Founded in 1999 to reflect the rich cultures that Malaysia represents, the event has since spread awareness of Malaysia’s artistic, geological and cultural gems to many parts of the world.

dance performances of the country under one roof

The ruler of Malaysia, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Al-Haj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah and his queen are expected to grace the event to officiate at the Citrawarna 2013 Parade as well as to lend the event their support.

The yearly event celebrated every May, to unite various states of the nation in one single place to portray their culture and lifestyle. One can use this opportunity to see shows presented by different ethnic races of this multicultural country.

To expect larger and more dazzling event in this 15^th year celebration, one can also get the experience of seeing various talents and cultural performances exhibited on one solo stage or floor where all the nook and corner of Malaysia gets bonded.

During this festival there will be traditional dances, parades, exhibitions, traditional costumes and jewelleries and many more events that will bring together all the different races in Malaysia. Each ethnic Malaysian community will showcase their traditional and customary individuality in costumes, head gears, traditional dance and music, art and craftwork and also traditional cuisine and delicacies and many more.

colours and cultures always have a correlation with one another

Depicted as a 'premier cultural extravaganza' by Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia, the festive brings in joy in every Malaysian’s soul as one can see all the arts and dance performances of the country under one roof. There are visitors from other continents as well to enjoy these shows.

This year’s festival too will be a time of celebration of unity among Malaysian, so come along with your family!

For tourists, visitors and foreigners, come and join this great gala extravaganza with your fellow Malaysians and enjoy 1Malaysia!

Come to Malaysia with wide-opened eyes and mind as this is a land of festival where you can treat your vision as well as inhale the gala air every moment and every minute. Indulge yourself in numerous functions of the country and get unlimited joy that will remain in your heart forever.

This year, the 20^th Regatta Lepa will be held from 26^th – 28^th of April 2013 and the event attracted thousands each year. “Lepa” means “boat” is believed to be originated from the Pa'alau Bajau people who live in Bum Bum Island and used by fishermen along the coast of Semporna.

The unique lifestyle and festival is celebrated by the Bajau Laut ethnic community, the major dwellers in Semporna. The Bajau Laut people are seafarers at heart and well known for their Lepa, which is the traditional single-mast sailing boat used in their daily lives.

colourful Lepa

Nowadays, the practice of this traditional lifestyle is slowly dispersing with modernity. Few modern Bajaus use the Lepa today as many of them migrated to the mainland. Nonetheless, Lepa remains a symbol of tradition and a precious legacy for the Semporna Bajau community.

With the change of time, the Lepa might not be used in the same way as it used to be but the Lepas will never be forgotten for yet another year as the symbol of pride of the Bajau people and a cultural heritage.

The Bajau seafarers' proud maritime heritage came alive in this annual festival of Regatta Lepa, featuring their boats, the Lepa with participants dancing at the helm of their boats, decorated with bright colour sails known as sambulayang and tapis (small triangular flags).

The sleepy Semporna town comes to life as the colourful sails take to the sea to compete for the prize of the most beautiful Lepa! The highlight of the event is the sail-past of the Lepa, each boat decked with smiling dancers and lively musicians, hoping to be crowned `Most Beautiful Lepa' - the grand prize of this much-anticipated water festival.

Every Lepa family has their own or daughter beautiful girl welcoming visitors with graceful igal-igal dance, a traditional dance of the Bajau.

beautiful girl welcoming visitors with the traditional igal-igal dance

The Regatta Lepa is not just a water festival, in fact the whole town of Semporna has a carnival atmosphere, what with the various concerts staged, and so many stalls set up to promote or sell products and services to the population, visitors and tourists that have certainly swelled manifold.

Further Information

Organiser : Semporna District Office
Venue : Semporna, Sabah
Contact Person : A.M Ibnu Haji A.K baba
Telephone : 6089-781518, 6089-781663
Fax : 6089-781472
Email Contact : AmIbnu.Baba@sabah.gov.my
Event Website : http://www.sabahtourism.com

Kai! That’s probably the first word you’ll hear as you step into KidZania, Kuala Lumpur’s latest indoor family edutainment centre. Here’s how greetings are exchanged instead of hello. It’s personal; giving kids an instant sense of belonging and a feeling of being connected and accepted within a place meant only for them.
KidZania even has its own dance and song, not to mention currency, the kidZos.
Hailed from Mexico City, this award-winning theme park was first opened in 1999. It has since been established in eight cities worldwide including Monterrey, Tokyo, Dubai and Seoul.
Think it’s another children’s theme park with rides and arcade games? Well, think again. KidZania has none of those. Instead, it’s a place where children can lead independent lives and understand the world of grown-ups better, by being grown-ups themselves.
Put simply, KidZania is where kids experience the world of adults in a replica of a real city.

They now have a place where they can freely and openly do things that would otherwise send mummy into a screaming frenzy.
Here, if you’ve reached the age of 4 and fulfil the minimum height requirement, you can even climb a building – how about that?
Putting on lipstick and nail polish are not forbidden either. Kids can even get a beauty makeover. Yeah, your five-year old daughter must be gleaming with joy knowing this. In fact, she can even earn ‘money’ if she applied them on others.
Most parents would agree that kids simply enjoy imitating adults. KidZania is the answer to satisfy their curiosity of the adult’s world and their desire to be an adult through fun role-playing activities. Targeted at those aged 4 to 14, it is truly a nation for kids.
Let’s face the fact that those days where a game of Snake & Ladder or reruns of Tom & Jerry is enough to keep kids occupied for hours have long gone.

In this day and age where Apple products are placed on top of most kids’ wish list and Internet-access has become a necessity, traditional games can no longer satisfy the amazing development of their brainpower.
They are hungry for information and tasks that challenge their intelligence. Hence, they require experiences that are stimulating, hands-on, engaging and educational, yet fun. They are still kids, after all.
At KidZania, children are empowered to take charge and make their own decisions. They are encouraged to choose or try out whatever that strikes their fancy. It is to remind them that life is about options. In a way, it’ll foster confidence and independence.
There are 60 “establishments” in KidZania offering 90 authentic role-playing activities. Kids can play and experience the jobs that their parents are doing – from surgeon and pilot to fashion model and hair stylist.

These outlets are sponsored by well-known local and international brands such as AirAsia, Celcom, Honda, Marrybrown, and the New Straits Times.
To enter the city, kids need to go through an airline check-in counter by AirAsia.  They’ll get a boarding pass, a map to the city and a cheque for 50 kidZos to begin their exciting journey of discovery.
They need to head straight to the bank to cash the cheque first.
In the city, kids can spend their kidZos and earn it when it runs out. All the establishments have tasks for the young workers to carry out for a specific duration.
They can be a surgeon and perform surgery on a mock patient on the operating table; pilot an airplane; dispatch parcels as postmen; go on a fire engine as firefighters to put out a fire; or be a journalist.
Staff members, known as Zupervisor, will be on hand to guide and assist the kids in each of the establishments.
By completing the prescribed tasks, kids earn kidZos which can be saved in the bank, or spent purchasing other goods and services.
If at the end of the session they have kidZos left, they can open an account at the bank and deposit the kidZos, to be used for their next visit. They’ll get an ATM card that can be used at the ATM machines within KidZania.

According to KidZania, the role-play activities are specifically designed to aid physical and intellectual growth. They also contribute to the development of skills and attitudes.
With so many roles that kids can assume here, it reflects the importance every person has in the development of a community, thus teaching them the value of equality and respect for others.
Kids also learn about financial literacy and money management at KidZania. As they have the freedom to decide on what to do with their kidZos, they can choose to spend or save them, as well as what and where to spend them on.
Parents must try not to interfere with the choices of their children. It is, after all, their hard-earned cash.
The diverse learning experience of KidZania Kuala Lumpur will benefit children in their life at school, home and when they are out with friends. It’ll give them much to talk about.
Safety is always a prime concern when bringing kids to a theme park especially one where you can just drop them off like KidZania.
Here, all visitors will be given a security bracelet that doesn’t allow children to exit the premise without the accompanying adult. There’s a tracking system on each child where the ID bracelet will be scanned each time they enter or leave an establishment.
Children aged eight and above can be left at KidZania without parents’ supervision. Parents have the option of dropping off their kids for a fun-filled time at KidZania, or they can pay a fee and enter the city as well.
While their kids are ‘working’, parents can relax at the Parents’ lounge, which is equipped with Wi-fi and TVs.
Toddlers too are not left out. There’s an exclusive section to cater to them called ‘Urbano’s House’. Here, those aged 3 and below can take part in story-telling and puppet shows, make their favourite meals, jump around on an inflatable bed, enjoy games, colouring books, puzzles and many more.
Understandably, KidZania can be really packed during holidays.
“Brace yourself for hours of queuing up at certain establishments,” related a friend who had brought her son there during the school holiday.
Whether children would eventually find KidZania interesting or enriching, I’ll leave it to them to judge. After all, the city is created for them.

FAST FACTS:
Location                   :    The Curve NX in Mutiara Damansara.
It is connected to the Curve shopping mall via a link bridge.
Size                         :    80,000 sq ft spread across 2 levels.
Capacity                   :    1,700 people at any one time.
Operating hours        :    10am – 5pm (Mondays to Fridays)
10am to 3pm & 4pm to 9pm (Weekends, Public and School Holidays)
Website                   :    www.KidZania.com.my
Facebook                 :    www.facebook.com/KidZaniaKualaLumpur
Careline                   :     1 300 88 KIDZ (5439) – 9am to 8pm (Mondays to Sundays)

Anis Ramli takes a road-trip on one of the earliest-built highways in Malaysia to discover the old-world charm of Terengganu...

The deep seas off Terengganu may be rich in oil and gas reserves, making the east coast state among the region's leaders in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, but some argue that its real treasures are all found on the mainland.

With a documented history reaching as far back as the 2nd century, Terengganu certainly has accumulated a wealth of heritage influenced by the Langkasuka and Srivijaya kingdoms it was part of, and the Majapahit, Khmer and Chinese empires it traded with. Despite modern developments, the old Terengganu still remains - and the best way to explore it? Via Federal Route 3 - approaching a hundred years old, but still one of Malaysia's most scenic highways.

At 739km long, Route 3 runs alongside the coast of four Malaysian states from Johor Bahru, Johor, in the south of the peninsula, through Pahang and Terengganu before ending in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. From here, it goes on as part of the Asian Highway Network that connects Asia to the upper reaches of Europe.

It's ironic that 20 years after it was built by the British for economic reasons, Route 3 would bring the ultimate fall of the Allied Forces when, in 1941, Japanese troops used it to swiftly advance south on bicycles during the Battle of Malaya.

Having served for economic and political purposes in the past, it must be said that Route 3 today is best suited for more leisurely pursuits. The relatively flat and straight two-lane single carriageway road provides an easy, scenic drive.

Traveling northwards, the South China Sea with its glittering blue waves in the midday sun would be your constant companion - and distraction - on the east. Some sections of the highway run alongside lush pockets of mangrove forests along the coastal estuaries.

There's no escaping the countryside charm of Terengganu, even as the bigger towns try to shed its pastoral image with concrete buildings and foreign franchise retailers. Fishing villages just on the outskirts of towns speak of the population's time-honoured source of income; fishermen bring their boats ashore on public beaches; chickens and cows roam about freely along main thoroughfares; while many of the wooden homes here are still built on stilts in a compound of coconut trees.

Even the stretch of road from Kerteh to Paka - where Malaysia's oil and gas refinery activities are based - makes for excellent night driving. As the sun sets, the huge complex of pipes, steel tanks, smoke stacks and gas flutes lights up spectacularly like a space station about to launch a rocket ship.

Chukai
A great way to get to know Terengganu is through its food and what better place to start than in Chukai (in the district of Kemaman), among the first towns you encounter along the Terengganu section of Route 3 northwards. Kim Wah (also known as Kin To Wah) Restaurant is a spartan corner establishment on Jalan Masjid with an even simpler menu, selling nothing else but chicken rice. It opens daily from 11 am to 2:30 pm, but its plates of roast chicken over rice with a side of soy sauce and chili dip often run out by 1pm.

One of the enduring legacies of the Chinese community in Malaysia is the kopitiam. Usually established in smaller towns, but increasingly franchised in urban centres, these old-style cafés are famous for their Asian coffee (usually thicker and more bitter than its European version) and charcoal-toasted bread generously slathered with butter and kaya, a coconut cream-based jam. Kemaman's very own - Hai Peng Kopitiam on Jalan Sulaimani - has been enjoying a good reputation since the 1930s. Besides the toast, their other specialty is the typical Terengganu dish nasi dagang - beautifully steamed rice with a serving of rich tuna curry wrapped in banana leaf parcels.

In the evenings, join the locals at Pantai Geliga beach for traditional east coast tea-time treats of satar (fish cakes wrapped in banana leaves, skewered in threes, and grilled over red-hot charcoal), keropok lekor (fish crackers) and sotong celup tepung (deep fried squid). Down it all with fresh coconut juice, served straight from the husk!

Kuala Dungun
About an hour's drive north of Chukai is Kuala Dungun, a town that once enjoyed the wealth of its iron ore mining activities. Nothing much of its glorious past remains except for the nondescript concrete pillar in the sea that some say was part of the railway line that transported iron from Bukit Besi to Kuala Dungun. About 30 km inland, in Bukit Besi, are a few more of these legacies - the stockpile buildings, tunnels and chimneys used during the tin-mining days - left by the Japanese who first discovered the riches within the area.

Seemingly bereft of any tourist attractions, Kuala Dungun is an unlikely stop for those passing through Terengganu if not for Tanjong Jara Resort. Despite its modest kampung location, the resort, part of the luxury YTL property chain, has gained a worldwide reputation for its unique architecture and welcome. Taking a cue from its east coast residents, Tanjong Jara Resort has adopted the spirit of gentle and humble Malay service and hospitality. Its "Unmistakably Malay" tagline is reflected throughout the resort - the Malay palace-like architecture, the local menu which features the region's unique cuisine, and the age-old Malay treatments at its award-winning spa.

The district of Dungun, especially the beaches at Rantau Abang, used to be the calling place of giant leatherback turtles who return yearly to the beaches here to lay their eggs. In the 1970s, as many as 1,000 leatherback landings were reported but these nesting giants are a rare sight these days due to modern developments and human interference; however it is still possible to view green turtle landings in other parts of Dungun. Tanjong Jara Resort has a turtle watching programme exclusively for guests at Kerteh. The oil-refinery town of Terengganu may be an unlikely port of call for these nesting turtles, but the midnight trips arranged with the local fisheries department are highly recommended. Complement the experience beforehand with a trip to the Turtle Information Centre in Rantau Abang just 15 km north of Tanjong Jara Resort to learn about the miraculous journey made by these gentle marine creatures to nest and the subsequent fight for survival by their young hatchlings.

Kuala Terengganu
After the tranquil panoramas of Kemaman, Dungun and Marang, the bustle of capital city Kuala Terengganu takes a while to get used to. Pasar Payang is the central market where all manner of trade is conducted. It's the place to get your fish and chicken, fruits and veggies, dried fish crackers, some fashionable wear, souvenirs, even your gold jewellery. It would almost be a sin to leave town without at least purchasing the signature east coast fabric, the batik, here. Or indulge in the Terengganu brocade - a textile of royal origins made using fine gold and silk threads.

Spend a quick afternoon on the Terengganu River Cruise, from the Islamic Civilisation Park jetty, to learn about the history and development of the area. Then, hop over to Pulau Duyong to walk within the walls of an old fortress. Built in the 1920s, Kota Lama Duyong is a traditional Terengganu house with Greek Corinthian elements in its columns and Islamic influences in the decorative woodcarvings.

Penarik
Continue northwards from Kuala Terengganu and you will soon reach Penarik in the district of Setiu. This serene fishing village has a unique geographical landscape - a narrow isthmus of casuarinas and coconut groves flanked by the Setiu River on the west and the South China Sea on the east. It is the setting of Terrapuri Heritage Village, part conservation project, part boutique guest house, and on-going 20-year labour of love by local entrepreneur, Alex Lee, to preserve the authentic traditions of the Malay Terengganu house.

Here, guests are accommodated in hundred-year old dwellings, each one personally sourced by Lee from various parts of Terengganu, dismantled, carefully restored and assembled again on this piece of beach-front land in Kampung Mangkuk. Rich in history and displaying the refined carpentry and design skills of highly-respected master craftsmen, each of these 29 houses may be the last legacies of a fast-diminishing Terengganu culture and heritage. The hospitality by locals employed from nearby villages is genuine and unpretentious - at the end of your stay, you'll be bidding goodbye to friends and family instead of service staff.

Beaches
With a coastline that runs for 244 km, Terengganu's beaches are some of the best and prove to be a great distraction to those driving along Route 3. There's no point resisting its allure; turn off from the main road anywhere and cherish the serendipitous discoveries not marked in any tourist map.

Teluk Bidara in Dungun is a bay near Tanjong Jara Resort where one can explore the cave and lighthouse on Tanjung Api Hill at low tide. Kuala Abang and Kemasik beaches have some interesting sea-side rock formations on which to perch and enjoy the miles of blue, while Penarik tears you in two with the river wetlands on one side and gorgeous beach on the other, and the shade of casuarinas and coconut palms in between the two.

The long Terengganu coastline may be inviting but beware of the strong under-currents in certain places. Instead, pull a chair beach-side and munch on keropok lekor as you take in the views of the nearby islands, listen to the waves breaking on the shore and fantasise of owning a beach-front property here.

When to go:
The state of Terengganu observes Sunday to Thursday as working days while Friday and Saturday are public holidays. Banks, government offices and most businesses in Terengganu operate from Sunday to Thursday.

Also, it's worth checking out the weather before going. Terengganu experiences heavier rainfall and flooding in certain areas during the monsoon season when the north-east winds blow between November and January. Although the perception is that it rains every day during this period, there are perfectly sunny days, too, in between wet spells. Still, trips to the islands are not advised during this period due to uncertain sea conditions. On the bright side, the monsoon season is considered low season, and travellers get better deals on hotels.

Driving tips:
Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu (approx. 455 km): Take the Karak Highway, then the East Coast Expressway, and exit at Jabor toll. Continue towards Kuala Terengganu on Federal Route 3 via Chukai town in Kemaman.

Singapore/Johor Bahru to Kuala Terengganu (approx. 562 km): Take Federal Route 3 to Kota Tinggi, Mersing, Kuala Rompin, Pekan, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.

Penang to Kuala Terengganu (approx. 460 km): Take Federal Route 4 via Grik to Jertih, then turn into Federal Route 3 to Kuala Terengganu.

Flights:
Fly to Kuala Terengganu Airport from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) via Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia; or from Subang Airport (Kuala Lumpur) via Firefly.

More info:
Check out an online brochure on Terengganu (and the east coast region) here: http://www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my/intl_en/ebrochure/pdf/8c26ea7d

Did you know that there is a permanent display promoting local products and services from over 500 Malaysian companies?

The Malaysia Export Exhibition Centre (MEEC) at Menara MATRADE in Kuala Lumpur is the place for trade visitors to obtain more information on Malaysian local products for export.

Located on the second floor of MEEC, it has 4,500 sq meters of display space showcasing and promoting the various Malaysian products and services.

Built as a one –stop exhibition centre, MEEC helps provide sourcing solutions with assistance in addressing trade queries as well as setting up business meetings with exhibitors of the various products. MEEC also has personnel to address on trade enquiries.

Serving as an international venue for Malaysian suppliers to meet with prospective buyers, trade visitors can choose from 30 industries such as Green Technology, Electrical and Electronics, Chemical, Automotive, Rubber, Plastic, Pharmaceutical and Timber/Wood.

There is also promotion of the services sector with industries like Oil and Gas, Construction, Business Services, Healthcare and Education.

The showcased display area is divided into three sections:

a)      Home Display Area – a quirky display of furniture, household products and its usage in real life

b)      Booth Area –  Divided by industries this area showcases Malaysian products and services

c)       Open Concept – segmented by industry cluster, products are displayed creatively

Interested in learning more?

Check out the visiting hours:

Monday - Thursday         : 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

Friday    : 9.00 am - 12.15 pm

: 2.45 pm - 5.00 pm

Closed on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays

For further information on MEEC, kindly visit www.matrade.gov.my or call 03-6207 7183/ 7184/ e-mail: meec@matrade.gov.my.

MALAYSIA EXPORT EXHIBITION CENTRE (MEEC)

Level 2, East Wing

Menara MATRADE

Jalan Khidmat Usaha, Off Jalan Duta

50480 Kuala Lumpur