Bugfest returns for 2010

It all started in 1994, when a bunch of 140 Volkswagen Beetle owners, led by the late Nash Nasihin Ali, got together to organize the first gathering of their cars in Malaysia. That first Bugfest, Bugfest 94, took place at Penang, and was quickly adopted by the Penang state government as an official Tourism Event for the state. As a result, the second edition, Bugfest 95 was also held at the island state.

After a one-year hiatus in 1996, the Bugfest shifted to Johor Bahru, following the appointment of Nash as the General Manager of Crowne Plaza JB. Three successive Bugfests were held at the southern city before the year 2000 edition saw the event renamed to Bugfest Malaysia 2000. By then, the event had already attracted a huge following with participation coming from as far as Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.

The last Bugfest was held in 2004, which coincided with the 10th Anniversary of the event. Themed ‘A Decade of Love Affair … Another Century to Share’, Bugfest Malaysia 2004 attracted the a 403-strong participation, which included entries from the US, UK, Germany and China. Bugfest had at that time became one of the major tourism events in Johor over the years, sanctioned by the Johor State Government, Tourism Malaysia and the Johor Tourism Action Council.

Nash’s passing in 8 Sept 2005 saw the Bugfest die with him, but Kelab Pemilik Volkswagen Johor Bahru (KPVWJB), organizers of past Bugfests since 1997 has decided it is time to revive the Bugfest legacy, with ‘The Return of Bugfest’ in Bugfest Malaysia 2010. Tentative dates for the event is currently set on 4 – 6 June 2010, with the Sutera Mall, Johor Bahru being the selected venue.

A charity tie-up for the event is also planned, with The Princess Elizabeth School, Spastic School of Johor, and Rumah Barkat amongst notable beneficiaries of fund raising activities to be held in conjunction with the Bugfest.

The participation fee for Bugfest Malaysia 2010 stands at RM50 per person, with an optional RM90 charged per person for a night in the Puteri Pacific Johor Bahru on a first come first served basis. Included in the RM50 participation fee is a goodie bag and also a seat in a planned gala dinner for one person.

Further inquiries can be made to Kelab Pemilik Volkswagen Johor Bahru with the following contact details:

Suite 22-06 Menara Landmark,
Mail Box 204, Jalan Ngee Heng,
80000 Johor Bahru,
Johor D.T.,
MALAYSIA
Tel : +607 2222206
Fax : +607 2212206
Mobile : +6016 7155517
Email : kpvwjb2010@yahoo.com

KON

See also: BugFest Malaysia 2000 in Johor – by Chips (18/8/2000)

Talk About It: The Return Of Bugfest 2010