The three-weeks 'MP Step Challenge' which saw a total of 46 MPs participating, raised doubts among parliamentarians when the 'veteran' MPs outperformed their younger counterparts.

BN Kangar parliamentarian Shaharuddin Ismail, 48, emerged as the champion for the over 45 category, with an average of 35,416 steps or 26.3km per day.

However DAP Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming, 40, the champion for the under 45 category, only recorded an average 18,041 steps per day - just over half of the total steps recorded by Shaharuddin.

The first runner-up for over 45 category, DAP Kampar parliamentarian Dr Ko Chung Sen, and second runner-up Kota Melaka parliamentarian Sim Tong Him, also outperformed Ong.

Ko, 47, a cardiothoracic surgeon, recorded an average of 26,427 steps or 19.9km daily.

Sim, 68, scored an average of 25,386 steps and 18.4km per day in the challenge which ran from Sept 11 to Oct 2.

DAP Segambut parliamentarian Lim Lip Eng ( photo ) told Malaysiakini that he was astonished by the fact that both Shaharuddin and Sim, despite their age, outperformed Ong, who runs regularly.

"I find the results of both Kangar MP and Kota Melaka MP unbelievable," he said, carefully choosing his words.

He, however did not doubt the result of Ko, as the latter is a seasoned runner.

Lim himself emerged as the first runner-up for the below 45 category, with 16,456 steps and 13.5km per day.

Role models

The event jointly organised by Youth and Sport Ministry and Garmin Malaysia, was designed to make lawmakers the role models for Malaysians in leading a healthy lifestyle.

The challenge had two categories - over 45 and under 45, where the participating MPs were given a Garmin Vivofit each, which is a wrist-worn gadget, to keep track of their daily steps, calories burned and distance walked.

"Every step recorded was based on the hand movement," explained Lim on Saturday.

"Some of us asked the organiser, how were we to verify the result. But we were told there was no way to verify, we had to accept the result on trust," he said.

A prize giving ceremony was held on Friday, the champion swept away a total RM10,000 cash prize, while the second and the third winner took away RM7,500 and RM5,000 respectively.

It was reported that Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin ( photo ) was impressed with the performance of these veteran participants.

Some veterans might get others to walk on their behalf as the total steps recorded was double when compared with participants under 45, but he chose to trust them, Sin Chew Daily reported Khairy as saying.

While emphasising he did not accuse anyone of cheating, Lim said, if someone were to cheat in a friendly game, then he could not imagine what the MP would do in his or her political life especially in giving out contracts.

Winning strategy

Both Shaharuddin and Sim brushed off the cheating allegations and defended their integrity.

According to the Kangar MP, he carefully planned his strategy to win.

"I exercised three time a day, I walked or jogged in the morning for two hours, I played football and futsal in the evening for two hours, I did aerobics and tai chi at night for two hours as well," he told Malaysiakini .

"There is no argument regarding my result, I am a sportsman. I did this all by myself, there is no cheating," he said.

Meanwhile, Sim ( photo ) claimed he had disciplined himself to walk three times a day when he signed-up.

"I know my limits. It required self-discipline to complete this game, but it was not too hard for me, I am a sportsman, I played basketball when I was younger," he said.

The senior politician claimed to have closed-circuit television (CCTV) records as proof, which showed that he walked one-hour three times a day in his house.

"Due to the heavy haze, I could not walked outdoors, so I walked inside my house. I have CCTV all over my house to prove it," he said.

"He can doubt my character, but he should be prepared to apologise to me too," he said.

"I would punch him if he were to say it to my face. I would even take a chair to smack him if I were to see one," he said angrily.

"DAP lawmakers will never cheat, not even a single step," he said.

Meanwhile, Ong said he admired all the MPs who outperformed him.

"I am not doubtful of the result, but the veterans are really good, the young need to learn from them," he said.

"I asked Garmin few days ago, any way to check the authenticity of the result through Twitter , but no answer was given," he said.

Ong, however did not blame the gadget, as the sport relied on the sincerity and trustworthyness of the person who took part.

Malaysiakini has tried but has yet to reach Garmin Malaysia for comment.