Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak celebrated his fourth year in power today with a 12 kilometre bicycle ride around Putrajaya with members of his cabinet, senior civil servants, and about 10,000 others.

NONE In a short speech after the ride, he joked that he had been cheated because the ride felt longer than the stated distance of 12 kilometres.

“I pedalled and pedalled and asked (Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek) how much further, and he said one more kilometre; it turned out to be three kilometres. However, it is proven that Malaysian cabinet members are active and capable.

“Not only did we manage to finish this 12-plus-plus kilometre circuit, but God willing, if we are given another five-year mandate, we will also complete our struggle to fulfil the nation’s vision,” he said.

NONE Najib added that the event dubbed, ‘Kayuhan Patriotik 1Malaysia’, was held in Putrajaya to signify BN’s intention to defend the administrative capitol, and urged participants to vote for the ruling coalition in the upcoming election.

The polls must be held within 60 days from the Parliament’s dissolution, which was this morning.

It took Najib about 45 minutes since 5.30pm to complete the circuit, clocking an average speed of about 16 kilometres per hour.

The route took him along the coastline of the Putrajaya Core Island, which sits in the middle of a man-made lake and houses important government buildings, such as the Finance Ministry’s headquarters and the Federal Court.

Trucks blare patriotic songs

There is also an alternative 20 kilometre route for participants who feel up to the challenge.

NONE The event was organised by the Youth and Sport Ministry and Perbadanan Putrajaya. Loudspeakers placed on the roadside and on the Information Department’s trucks had been blaring patriotic songs throughout the afternoon in the run-up to the event.

Cabinet ministers who joined the ride included Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen and Agriculture Minister Noh Omar, whereas Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor flagged off the event.

After Najib crossed the finish line and took a moment to catch his breath, he attended a cake-cutting ceremony in conjunction with his anniversary as prime minister before delivering his speech.

NONE Meanwhile, bands played songs on stage to entertain the crowd, including John Lennon’s cover of Stand by me specially modified to suit the occasion.

Some instances of the word ‘me’ in the song’s chorus had been swapped with the word ‘BN’, making the song go ‘Stand by BN’.