KUALA LUMPUR: It was lights off by 8.30pm at the Petronas Twin Towers and the buildings around it as Malaysia observed 2010 Earth Hour.

All non-essential lights at Suria KLCC, including the retail centre’s facade, were turned off for a full 60 minutes.

Many retailers and restaurants also joined hands in the global conservation effort and patrons were seen dining by candlelight.

By 7.45pm, thousands of people had al­­ready converged at the compounds of Suria KLCC eagerly waiting for the lights of the twin towers to be switched off.

Earth support: Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower disappearing into the night as Malaysians observed Earth Hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm last night (main picture). — EHFAN SHAH / The Star

There was a loud cheer as the lights went off section by section, starting with the upper section of the towers.

A group of six college students who were among the thousands who came to observe the moment carried tea-light candles, arranged in the shape of the figure “60” to symbolise the Earth Day hour-long lights-out.

Meanwhile, in support of the effort, TNB is advising its 7.6 million customers to switch to energy-efficient appliances.

A ‘before’ picture taken from Bukit Permai shows a much brighter Kuala Lumpur skyline. — EHFAN SHAH / The Star

Its chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Kha­tib Mohammad Noh urged consumers to switch off electrical appliances when not in use.

The 2009 Earth Hour saw a 550MW dip in nationwide electricity consumption.

The amount is sufficient to light up 14 million 40-watt light bulbs.

Another organisation which joined the 2010 Earth Hour was Petronas. It switched off non-essential lights during the hour.

In George Town, thousands of bulbs lighting up City Hall were switched off, but the Esplanade was alight with flames from 10,000 flickering candles.

Hundreds of people gathered at the field to celebrate the green initiative while others participated by turning off non-essential lights at their homes and businesses.

Crowds also gathered at several different spots in the state to participate in the global Earth Hour.

The lights at the two iconic triangular structures at the mid-span of the Penang Bridge were also switched off.

Source THESTAR