By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Oct 16 — The Shah Alam Car-Free Day at Dataran Kemerdekaan in Section 14 proved to be an enjoyable event which grew even more lively as over 3,000 visitors descended onto the square for fun.
Shah Alam Deputy Mayor Mohd Rashidi Ruslan said the programme, in conjunction with the Shah Alam City Council's (MBSA) 22nd-anniversary celebration, has been awaited for by the public for some time due to its various interesting activities.
He said the 'Fun Run' which stretched for five kilometres from the square through the city centre was the main focus, with over 1,500 participants of various ages and races joining in.
"We thank the public who made the Shah Alam Car-Free Day a success, as well as their support for Shah Alam's aspirations in becoming a low-carbon city by 2030.
"Although the pre-Covid 19 pandemic number of visitors could reach up to 6,000 people, this is a good start in the post-pandemic period with 3,000 visitors," Mohd Rashidi said.
He added that MBSA is the first local authority in Malaysia to pioneer the Car-Free Day programme, which has been around since 2018.
"Alhamdulillah, we have managed to unfailingly organise it in the second week of every month. Perhaps due to this, the programme has also been taken up by other local authorities both in Selangor and throughout Malaysia," Mohd Rashidi said.
Commencing at 7.30am, the Shah Alam Car-Free Day consists of activities including leisure cycling, aerobics, Zumba, cultural dance performances, a brass band, a lucky draw, a quiz, and archery.
Other activities include wall climbing, hot air balloons, an Eco Free Market, a mobile library, an exhibition on finding and destroying Aedes mosquitoes, as well as the Shah Alam on Wheels service.
MBSA's Special Action Squad (Pantas) also held an exhibition, while another exhibition on recycling as well as health screening services concurrently took place.
