Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge Mural Is Langkawi's New Tourist Attraction
LANGKAWI, May 19 (Bernama) -- The creation of a large-scale mural highlighting the Langkawi Geopark has transformed the Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge into a new tourist attraction on the island.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the new attraction was the result of a collaboration between the National Art Gallery Langkawi Branch and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) under a special programme held in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA'25).
'This is among the initiatives taken to beautify all tourist areas, which is why 12 local artists painted murals such as 'Trilobite', 'Pink Dolphin' and the eagle, all of which are synonymous with Langkawi.
'Tourists can stop on both sides of the bridge to take photos with the murals in the background, accompanied by scenic views of Gunung Mat Chincang and Sungai Melaka,' he said after the Kuala Sungai Melaka Bridge Beautification Programme today.
Meanwhile, National Art Gallery director-general Amerrudin Ahmad said the project took two weeks to complete, involving several phases such as cleaning, painting and mural production.
'This programme involves the participation of 12 local mural artists, namely Dhiyaul Mohamad Ashraf Dawari, Muhammad Firdaus Musa, Muhammad Riduan Raja Yunus, Muhammad Syafiq Mohd Adib, Muhammad Izwan Rahimi, Norafandi Rosli, Hardiana Hidayah Azni, Abdul Qoyyum Mohd Nadzri, Mohammed Nabil Sohaini, Fauzan Adzima Pangestu Padzli, Mohamad Fakhri Mohd Salleh and Muhammad Izharuddin Mohd Salleh.
'This approach not only enhances public understanding of visual arts but also fosters a sense of responsibility to preserve and appreciate public spaces as shared assets. It reflects the National Art Gallery's ongoing commitment to bringing art closer to the community and promoting cultural heritage through an inclusive, contemporary and educational approach,' he said.
Amerrudin expressed hope that the programme would add vibrancy to LIMA'25 while also promoting Langkawi as an island rich in artistic and cultural values, in line with the Visit Kedah 2025 and Visit Malaysia 2026 campaigns.
In the meantime, LADA chief executive officer Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid said the bridge was chosen due to its strategic location as the main tourist route and for its potential to be developed into a public art space that could enhance visitors' cultural and visual experiences.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Making it easy to worship
Around 31,600 Malaysians from all states and from all walks of life were flown to Saudi Arabia for their Haj by Tabung Haji on 100 chartered flights. — Bernama MORE than two million Muslims gathered in Mecca this year for the Haj pilgrimage even as temperatures soared to 47°C. Of that number, 31,600 were Malaysians, coming from all states and from all walks of life, and ranging in age from 16 to 83 years old; they were all flown in by Tabung Haji on 100 chartered flights. Tabung Haji's Department of Haj head Hisham Harun said that this year, 632 personnel involved came from a cross-section of sectors, including hostels and zones management, healthcare, religious guidance for Haj and visits, finance, media, transportation, catering, baggage handling, customer service, and more. 'This is to cater to all the needs of the Malaysian pilgrims – from their lodgings to 42 menus of Malaysian food,' said Hisham, who was completely hands-on and on the ground assisting pilgrims throughout the Haj period. This year marked the strictest Haj by Saudi Arabia authorities – only the season during the Covid-19 lockdown was stricter – as the guardian of the Holy Land attempted to make this the safest Haj ever, with the lowest number of deaths. Following the tagline 'No Haj without Nusuk' – referring to the official digital platform that manages pilgrimages; 'nusuk' means permit in Arabic – security officials scanned the QR codes of everyone's big square tag at all checkpoints throughout Mecca and various entrances to the Grand Holy Mosque. Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar stressed that such rules were made to ensure the safety of Haj pilgrims remains the topmost priority. Mohd Na'im giving his Khutbah Arafah to Malaysian pilgrims. He says that strict rules have been implemented to ensure the safety of Haj pilgrims remains the topmost priority. — Bernama Saudi authorities also ordered a lockdown at midday during the pinnacle period of Day of Arafah to avoid deaths – every year, this is the day most deaths occur as the elderly and vulnerable attempt to walk in the midday sun to the various holy sites.
The Star
19 hours ago
- The Star
‘No travel ban on Fahmi Reza'
Clearing the air: Razarudin said the matter is being reviewed, with steps to be taken to refine existing procedures. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has made clear that there is no official travel restriction on Fahmi Reza amid claims from the artist that he had been prevented from travelling abroad. The explanation came about following a statement from the Prime Minister's Office yesterday, asking the police to look into the matter. Fahmi, who bills himself as a 'political graphic designer', had said that he was stopped by immigration officers at KL Inter-national Airport 2 (KLIA2) on Saturday when he wanted to board a flight to Singapore. But Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain indicated yesterday that there is no official travel restriction on Fahmi, though his name is on a movement monitoring list for internal records and reference purposes by the police due to ongoing investigations involving him. 'However, it must be emphasised that this list does not imply any restrictions but is part of standard monitoring procedures implemented by the authorities,' he said in a statement, as reported by Bernama. Razarudin said the confusion occurred during the exit clearance process on Saturday, resulting in the erroneous issuance of a movement restriction order, adding that the matter is being reviewed with appropriate steps to be taken to refine existing procedures. He said the police remained committed to protecting and respecting the freedom of movement of every Malaysian 'and the individual concerned is free to travel in and out of the country as usual, subject to any regulations set by the Immigration Department and other relevant laws'. Earlier yesterday, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that the government upholds individual freedom as long as they do not compromise national security or violate existing laws. 'As such, the police must provide further clarification regarding this matter,' said the statement. On Saturday, Fahmi wrote on Facebook that he had wanted to go to Singapore for a two-day trip to attend a concert. However, he said he was stopped at the immigration counter at KLIA2 and was told that Bukit Aman has not permitted him to go overseas. Following Razarudin's statement yesterday, Fahmi issued a response, saying that the explanation from the various authorities over the matter indicated that they were pointing fingers at one another. 'I do not see any party from the government being brave enough to take responsibility for their mistake which restricted my freedom to travel,' he said. 'It is easy to say that there is no official restriction. But the reality is I got barred. I still could not travel abroad. I have been denied my right as a citizen,' he said. 'You always tell me to use the right channel, right? OK, we meet in court,' he said.
The Star
19 hours ago
- The Star
Post-holiday traffic jams hit Klang Valley
Heading home: Cars moving bumper to bumper along the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near the Senawang Toll Plaza heading towards Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic flow on major highways leading into the Klang Valley was reported to be congested yesterday afternoon, as travellers began their return to the capital following the Hari Raya Aidiladha holiday. A spokesperson for the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) said traffic flow from the north towards the Klang Valley on the North-South Expressway (PLUS) was congested at Permatang Pauh towards Juru, Jawi to Bandar Baharu, Kuala Kangsar to the Menora Tunnel, and Gopeng to Tapah. She said traffic flow was also congested from Sungkai to Trolak, Bukit Beruntung to Sungai Buaya, and the Rawang Rest and Treatment Area to Rawang. 'Traffic flow from the south on the PLUS highway is congested from Pagoh to Simpang Empat, Pedas Linggi to Seremban, the Seremban Rest and Treatment Area to Nilai, and the Sungai Besi Toll Plaza to the capital,' she said when contacted by Bernama yesterday. For traffic flow from the east to the Klang Valley on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (KLK), congestion occurred at the Karak Toll Plaza towards Lentang, Bukit Tinggi to the Genting Sempah Tunnel and the Gombak Rest Area towards the Gombak Toll Plaza. Meanwhile, in Kelantan, traffic flow increased from Kuala Krai towards Gua Musang yesterday afternoon; however, it remained under control.
