Some 3,200 participants came together in Taiping, Perak, today for the TM80 Heritage Run, marking the start of Telekom Malaysia Bhd's (TM) Larian Merentasi Generasi series in conjunction with its 80th anniversary.
Held at the historic Muzium Telegraf Taiping, the event brought together runners of different ages and backgrounds, including almost 900 TM employees and former employees, to celebrate eight decades of TM connecting Malaysians, while promoting healthy lifestyles and community togetherness.
Taiping was chosen as the starting point due to its pivotal role in Malaysia's telecommunications history. On April 16, 1876, the nation's first inland telegraph line was established, connecting Kuala Kangsar, Taiping and Matang in Perak.
Today, Muzium Telegraf Taiping preserves this early communications heritage, making it a fitting venue to celebrate TM's 80-year journey from the telegraph era to today's digital age.
TM group chief executive officer Datuk Amar Huzaimi Md Deris said the event reflected the company's longstanding role in connecting generations of Malaysians.
"For 80 years, TM has grown alongside Malaysia, connecting people and communities through every stage of the nation's development. From telegraph and telephone services to today's digital technologies, we have continued to evolve with the country's needs.
"What matters most is not the technology itself but how it improves people's lives by helping Malaysians learn, work, build businesses and stay connected. That has always been at the heart of TM's role in nation-building.
"Seeing Malaysians of different generations, including our employees and former colleagues, coming together here in Taiping makes this celebration especially meaningful. As we look ahead, our responsibility is to build on that legacy.
“We want to ensure that Malaysia has the digital infrastructure and capabilities it needs for the future, particularly as technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) reshape how people live and work, while making sure that the opportunities created by new technologies reach more Malaysians, wherever they live," said Amar Huzaimi.
The run featured 5km and 10km distances, with seven categories catering to participants of different ages and fitness levels.
These included open and veteran categories for the 10km run, junior categories for teenagers aged 13 to 17, and a 5km open category for participants of all ages.
True to the Merentasi Generasi theme, the event united generations, bridging the gap between the youngest participant at just four years old and the oldest at 71.
In the two-day event, TM80 Heritage Run featured several local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Program Usahawan Digital TM through Unifi Business to showcase and promote products.
The initiative reflects TM's ongoing role in connecting communities, businesses and government agencies to support local economic growth.
TM also hosted the Terang Showcase at Muzium Telegraf, featuring projection mapping, a Unifi mini concert featuring local artists and activities for the local community.
The celebrations are part of TM's 80 Tahun Merentasi Generasi anniversary programme, commemorating eight decades of connecting Malaysians and contributing to the nation's development.
The TM80 Larian Merentasi Generasi series will feature eight runs across Malaysia, continuing into 2027, bringing TM's anniversary celebrations to communities around the country.
