MORE than 5,400 scouts from Malaysia and abroad will gather in Penang for the 15th Malaysia Scout Jamboree.
The event at Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, will bring together 5,005 local participants and 468 international scouts from 11 countries including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, South Korea and Singapore.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the jamboree marks a historic full-circle moment for the state, which hosted the country’s first national scout jamboree 60 years ago at Kem Jubli, Teluk Bahang, in 1966.
“Themed ‘Tracing the Legacy, Shaping the Future’ with the sub-theme ‘60 Years of Uniting the Spirit of Scouting’, this jamboree symbolises our continuous effort to nurture a disciplined, integrity-driven and competitive younger generation,” he said in a press conference at Komtar in George Town.
Penang chief scout commissioner Datuk Zulkafli Kamaruddin said the event from Aug 29 to Sept 4 would feature activities focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as innovation, scout skills challenges and survival training.
“One of the highlights will be Merdeka Hike, a signature event that is seeking recognition from the Malaysia Book of Records for being organised continuously for 20 years,” he said.
Zulkafli said there would also be a Scouting Carnival open to the public featuring interactive, family-friendly exhibitions and activities.
The jamboree is expected to be officially opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Aug 29.
Chow called on government agencies, the private sector, volunteers and local communities to work together to ensure the event’s success.
Also present at the press conference were state youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, national chief scout commissioner Dr Mohammed Mukhyuddin Sarwani and Penang deputy chief scout commissioner Datuk Henry Heng Soo Peng.
