Thousands show up for Johor unity walk
Johoreans show strong patriotism at #AnakAnak Malaysia Walk 2017
JOHOR BARU: Johoreans showed their strong spirit of patriotism with thousands taking part in the unity walk despite the poor weather.
Proudly clad in their #AnakAnakMalaysia T-shirts and wearing the matching wristbands, some 3,000 people showed up at the Eco Spring park to celebrate unity at the #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk 2017.
It was as much a show of diversity and harmony too as the people walked for 5km around the sprawling park.
The enthusiasm on the day of the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was evident as people began arriving as early as 1.30pm to enjoy the many carnival games and family activities before the walk.
The main event kicked off with the crowd singing the Negaraku before a rousing performance by the EcoWorld Symphony Drummers.
A zumba session geared up the crowd before the cool evening walk.
#AnakAnakMalaysia and Eco World Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and Eco World Development Group Bhd chairman Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin joined Star Media Group Bhd chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow in flagging off the walk at 6pm.
Lee said the walk presented an opportunity for people of all back- grounds to come together in patriotism.
“#AnakAnakMalaysia is apolitical and is not about race and religion. It is about coming together as Malaysians after 60 years of Merdeka. We can stand tall and be proud as a nation,” he said in his speech.
The event drew to a close with several lucky draw winners walking away with prizes worth up to RM5,000, which included shopping and hotel stay vouchers at the St Regis Langkawi.
The walk was organised by Eco World Development Group to mark National Day and Malaysia Day on Sept 16. The series will continue up north on Malaysia Day at Eco Horizon in Bandar Cassia, Penang.