Joniston flagging off Harmony Run at the Padang Merdeka, on Sunday.
KOTA KINABALU : – The annual Harmony Run should be elevated into an international event next year as a means to make Sabah known globally for its high level of racial and religious tolerance, said Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Noting that next year is also Visit Malaysia Year, the State Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said it is a perfect time for the run to be turned into an international event.
Flagging off the run today, he urged the organiser, KSRun Athletic Club, to start making preparations to take the next step in positioning the event as the International Harmony Run, given the strong response from participants beyond Sabah.
“This run represents Sabah’s emphasis on racial and religious harmony, and the fact that many runners came from Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Brunei shows it has the appeal to go global,” he said.
This year’s run attracted 2,200 participants, with more than half from outside Sabah, signalling its growing pull as both a cultural and sporting showcase.
Joniston said Sabah’s multireligious and multicultural landscape gave the state a unique advantage to host such an event, pointing out that there are about 40 ethnic groups living harmoniously.
He said elevating the run to an international level would not only strengthen the spirit of unity but also attract running enthusiasts from abroad, while boosting tourism arrivals during Visit Malaysia 2026.
“This is timely because visitors will not just come for a holiday. They can also take part in the Harmony Run as part of their itinerary while experiencing Sabah’s diverse culture,” he said.
Joniston highlighted that the run’s route already symbolised inclusivity, passing through the State Mosque, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Sikh Gurdwara, and Buddhist Peak Nam Tong Temple.
Also present to flag off the Harmony Run were Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains)deputy director Awang Juri Ag Tahir, Sacred Heart Cathedral pastoral council chairman Datuk Bernard Liew, Sikh Gurdwara Temple head Datuk Ram Singh, and Putatan Tai Pak Kung Mission representative Wong Yun Kong.
