Chow (centre) during the flag handover to the Penang contingent participating at the jamboree in Saemangeum.
PENANG is sending its largest contingent of 43 participants to the 25th World Scout Jamboree 2023 in Saemangeum, South Korea from Aug 1 to 12.
Penang Scout International Commissioner Wong Kok Nian will lead the team comprising 13 participants aged 14 to 17 and 29 participants aged 18 and above, under the International Service Team.
The junior participants are from five schools — SMK Bukit Mertajam, SMK Jalan Damai, SMJK Jit Sin, SMJK Heng Ee and SMJK Chung Ling.
Taking place once every four years, the World Scout Jamboree is the largest camping activity in the Scout movement.
About 45,000 participants are expected to attend this year’s jamboree, themed “Draw Your Dream.”
In addition to the World Scout Jamboree, three outstanding Penang Scout members have been chosen to represent the state at the Friendship Jamboree organised by the Hsinchu Scout Association in Taiwan on July 1 and 2.
Wong is also one of three Scouts going to Taiwan.
The other two are Teoh Kheng Lin and Chew Kok Rui, who is Penang Scout commissioner (media and PR) and also Penang Sports Council development sports officer.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also Penang Scouts Council president, presented the Scouts Association of Malaysia Penang’s official flag to Wong in a simple ceremony at Komtar.
“As ambassadors, I hope that the contingent will protect the good image of Penang and Malaysia,” said Chow.
“I also hope they will seize this opportunity to gain new knowledge and carry out the activities during the jamboree with enthusiasm.
“Their participation shows Penang Scout movement is forging close cooperation with other countries,” Chow was quoted by state publisher Buletin Mutiara.
Among those present were state youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, state Chief Scout Commissioner Datuk Zulkafli Kamaruddin, state deputy Chief Scout Commissioner Henry Heng Soo Peng, state Education Department deputy director Mohd Hafife Abdul Halim and the schools’ representatives.Soon said the jamboree would enable Penang Scouts to gain experience and establish new friendships.
Zulkafli thanked both Chow and Soon for their moral support and also the state government for its RM6,000 sponsorship.
