DAY 12 - GOMBAK After nearly 300km march from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur, Master Kongli has become the motivating force for many participants suffering from injury and pain to continue with their journey.

As for himself, he thinks that this form of march is much more difficult than the Buddhist practice of meditative walking.

himpunan hijau green walk monk master kong li The 51-year-old joined the event the very first day, walking all the way from Kuantan and arriving in Gombak yesterday.

Although the journey must have consumed copious amounts of stamina, Kongli ( left ) still looked energetic when interviewed by the press.

He said that in Buddhism, there has a form of walking practice, which is very popular in Thailand, used to train their mind and soul.

However, he said that this green march required even more physical strength.

Kongli explained that one can rest whenever tired when walking for practice, but the Green March requires all participants to complete the targeted distance as planned.

"We have to complete 30km in one day, and I usually walk just as I like. I walk 15km or 10km, so that's a huge difference," he add.

Flowers as reward for effort

azlan Kongli has been donning the same robe since day one, washing it along the journey whenever necessary.

He said he joined the march because he is a supporter of the "green campaign".

According to him, if the living environment becomes a mess, it's not good for life and also for practising Buddhism.

Since Kongli became aware about the Lynas rare-earth plant two years ago, he had taken part in many anti-Lynas events and rallies in Kuantan.

Meanwhile, Elton Teo, a Chinese medicine practitioner who helped the marchers, said he had never thought of receiving praises from the public.

In fact, after days of relieving the pain of the protesters, Elton Teo has become one of the stars of the march, so much so he was presented with flowers, and even asked to autograph a T-shirt by appreciatve protesters.

green walk chinese medicine practitioner doctor elton teo "This is the first time that people have given me flowers, that's really amazing.

"For me, it's also a recognition of my efforts, though I don't know what species the flower is," he said at his maiden press interview after the green marchers' arrival at Taman Rimba, Gombak.

Originally from Muar, Johor, Teo  ( left ) has been practising his skills for over a decade and runs a Chinese medicine clinic in Kuala Lumpur.

For the past 11 days, although didn't fully participate  in the march, Teo has been driving straight from Kuala Lumpur to join the team whenever he was free and wherever they were.

Unbothered M'sians in S'pore

Meanwhile, Singapore actress Tay Yin Yin ( below) , born in Kuantan, took leave from work to be part of the event.

The 26-year green walk participant 241112 artist tey yin yin -old's concern over the Lynas issue was sparked by the Feb 26 Himpunan Hijau 2.0 rally at Kuantan.

She stressed that the need to express herself as a concerned citizen compelled her to join in the march.

Tay added that some Malaysian actors who are working in Singapore, do not care about what is happening in their homeland.

"They know about Lynas, but (feel that) it is nothing to do with them.

Still, Tay hopes that these Malaysians will return home to cast their votes in coming polls.