MIRI: Miri City Council (MCC) has proposed free entry to the grand finals of Miss Tourism Intercontinental 2010 so that more people can join the celebration.

Proposed for May 20 at Miri Indoor Stadium, it will be part of the Miri City Day celebration and one of the highlights of activities for this year's Miri May Fest, Mayor Lawrence Lai informed reporters after chairing a meeting with Miri City Day celebration committee yesterday.

"As this is Miri's fifth anniversary (as a city), we want many people to join the celebration. Traditionally, a gala dinner will be held during the pageant. But it is expensive and not many could afford it," Lai said.

Lai said the council would distribute free tickets. "I believe there will be many (people) wanting to go to the pageant as it is free. Around 5,000 tickets will be printed and distributed to the public," Lai said, adding that tickets will be distributed through various organisations and bodies here. Around 35 beauties from around the world including Malaysia will be taking part in the tourism-related beauty pageant.

"I believe Miri will be given wider exposure through participants and officials accompanying the beauties and press coverage of the pageant. It will be good for Miri," he added. According to Lai, some corporate organisations have come forward to sponsor the event.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan who is also Minister of Tourism and Heritage Sarawak is expected to announce the details next week.

Meanwhile city council has proposed to submit for entry into the Malaysia Book of Record, Green Shopping Day in conjunction with the May 1 launch of 'No Free Plastic Bag Everyday Campaign'.

A crowd of 5,000 will participate in the campaign which coincide with the launch of Miri City Day at Miri Outdoor Stadium around 7am. This will be followed by Miri City Mass Aerobic and launch of the 'Green Shopping Day - No Free Plastic Bag Everyday' campaign.

On May 22 will be a grand 1Malaysia gathering of races and ethnic groups in Miri. The grand finale would be the 1Malaysia Dance by 5,000 people from various races, ethnicity and religion in Miri.

Prior to the grand finale of the event will be performances from military and school brass band, aerobic dance by 1,000 pupils, modern dance (2,000 students), Taiji Qigong and Yuanji mass exercise by Federation of Miri Division Chinese Associations, kompang and Malay martial arts silat (Miri Malay Association and Rumpun Silat Miri) and a traditional event (Orang Ulu, Iban, Bidayuh, Miri Melanau Association, Persatuan Jatti Mierek and Miri Indian Association).

"There will also be a lion dance and 24 Seasonal Drum and Chinese cultural performance by Kong Siong Association involving 40 small lions, 80 big lions and 120 drums," said Lai.

"Many Mirians from various racial and ethnic background will take part in the event to be held on Saturday," he added.

A total of 45 events, activities and programmes have been submitted to the city council for screening as of yesterday. The events should be related to tourism and heritage in Miri. Among those present was Tourism and Heritage standing committee chairman Councillor David Tan.