Malaysian International Mask Festival Parade , Ridiculous to close major roads for an event such as this.! Who benefitted?

Masked revelry on KL’s streets

BY JAROD LIM

THE STAR

Participants pose for a photo before the mask parade.

 

EVERY mask tells a different story, but when put together, it shows unity and cultural acceptance.

A mask parade held in conjunction with the inaugural Malaysia International Mask Festival (Mimaf) gathered like-minded enthusiasts from several countries for a splendid showcase of masks, each with a different origin and story.

The 1km-parade meant to promote Malaysia as a multicultural tourism destination rich in art and history attracted more than 350 participants from eight countries.

Participants from countries such as Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand and China, donned their colourful masks during the parade that started at the Malaysia Tourism Centre in Jalan Ampang and passed through Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P. Ramlee and Suria KLCC.

Mimaf is co-organised by Visit Malaysia Secretariat and Tourism Malaysia.

Led by a band, groups representing each country marched through the designated route, waving their respective country’s flag.

Masked men playing music in the streets during the parade.

Traditional as well as modern costumes that they wore complemented the masks.

Some resembled characters from legends such as the monk Xuanzang and Monkey King from Journey to the West while several delegates from Shufengya Yun Opera House Sichuan showcased their elaborate opera costumes and masks.

Participants from West Java, Indonesia, wore eagle-shaped masks or garuda, an important character in several Balinese dances as well as several human-shaped masks.

Also present were Tourism and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general (culture) Datuk Ab Ghaffar A Tambi and National Department for Culture and Arts director-general Datuk Norliza Rofli who opened the event.

Ab Ghaffar said the different display of masks and costumes reflected the culture of different countries.

“This also helps to promote tourism for Malaysia,” he said.

The Mah Meri aborigine from Pulau Carey showing off their masks that were made to resemble the appearances of their ancestors and imbued with their spirits.

BESTFBKL- Closing of the major roads for this parade on the weekend caused a massive jam on all surrounding roads this right after one week after the KLCity GP. Was it worth inconveniencing the "Rakyat" or nobody cares??/  Except the organiser who must have got an allocation from Tourism to do this event, Who  else benefitted from this?  They gonna say 16,000 tourist flew in to KL for this event too that it was neccessary to close the major roads?