NEW YORK, July 24 (Bernama) -- One of New York’s best-known landmarks, the
Empire State Building (ESB), will honour Malaysia as one of the nations
competing in the Olympic Games in London by putting on its world-famous tower
lights.
Between July 26 and August 12, the ESB will illuminate each night the flag
colours of a number of countries participating in London. The colours of
Malaysia’s flag – red, white and blue – will be illuminated on Aug 9 at the
tower’s east side.
The famed tower’s four sides – north, south, east and west - will illuminate
the sky with colours of the competing countries’ flags each night throughout the
competition. This is the second time that the ESB has split the tower’s sides
with four separate countries’ lights in its history.
In the case of Malaysia, the lights will reflect the red, white and blue
colours of the Malaysian flag on Aug 9 at the tower’s east side.
"We are proud to shine our iconic tower lights to celebrate the countries
competing in London," said Anthony E. Malkin of the Empire State Building.
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EMPIRE STATE-MALAYSIA 2 NEW YORK
In the past, the ECB had illuminated its tower with the colours of the
Malaysian flag to mark Malaysia’s national day. The tower lights are switched
off at 2.00am daily.
The ESB celebrates many cultures and causes in the world community with
iconic lightings.
A spokesman told Bernama that the ESB’s tower lights recognised key
milestones, events, charitable organisations, countries and holidays throughout
the world, not political or religion-related events.
The ESB is privately owned by Empire State Building Company, L.L.C. (ESBC);
contrary to the widespread belief, it is not owned or run by the City or State
of New York.
"The ESB’s official Lighting Partner programme was established after the
prior managing agent was replaced in August 2006. Its policies and practices are
subject to change in accord with ownership''s preferences,” the spokesman
explained.
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EMPIRE STATE-MALAYSIA 3 (LAST) NEW YORK
According to the ESB, a large number of foreign visitors, including from
Southeast Asia, visit the tower. Many Malaysian visitors have stated that the
visit to the ESB tower is somewhat analogous to the ride up the Petronas Twin
Towers in Kuala Lumpur to get an exciting view of the city.
The ESB has also been visited by many foreign statesmen, dignitaries,
diplomats, industrialists, Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, and tourists
from around the world.
Many Malaysian visitors to the ESB get excited to know that this tower was
made famous by the climax of the world-renowned Hollywood block-buster film,
King Kong.
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MM KHY MO
