By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 7: Over 2,200 runners from all walks of life took part in the much-anticipated Run for Peace (RFP) 2025, which was held today at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS).
Organised by the Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) Sarawak Branch, the event celebrated the power of collective action in building peace and advancing a sustainable future, said a press release.
The run was flagged off by Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, with MBKS Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai present.
Following the flag-off were a series of performances, exhibitions, and interactive activities. This year’s run also featured several eco-friendly initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact, such as:
- Sustainable T-shirt initiative: Participants were encouraged to reuse their 2023 run t-shirts to reduce textile waste. New t-shirts (if selected) will be made from Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified materials.
- Medal-free approach: Medals are done away with to reduce production and environmental impact. The real reward is your contribution to peace.
- Waste-minimising campaign: Participants are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles and eco-bags, with recycling stations made available at all venues.
Leading up to the run event, SGM also organised a range of community-driven activities nationwide, including gotong-royong campaigns, beach cleaning, blood donation drives, recycling workshops, and peace exhibitions to deepen awareness and promote sustainable lifestyles.
First launched in 2005, RFP is a biennial, non-competitive event that has attracted over 400,000 participants nationwide over the past two decades.
Carrying the slogan, ‘Peace Starts with Me! ACT NOW for SDGs!’, the event highlights the message of peace in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encouraging Malaysians to take concrete action for a better future.
“Throughout September, more than 70,000 people are expected to join the run across 22 locations nationwide,” it said.
This year also commemorates the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and RFP seeks to advance the UN SDGs by fostering a culture of peace, treasuring life, embracing diversity, and protecting the environment for future generations.
SGM general director Koh Sia Feai underscored the significance of the event, emphasising that everyone has the power to make a difference.
“Peace and sustainability are not distant ideals; they begin with our daily actions—reducing waste, respecting diversity, and protecting our Earth. By participating in Run for Peace, we are affirming our commitment to these universal values,” said Koh.
In addition, SGM collaborated with like-minded partners such as the Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA), Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), MY Clean Beach, Peace, Dialogue & Xenophobia Studies Centre at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and Kloth Circularity. — DayakDaily
