ARAU: A cycling programme organised by the National Civics Bureau (BTN) saw a 20 per cent hike in the number of participants in Perlis compared to the previous year.
The programme, the second held since last year, offers two categories which are the Royal Ride (20km) and the Fun Ride (25km).
State BTN director Jazli Fadzil said the Royal Ride, led by Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, saw the participation of 60 people from the police, state Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs) and the bureau while the fun ride involved 360 people aged between 15 and 60.
Jazli said the programme was aimed at inculcating patriotism among the younger generation.
Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, in his speech, expressed his concern over the various form of new threats in the global era which has led to a negative impact on society such as drug abuse, extremist ideologies and deviant Islamic teachings such as Syiah.
“We also have to prepare ourselves in facing other threats in the future which could be in the form of abuse of the Internet which in turn puts individuals, families, communities race, religion and country at risk through provocation, blackmail and criticism.
“We also have to be aware of negative influences concerning ideologies, stiff competition for jobs, political and economic instability and also ethnic disunity.
“It is my hope that the youth in the country will be well-equipped with adequate knowledge and wisdom to differentiate between right and wrong, and strengthen our faith and patriotism spirit to overcome the threats,” said Tuanku Syed Faizuddin before officiating the Royal Ride at C-Mart here today.