Khairy: Come early for opening ceremony to avoid congestion

A BUMPER crowd is expected at the opening ceremony of the 29th Kuala Lumpur SEA Games tomorrow.

As such, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has advised members of the public to come early to the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

He said this would help ease the traffic flow heading to the stadium.

“The stadium gates will open from 4pm and there will be security checks at all gates,” said Khairy at a press briefing yesterday.

“Security is a big concern for us and everyone will be required to go through a bag and body scan at the gate.

“That’s why I suggest that people should come as early as possible. Even though the ceremony officially starts at 8pm, we will also have a pre-show that starts at 6pm.

“I also want to stress again that all roads heading into KL Sports City, where the National Stadium is located, will be closed. The public is advised to take public transportation,” he said.

RapidKL will also provide special buses every 10-15 minutes from seven locations – Terminal Jalan Reko (Kajang), Ampang Point, Greenwood (Gombak), Hentian Bandar Shah Alam, KLCC bus stop, Platform C Pasar Seni and Nu Sentral – to and from the National Stadium.

Meanwhile, Khairy also added that three athletes, one each from the past, the present and future will carry the Games torch during the opening ceremony.

This is in addition to Cheong Jun Hoong (diving), Azizulhasni Awang ( cycling) and Mohd Al- Jufferi Jamari (silat) who are the flagbearers for the Malaysian contingent. National high jumper Nauraj Singh Randhawa will read the athletes’ oath during the ceremony.

A total of 6,000 people, from schoolchildren to Armed Forces, will be involved in the opening ceremony.