HAWANA 2026 Fun Walk Fosters Community Spirit, Healthy Living

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- The HAWANA 2026 Fun Walk brought together nearly 2,000 participants from all walks of life in a lively event that promoted healthy living while strengthening family and community ties.

Besides media practitioners, the 2.6-kilometre walk attracted civil servants, students and members of the public from various backgrounds, age groups and ethnicities.

Many participants described the event as a meaningful experience that allowed them to engage with media practitioners while enjoying recreational activities with family and friends.

Among them was 69-year-old Saadiah Ahmad, who travelled from Perak by train to take part in the programme held in conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) 2026.

“I came to support journalists. Programmes like this help bring the public closer to journalists while promoting good health and stronger family bonds,” she said.

Saadiah attended with nearly 10 family members, including her 64-year-old in-law, grandchildren and relatives.

Another participant, Eewern Eh Jun, 34, said the programme should continue as it encourages a healthy lifestyle and offers added benefits such as health screenings and aerobics activities.

In addition to the walk, participants enjoyed traditional games, a children’s colouring activity, aerobics and a poco-poco dance session.

Organised by Bernama, the event offered 500 lucky draw prizes worth up to RM50,000, including 10 grand prizes comprising electric motorcycles, bicycles and electrical appliances.

Other highlights included prizes for the most cheerful participant, best costume, most sporting participant, best group photo and best selfie.

For young participant Aufa Ukail Mohd Shahril, completing the route and receiving a participation medal made the experience memorable.

“I’m proud that I managed to complete the walk today,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ain Nur Balqish Mohd Fauzi, 23, said she joined the programme with her family as a meaningful weekend activity that promoted both health and family bonding.

Another participant, Ridzuan Zakaria, 65, attended with six family members, including his children, in-laws and grandchildren.

“We came to enjoy the walk and spend time together as a family. We also won a lucky draw voucher,” he said.

Earlier, the walk was flagged off by Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah at 7.45am

Also present were Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) Datuk Bahria Mohd Tamil; Bernama chief executive officer and HAWANA 2026 working committee chair Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin; Bernama editor-in-chief and HAWANA 2026 working committee deputy chair Arul Rajoo Durar Raj; and Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (News Service) and HAWANA 2026 project director Mohd Shukri Ishak, along with Bernama’s top management

The Fun Walk was supported by 14 strategic partners from the corporate and institutional sectors, namely the University Malaya Medical Centre, Basic Tees, BigBigPlace, Maxim E-Hailing, Cap Kunci, Milo, Extra Joss, Munchy's Oat Krunch, the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA), MOMAwater, Yakult, ZUS Coffee, Selangor Fruit Valley and Sunshine Bakeries.

The main HAWANA 2026 celebration will be held in Penang on June 20 and officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

-- BERNAMA