Over 200,000 people expected at North Zone Madani Rakyat event

Photo: LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: The North Zone Madani Rakyat programme is expected to draw a crowd of 200,000 to 300,000 visitors as it caters to three states – Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

The three-day event, starting Friday (May 3) from 9am to 10pm, will be held at the Sungai Nibong Pesta site in Penang.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said there will be various services provided during the programme.

“We will be giving out 5,000 helmets for free at the programme. Bring along a used helmet to exchange it for a new one.

“Apart from that, there will be a counter on the MyJPJ application for up-to-date information. One can check and pay their summons as well,” he said in a short video to promote the programme.

Loke added that there will be Madani sales and various exhibitions on government assets during the programme.

“I welcome all those from Penang, Kedah and Perlis to take part.

“To reduce traffic and make it easier to head over to the programme, we have free shuttle services to and from the Pesta site to various locations at a frequency of 30 minutes and 45 minutes depending on the location,” he said.

The Northern Zone Madani Rakyat programme is organised by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) through the Project Acceleration and Coordination Unit (Pacu) with the strategic cooperation of the Transport Ministry and the Penang government.

The programme will focus on agendas related to the people’s well-being, unity, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and integrated public transport.

Other focus points are agriculture and food security, career fair, guide to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education as well as artificial intelligence (AI), in addition to services provided by the federal and state government to the people.

In April, it was reported that Penang Deputy State Secretary (Management), Abdul Kahar Abdullah, said the closing ceremony of the programme will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim together with the Madani Aidilfitri celebration.

To facilitate visitors, shuttle bus services will be provided from 10am to 10pm throughout the programme.

There are two routes available, namely Route 1 where passengers can board and alight at Universiti Sains Malaysia’s (USM) marching field and Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal with a frequency of every 30 minutes and Route 2 where passengers can board and alight at the Jetty, Queensbay Mall, and Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal with a frequency of every 45 minutes.

There will be free ferry services to make it a breeze for visitors as well.