Proton Sponsors 5km Category at Malaysia Marathon 2026

Proton Sponsors 5km Category at Malaysia Marathon 2026: Event Overview and Key Facts

Proton, Malaysia's national automotive manufacturer, served as the main sponsor for the 5KM category at the Malaysia Marathon 2026, held in Kuala Lumpur on the night before Merdeka Day celebrations. The event gathered more than 25,000 runners from 69 countries across four race categories: 42KM, 21KM, 10KM, and 5KM. The 5KM category, sponsored by Proton, saw 10,000 participants and was officially flagged off by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Proton's involvement at Malaysia Marathon 2026 included the Proton Saga Serba Baharu serving as the official pace car for the 5KM category, with 100 Proton management and staff members also participating in the race.

Key Facts

What Was Proton's Role at Malaysia Marathon 2026?

Proton acted as the main sponsor for the 5KM category at Malaysia Marathon 2026, providing the Proton Saga Serba Baharu as the official pace car for 10,000 runners. The company also fielded 100 employees and management staff to participate in the event, reinforcing its commitment to national events and community engagement.

According to Proton's Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, the company's involvement went beyond sponsorship:

"Penglibatan syarikat dalam Malaysia Marathon 2026 bukan sekadar penajaan, sebaliknya menjadi peluang untuk bersama-sama meraikan semangat kebersamaan, keazaman dan kemajuan rakyat Malaysia."

— Datuk Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa, Deputy CEO, PROTON (translated: "The company's involvement in Malaysia Marathon 2026 is not merely sponsorship, but an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of togetherness, determination, and progress of the Malaysian people.")

Proton's participation in Malaysia Marathon 2026 involved 100 staff members and the Proton Saga Serba Baharu as the official 5KM category pace car, flagged off by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

What Are the Key Specifications of the Proton Saga Serba Baharu?

The Proton Saga Serba Baharu, which served as the official pace car, is equipped with six SRS airbags and nine Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features. It uses a new 1.5-litre i-GT engine paired with a CVT transmission, achieving fuel consumption as low as 4.9 litres per 100 km.

• Safety: Six SRS airbags and nine ADAS features
• Engine: 1.5-litre i-GT engine with CVT transmission
• Fuel Efficiency: 4.9 litres per 100 km
• Infotainment: 16-inch Dual Integrated Screen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Platform: Advanced Modular Architecture owned by Proton
• Development: First Proton model fully designed and engineered by Malaysian talent, with technical collaboration from Geely
• Ride and Handling: Proton Ride and Handling features included

The Proton Saga Serba Baharu achieves 4.9 litres per 100 km fuel consumption and is the first Proton model fully designed and engineered by Malaysian talent with technical support from Geely.

How Does the Proton Saga Serba Baharu Connect to Malaysian Automotive History?

The Proton Saga has been a cornerstone of Malaysia's automotive industry since the first Proton Saga was introduced in 1985. Over its production history, the Saga has become one of Proton's most important models, with more than 2.2 million units sold to Malaysians, making it a significant part of the nation's motoring heritage.

The choice of the Saga Serba Baharu as the official pace car carried symbolic meaning for Proton, given the model's long-standing relationship with the national automotive industry. The vehicle's development using Proton's Advanced Modular Architecture and its status as the first model fully designed and engineered by Malaysian talent represents a milestone in local automotive capability.

Since its introduction in 1985, the Proton Saga has been chosen by more than 2.2 million Malaysians, cementing its position as one of the most important models in the nation's automotive history.

Who Won the Proton Saga Serba Baharu at Malaysia Marathon 2026?

Muhammad Eusoff Bin Abdul Salim was selected as the winner of the Proton Saga Serba Baharu lucky draw at Malaysia Marathon 2026. The draw was conducted electronically based on verified participation lists, and the keys were presented by Datuk Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa.

The lucky draw was held after the main event concluded, with the selection process conducted electronically to ensure fairness and accuracy. The draw was based on confirmed participant registration lists, and the winner was announced publicly at the event.

Muhammad Eusoff Bin Abdul Salim won the Proton Saga Serba Baharu at Malaysia Marathon 2026 through an electronic lucky draw based on verified participant lists, with keys presented by Proton's Deputy CEO.

Who Is This Event Sponsorship For in Malaysia?

Proton's sponsorship of the 5KM category at Malaysia Marathon 2026 targets Malaysian runners and the broader public who participate in national sporting events. The 5KM category is designed for casual runners, families, and first-time marathon participants, making it accessible to a wide demographic across Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian states.

The event's timing on the night before Merdeka Day aligns with national celebrations, and Proton's involvement positions the brand within a patriotic and community-focused context. The 10,000-runner 5KM category represents the largest participation group in the event, reflecting the popularity of shorter-distance races among Malaysian runners who may not be prepared for full or half marathon distances.

The 5KM category at Malaysia Marathon 2026 attracted 10,000 runners, making it the largest participation group in an event that drew more than 25,000 runners from 69 countries.

Common Questions

How many runners participated in the Proton-sponsored 5KM category at Malaysia Marathon 2026?

10,000 runners participated in the 5KM category sponsored by Proton at Malaysia Marathon 2026. The event was officially flagged off by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, with the Proton Saga Serba Baharu serving as the official pace car.

What car was used as the official pace car for the 5KM category?

The Proton Saga Serba Baharu was the official pace car for the 5KM category at Malaysia Marathon 2026. The vehicle features six SRS airbags, nine ADAS features, and a 1.5-litre i-GT engine with CVT transmission, achieving 4.9 litres per 100 km fuel consumption.

Who won the Proton Saga Serba Baharu lucky draw at Malaysia Marathon 2026?

Muhammad Eusoff Bin Abdul Salim won the Proton Saga Serba Baharu lucky draw at Malaysia Marathon 2026. The winner was selected through an electronic draw based on verified participation lists, and the keys were presented by Proton Deputy CEO Datuk Ir. Abdul Rashid Musa.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source published by Careta, a Malaysian automotive news platform. The original article, titled "PROTON Taja Kategori 5KM Malaysia Marathon 2026, 10,000 Pelari Ambil Bahagian" by Qalif Latif, was published on 01-09-2026 and accessed via https://careta.my/article/proton-taja-kategori-5km-malaysia-marathon-2026-10000-pelari-ambil-bahagian.

The source material was translated from Bahasa Malaysia to English for this article. All quotes from Proton officials were translated and preserved with original text for verification. No currency conversions were required as the source material did not contain pricing information. All statistics, dates, and participant numbers are drawn directly from the source material without modification.

This article was last updated on 01-09-2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the original Careta publication.