PEKAN, Nov 29 — A mass circumcision with 1,201 children of various ages organised by the Pekan Umno division’s religious bureau today created a new record in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the circumcision event with the most number of participants.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as the Pekan MP, signed the certificate presented by MBOR chief executive officer Datuk Michael Teo at a ceremony held at the Pekan Convention Hall, here.

The new record broke the previous record set 13 years ago in Shah Alam, Selangor involving 1,000 children.

Najib, in his speech, thanked parents for allowing their children to participate in the event which began on Thursday and it set new record.

He also advised children undergoing the circumcision to be brave when facing the group of “tok mudim” who comprised 100 doctors and nurses from Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital in Kuala Lumpur to carry out the circumcision procedure.

“In the past, a tok mudim could be really famous. The whole village knew him with stories abound. But I don’t want to relate any of the stories for it may frighten the children.

“But now, (circumcision) is no longer scary. We have sophisticated technology and it is much easier. Hopefully, not like the past,” he said.

At the event, Najib also presented a mock cheque from the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) for 2015 totalling RM5.55 million to kenaf growers’ representative Abdul Razak Yaakob, which will be paid to 913 kenaf planters nationwide. — Bernama