PUTRAJAYA, April 2 – Come Wednesday, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will celebrate his fourth year as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia. And whether or not the Parliament is dissolved, he intends to celebrate the anniversary with the people by cycling around Putrajaya in the 1Malaysia Patriotic Cycling event.
While the date for the general election still remains a mystery, approximately 10,000 people are expected to join the Prime Minister and his Cabinet members tomorrow. Deputy Director-General (Sports Development) Dr Mohd Ghani Mohd Yusof said the patriotic cycling event was mooted by the prime minister himself as the continuation of the ‘Jom Ceria Bersama Perdana Menteri (Let’s Be Cheerful with the Prime Minister) event held on March 24.
Mohd Ghani said the event was held in line with the emphasis given by Najib to healthy and active lifestyle, besides turning the people’s attention to enjoy Putrajaya’s beauty and attractions. He said those who had registered to participate in the event so far were civil servants, members of non-governmental organisations and community representatives, who would take part in either the 12-km cheer route or the 20km fit route.
“We will also provide 5,000 bicycles for walk-in participants, but the bicycles will be given on the first come-first serve basis. So, the public is highly encouraged to bring their own bicycles,” he told Bernama here today.
The cycling around Putrajaya event is a monthly event for Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, while the ‘Jom Ceria in Putrajaya’ programme was introduced by Putrajaya Corporation president Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat with the aim of cheering up Putrajaya. Mohd Ghani said Ahmad Shabery and Aseh had also led a group of 200 cyclists in a warm-up cycling session yesterday.
“Another group of cyclists have also planned to cycle around the government’s administration centre this evening,” he said. Bernama checks on the start and finish lines today found that final preparations were ongoing with cyclists practicing along the routes.
The event, which is organised by Youth and Sports Ministry with the cooperation from the Putrajaya Corporation, will take place in the midst of all speculations about the 13th general election as the Parliament will be automatically dissolved by end of this month.
The date of the general election remains a mystery even after the prime minister began holding meetings after meetings with the Barisan Nasional component party leaders. Despite all the speculations, Najib remains relax and cool in all his
activities and was even spotted taking his family for a leisurely lunch at a packed shopping mall in the country’s capital last Sunday.
BERNAMA
