KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak ignited the spirit of the upcoming 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games (KL2017) by taking part in the Torch Run earlier today.
Najib, who joined about 250 select participants in the 5.2km run, signed the KL2017 Pledge Car with the message "Negaraku bangkit bersama (Rise together, my country)."
The Peugeot 208 Pledge Car, which has been making stops across the country since May, gave the public a chance to write messages of support to KL2017 athletes on its body.
The Torch Run participants set off at about 9am, with Naza World of Companies group executive chairman Datuk SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin receiving the torch from three-time Sea Games gold medallist and two-time world silat champion Mohd Al Jufferi Jamari.
The torch was then passed to Naza TTDI Group deputy executive chairman SM Faliq, before being handed over to Naza Corporation Holdings group executive chairman SM Nasarudin.
The runners consisted of athletes and para athletes; and employees of the Naza Group, Peugeot Malaysia, Petronas and the Youth and Sports Ministry, who were cheered on by supporters clad in blue along the route from Persiaran KLCC to Naza Tower.
Accompanying Najib at the Naza Tower finish line were his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
Najib, who received the torch, handed it over to former javelin national record holder and Paralympic coach Norsham Yoon, who will continue the next Torch Run.
The Torch Run, which is being held in conjunction with the upcoming KL2017 (the 29th Sea Games and the 9th Asean Para Games), has been traversing the nation's iconic locations from May 14 to Aug 12.
The torchbearers were chosen to represent the country's diversity.
The torch will proceed on its journey across the capital city, which is its final leg in the country before the start of KL2017.