KL '98 kicks off with a grand show (STAR 12/9/98) (Pictures by STAR, BERNAMA, ABC and NSTP)
KUALA LUMPUR: When the Malaysian contingent marched into the National Stadium to thunderous applause last night, it opened another chapter in the country's progress as a nation.
Coming less than two weeks after the country's 41st birthday, the opening of the 16th Commonwealth Games showcased the racial and cultural diversity that has turned Malaysia into an outstanding example among the nations of the world.
The cultural show Aur di Tebing carrying the theme "Unity Towards Progress" exemplified the interdependency among its people and their working together to organise the first Commonwealth Games in Asia.
And when the performers and dancers gathered for the finale to sing the Commonwealth theme song Forever as One, the stage was set for the success of KL '98, the biggest since the Games' inception in 1930 and this millennium's last major sporting event.
Apart from the 100,000-capacity crowd in the stadium at Bukit Jalil and several million people across the country, a record 800 million viewers around the globe witnessed the opening of the second-largest sporting event.
Thunderclouds which would have released rain and caused the cancellation of some items at the opening cleared at 4.30pm, letting soft afternoon sunshine through and allowing the ceremony to keep to the programme.
The 330-strong Malaysian contingent was the last to enter the stadium. Wild cheering erupted as flag-bearer Mohamed Zaki Sadri appeared, followed by chef-de-mission Datuk Khalid Yunus, leading the host nation onto the tartan track.
The spectators, including the King and Queen and other VIPs, rose to their feet, clapping and waving, to honour the home contingent.
The lights went down and the stadium roof was turned into a giant kaleidoscope of dancing colours.
The prelude began with a 10-minute cultural performance -- Welcome to One and All -- by 2,000 schoolchildren and dancers dressed up as bees, flowers, birds and leaves, depicting Malaysia's rich floral and fauna heritage.
The stadium swirled in a myriad of hues as light bounced off the glittering costumes and set the entire place sparkling like a starry night sky.
The spectators watched the final leg of the Queen's baton run from Dataran Merdeka on a giant electronic screen-cum-scoreboard.
The baton was handed by City Hall director-general Datuk Noordin Abdul Razak to the first runner, 1966 Commonwealth badminton champion Tan Aik Huang.
The baton was taken to Bukit Jalil by a relay of 39 former Malaysian sports personalities.
Lights in the stadium dimmed and a single spotlight focused on Commonwealth Games gold medallists Razif Sidek and Sylvia Ng as they entered the stadium holding the baton aloft.
The baton, containing the Queen's message, was passed to Malaysia's first Commonwealth gold medallist, weightlifter Koh Eng Tong, 77, who handed it to Prince Edward, the Queen's representative, and Commonwealth Games Federation president.
The prince then read the Queen's message. This was followed by the marching in of the Games flag, which was then hoisted up the 15m-tall flagpole where it will remain flying throughout the 10-day Games. Malaysian bowling queen Shalin Zulkifli then led the flag-bearers of the 70 contingents in the oath-taking ceremony.
The doa selamat (thanksgiving prayer) was recited in Bahasa Malaysia, Arabic and English.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Ja'afar declared the Games open by hitting a gong.
At the third strike, a laser beam shot towards a white cylinder which collapsed, revealing a huge bunga raya that began to bloom.
Fireworks lit the sky, as a pyrotechnic display was set off inside and outside the stadium and balloons were released from the upper tiers.
Sixteen booms from four cannons reverberated around the stadium to signify that the Games was under way.
People had begun filling the stadium as early as 3pm.
The seven-hour show began at 5pm with a unique performance: hundreds of schoolchildren danced, while weaving cloths bearing the colours of the Malaysian flag into a traditional anyaman tikar.
The act symbolised the different races which make up the strength of the country.
Enhancing the tikar-weaving simulation and the rest of the show was the 5,000 human graphics team, switching promptly to seemingly endless and spectacular designs to reflect Malaysian elements.
The performance was accompanied by choruses from top local artistes, including Ziana Zain, Ella, Rem, Amy Mastura, Sheila Majid, Siti Nurhaliza, Amelina, Anuar Zain, Tamil singer Ragoo, Chinese duo Michael and Victor and the Persatuan Koir Maktab Perguruan Ilmu Khas.
Popular artistes Amy Mastura and Ziana Zain took to the stage singing one of the Commonwealth themes, Strive for the Best. They were followed by Sheila Majid.
As the last strains of the tune Let the Games Begin from a saxophone faded away, 16 skydivers from the Special Services, the army, navy and air force jumped off a helicopter from 1,500m above the stadium.
Camera flashes popped all over the terraces as the parachutists floated on to the field, and the spectators clapped in admiration and approval.
More cheers filled the stadium when Wira the Games mascot, the last parachutist, landed.
Malaysia's rock queen Ella then rendered another Commonwealth song, Standing In The Eyes Of The World.
The pre-show ended around 7.30pm for a break for spectators and performers to have dinner and for Muslims to perform their solat maghrib.
The show resumed at 7.50pm with the arrival of dignitaries including Youth and Sports Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, other Cabinet ministers, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Tan Sri Kamaruzzaman Shariff, Sukom executive chairman Tan Sri Hashim Mohd Ali, Commonwealth Games Federation (CFG) officers and other VIPs.
Among the other VVIPs were the Sultan of Brunei and his wife. Picture below show the Aussie team
A 160-member guard of honour from the 1st Battalion Royal Malay Regiment led by Mejar Romainor Mohamed marched into the stadium to usher the arrival of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
The 40-minute "Unity Towards Progress' cultural presentation was definitely the showpiece and climax of the opening ceremony.
Brilliant fireworks thrill the crowd
KUALA LUMPUR: One of the biggest draws of last night's 16th Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was the brilliant fireworks display.
The explosive show of lights and sounds, caused spectators both inside and outside the national stadium to applaud and cheer.
It was certainly the biggest and best array of fireworks the nation had ever seen.
More than 70 individuals, including 15 pyrotechnic specialists, worked to create the spectacular display which came in several segments during the six-hour ceremony with some lasting over a minute.
The fireworks extravaganza began after the striking of the gong by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Ja'afar, marking the opening of the Games.
Spectators were first treated to 25 seconds of pyrotechnic effects ("safe" indoor fireworks) centred around a giant set-up of a bunga raya and another minute of display in which 200 pieces of "silver jets" shot up, followed by a deafening "whistling fountain" sound effect.
Then came a multi-hued illuminating eruption at the inner rim of the stadium, followed by another indoor fireworks show.
One of the highlights of the fireworks show was a 25-second display after the 16-cannon salute in which crescents and stars of the Malaysian flag were depicted.
The last segment came during the Aur di Tebing performance in which spectators saw a massive display of pyrotechnics with the lights projected from a "globe" set up in the centre of the stadium as the climax of the show.
Blastmaster (M) Sdn Bhd executive director Ravindran Sunnie said the fireworks placed outside and inside the stadium were positioned carefully at points where the team had calculated the precise angles.
He said his team used sophisticated firing equipment and took about three months to put everything together.
Queen E lauds Malaysia's efforts as host
KUALA LUMPUR: Queen Elizabeth II of Britain yesterday praised the Malaysian Government for supporting the organising committee of the 16th Commonwealth Games on an "unprecedented scale."
She said the Government deserved "the highest praise" from the Commonwealth Sporting Committee and she praised all those involved in preparing for the Games.
"Prince Phillip and I send our warmest wishes and congratulations to all of you in this 16th Commonwealth Games," she said in her message read by Prince Edward at the opening ceremony.
She said the Games, which was held for the first time in Asia, would be held in "this splendid stadium with the most advanced technology behind the scenes."
"After such a meticulous preparation, those involved can anticipate 10 days of sporting achievement and excellence," she said.
Queen Elizabeth also noted that the Games would see some of its most popular team sports being included for the first time.
She also thanked the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Ja'afar for opening the Games, adding that she and Prince Phillip were looking foward to the final days of the Games which they would attend.