World Laughter Day spreads smiles across JB

More than 400 participants gathered at Fo Guang Shan – Hsingma Si in Taman Sutera Utama this Sunday to celebrate the 17th JB-World Laughter Day 2025, an annual event organised by the Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club. From young schoolchildren to senior citizens, the atmosphere was one of light-hearted unity and well-being, in line with this year’s objectives to promote laughter as a powerful tool for physical, mental, and social wellness.

The two-hour celebration, themed around spreading joy and youthful energy, was graced by YB Marina binti Ibrahim, State Assemblyperson for Skudai, who officiated the event as Guest of Honour. Her address underscored the role of laughter in strengthening shared humanity and fostering stress relief, especially among students and educators.

Laughter’s Power for Mental and Physical Health

Beyond its light-hearted spirit, the event highlighted the profound impact of laughter on holistic health. This sentiment was reinforced through the reading of a global message from Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. His message, presented in four languages – Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Tamil, and English – reflected laughter’s role in transforming individuals and building a compassionate global community.

The participation of medical and mental health professionals, including orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Lee Boon Peng and consultant psychiatrist Dr. Suraya Yusoff, further lent weight to the discussion on laughter’s benefits. Their presence reinforced the event’s mission to promote mental well-being through joy and social connection.

Engaging the Youth and Honouring the Joyful

More than 160 students and teachers from Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Kuo Kuang 2 actively participated in the celebration, which featured performances and laughter contests designed to involve children and youth. The laughter contests crowned a vibrant lineup of champions: Laughter King Soon Boon Keng (82), Laughter Queen Che Wan Norzirawati (48), Laughter Prince Yong Qi Jun (7), and Laughter Princess Lam Shyeang (10), symbolising joy across generations.

The event’s schedule was filled with engaging activities, from laughter exercises led by Laughter Ambassador Lina Lim to magic shows, musical performances, and an interactive drum circle that had participants laughing, dancing, and marching in unison to close the celebration.

Celebrating a Global Movement Rooted in Kindness

The celebration in Johor Bahru was part of a broader global movement observed in over 120 countries. World Laughter Day, now in its 30th year, continues to gain momentum as a symbol of peace and human connection. With its emphasis on free, inclusive laughter clubs and community-building activities, the day aims to reduce global stress levels and promote harmony.

Organising Chairman Danny Loo and Club President Koh Mui Cheng expressed pride in the growing participation and impact of the annual event. The Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club’s initiative continues to resonate deeply with the public and NGOs alike, making the city a key node in this global tapestry of laughter and hope.

For further information on upcoming events and Laughter Yoga sessions, the public can contact Koh Mui Cheng at 012-7169558 or Danny Loo at 017-2192789.