3 foreign navies for KK event
Published on: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Kota Kinabalu: City Hall will be showcasing the "Freedom of Entry To The City" event for the second time with a re-enactment of the ceremony and participation of three foreign navies.City Hall, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) and the Royal Malaysian Navy are jointly hosting the one-day event here on April 26 in conjunction with the annual celebration of Navy Day on April 27. Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim said they have invited the US Navy, French Navy and Brunei Navy to participate in the event that will be organised on a grander scale to further boost the State's tourism industry and enhance public awareness on maritime activities.
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"Kota Kinabalu City first hosted the event on April 28 last year and the City was chosen as the location to host the historical event. "Only the Malaysian Navy participated in the march last year but this year there will be additional participation from three foreign navies - US, French and Brunei Darussalam."I truly believe that given all marketing and promotion efforts by STB not only will it attract the domestic visitors but also foreign tourists," Iliyas said.The event will be held at Padang Merdeka and the Old Port from 9am to 10pm with a fireworks presentation lasting seven to 10 minutes at Padang Merdeka and entertainment activities.
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Iliyas said this in a speech delivered by City Hall Deputy Director-General (Operation) Ismail Majin at the City Hall Building, Monday. Among those present were Chief of Staff of Naval Base Region II Captain Yeow Ho Siong representing Malaysian Commander Naval Region II, First Admiral Syed Zahiruddin Putra bin Syed Osman, STB Chairman Dato' Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin, and senior officials.
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The 'Freedom of Entry' ceremony is an old naval tradition that began during medieval times, where the city or town council confers the right of the navy to march with swords drawn, drums beating, band playing, colours flying and bayonets fixed. A "scroll" will be presented to the Mayor which then allows the navy to exercise its newly conferred right to march through the City.Meanwhile, Chief of Staff of Malaysian Naval Base Region II Captain Yeow Ho Siong said more than 500 RMN personnel will take part in the event.He said they purposely invited the US, French and Brunei navies to promote Sabah as a tourism destination to them."In the procession, each platoon from the three foreign navies will feature 30 crew members and the Brunei Navy will be showcasing cultural performances at Padang Merdeka."Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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