About 1,000 people expected at Kayuhan Mesra Warisan 2014

February 19, 2014

Abdul Karim (fourth left) showing the T-shirt having his name printed on it at the media conference.

KUCHING: About 1,000 people of all ages and background are expected at the first ever cycling programme – Kayuhan Mesra Warisan 2014 (Heritage Friendly Paddling 2014) – to be held here on Feb 23.

Assistant Minister of Youth Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the activity, the First Vehicle-Free Day in the city, would cover a distance of five kilometers around the historical heritage sites and tourist attractions in the city centre and several settlements in Satok area.

Announcing the programme at a media conference here yesterday, he said the event, to kick off at 6am at the Kuching Waterfront Esplanade, was to celebrate Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Sarawak Year 2014, apart from promoting cycling as a healthy recreational activity among the local people.

The programme was also aimed at introducing Sarawak tourism mini ambassador to the local people.

The roads from Kuching Waterfront Esplanade to Jalan Ajibah Abol, Jalan Patinggan, Jalan Kulas, Jalan Haji Taha and back to the starting point will be closed to traffic during the period to allow for smoother ride for the cyclists.

Abdul Karim said Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg would flag off the participants, who would make a stop at Darul Maziah, a 300-year-old traditional Malay house at Kampung No. 6 for a briefing.

“Cycling is a recreational activity which is getting more popular among the youths in Sarawak and Kuching in particular. People of all ages and gender are seen cycling everyday not for race but as a recreational activity.

Abdul Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing, said besides cycling for fun the participants would have a chance to donate to Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS) by contributing RM1 per person.

“The first 500 participants to register will get the ‘Kayuhan Mesra Warisan 2014’ T-shirt for free. Side activities are lucky draws and presentation of bicycles by Yayasan Rakyat 1Malaysia (YR1M) to students from selected schools,” he added.

The cycling programme is jointly organised by Kelab Sukan Komuniti Satok, PBB Satok Youth Movement, Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, Kuching City North Commission, Sarawak Tourism Ministry, Youth Development Ministry, Information Department, Road Safety Department, YR1M, State Cycling Association and Royal Malaysia Police Traffic Division.

DBKU Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahab Abang Julai who was also present at the media conference said various side activities such as Fun Run jointly organised with Kuching Marathon Club would also be held that day.

“We will also have brass-band performance by DBKU, Royal Malaysian Armed Forces, Saberkas and Kampung Madrasah who will march for 2km and because of that certain routes will be closed to traffic from 6 to 11am to enable the events to take place,” he said.

The roads affected are Jalan Haji Taha/Jalan Satok/Jalan Kulas, Jalan Datuk Ajibah Abol, Main Bazaar/Leboh Wayang, Jalan Wayang/Leboh Wayang, Jalan Tabuan/Jalan McDougall and Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg/Jalan Satok.

“However, the road closure will not affect those going for prayer service at St Thomas’ Cathedral.”