Published on: Sunday, November 22, 2009 |
State Community Development & Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Hjh Azizah Mohd Dun got her spouse Hj Paiman Hj Abd Karim and daughter to take part. Also present was Assistant Minister Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan.
The four-in-one event (walk, bazaar, sukaneka and pantun between the team led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and women leaders) was organised by the Sabah Women's Advisory Council (MPWS) and its implementing agency, Sabah Women's Affairs Department (Jhewa) as part of the ongoing State-level Women's Day celebration. The walk ended at the same venue.
Azizah, who is Klias Assemblywoman, flagged off the event at Wisma Wanita, Mile 3 Þ, Jalan Tuaran at 8am after receiving the National Flag and State Flag from veteran lady walkers Elizabeth Maurice and Clarice Mojigoh who walked a total of 81km from Tambunan to KK to hand over the flags, Saturday.
Organising Chairperson Hjh Mariati Robert, MPWS Chairperson Datuk Asnimar Hj Sukardi, Jhewa Director Hjh Siti Sapoo Hj Ahok and other MPWS members also participated.
"I am quite happy with the turnout. It's 1Malaysia at work. I am glad to see families from different communities coming for the walk and spending quality time together. So, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib was quite right to say that we (Sabah) are the showcase of 1Malaysia. And we keep on proving it and today's activity is yet another example.
"It is the start of the school holidays. The participants' enthusiasm goes to show the people's positive response to the concept of 1Malaysia," Azizah told reporters.
As a prelude to the walk, there was a mass senamrobik (aerobic exercise) conducted by Rahman Rahim, a volunteer from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) headquarters.
Participating women's organisations included Perkumpulan Perempuan Sabah (PPS), Bahai Office for the Advancement of Women, KK Hakka Association's Women Wing, Pewasa, Inner Wheel Club of Kota Kinabalu, Pertiwisa, Sabah Association of Secretaries (SAS), Girl Guides Association Malaysia, Sabah Branch, Persatuan Suri, Anggota Wanita Bomba dan Penyelamat (Perisma), Reach to Recovery (RTR), Sabah, and Wanita Usia.
Pensioners like 81-year-old Chung Fook Yin, a retired school teacher, village chief Marcus Limjoon, 71, and 55-year-old Jamiah Abdul Razak, 55, a grandma of eight, put younger people.
Jamiah, a retired assistant technical officer from Telekom, rode home to Dah Yeh Villa on a brand new mountain bike which she won in a lucky draw for participants.
Blind law graduate Siti Jaineh Jaimun, an administration officer with Jhewa), also joined the walk, guided by her three sons, Mohd Muliati, 14, Mohd Azhar, 12, and Mohd Ezuwaabadi, 7.
The first to reach the finishing line was Lamshi Muslim, 17, a Form Five student of SMK Pekan Telipok, followed by Patrick Nicholas, 16, a Form Four student of SMK Kolombong. Maxwell Verus, 18, of Kg Kawakan, Inanam, who finished third in the walk, also took home a mountain bike.
Azizah gave away the grand prize of a notebook to businessman Aqkheeb Imran, 32, from Putatan.
After releasing a bunch of balloons to mark the opening of the bazaar, wife of the Chief Minister, Datin Seri Hjh Faridah Hj Tussin patronised almost every stall.
Among the 60 participating groups, offering a wide range of telco products, costume jewellery, batik textile and garments, food items and local titbits, were West Coast Single Mothers Association, Peniaganita Sabah, Reach to Recovery (RTR) Sabah, Taman Seri Puteri Board of Visitors, Sabah Women Entrepreneurs & Professionals Association (Swepa), Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM) and Pasar Tani.
On hand to ensure a litter-free event was Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) Administrative Officer, Elizabeth Borubui and a team of 15 enforcement personnel. A supportive Mayor Datuk Iliyas Ibrahim also waived the fees for the promotional banners put up within the city. The Milo Company provided free drinks and donated large-size tins of Milo as prizes for the walk.
