IPOH, Aug 26 (Bernama) — A teenage autistic girl is among 136 people who will take part in the Lumut Merdeka Swim 2022, organised by the Manjung Municipal Council (MPM) and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), which begins tomorrow in conjunction with the 65th National Day celebrations.
Nur Dhia Izz Ashfadina Muhammad Asrie,13, will swim 23 kilometres (km) with her step brothers Putera Firman Afeef Sabah, 11, and Ahmed Farhan Afeef Sabah, 10, for two days from Teluk Batik to Jeti Terapung Lumut.
According to her mother, Nur Fadhilah Zamri, 30, Dhia and her two siblings had made various preparations, including undergoing training in the sea and RMN pool for the past three months.
“Dhia is very excited to take part in the event and can’t stop asking when it will start,” she told Bernama, adding that Dhia also received financial as well as equipment and swimsuit assistance from the RMN.
She said although she was worried about the distance they have to swim, she still gave them words of encouragement so that her children will not easily give up.
“I remind them that swimming is like going through life… face it without stopping, depend on and ask for help fully from Allah because the ocean is vast, there is only Allah.
“The challenges at sea are not as bad as in life later on as it can be more painful… so stay strong mentally all of you, starting with when you are at sea,” she advised.
Meanwhile, state Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said the programme, which is themed Malaysian Family Strong Together, is a swimming event based on the concept of independence in tackling COVID-19 or “Swim Away from COVID-19.”
“The participants will begin their swim for a distance of about 10km from Teluk Batik to Pasir Bogak before spending a night there. The following day, they will swim a distance of between 13km and 14km from Pulau Mentagor to Jeti Terapung Lumut,” she told a media conference on the programme at Taman Herba Gopeng here.
She said several government agencies would provide assistance to ensure the smooth running of the programme, among them the Manjung District and Land Office (PDT), Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), Works Ministry (JKR), Malaysian Fire and Rescue Team and RMN, who will provide manpower while the MPM will be involved in preparing the logistics.
Sources: BERNAMA