KUALA LUMPUR – The National Press Club Malaysia (NPC) is aiming to attract 1,000 participants for the third edition of Jom Jalan with NPC 2026, scheduled to take place at Bukit Kiara on December 13.
NPC president Datuk Ahiruddin Attan, better known as Rocky Bru, said the event seeks to encourage people of all ages to make walking part of their daily routines as an accessible way to maintain physical and mental well-being.
The organisers are particularly keen to attract younger participants and senior citizens, who will enjoy a 50% discount on registration fees.
“We expect 1,000 participants from different ages. We are focussing on under 18s and senior citizens,” he said at the event’s soft launch.
Beyond promoting an active lifestyle, the initiative will also raise funds for the NPC Journalist Welfare Fund, which provides financial assistance to Malaysian journalists struggling with medical expenses.
Established in 2005, the fund has helped ease the financial burden of media practitioners in need, including more than 100 journalists during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our second goal is to raise funds for the NPC Journalist Welfare Fund. The fund was established in 2005. We have been helping Malaysian journalists in need of medical fees to help them cover, not 100%, but to ease their burden,” he said.
Organised in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall, the event will feature a 7km race-walking category for men and women in the open and veteran divisions, as well as boys and girls under 18.
A separate 5km fun walk will be open to participants of all ages.
This year’s edition will move from its previous venue at Padang Merbok to Bukit Kiara, with Ahiuddin saying the change was intended to offer participants a different experience while reducing disruption to public traffic.
He said the organisers had taken into account concerns over frequent road closures in Kuala Lumpur, as well as the potential safety risks posed by vehicles during mass sporting events.
“When we talked to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, she suggested that we look for a place that does not involve public road closure, or minimal public road closure.
“And we found this place. It’s a perfect, spanking new shopping mall in Bukit Kiara. The route that we got will take us by the golf course,” he added.
Participants will be able to enjoy the area’s greenery and undulating landscape as the route takes them alongside the golf course, away from busy roads.
Ahiuddin said NPC hoped the move would encourage other organisers to consider alternative venues and routes that would not require extensive traffic restrictions.
“We hope if we can offer a solution, and maybe inspire other event organisers to look at alternatives where we do not have to really cause road closure every time we want to do a walk or a run,” he said.
The programme will also feature essay-writing and photography competitions aimed at encouraging participants to share their experiences and views on Kuala Lumpur as a walkable city.
Participants will be invited to submit short essays or social media posts about their walking experiences, while the photography contest will recognise outstanding photographs and selfies captured during the event.
The competitions are also intended to highlight the importance of making Kuala Lumpur more pedestrian-friendly while encouraging greater community involvement.
NPC has secured the support of several corporate partners, including the National Heart Institute, Prince Court Medical Centre, Grab, Destini Berhad and Zico Trust.
“NPC is the oldest journalist club in the country, and we do not get any allocation from the government. So, our programmes rely on our corporate friends and partners,” he said.
The event forms part of NPC’s broader efforts to promote a healthier, more inclusive and pedestrian-friendly Kuala Lumpur, while supporting active ageing and the welfare of journalists.
Those interested in taking part can register at https://checkpointspot.asia/event/jom-jalan-with-npc-26.
For further information, contact NPC club manager Tony Gayondato at 012-632 0061. – November 4, 2026