Pelita Raya programme to feature participants from Singapore and Thailand

 

KUALA TERENGGANU: The governments of Singapore and Thailand have confirmed their participation in Terengganu's Pelita Raya programme, set to take place this month. 

The state's Tourism Department director Ahmad Ridzwan Abd Rahman said Thailand would be sending participants from the Narathiwat and Pattani provinces to compete in the Pelita Raya competition, which will be held over four days during Ramadan. 

He said that Singapore had also agreed to take part, with further discussions to be held with the embassy next week. 

"Apart from Singapore and Thailand, three Malaysian states, namely, Kedah, Perlis and Kelantan have also confirmed their participation in the Pelita Raya programme, which is expected to be held at the covered stadium within the Gong Badak Sports Complex.

"The state government will continue the tradition of lighting Pelita Raya using kerosene and wicks while also incorporating electronic lanterns to promote environmental sustainability," he told the media yesterday (March 7). 

Earlier, Ahmad Ridzwan attended the Golden Snake Dinner 2025, organised by the Terengganu Chambers of Commerce Association (GDPT).

He said the annual Pelita Raya programme had been included in the tourism calendar for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. 

In addition to the Pelita Raya programme, he said the 'candat sotong' (squid jigging) festival and beach carnival had also been included in the TMM2026 tourism calendar. 

"We have also proposed to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to include 31 state tourism events in the official tourism calendar for VMY2026," he said. 

On the topic of tourist arrivals in Terengganu, Ahmad Ridzwan revealed that the total number of visitors, both domestic and international, had exceeded eight million. 

However, he noted that of the total, only 40,000 were foreign tourists, mainly from China, Italy and France. 

"These foreign tourists primarily visited resort islands such as Redang and Perhentian. 

"We will intensify activities on these islands to attract more international tourists to the state. 

"After discussions, GDPT also agreed to assist the government in promoting Terengganu to several foreign countries to increase international tourist arrivals this year," he said.

-nst online.