Two days ago a good friend of mine passed me a few tickets for last night’s Michael Jackson Impersonator Show at the Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club’s Music Corridor. The show is part of Miri May Fest in celebration of Miri’s fifth anniversary as a city. I went for the show last night with my wife and Edward Chieng, a nephew of ours.

There was a massive crowd at the hotel and there were a lot of security personnel stationed everywhere.� I guessed there must be some VIP coming and my guess was later proven to be correct.

I am not too impressed with the performances of the Michael Jackson impersonators. None of the performances came� anywhere close to what the late MJ was capable of doing. I guess I have too high expectation with all the publicity surrounding the show.

Stage backdrop for the show

One of the impersonators

A group of three impersonators

Another impersonator showing his MJ moves

Ohhhh...don't touch that!

Another MJ move

The gloved one

I guess groping the crotch seems to be a popular MJ dance routine

The champion impersonator

The champion receiving the champion trophy

After the performances, the MC announced the arrival of the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud. No wonder there were so many security personnel everywhere! The CM arrived with lots of VIPS in tow, including the Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak, Tan Sri Dr George Chan, the Malaysian Minister of� Energy, Green Technology & Water, Dato Sri Peter Chin and lots of local dignitaries.

The speeches started. It was hot and humid and I was sweating a lot. Reizo Zen was scheduled to perform after all the speeches by various VIPs. I would have loved to watch Reizo Zen perform but we did not want to sit through all the speeches by the VIPs so we left.

Reizo Zen.....the official Malaysia Michael Jackson impersonator

A view of Miri from Canada Hill

Yesterday was the launch of Miri May Fest in Miri and Miri became the first city to get 5,000 over people to converge at one spot to go totally “green” in their shopping.� The feat earned Miri a recognition by The Malaysian Book of Record.

The event was held at the Miri Indoor Stadium yesterday morning. The 5,000 plus crowd shopped only with recycleable eco-bags sponsored by Shell. The event was in conjunction with the city’s “Say No To Plastic Bags Every Day” campaign.

Miri has three international events during the month-long May Fest:

1. Miri Jazz Festival (May 14-15)

2. Miss Tourism Intercontinental (May 20)

3. Miri City International Deep Sea Fishing Competition (May 21-23)

Miri holds more than 100 events throughout the year. It is a fast developing city with a few major shopping complexes in the pipeline. A couple of new hotels are nearing completion. Housing projects are mushrooming in every corners.

Beautiful beaches are just minutes’ drive from the city center. There are lovely parks in and near the city. It is also the gateway to the world-renowned Mulu Caves and Niah Caves.

Didn’t I tell you that Miri is the best place in Sarawak to live in?

A view of Taman Selera Beach in Miri