09-07-2025
Digital detox movement gains traction with events held in Penang, Sabah, Selangor and KL
(From left) Koay, Tay, Wong, Beh, Ang, Lim and Ngan during the official launch of the Offline 16 event. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
The Offline 16 initiative has returned with an expanded four-part series to promote mental and physical wellness through digital detoxing.
The second edition of the event by VitaHealth Malaysia and Tropicana Corporation Berhad aimed at getting people to disconnect from digital devices for 16 hours.
This year's edition will see four separate events held across different states.
The first leg, in May, kicked off with a pickleball challenge drawing 200 participants in Penang.
This was followed by a nature retreat at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in Kepong, Selangor, and a beach clean-up in Sabah, which collectively attracted 300 more participants.
The final event will be held on Aug 16 at Tropicana Golf and Country Resort in conjunction with the launch of its new pickleball court.
A resort retreat is also planned in October for organisers and participants.
At the launch event, VitaHealth Malaysia and Singapore chief executive officer and Offline 16 founder KS Beh said the idea stemmed from observing how people were increasingly attached to their screens.
'I spent a lot of time observing people and their lifestyles and realised that one of the most neglected issues today is how screen time is taking over our lives,' she said at the launch of the finale of this year's Offline 16 at Tropicana Golf and Country Resort in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
'We end up falling in love with our phones, both young and old people alike. We date with our phones. We sleep with our phones.
'Not only does it leave the people around us neglected, but it leaves us mentally drained and disconnected.'
Tropicana marketing, sales and business development managing director Ixora Ang said the movement was an opportunity for Malaysians to tackle rising mental health challenges.
'We encourage everyone to join us to take simple steps to switch off, step outside and reconnect with themselves, each other as well as the world around them.'
Also present at the launch were VitaHealth South-East Asia new product development, regulatory affairs general manager Koay Suat Ling, its senior marketing manager Elysse Ngan, Tropicana group corporate communications Serena Lim, Big Caring Group business unit director Tay Li Yen and its chief marketing officer Wong Siew Lai.
Over 500 participants took part in the first three events, and the organisers are aiming to reach 1,200 by the end of the series.
The finale on Aug 16 will have over 20 engaging and relaxing activities.
Highlights include a pickleball session with VitaHealth ambassadors Olympian Pearly Tan and Malaysia's top pickleball player Colin Wong, as well as a sunset walk, live music, recycling workshop, health screenings, arts and crafts and mental wellness games.
Participants will receive exclusive goodies worth over RM300 and stand a chance to win RM15,000 in lucky draw prizes.
The event is supported by Big Pharmacy, Caring Pharmacy and official pickleball equipment partner Facolos.
Registration for the final event will be announced on VitaHealth's social media channels.
