Bintulu - Some 1,655 people helped put Bintulu in the Malaysia Book of Records by launching 1,655 kites of all shapes, sizes and colours into the sky here.
The feat at the Bintulu airstrip is part of the week-long Borneo International Kite Festival being held in conjunction with Sarawak‘s 45th year of independence through the formation of Malaysia.
The event also marks the 45th anniversary of the formation of the Bintulu Development Authority.
The feat of having all 1,655 kites in the air was attained at about 3.30pm. People from all walks of life took part in the record-setting achievement.
Children as young as four or five participated in the event, together with families and friends, visitors and tourists.
The 1.5km-long former airport landing pad took on a festive mood, with the sky filled with large and tiny kites patterned after all sorts of things like flowers, cartoon characters and flags.
Malaysia Book of Records committee member Yap Chee Kong said this was the first time that so many kites were flown simultaneously for 20 minutes.
Senator Pau Chiong Ung praised Bintulu folks for the feat.
“This sort of event is good for tourism promotion. The initial target was 1,000 kites, but a greater number of people turned up and joined in the record-setting event,” he said.
“We will promote more of such public activities to inculcate greater understanding, friendship and cooperation among people of all races and ages. It lets them do something that is fun together.”
Bintulu, the gas capital of Malaysia, will make the international kite festival an annual tourism event.
Source: http://thestar.com.my (August 18, 2008)