TAIPING, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak joined the people of Taiping today, shaking their hands and greeting them, in a walkabout and morning exercise.
Taiping, formerly known as Klian Pauh, began as a small mining town and went on to grow to become the first state capital of Perak. Much of its historical facade remain evident today, earning it the status of a heritage town.
Najib, who arrived here last night, joined about 4,000 people at the Esplanade in Taman Tasik Taiping for the morning exercise, dubbed the 1Malaysia Exercise.
He greeted them "Assalammualaikum, Salam Sejahtera, Salam 1Malaysia" to a loud applause from the crowd.
He then joined them for the 30-minute exercise which was also participated by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Tan Lian Hoe, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and wife Datin Seri Sharipah Zulkifli.
He then boarded a bus, heading for the Casual Market here.
The popular market was already in a hive of activities when he arrived there, with people thronging the food stalls for a breakfast.
Smiling, Najib alighted from the bus and soon people began crowding around him, shaking his hand and welcoming him.
He joined them for a nasi lemak, popiah and teh tarik breakfast.
The prime minister spent nearly an hour at the market, mingling with the people and talking to stall owners.
Police maintained order as a group of about 15 people attempted to hand over to Najib what they said was a copy of a police report against an enforcement officer of the Taiping Municipal Council, whom they claimed had mistreated one of them.
-- BERNAMA
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