Chinese people help SITI to be famous today

13Friday · Post time 3-9-2006 07:49 PM

Nation
Sunday September 3, 2006

Kuala Lipis shares the limelight

BY JANE RITIKOS

KUALA LIPIS: Until 51 years ago, Kuala Lipis was the state capital of Pahang. But ever since the capital moved to Kuantan, the district became a sleepy hollow.

But today, the town becomes the centre stage for hometown girl and singing sensation Siti Nurhaliza, who is holding a wedding reception here.

Seeing its significance and the opportunity to promote the town, the district council has made the event, which will be telecast by TV3, an official function.

A committee was set up, headed by district officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Mat and comprising, among others, penghulus, the police, hotel operators, TV3 and Siti? family members, to co-ordinate the event.


GRAND STAND: Workers setting up the reception area in Dataran Lipis, Kuala Lipis, on Friday.
Its task include handling matters such as invitations, ushering of important guests, disbursement of payment for the wedding cost (to be paid by Siti? side), the venue, catering, board, transport, security and traffic control, medical emergency and the telecast.

Even the National Day celebration had to be moved to the Jubilee Hall to make way for the setting up of the stage area and canopies for the reception at Dataran Lipis. Work began on Aug 28.

?iti? father wishes to have a reception in Kuala Lipis for friends and fans, and we are proud of that. We are proud of Siti and she has made Kuala Lipis famous by just being from here,? said Zainal Abidin.

Indeed, Siti is an icon for the town with a population of 20,000.

When she became famous a few years back, there was wide publicity and curiosity over the house she built for her family.

Talk was it cost millions and it soon became a tourist attraction.


WELCOME SIGN: Siti? house is listed among other housing estates on a road signboard in Kuala Lipis.
The council even provided directions to the house on a signboard and made parking space for tour buses available near the house.

About 6,000 people, including several from outside the state, are expected to attend the reception.

The council has placed buntings at the roadside publicising Siti? wedding, starting about 27km from the town centre.

?e want to take the opportunity to publicise Kuala Lipis as a tourist attraction. It is historical with several landmarks and building from colonial times,? Zainal Abidin said.

?e have close co-operation among all departments which will be providing services like medical emergency, electricity back-up and traffic control. Weather is out of our control but we pray everything will run smoothly,? he added.


GETTING IN ON THE ACT: Thong and one of his staff members, Mohd Wahyudi Mursidi, putting up news clippings of Siti? marriage on the notice board at the lobby of the Lipis Plaza Hotel.
Six local caterers are preparing food for the guests while Siti handles the catering for the 500 VVIPs and VIPs.

Thong Kok Sing, owner of the Lipis Plaza Hotel, one of the two rated hotels in the town where many dignitaries and organisers would be staying, said the hotels had decorated their premises for the event.

?he only other event of similar importance in Kuala Lipis is the visit of the Sultan of Pahang and the annual Lipis carnival. That is why Siti? wedding is important for the town and Lipis people are very eager to see it,? he added.

Thong, who is with the Kuala Lipis Lions Club, said that when Siti was a schoolgirl, the Lions Club often paid her RM50 to sing at events.

?he made Kuala Lipis famous, and we want to repay her in kind with this special event,? he added.

fleurzsa · Post time 3-9-2006 10:07 PM

Dlm masyarakat berbilang bangsa tentu la masing2 ada peranan dlm sosialisasi bermasyarakat.

I nak sentuh ttg Kelab Lion... Huh, masa form 1 dulu cikgu dah janji I akan dapat biasiswa Kelab Lion. Tetiba boleh tukar, my friend pula yg dapat.

Mcm frust juga la... tapi kata org belajar tanpa subsidi ni lebih berkat... he he he he he

13Friday · Post time 4-9-2006 08:45 PM

Another chinese Tan raised Siti up as a singer

fleurzsa · Post time 5-9-2006 11:28 AM

Originally posted by 13Friday at 4-9-2006 08:45 PM
Another chinese Tan raised Siti up as a singer

So, what u really want to tell about?

13Friday · Post time 10-9-2006 03:58 PM

a lot distortions by some people do take place

RedAlert · Post time 11-9-2006 09:49 AM

What exactly is your point, 13Friday?

sedondon · Post time 11-9-2006 11:42 AM

13 friday nih racist and extremist christian. Cuba tgk dekat forum RSF and world event. So.. kwn2 jgn layan dia nih sgt. To 13 Friday, Kami boleh hidup berbilang bangsa disini ok jer, so jgn nak pecah belahkan ok.