KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 — The Malaysian classic traditional trishaw, or locally known as ‘beca’, will be featured as an attraction to millions of visitors at Expo 2020 Dubai, slated to be held from Oct 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.

The Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (MGTC), in a statement today said eight units of beca, presented by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to Expo 2020 Dubai, arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month.

Themed ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, the Expo 2020 Dubai is a global expo participated by 192 countries and organisations including Malaysia. 

The world expo, governed by the Bureau International des Exposition, expects to receive millions of visitors from across the globe and will showcase innovations, breakthroughs and ideas from around the planet to enable action towards a better world.

The six-month-long expo also promises visitors exciting daily events, showcasing the best of technology and creativity as well as celebrating the cultures of the world.

Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia Dubai director Shahrin Mokhtar said the expo was a great opportunity for Malaysia to attract the anticipated millions of visitors from the UAE and all over the world.

“This will create awareness among visitors on our country and pique their interest in visiting Malaysia,” he said.

Shahrin said all the beca are handmade and customised by traditional trishaw makers in Melaka which took about two months to complete the process.

“The beca portrays a unique trait of Malaysian heritage, culture and society. They were the original mode of transport since the early 20th century before the arrival of comfortable taxis and public buses.

“Thousands of them shaped Malaysia’s transportation system during the historical days, especially among the Peranakan community of Melaka and Penang states, and the Malay community of Kelantan and Terengganu where they were used to transport goods and people,” he added.

Shahrin also said that culture and tourism will be key highlights and a permanent feature in the Malaysia Pavilion where visitors will get a captivating glimpse of how Malaysia is ‘Truly Asia’, with its diverse culture and people of multi-ethnicities living in harmony, contributing to the nation’s progress.

“We thank Expo 2020 Dubai for this great opportunity for us to promote Malaysia as an ideal place to visit by people from all over the world,” he said.

MOTAC will also fly in a cultural troupe to enthral visitors at the expo with daily cultural shows and craft demonstrations at the Malaysian Pavilion’s amphitheatre.

The Malaysia Pavilion carries the theme “Energising Sustainability” and the country’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai is led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and MGTC, as the implementing agency.

— BERNAMA