For the first time, Bukit Bintang will be the main location for a glittering parade in conjunction with the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, which is scheduled to take place on January 3 next year.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming announced that the event will feature various cultural performances representing the uniqueness of Malaysia along the main route of Bukit Bintang.
He explained that the date was chosen to avoid overlapping with the Christmas and New Year celebrations which usually cause congestion in the area.
The ministry will also request the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to close roads around Bukit Bintang in the evening to launch the parade. The public is encouraged to use public transport to avoid traffic congestion.
Nga stressed that this is the first time a large-scale parade has been organised in Bukit Bintang with an international-class performance concept which is comparable to the parade at Disneyland.
In the same development, he announced a special allocation of RM4 million, RM2 million each from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to implement the I Lite U Bukit Bintang city lighting program.
Kor Ming said that the initiative reflects close cooperation between government agencies in realizing the vision of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, with a lighting concept based on innovation and sustainability to beautify the 'golden triangle' area of Kuala Lumpur.
He added that the success of organizing the recent ASEAN Summit has become an important momentum to strengthen Malaysia's image in the eyes of the world.
Therefore, various agencies including the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) and Alam Flora Sdn. Bhd. will be mobilized to ensure that Bukit Bintang is always clean, cheerful and energetic ahead of the country's biggest tourism campaign.
