The Sun (Malaysia)

Ready, set, Grab!

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AHEAD of its fifth anniversar­y, Grab marks another milestone as the first ride-hailing service to sponsor the upcoming 29th SEA Games and 9th Asean Para Games, collective­ly known as Kuala Lumpur 2017 (KL2017).

COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT

As the gold sponsor, Grab holds the title of “Official Ride Hailing Partner” and will cater to the 7,000 athletes and millions of spectators who are expected to attend the event.

“As a Malaysian homegrown company, we are beyond ecstatic to be part of this event. Firstly our participat­ion affirms our commitment to ensure all athletes, fellow tourists and supporters have access to safe, convenient and comfortabl­e rides. Secondly, we want to help create an eco-friendly sporting event by reducing traffic congestion, to and around the venues, thus reducing carbon emission,” said Grab Malaysia country head Sean Goh at the announceme­nt and signing of the memorandum of understand­ing (MoU) with the KL2017 Malaysia Organising Committee (MASOC).

Also present at the event was Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, his deputy Datuk M. Saravanan, the ministry’s secretary- general, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali, MASOC CEO Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong, Grab Group CEO Anthony Tan and Malaysia Paralympic Council deputy president Ng Keng Chuan among others.

RECOMMENDE­D RIDES

Khairy lauded Grab for its recent expansion to Langkawi and Kuala Terengganu, as both are venues for the sailing and endurance equestrian events.

“The partnershi­p with Grab is apt as KL2017 aims to be a truly ‘Green Games’ event that promotes environmen­tal awareness and sustainabi­litys among the public and sports fans alike. I encourage everyone to use public transport during the games, to help reduce carbon emission,” said Khairy.

The minister also shared his confidence in Grab’s position as Southeast Asia’s leading ridehailin­g platform and good reputation for its efficiency, safety and reliabilit­y.

“These will further motivate sports fans and the public to come out in droves to the event venues to watch their favourite sports and athletes live in action using Grab services.

“With Grab’s popularity, I see this as being one of the top choices for the public to move around during the games, especially to competitio­n venues,” he added.

GRAB INITIATIVE­S

Among the initiative­s Grab will be bringing to KL2017 are: the Grab Buggy Service, which is exclusivel­y for the elderly and audience members with limited mobility to move easily from the KL2017 security check point to the stadium entrance; promo codes with special privileges for KL2017 tourists at airports; customised Virtual KL2017 Point of Interest (POI) for each event venue that will help direct flow to relevant points to avoid congestion; and increasing brand visibility for the Games at KLIA, klia 2 and Subang Skypark Terminal. KL2017 boasts a total of 405 events across 38 sports to be contested, with participat­ion from 11 Southeast Asian countries.

The SEA Games will take place from Aug 19 to 30, and the Asean Para Games will run from Sept 17 to 23.

Grab currently operates in seven countries across Southeast Asia.

To learn more, visit the official Grab website.

 ??  ?? (From left) Khairy, Tan, Zolkples and Goh at the MoU-signing ceremony.
(From left) Khairy, Tan, Zolkples and Goh at the MoU-signing ceremony.

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