Chief Secretary To The Government Attends Colours Of Parade At Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar joined in the vibrancy of the 'Colours of Parade’ tonight in conjunction with the Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026, which featured a fusion of art, music, dance, and multi-heritage performances representing Malaysia's diverse states and major communities.

The event commenced with the singing of the national anthem, Negaraku, followed by performances by 1,500 dancers and entertainers from across the country, showcasing the rich heritage, traditions, and cultural diversity of Malaysian society.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Chiew Choon Man, Tourism Malaysia Chairman Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, and IOI Group Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Lee Yeow Chor.

Shamsul Azri, along with other dignitaries, spent nearly two hours watching the lively parade, which featured colourful and energetic traditional music, dance, costumes, and cultural displays representing communities nationwide.

The uniqueness of the Colours of Parade was further highlighted by cultural performances from the Orang Asli, Chinese, Indian, Sikh, and Siamese communities, alongside percussion ensembles and a dynamic Nusantara marching band, reflecting Malaysia’s multicultural identity.

The Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026, which blends Malaysia's rich arts and culture with the thrill of motorsports, officially began on Sept 23 and runs until tomorrow (Oct 4).

The festival has been organised through a strategic public-private partnership alongside partners from the tourism, hospitality, and culture industries, aiming to bolster the country's tourism appeal throughout the Visit Malaysia Campaign 2026–2027 (VM2026–2027).

The event also supports the positive momentum in the nation's tourism sector, which recorded 28.8 million international visitor arrivals from January to August 2026 - a 1.8 per cent increase compared to 28.2 million during the same period in 2025. Domestic tourism recorded 151.6 million visitor movements in the first half of 2026, up 5.6 per cent from 143.5 million in the corresponding period last year.

To mark the finale of the festival tomorrow, visitors will also have the opportunity to witness a special Lamborghini activation at IOI City Mall here, bringing together approximately 100 Lamborghini vehicles.

The attraction complements the unique concept of the Citrawarna Speed Festival 2026, combining cultural heritage with motorsport elements to highlight the wide array of experiences Malaysia offers as a dynamic and vibrant tourist destination.

The festival took place across three main venues, namely IOI City Mall, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, and the Sama-Sama Hotel KLIA.

-- BERNAMA