900 take part in Customs cycling charity
KOTA KINABALU: Taxes collected by the Royal Malaysian Customs have directly contribute to the development of the country not only in Asia but also internationally, said Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Salleh Said Keruak.
Salleh said tax collected by the Royal Malaysian Customs could be seen as the driving force in the country’s economic development.
“Tax collection has directly and indirectly contributed to the development of our country and has made Malaysia well known in the Asian region as well as internationally,” he said at the Royal Malaysia Customs cycling charity at Padang Merdeka, here yesterday.
His speech was read by Kota Kinabalu City Hall Mayor Datuk Yeo Bon Hai.
Also present at the event were Sabah Customs director Datuk Hamzah Sundang, Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Razaruddin Hussain, Sabah Youth and Sports permanent secretary Datuk Hj Awang Damit Awang Anak, and Kota Kinabalu Syndrome Down Association president Dr. Fauziah Zainal Abidin.
Meanwhile, Salleh said the cycling charity event yesterday was an aspiration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in ensuring all government agencies would work together under the Blue Ocean Strategy.
“Today’s event will foster the spirit of cooperation, tolerance, patience and physical endurance by not only government agencies but to all participants, which include cycling enthusiasts,” he said.
Salleh also pointed out the importance of keeping a healthy lifestyle and cycling is seen as an eco-friendly and inexpensive activity.
He said the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) had provided many cycling routes around the state capital, particularly along Tanjung Lipat and Teluk Likas.
The public, he said, should take the opportunity to utilise the cycling and jogging routes, which were set up for the comfort and safety of the public.
About 900 participants from 88 teams from numerous government agencies took part in the event, cycling some 30 kilometres from Padang Merdeka to Tanjung Aru then cycling back to UMS before ending back at Padang Merdeka.