ISKANDAR PUTERI TREASURE HUNT 2012 - News

Treasure Hunt in promoting racial unity

ISKANDAR MALAYSIA 9 JULY 2012: In the 1Malaysia spirit to celebrate cultural diversity coupled with the positive feedback it received from the previous event, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) once again organized the Iskandar Puteri Treasure Hunt 2012.  This year, the event was organized in collaboration with Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru (MBJB).

The event which was held on Saturday July 7th had it flagging off ceremony and ended at JOTIC Building in Johor Bahru; brought 455 people together from 124 teams (including 3 teams from Persatuan Orang Pekak Johor) who put their physical and mental skills to the test when they raced around the Iskandar Puteri Heritage Trail and JB City Centre hunting "treasures" and answers to the mind boggling questions and clues.

 

Excitement started to accelerate right at the flagging off as the 124 teams rushed to complete the hunt which objective is to promote Racial Unity and Harmony in ISKANDAR MALAYSIA.

Participating teams were taken through the Iskandar Puteri Heritage Trail that shows how the multi-racial cultural and heritage values are preserved in the city center while sustaining JB’s role as a vibrant capital city with many economic activities.

Adrenaline levels peaked and participants pushed themselves to the limit despite the pouring rain and try to outdo each other along the hunt especially at two Tasks pit stops, i.e;  Galeria@Kotaraya and City Square where they were asked to complete tasks and play games to receive maximum points. 

In Galeria@Kotaraya, the teams’ creativity and talent were put to test as they were asked to perform the newly-refurbished shopping centre tagline in their own rendition, complete with performance.  Some teams were seen dancing to their own choreography, singing to the top of their lungs and even breakdancing – providing humor to the judges and other contestants.   The teams had a whale of a time trying to out-wit and out-run each other on the course for four grueling but fun-filled hours.

To create more excitement to this year’s event the organizers worked in partnership with sponsors such as the major shopping centres like JB City Square and Galleria @Kotaraya, major Hotels such as KSL Resorts, Pulai Springs, Puteri Pacific and Le Grandeur ; Red Bull, Colourland, CIDB, Mega Rancang and Dynamic Paintball to host a series of gifts and prizes.

It was Maruku Ikan Popo Team who championed the race and took home the grand prize of RM 1250 + 2-Day 1-Night stay at KSL Resort + RM200 Voucher Galeria@Kotaraya + Hamper.

Oompa Loompa Team came in second and won themselves RM 750 + RM200 Voucher Galeria@Kotaraya + 2-Day 1-Night stay at Puteri Pacific Hotel + Hamper while the third place went to Lucky Duo with RM 500 + 2-Day 1-Night stay at Le Grandeur Palm Resort + RM200 Voucher Galeria@Kotaraya + Hamper.

As the race promotes cultural and racial unity, teams were represented by two to four members with at least one member from another race. The most racially diverse team; Kumpulan Berorientasikan Citarasa Harmony won this year’s title for the Most Racially Diverse Team.

There were also consolation prizes such as cash, shopping, games, accomodation or meal vouchers by sponsors for 4th - 15th placing and hampers for the most Unique Name Team, the Funniest Answer Team, the Fastest Team, the Slowest Team and the Best Performance Team at Galleria Kotaraya.

IRDA Chief Executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim said one of IRDA’s initiatives is to promote Racial Unity and Harmony in ISKANDAR MALAYSIA through fun and healthy activities – enhance networking and interaction between many races including the expats.

“This is an opportunity for people of ISKANDAR MALAYSIA to interact with other races and enhance networking which enjoying affordable and healthy weekend activities with their families in JB City”

Ismail stressed that ISKANDAR MALAYSIA is also vibrant with existing charms including the richness of heritage, arts and culture in Johor Bahru city center. Most notable is the Iskandar Puteri Heritage Trail which tempts the senses with an exquisite experience of old coffee shops and charcoal oven bakeries.

He added,” We urge Malaysian and foreigners to come and visit ISKANDAR MALAYSIA and enjoy your holidays with great adventure, great people and great food while helping to promote JB City Centre as a vibrant city filled with activities for the populace”.