Kayakers paddle around Putrajaya Lake to spark excitement ahead of National Day

PUTRAJAYA - In a recent Merdeka Paddle Day event, 231 participants paddled their kayaks along Putrajaya Lake for 14 kilometres (km). They carried the Jalur Gemilang while excitingly chanting 'Merdeka'.

"Besides adding excitement to National Day and Malaysia Day (NKHM) 2023, the activity promotes Putrajaya's beauty and encourages unity among participants,” said Nur Syazwan Kenny Yusoff, the event coordinator.

The programme was jointly organised by the Putrajaya Lake Club, National Unity Ministry (KPN), and Putrajaya Corporation (PPj), he added.

Starting at the Putrajaya Lake Club, the participants kayaked through six main bridges in Putrajaya, namely the Jambatan Seri Bestari, Jambatan Seri Setia, Jambatan Seri Gemilang, Jambatan Seri Saujana, Jambatan Seri Wawasan, and Jambatan Putra.

Kok Lian Yee, 61, one of the participants, described the event as a way to unite the nation. She added that the activity not only brings together people from different backgrounds to enjoy kayaking but also promotes cooperation and empathy among participants while on the water.

"The programme brings friendship and reunites the people regardless of who you are, we work together to ensure safety in the water while having fun together," she told Bernama.

Kok who is also the deputy president of Pink Challengers Dragon Boat Club, said water sports such as kayaking should be promoted to the people especially youngsters because it needs teamwork and sync to move ahead faster.

Azizul Ahmad Fikry, 42, who brought his son Mohd Haris Danish, nine, to participate in a kayaking event for the first time, said that such water sports can not only build confidence but also help them make new friends.

"I want to expose my son to outdoor activities for better health, as many young ones nowadays stay at home and are constantly engaged with their devices. I also want him to experience the harmony of life in a diverse society," said the father of the four.

Farhana Haris, 32, said she would promote kayaking to her friends through social media to encourage more people to engage in the activity.

"Kayaking teaches the value of teamwork and assistance to anyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, or nationality. This is important as the compassionate attitude towards those in need should be present in every individual," said Farhana, who has taken part in the annual event four times.

The highlight of the 2023 National Day celebration with the theme ‘Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan’ (Malaysia Madani: Unity in Determination, Fulfilling Aspirations) will be held in Putrajaya on Aug 31.

This is the fifth time the National Day celebration is being held in Putrajaya. Previously, it was hosted in 2003, 2005, 2018, and 2019. - BERNAMA