Tuesday May 14, 2013

Laughter the best medicine for political rivalry, says club

Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club organised a “laughter walkabout” at Plaza Pelangi shopping complex in Johor Baru yesterday.

JOHOR BARU: Malaysian politicians from both the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat should laugh more and enjoy each other’s company despite being in different political camps, says a local club promoting happiness and laughter.

Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club secretary Goh Siew Mei said the majority of local politicians don’t laugh enough and they take things too seriously.

With the 13th general election just ended, she called on the politicians to relax and unwind after their hectic schedule of campaigning.

“You will be quite surprised if you learn how laughter can really improve your immune system and create a good aura of yourself.

“Many of us don’t realise that 10 minutes of laughter is equivalent to 30 minutes of jogging since laughing helps to improve our respiratory system,” she said here yesterday.

Goh said while there were differences of opinions between politicians from both sides, they should put all these things behind and start laughing together.

“I attended several political ceramah organised by both Barisan and Pakatan during the campaign period and I found that the speakers were too serious and hardly injected humour in their speeches.

“Malaysian politicians should emulate their American or European counterparts who can make fun of each other, but not to the extent of mudslinging or character assassination,” she added.

The club organised a “laughter walkabout” in conjunction with World Laughter Day Celebrations 2013 at Plaza Pelangi shopping complex here yesterday.

Shoppers were sporting enough to join club members in the event.

Apart from Plaza Pelangi, club members also visited Aeon Big Pandan and KSL City Mall shopping complexes.

World Laughter Day was initiated in 1998 by Dr Madan Kataria, the founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement.

The first World Laughter Day took place in Mumbai, India in 1998.

Its popularity has grown and the Laughter Yoga movement now has over 6,000 Laughter Clubs in more than 65 countries.

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