By Nicole Tan Lee Koon
The inaugural Blossom Run was held on the 27th of Feb, 2011 in Oakland, Seremban. The brainchild of YB Cha Kee Chin, DAP State Assemblyman for Bukit Kepayang, Blossom Run was part of a series of events conducted under the Plum Blossom Spirit campaign.
What is the Plum Blossom Spirit ? Due to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia, a group of people led by Devan Nair decided to form a new party, Democratic Action Party (DAP) to replace People’s Action Party (PAP).
According to Dr Chen Man Hin, the life advisor for DAP, the first test came when the DAP (as yet unregistered) won the Rahang by-election with a stunning majority over the candidates of two other parties – MCA and Labour party.
As DAP was waiting for registration, the symbol of Plum Blossom was chosen to be the by-election symbol. The Plum Blossom Spirit is to commemorate this historic occasion.
About 500 runners turned up for the run, jointly organized by DUN Bukit Kepayang, Templer Hash House Harriers, and Seremban Hash House Harriers and Harriettes.
DAP representatives who took part in the run included Dr Chen Man Hin, Cha Kee Chin (Bukit Kepayang), P. Guna (Senawang), John Fernandez (Seremban), Wong May May (Mambau), and Ean Yong Tin Sin (Lukut). The main sponsors for the Blossom Run were Lai Keen Choy Enterprise Sdn Bhd and Bukit Kristal Seremban.
