FOR five hours, 220 participants put their handphones aside today and disconnected from the digital world at the Offline 16 initiative at Methodist Boys School Penang in Jalan Air Itam.
The initiative aims to promote offline mental wellness by encouraging people to take a break from their digital devices and reconnect with those around them.
Taking out the white pouches provided, they slipped their devices inside before beginning their five-hour journey free from digital distractions.
While the initiative is named Offline 16 as some editions have seen participants stay offline for 16 hours, this year’s Penang edition was held for five hours under the theme ‘Play like the Good Old Days’.
Now in its 12th edition, Offline 16 has attracted 2,155 participants and clocked a cumulative 64 offline hours.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, who officiated at the event, said it is important to take a break from busy digital lives by putting phones aside and reconnecting with the people around us.
He noted that before the days of WiFi, smartphones, TikTok and social media, young people simply went outside to play with friends, run around, laugh together and create memories.
He then asked the attendees whether they could remember the last time they went for a few hours without touching their phones.
“Today, our phones help us stay connected to the world. But sometimes, while we are becoming more connected online, we may be becoming less connected to the people sitting right beside us. That is why initiatives like Offline 16 are so meaningful,” he said.
Ng encouraged participants to look up from their screens, talk with one another, play together, laugh together and, most importantly, be present in the moment.
He highlighted that good health is not only about being physically healthy, but that mental well-being, emotional health and social connections were equally important.
Ng said he was happy that the initiative took place in a school environment.
“A school is not only a place for academic learning. It is also where friendships are built, memories are created, teamwork is learned, and important values are developed,” he said.
He hoped that through the various activities lined up, participants would laugh louder and rediscover the child within each of them.
“Let us take home new memories, more laughter and stronger connections with the people around us. And most importantly, let’s enjoy the good old days together!” he said.
Ng commended Vita Health, together with Tropicana Corporation, CARiNG Pharmacy, Georgetown Pharmacy, Wellings Pharmacy and all the supporting partners for coming together to promote a healthier, happier and more meaningful lifestyle.
Among those present were Vita Life Sciences (Malaysia & Singapore) chief executive officer Dr KS Beh, Tropicana Group Corporate Communications senior general manager Serena Lim, Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) director Harry Chai Heng Hua, BIG CARiNG Group Health & Rehab business unit director Tay Li Yen and Penang State Sports Council IMPACT Committee chairman and Penang Chess Association president See Swee Sie.
Beh started the Offline 16 initiative after experiencing “a bit of a peaceful moment” on a flight home from Dubai while her phone was on flight mode.
She said that in the days before YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, young people would play ‘bakuli’ (marbles) or simply go to the field and run around, and would feel happy.
“People are now so hooked on their phones or cameras. When they are at a café, they don’t really talk to the people at the same table.
“You see families in a restaurant or café, with the children busy looking at their phones and the parents busy talking on the phone, texting or even watching YouTube, while their mother or grandmother sits alone, very lonely.
“That is why Offline 16 is here to tell you to put down your phone – let’s look at each other eye to eye. We only restrict it to such a small crowd because we want you to really enjoy the moments together with people. Share the love with the people around you and be more caring,” she said.
She noted that Offline 16 has evolved through different themes and experiences.
“This time, we wanted to bring the focus back to something especially meaningful: family moments. It’s really heartening to see people of different generations coming together to play, move, talk, laugh, and simply enjoy being together,” she said.
Lim said Tropicana was proud to be part of the meaningful journey that brought communities together while supporting healthier and more connected lifestyles.
“What began as a simple idea has grown into what we believe is Malaysia’s largest offline wellness movement. These numbers represent more than 2,000 people choosing to pause, choosing to talk, choosing to laugh, choosing to move, choosing to spend meaningful time with family, friends and even new people they have just met.
“As a community builder, we believe we have a responsibility to help create stronger relationships and more connected communities,” she said.
Among the participants were two senior women, Soo Koy Yuen and Kiew Ngok Mooi, both in their 70s, who were invited on stage to cut mooncakes with Ng, Dr Beh, Lim, Chai and Tay in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
A group of young wushu exponents then gave a skilful performance before various games and classic trishaw rides began, allowing participants to play and enjoy themselves like in the good old days.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud