By Kristina George

PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA: The Malaysian team kicked off the Malaysian International Fireworks Competition (MIFC) with a bang yesterday at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

Thousands of people watching the show were left awed, as the colourful pyrotechnics burst in the sky to the catchy tune of Wizard in the Winter, Amigos Para Sempre and Malaysia Truly Asia for 25 minutes.

The show began at 9.30pm with some 3,000 fireworks that shot up as high as 80 metres, all ignited from the Seri Gemilang Bridge opposite the PICC, at a safe distance from the spectators.

Following Malaysia's performance, themed "Night of a Thousand Stars", China will put on a show on Saturday, while Canada and Spain on Aug 20 and 24 respectively.

Several packages such as Night Tour, Putrajaya Cruise Package and Kuala Lumpur Hop On Hop Off tour services from KL to Putrajaya will be made available on all five days.

About 10,000 parking lots will be allocated to the public near the PICC as roads leading to the convention centre will be closed from 6pm onwards.

Free shuttle services from the Putrajaya ERL station as well as from Putrajaya Boulevard will also be made available.