Fun walk to welcome Dragon Year

IT was a family affair for a businessman who came all the way from Kuala Lumpur with his family to participate in the 1st Avenue Penang Chinese New Year Walk 2024.

Terry Ke, 43, said he came to Penang with his wife, two sons and 11 other family members.

“We feel this is a great opportunity for us to bond as family, and decided to do it together,” he said.

Ke said they made the journey in four cars after spending Chinese New Year in Pahang with their parents.

He said they stayed in George Town and had planned to spend the rest of their holiday visiting interesting places such as Penang Hill and Teluk Bahang before heading home the next day.

His son Hao Yang,15, said he enjoyed the family visit to Penang, this time, as they had participated in the walk together.

“We always come to Penang for a holiday but this time it is a bit different because we joined the fun walk together as a family,” he said.

Another couple was also spotted with their son during the event.

Selvaraja with his wife Sailaja and their son Henbaraja, says such events help bring the family closer.

Engineer G. Selvaraja, 35, who travelled by car from Jawi with his wife and son, arrived around 6.30am.

“We were early as there were less cars on the highway and the Penang Bridge,” he said.

Selvaraja said he always made sure his family participated in such programmes to help bring the family closer.

He said he also wanted to encourage a healthy lifestyle for his 12-year-old son.

Earlier at 7.30am, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow flagged off 2,400 participants of the walk.

After the walk, participants moved to a Zumba routine. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

This was the second edition of the walk.

Participants started in front of 1st Avenue Mall entrance at Jalan Magazine and enjoyed a 6km walk while taking in the sights and sounds of the inner city.

From there, participants passed through heritage sites such as Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Guan Yin Temple, Penang Esplanade, Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, Masjid Kapitan Keling, and Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park.

After the walk, participants were feted to a dance and Zumba performance as well as a lucky draw.

Beside Chow, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, and Ideal Property Group executive director Tan Sri Alex Ooi were also present.