| James Kon |
MINISTER of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong yesterday joined around 500 participants for the Reintegration Run 2018 at the Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien, marking the 64th anniversary of the Prisons Department.
Also participating in the early morning event were Haji Ismail bin Murat, the Acting Director of Prisons, members of the Legislative Council and senior government officials.
Prior to the run, the minister participated in a warm-up session including several special needs individuals and representatives from the Prison Departments of Miri, Limbang and Labuan.
Following the session, he flagged off the runners for the men and women’s 10km categories, and the 3km Fun Run.
The minister later toured a mini-bazaar at the Taman grounds, selling items made by former inmates and personnel from the Prison Department.
The theme of this year’s Reintegration Run 2018 was ‘Change for the Better’. It represents the hope that more former inmates will join the ‘Rakan Seliaan’ programme and make use of their vocational training, in adjusting to life after prison.
Meanwhile, the winner of the men’s 10km category was Njori Charles Munyua, who crossed the finishing line with a time of 30 minutes and 28 seconds.
In second place was Moroccan Younes Ammouta, who came in at 32 minutes and 11 seconds, while Haji Jupl bin Haji Pangis finished third with a time of 36 minutes and 11 seconds.
The women’s 10km category was won by Yvette Jacobine Maria Korte Kaas, who clocked in 44 minutes and 53 seconds. She was followed by first runner-up Siti Fatimah binti Mohammad, with a time of 46 minutes and 24 seconds; and second-runner up Marnie Farizan binti Haji Ahmad, with 48 minutes and 10 seconds.
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