Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia in May

MIRI INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FEST
08—09 May, 7.30pm until 12.15am
Venue: The Pavilion, Park City Everly Hotel,
Miri, Sarawak
Admission: RM60 (per night)
Tel: 085-434 181
www.mirijazzfestival.com
Promising to be another signature attraction for Miri’s tourism calendar, MIJF 2008 is back! And to liven up the Fest will be renowned jazz performers from Australia, Philippines, Cuba, Holland, USA, France, UK, Canada and Malaysia. Taking centre stage at the festival will be the Borneo Jazz Quartet from Sarawak with their genre of jazz, blues and fusion jazz with a tinge of Latin, Caribbean and oriental music. Habana Sax from Cuba, one of the performers from last year’s line up will also make a come-back at this year’s festival, after the crowd voted them as their favourite. Other performers in this year’s line-up are Chairmaine Clamor (Philippines), Rumba Calzada (Canada), Mood Indigo (USA), Diamond Dave and the Doodaddies (Australia), Oma Sound (Japan) and Amar Sundy (Algeria). A jazz street band from Holland will also perform around the festival grounds. Plus, the presence of the 16-piece D’Iventielke will add more colour to the fiesta.

INTERNATIONAL SQUID JIGGING FIESTA
09—11 May
Venue: Kuala Terengganu
Tel: 09-624 6989
tourism.terengganu.gov.my
Fancy catching some squid? Then head east to the beautiful beaches of Terengganu for Candat sotong or squid jigging time! Squid jigging is actually a traditional way of catching squid without bait, only using a tool called ‘candat’ or jigger. This ‘jigger’ is fashioned to appear like bait and is made from either tin or plastic. When dipped in seawater the jigger will appear luminous, thereby attracting squids. There are different types of candat for catching different types of squid. Over the years, this traditional activity has attracted scores of both local and international fans. The best time for squid jigging is from April to June as the northeast monsoon winds over the South China Sea have abated. Additionally, it is the mating season for squid. As squid are easily attracted to light, therefore, it will be wise to go during full moon. In addition to the moonlight, fluorescent lamps are also then shone onto the surface. Up for a jig anyone?

PENANG WORLD MUSIC FEST
02—04 May, 7.30pm until 12.15am
Venue: Botanical Garden, Jalan Kebun Bunga, Pulau Pinang
Admission: RM50
Tel: 04-226 9727
www.penangworldmusicfestival.com
Held at the beautifully landscaped Botanic Gardens, enchanting melodies originating from various parts of the world will surround this area when world-renowned musicians once again converge in harmonic fusion at this spectacular music festival for the second time here. The 11 international and four local bands, while worlds apart, remain true to their roots in performing very prominent ethnic undertones and identities with traditional instruments being the focal point. The international bands performing over the three days hail from France, Reunion Island, Mexico, Iran, India, Denmark, Kenya, Tibet, Canada, USA and Croatia.

MOMODU BLESSING RITUAL
Venue: House of Skulls, Monsopiad Heritage
Cultural Village, Kota Kinabalu
Tel: 088-761 336
www.monsopiad.com
This ancient Kadazan ritual is performed at the atmospheric House of Skulls in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The ancient Momodu Blessing Ritual is practised by Sabah’s main indigenous tribe, the Kadazan. Head hunter descendant Dousia Moujing displays 42 human skulls and one leg bone, as tradition demands, along the ceiling of his house. Also displayed is a three-foot sword used by the legendary ancestor warrior Monsopiad to cut down his victims 300 years ago. The heads were hung on trees to dry and are believed to protect the victor’s village when displayed indoors.

PORT DICKSON HALF MARATHON 2008
25 May, 7.15am
Venue: Admiral Marina and Leisure Club,
Port Dickson
Tel: 06- 647 0888
guest.relation@rpb.com.my
Port Dickson International Half Marathon is held in collaboration between the State Government of Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Negeri Sembilan Tourism Action Council, Negeri Sembilan Athletic Amateur Association, Majlis Perbandaran Port Dickson and Admiral Marina & Leisure Club. About 3,000 local and international runners are expected to join this year’s 21km run. To add excitement to this year’s event, expect a crowd of VIPs and celebrities to run under the ‘VIP Fun Run’ category. Cash prizes and challenge trophies await the winners.

KEDAH

WILDERNESS LANGKAWI CHALLENGE 2008
03 May
Venue: Pulau Tuba,
Pulau Langkawi, Kedah
Tel: 03–2730 5000
www.wildernessmalaysia.com
info@wildernessmalaysia.com
If adventure is your middle name, this wilderness challenge should be your game. This adventure race involves trail running, swimming, ropes course, mountain biking and many more around the island. Take part in either one of the two categories —‘Slow and Steady’ or ‘Fast and Furious’.

ECO-GAMES MALAYSIA
11—15 May
Venue: Pulau Langkawi
Tel: 03–4045 4332 / 5332
www.maxquest-ar.com
The Eco-Games Championship Langkawi 2008 Race is a season-ending finale to the Eco- Games series. It will be open to 50 teams — featuring a mix of the world’s best international and top Malaysian teams (that have qualified through the Eco-Games Qualifying Races). Taking place over five gruelling days on the beautiful island of Langkawi, the best international and local competitors will cover hundreds of kilometres across various terrains during the race. Undoubtedly, the Eco-Games Championship Langkawi 2008 Race promises to be an exciting affair for all competitors and followers alike.

KELAntan

KELANTAN INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL 2008
24—27 May
Venue: Tumpat, Kelantan
Tel: 09–743 2457
www.tic.kelantan.gov.my
This international event sees the participation of countries such as Germany, United States, Britain, France, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Brunei. There are 11 types of kites (locally known as Wau) to be competed in three categories — local, national and international. The festival will also feature expo and sales carnival, fishing competition, cultural performances, water sports and many other activities.

PAHANG

SULTAN AHMAD SHAH TIOMAN INTERNATIONAL
ECO-CHALLENGE 2008
13—15 May
Venue: Pulau Tioman, Pahang
Tel: 03–6203 6919
www.eco-challenge.com.my
Teams of four racers each battle the challenging tasks, including mountain biking, running, canoeing, night stops, with outdoor amping in this inaugural fete around Tioman.

PENANG

PENANG WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL
02—04 May
Venue: Botanic Garden, Penang
Tel: 04–262 0202
www.penangworldmusicfestival.com
Music lovers get to revel in a potpourri of music by well-known international and local musicians amid the resounding rhythms f
nature. Be enchanted by the festival in Penang.

PERAK

KAYAK TREASURE HUNT
01—29 May
Venue: Tasek Raban
Tel: 05–255 0413
www.peraktourism.com
This is no ordinary treasure hunt. Participants will be rowing around Tasek Raban on kayaks with clues and looking for the uch-wanted loot. This event is organised by the State Government to promote Raban Lake and Perak River.

LANAI SENI
10 May
Venue: Perak Cultural Park
Tel: 05–253 7001
www.peraktourism.com
Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, the Lanai Seni is an arts and culture event to popularise cultural and rts activities at the Cultural Park in a bid to promote it to the locals and visitors alike.

PERLIS

PESTA HARUMANIS
09—11 May
Venue: Laman Brasmana,
Kuala Perlis
Tel: 04–985 3701
www.perlis.gov.my
Go crazy over mangoes in Perlis! Pesta Harumanis will highlight this special harumanis mango, together with other Perlis gricultural products. Other than this fruity sensation, visitors can also expect to see cultural performances, traditional sports and many other unique activities.

SABAH

SABAH FEST 2008
03—04 May
Venue: All over Kota Kinabalu
Tel: 088–232 121/212 121
www.sabahtourism.com
The state’s most anticipated event features a spectrum of cultures and traditions though dance, music, fashion and food. The estival is a prelude to the statewide celebration.

1ST COMMONWEALTH CONFERENCE ON SPORT TOURISM 2008
13—15 May
Venue: Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort &
Spa, Sabah
Tel: 03–2287 2897
www.commonwealthtourism.com/sporttourism
This conference explores issues associated with the development, management and legacies of sport tourism; from mega vents such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Formula 1 and other professional sports or smaller-scale events such as adventure sports, trekking to community-based sports. It acknowledges issues such as sporting infrastructure,
entrepreneurial systems, airlines, the mass media, private sponsorship, safety and security is critical for its success and legacies for the host destination.

SARAWAK

MIRI INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2008
09—10 May
Venue: Miri
Tel: 085–434 180
www.mirijazzfestival.com
The two-day event will showcase great international jazz performances in the intimacy of the Pavilion, set against the backdrop of tropical seaside and distant calls of the mighty rainforest. Be there to experience it.

BUKIT AUP RUN
10 May
Venue: Taman Jubli Bukit Aup, Sibu
Tel: 084–324 439
www.sarawaktourism.com
This 24-acre park at Quarry Road is the gem of the greening efforts in Sibu. This park has won several national awards since its opening in the early ‘90s. It is a popular place and this yearly event hosted by the Sarawak Tourism Board attracts thousands of runners nationwide.

WORLD HARVEST FESTIVAL 2008
23—25 May
Venue: Sarawak Cultural Village, Santubong,
Sarawak
Tel: 082–846 411
www.whf.com.my
Hari Gawai or the Harvest Fest is a well celebrated event in Sarawak. It is a sacred cultural gathering of communities that grow paddy and celebrate the harvest in a spirit of brotherhood and common understanding. This festival will offer a golden erforming opportunity for Asian cultural troupes together with indigenous groups from Sarawak and Sabah, and it promises to be an event that the world will be watching.

terengganu

INTERNATIONAL SQUID JIGGING
09—11 May
Venue: Pulau Redang,
Terengganu
tourism.terengganu.gov.my
Tel: 09–626 2946
Yes, you read that right. Jigging. Not juggling. This traditional activity is enjoyed not only by the local crowd but also by tourists. Please check Beyond KL Highlights for more information.

SUKMA TERENGGANU 2008
29 May—9 June
Venue: All over Terengganu
Tel: 09–667 2233
Sukma II Terengganu 2008 is the biggest ever with 6,635 athletes confirming attendance for this sporting extravaganza. The ukma Games is held every two years in Malaysia. Sukma is an acronym for Sukan Malaysia; literally Malaysian Games.

TERENGGANU GO GREEN & SEA SHUTTERBUG 2008
Ongoing until 30 June
tourism.terengganu.gov.my
Tel: 09–626 2946
Are you a photography fan and also a diver? Participate in this unique underwater photography competition held in conjunction with Visit Terengganu Year and International Coral Reefs Year 2008. This is the first time such an event is held in Malaysia.