JUNE 2, 2003
Cat-culling protest climbs
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| To get it off his chest at the vertical marathon, Mr Balakrishnan climbs all 43 storeys of Suntec City's Tower 4 backwards to share the pain of these animals. |
THE plight of cats was relived at the National Vertical Marathon yesterday in the form of fitness instructor Balakrishnan Matchap.
The 34-year-old sported painted whiskers and a white T-shirt protesting against the recent cat-culling by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority. 'Cull ignorance, not cats,' his T-shirt read in bold black print.
The AVA said last week that it was rounding up stray cats for 'public hygiene' reasons in the wake of the Sars outbreak. To this, Mr Balakrishnan countered: 'We cannot make our environment too sterile. We need to improve our relationship with the living things around us.'
The marathon veteran raised a stir among contestants by climbing all 43 storeys of Suntec City's Tower 4 backwards to 'feel the pain of these animals'.
He managed to finish in 10min 19sec, a commendable effort when compared to the winning time of 5min 35sec by Mr Ng Tze Mien in the men's open category.
Mr Balakrishnan, who came up with the idea of a backwards climb while shaving yesterday morning, admitted that the ascent was 'excruciating'.
This year's National Vertical Marathon, an annual event, was organised by the Nanyang Technological University Sports Club, Singapore Sports Council and the Ministry of Community Development and Sports.
Organisers were expecting a lower-than-normal turnout of 800 due to Sars, but were pleasantly surprised when almost 1,000 signed up. The mood was jovial after Minister of State for National Development Vivian Balakrishnan flagged off the men's open race.
He expressed relief that Singapore was declared Sars-free by the World Health Organisation and said the crisis has brought lasting benefits. Singaporeans, normally used to looking out for themselves, had learnt that their lives depend on the health of others as well.
'We're being reminded that other people count...We'll end up a healthier society.'
