People from all walks of life cycle and walk together at Jom Ceria

Excited crowd: Najib greeting participants during the Jom Ceria event at Dataran Putrajaya.

 
PUTRAJAYA: Thousands of people spent their morning walking and cycling together, displaying the 1Malaysia spirit.

Participants of the Jom Ceria (Let's be Cheerful) came bright and early, gathering at the starting line at Dataran Putrajaya by 7.30am yesterday as they awaited the arrival of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The crowd, wearing T-shirts bearing the 1Malaysia logo, lived up to the event's name, cheering and waving miniature Malaysian flags as Najib arrived with his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Najib said such events were instrumental in bringing the people closer as the country works towards igniting the spirit of community among Malaysians.

“If we can break down barriers that divide Malaysians of different race and creed, we will become a more united people guided by the principles of 1Malaysia.

“A country that plays together, stays together,” he told the crowd.


The event covered a 12km route for cyclists and 5km for walkers.

Jointly organised by Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia and Putrajaya Corporation, Jom Ceria was attended by personalities such as Altimet, Sazzy Falak, Joe Flizzow, Joey G, Moots, Pamela and Vanessa Chong and sportsmen Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Low Wee Wern and Ong Beng Hee.

Meanwhile, in his Facebook posting yesterday, Najib praised Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan for contributing various merchandise to be auctioned to collect funds for SM Chong Hwa in Kuantan, Pahang.

“It was a pleasure to be at Stadium Darul Makmur, together with Jackie Chan, a renowned superstar, philanthropist and role model to Chinese people worldwide,” Najib said.

A total of RM13.5mil was collected at the dinner cum charity show including a RM3mil donation from the Government, on top of RM2mil which was given earlier.

“I hope with this, we have helped to fulfil the request of the Chinese community,” he added.


Later in the night, Najib spent about an hour mingling with youths at a programme organised by Astro in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

The Prime Minister in his short speech thanked the people for their patriotism through the songs rendered at the carnival.

Najib later left to pay his last respects to former director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Abdul Majid Ismail, 92, who passed away at his residence yesterday, due to old age.

The Prime Minister spent about 10 minutes with the late Dr Abdul Majid's family members at Jalan Langgak Duta, Taman Duta.

(Source: The Star Online)