Brunei trying to outrace each other, riding on bare buffalo back.

For something more feminine, there’s the ‘Ratu Babulang’ festival that draws many Bisaya lasses to vie for this annual beauty crown.

Other activities include cultural performances, a cooking contest, a beauty pageant, handicrafts, exhibition and lucky draws.

Date : 6 – 8 June 2016 
Venue : Kampung Batu Danau, Sarawak 
Organiser : Bisaya Sarawak Association D/A Pejabat Bahagian Miri 
Website : sarawaktourism.com 
Email : antonikg@sarawak.gov.my

All information is correct at time of publication.

Visitors are advised to contact the event organiser for the latest updates.

-Tourism Malaysia.