KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30: The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) will implement the ‘Innovative Urban Lighting towards Sustainable Cities’ project in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), focusing on the nation’s capital, particularly Bukit Bintang, as Malaysia’s premier night tourism destination.
Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said the ‘I Lite U’ project is an urban decorative lighting initiative designed to strengthen Kuala Lumpur’s night-time identity as an International Tourism City through modern, harmonious and locally inspired lighting concepts.
“KPKT is launching this initiative with a special allocation of RM2 million to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to enhance city lighting, especially in the Golden Triangle of Bukit Bintang,” he told a press conference for the project’s pre-launch ceremony here on Wednesday.
Nga said Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif has also agreed to allocate an additional RM2 million, bringing the total to RM4 million, to ensure the project not only beautifies and illuminates the city but also supports sustainability goals and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda.
He said the project, expected to be officially launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 3 next year, will involve collaboration with agencies such as the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) and Alam Flora Sdn Bhd to ensure the Bukit Bintang area remains clean and vibrant.
Nga said the lighting design components of ‘I Lite U’ will include the VM2026 gateway and arch structures, featuring the ‘Warm White Celebration of Light’ concept that combines modern and traditional elements.
In line with this initiative, a competition will be organised under the theme ‘Illuminate the City, Inspire the Nation!’ comprising three main categories: Photography Contest, Short Video Contest and Best Building Lighting Contest.
Participation opens from Jan 3 to March 20 next year, with hotel and shopping vouchers worth up to RM3,300 among the prizes.
In another development, Nga said DBKL continues to conduct scheduled monitoring of the risk of falling trees, particularly in public areas and along major routes.
“During the recent ASEAN Summit, no incidents of fallen trees were recorded around Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
- BERNAMA