21 OCT 1996 Complex-Opening COMPLEX LADA: A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT

LANGKAWI, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- The new Development Authority Complex (Lada), to be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday, can be considered a remarkable achievement for Lada in its short life of only six years. Lada, which is under the Finance Ministry, had within this short space of time shown extraordinary performance for a government agency. The 10-storey complex had solved the problem of shortage of office space on this duty-free island. Built at a cost of RM30 million, the complex situated about one kilometre from Jetty and Kuah town would house all government departments, both state and Federal under one roof. This would facilitate dealings with the public because before this state and Federal government departments were scattered all over Kuah town and some were even operating in housing estates. Apart from office space, the complex also has an auditorium, which can seat 300 people and kiosks to sell foodstuffs and dry items. The grand colourful opening ceremony would begin at 8pm, Lada Public Relations Officer Mohd Hatta Said said. Simultaneously, Dr Mahathir would also open the Lang Square and the Langkawi Legend in the Park located some 500 metres from the Lada Complex. These two latest attractions in Langkawi were also built by Lada, with the square costing RM14 million and the legend project costing RM30 million. Like its name, the main attraction at Lang Square is a giant replica of an eagle meauring about 12 metres in height while visitors to the Langkawi Legend in the Park could know about the history of the island through giant carvings on its past. The carvings also relate the myths surrounding Tasik Dayang Bunting, the emergence of the white crocodile, Mount Mat Chincang and Mat Raya, the breaking of the clay pot to the murder of Princess Mahsuri. Hatta said the opening ceremony would begin with a multi-media presentation on Langkawi -- right from its origin until its present day. The ceremony would take place at Lang Square and would be accompanied by a fireworks display. However the main attraction would be a laser display of a giant eagle from the Lang Square flying to the Lada Complex. This is believed to be the first such display in the country. In conjunction with the opening, Lada Holding Sdn Bhd which operates the passenger ferry service would provide an additional service from Kuah to Kuala which would depart Kuah at 11.15pm, about 30 minutes after the end of the opening ceremony. On the following day, the Prime Minister is scheduled to launch the 40th anniversary celebrations of Felda at Felda Bukit Tangga, Changlun near . At the ceremony scheduled to begin at 10am, Dr Mahathir will launch the Felda Settlers Foundation and hand over land titles to a group of settlers. Earlier on arrival from Langkawi, the Prime Minister will open an extension to the Chung Hua National Type (Chinese) Primary School at and in the evening open an extension to the Keat Hwa Private Secondary School at Taman Berjaya, Alor Setar. -- BERNAMA ZAA MFJ AAM