S’pore welcomes 2012
Singapore on Sunday morning welcomed New Year’s Day at various countdown parties across the island. The main countdown party — the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, which is into its seventh year — saw party goers ushering the new year with a spectacular eight-minute fireworks display at the stroke of midnight. The party was broadcast ‘live’ on MediaCorp Channel 5, and featured performances by local and international celebrities including Sylvia Ratonel, Canada’s These Kids Wear Crowns and Malaysia’s Siti Nurhaliza.
Countdown@Boon Lay, which saw about 40,000 party goers, is said to be the largest countdown event in the heartlands. Other Singaporeans, who preferred to party outside without the crowd, chose to chill out at quieter places in Singapore.
This includes 32-year-old Daniel Chak, who chose to “wine down” at a shop in Rail Mall. “Last year, I counted down at a crowded venue so I want to do something quieter this year,” the sales engineer said. There are also those who prefer to spend the new year at home, such as 27-year-old admin personnel Davide Tan. “It gives me time to think and reflect about the past year, and what I’d like to do in the new year,” Mr Tan said.