PUTRAJAYA: 2020 is a significant year for Putrajaya as it marks the administrative capital’s 25th year of establishment.
At the launch of the Putrajaya Silver Jubilee celebration here last night, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed great satisfaction at seeing the city mark its quarter-century milestone.
"I'm really happy to see that Putrajaya will be turning 25-years-old.
"I never dreamt of seeing (it happen.) But this is made possible due to the cooperation, unity, stability and peace we have enjoyed (which allowed us to) develop a glorious administrative capital.
"Love Putrajaya. Love Malaysia, our country. Happy New Year,” the Prime Minister said after launching the event.
The celebration was kicked off following the closing ceremony of the Light and Motion Putrajaya 2019 (Lampu 2019) at Dataran Putrajaya at Presint 3, here.
Also present at the event was Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad, Federal Territories secretary-general Datuk Rosida Jaafar and Putrajaya Corporation president Datuk Aminuddin Hassim.
Putrajaya's silver jubilee will be celebrated throughout 2020, with various programmes and activities planned.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Malaysians thronged the main street of Putrajaya as early as 8pm to witness the Putrajaya Silver Jubilee launch, as well as the New Year’s countdown.
Visitors were seen sitting on bean bags, straw mats and on the grass outside the Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) building, with their family and friends, having snacks and drinks as they waited for the New Year.
At midnight, revellers were treated to a magnificent display of lights and colourful projections on the Palace of Justice (PoJ) building along Persiaran Perdana here.
The entire stretch of Presint 2 was darkened in order that the Lampu 2019 festival could be experienced maximally.