KUCHING: More than 1,5000 scouts yesterday participated in the “1st Sarawak Scout Messenger of Peace Serapi Climbathon & Malaysia Scout Day 2017” held at Gunung Serapi, Kubah National Park here.
Organised in conjunction with the First Messenger of Peace (MoP) National Gathering, it aimed to promote and strengthen unity and peace among scouts who served as messengers of peace.
The event was officiated by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“Among the main objectives of the event is to create awareness on the importance of conserving and preserving the flora and fauna in Sarawak. This national level programme also promotes Sarawak as an international tourism destination to the world through scouting.
“I am overwhelmed by the good participation from especially the young people which will nurture the spirit to preserve nature and, at the same time, promote a healthy lifestyle,” Karim told a press conference.
The programme, hosted by the Scouts Association of Malaysia, Sarawak Branch in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth & Sports Sarawak, was also attended by the National Chief Scout, Tan Sri Datuk Sri Paduka Dr Haji Shafie Salleh and National Chief Scout Commissioner, Major General (Rtd) Prof Datuk Dr Zin Bidin.
“This Messenger of Peace Climbathon creates another history in the scouting movement in Malaysia as the Scouts Association of Malaysia, Sarawak Branch is the first to organise such a climbathon in the country.
“Through this collaboration, we hope that Kubah National Park will get more exposure and publicity as a preferred tourist destination, especially for nature lovers.
“As a youth based voluntary organisation, we are looking forward to more collaborations with the Ministry in promoting youth related programmes with the higher aim of producing good young citizens for the bright future of Sarawak,” said Shafie.
Among the agencies involved in contributing to the programme were Sarawak Energy Berhad, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department, One Tailor, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation(SEDC), State Education Department, Yayasan Sarawak, Works Department, Royal Malaysia Police, Padawan Municipal Council, and Ikatan Relawan Malaysia.
