• To disseminate information about AIDS to the general public

• To promote PROSTAR to the general public

• To create an understanding among the states of Malaysia concerning the control of AIDS infection

• To encourage youth to practise a healthy lifestyle based on pure moral values and in turn to influence other youth to do the same To create the spirit of teamwork among participants

TARGET GROUP

The target group for this programme was the public, particularly youth below the age of 40 years. This was because it formed the highest risk group and was easily susceptible to social diseases. At this stage of life, they are still searching for their own identities and thus very easily influenced by the values and behaviours of peers, as well as by their environment.

STRATEGY

To achieve these objectives, the following primary strategy is used:

• Fostering cooperation among various agencies through activities among government bodies like the Ministry of Health, the State Health Department, the Education Department, the Department of Youth, schools, PROSTAR clubs and other government and non-government bodies.

• Intensive use of communication at all levels. This means the wide use of suitable methods of communication such as interpersonal, inter-group or intra-group methods.

• Promoting the PROSTAR programme and recruiting new members.

ACTIVITY

Baton Run

The Baton Run was the main activity under this programme. The run started from the jetty at Tanjung Gemuk, Rompin, Pahang, and was flagged off by Y.B. Dato' Setia Wangsa Dato' Haji Mustafa bin Abu Bakar, Deputy Speaker of the Pahang State Assembly and Tioman State Assemblyman.

The runners, led by the people's representative of Tanjung Gemuk village, proceeded to Rompin where the baton was passed on to the representative of Rompin PROSTAR Club to continue the run to Kuantan by way of Nenasi and Pekan.

On 25 th of June 2000, the ‘PATEK 2000 Run' was officially launched by the representative of the Minister of Health, Malaysia, Y. Bhg. Dato' Zainal Abidin Alian, Secretary General to the Ministry of Health, who then flagged off the ‘PROSTAR Pahang to Terengganu Run'.

At Cukai, Kemaman, the runners from Pahang, led by Y. Bhg. Dr Ahmad Shukri Ismail, Chairman of the Pahang Committee on Health, Youth and Sports, passed the baton on to the Terengganu Director of Health, Y. Bhg. Dr. Haji Marzuki Md Isa.

The run proceeded to Dungun, led by the Kemaman District Health Officer, before passing the baton to a representative of the Dungun PROSTAR Club.

On 26 th of June 2000, the runners continued their run to Marang where the baton was handed over to the Marang District Health Officer to be taken to Kuala Terengganu and then on to Hulu Trengganu.

The Hulu Terengganu Prostar Club members began their run on 27 th of June 2000 and proceeded to Permaisuri, Setiu. Witnessed by the local population, the passing of the baton to the representative of the Setiu PROSTAR Club took place at the Astaka Padang. From there, both clubs continued to Jerteh, Besut. The official handing over of the baton to the Besut District Health Officer took place at Medan Selera in the heart of Jerteh town.

The Terengganu Prostar runners, led by the Terengganu Director of Health, Y. Bhg. Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Muda, proceeded to Pasir Puteh, Kelantan. A number of participants from Pahang and Terengganu spent the night at the Tembakau Training Centre, Cherang Tuli, Pasir Putih.

On 28 th of June 2000, Pasir Putih Prostar Club runners, together with those from Pahang and Terengganu, continued the baton run to Kota Bharu by way of Selinsing, Melor, Peringkat Pasir Tumbuh and Kubang Kerian before reaching the Department of Vector Control, Kelantan. At the Department's compound, the Pasir Putih runners officially handed the baton over to the Chairman of the Kota Bharu PROSTAR Club.

On 29 th of June 2000, the runners from Kota Bharu crossed the Sultan Yahya Bridge and headed for Wakaf Bharu. The handing over of the baton to the Chairman of the Tumpat PROSTAR Club took place at the compound of the Wakaf Bharu market. The District Health Officer of Tumpat later flagged off the runners on their last leg to Tumpat.

The baton was brought to the Tumpat District Council Hall where the closing ceremony for the run was held, officiated by the Deputy Chief Director of Health, Y. Bhg. Datuk Dr. Mohammad Taha bin Arif.

The total participation of 1200 members of PROSTAR Clubs from all the three states were involved in the PROSTAR PATEK 2000 Run, traversing a distance of 700 km of the main roads of these east-coast states.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Various concurrent activities to promote PROSTAR and the anti-AIDS programme took place in each district along the route of the PATEK Run. Some of the events include the distribution of pamphlets, health exhibitions, health quizzes and cultural shows on HIV/AIDS and its prevention. There were also physical fitness activities like aerobics, cyclethons, and camping as well as ‘ gotong royong '.

piritual activities conducted include religious and motivational talks as well as youth forums. These activities help foster understanding and awareness of the dangers of HIV/AIDS among the target groups.