Residents eager to walk for unity
Bukit Jelutong community urges friends and family to join #AnakAnakMalaysia event
SHAH ALAM: Strengthening unity has always been a top priority for the Bukit Jelutong Residents Association (BJRA).
The association organises two walks each year to get residents to come together and it holds competitions on National Day and Malaysia Day for homes decorated with the Jalur Gemilang.
This year, the BJRA committee is encouraging residents to take part in the third instalment of the #AnakAnakMalaysia unity walk that will be held here.
So far, 16 members in the neighbourhood have signed up for the 5km walk on Aug 27.
The oldest among them is 82-yearold Wan Lan who teaches tai chi in the township.
Wan Lan leads a healthy lifestyle, going for walks twice a week apart from practising qi gong and tai chi.
She said it will be her second time taking part in a unity walk and she is encouraging her family to join her.
Sarah Farhana Johan, 17, said the walk is a good way to promote unity.
“We live in a multi-cultural coun- try and we see different people around us like the uncle at the mamak restaurant or aunty who waters the plants but we do not acknowledge them. The walk will bring everyone together,” she said.
Haemendra Arumugam, 18, said he has taken part in fun walks in the past but this is the first time he will be doing for the country.
Daniel Adam Oakley, 15, was encouraged by his mother to take part in the walk.
The silat and basketball player said that since the event is to celebrate National Day and Malaysia Day, everyone should participate to show the pride of being Malaysians.
Daniel’s sister, Sarah Rose, said it is a way to show that Malaysians are united in celebrating the country’s achievements.
Aishah Zanariah Abdullah, who runs a learning centre for children in the township, said she will be bringing four of her children, between the ages of eight and 17, to the walk.
Aishah said it is good for children to participate in unity walks as it teaches them to appreciate the country’s diversity.
As this year marks the 60th Merdeka anniversary, BJRA president Datin Sivamani Rasiah said it is important for youths to participate in events that promote togetherness.
“The youths are our future and I hope that they will grow up united like the past generations.
“The past generations grew up united so I hope youths today can also work together for the future,” she said.
Organised by Star Media Group in partnership with Eco World Development Group Bhd, the walk is held in conjunction with National Day to rally support from fellow Malaysians to promote unity and instil patriotism.
Thousands are expected to take part in walk that will circle the picturesque Shah Alam City Centre.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor will be gracing the event while noted public figures such as Eco World Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Shah Alam Mayor Datuk Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad and local celebrities will also be taking part.
There will also be a nationwide distribution via The Star and The Borneo Post of a record one million wristbands designed by local cartoonist Reggie Lee.
Registration is open until Aug 5 and can be done at http://sites.
The registration fee for families (two adults plus two children) is RM80; individual adult (18 years and above) is RM40; and individual child ( 12 years and below) is RM15.