Book Review: Colourful guide to Borneo

PHOTOGRAPHS in Enchanting Borneo, a colourful book by travel writer David Bowden, are beautiful enough to enchant one to plan a trip to the world's biggest island, Borneo.

Though it is not written like a typical travel guide book, it is handy for those making a trip there soon.

The 80-page glossy book is visually-driven and packed with basic information and interesting facts that will guide you on your destination.

The colourful travel photo book also makes a well-informed guide for those who wants to know more about the richness and diversity of Borneo.

The first chapter is an overview of Borneo where Bowden touches on the geography, history, people, the uniqueness of the habitats, plants and animals, as well as the adventures and lifestyle.

Borneo is home to a rich profusion of flora and fauna. With such a wild landscape, it's not surprising that it offers tourist a wealth of thrilling adventures like climbing the world's highest “via ferrata” on Mount Kinabalu, white-water rafting on a raging jungle river and even water skiing around the Borneo coastline.

Borneo is an unrivalled destination for adventurous eco-travellers.

Major parts of the book dissects all four places — Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesian Kalimantan — in four individual chapters.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Book Review: Colourful guide to Borneo

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Brunei team in first ever search and rescue drill on Mount Kinabalu

By Azlan Othman

Twenty-two Fire and Rescue personnel will join other search and rescue teams from Malaysia and Singapore in the first ever exercise high up Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in Southeast Asia.

The four-day exercise dubbed SAREX or joint search and rescue exercise involves finding missing and lost persons in the wilderness, which could strengthen and enhance the operation capabilities, especially for the department personnel, in search and rescue besides upgrading knowledge and expertise that could be implemented at home in the event of an emergency.

The exercise, at the invitation of National Security Council of the Prime Minister Office of Malaysia, began yesterday (November 28) and will end December 1.

The exercise would also foster closer ties among the participating countries.

The skills that the personnel possess become the core pillar in producing their true capability in line with the current trend and pace of modernisation globally. This is the aspiration of all operation personnel as first respondents in dealing with all sorts of emergencies and to be on full alert and ready besides enhancing the level of professionalism.

The Fire and Rescue Department strives to enhance the capabilities and expertise of its personnel in tackling any incidents through exercises or courses locally or abroad.

Before their departure via land yesterday morning in four vehicles, a flag handing over ceremony was held which was attended by the Director of Fire and Rescue Department, Awg Yahya bin Hj Abd Rahman.

The flag was handed over to the team head, Assistant Superintendant Annua bin Bangau.

Also present were Assistant Director for Operation, Awg Shabandi bin Hj Abd Halim, senior officers, Fire and Rescue personnel and their family members. A doa selamat was read by the teacher of Fire and Rescue Department, Ustaz Mohd Rosman bin Hj Bara.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Playing computer games on top of Mount Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU: A 12-member computer team from the State Computer Service Department and Sabah Technopreneurs Association (SATA) will be scaling Mount Kinabalu right up to its summit and then establish a local area network (LAN) to allow them to play computer games while at the top.

“It is the first time we’re doing this, although we hope it can be made into an annual affair,” the official for the event, Disney E Lai Bruno Voon said yesterday before they were flagged off by Resource development and Information Technology Ministry permanent secretary Bruno Voon.

He added that they would be heading up theKinabaluParkheadquarters for one day to check their equipment.

Their trek up the mountain will begin today at7.45amand they shall assemble at the Timpohon Gate at8.30amand are expected to arrive at Gunting Lagadan or Panar Laban about3pm.

On November 23, they will start their summit ascend at3amand are expected to arrive at Low’s Peak at5.45am. “We will start our LAN party at6amand finish up about7am,” he said.

He added that they hope the weather will permit them to do what they set out to do.

Continue reading at: Playing computer games on top of Mount Kinabalu
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Mount Kinabalu porters honored

KOTA KINABALU: The porters of Mount Kinabalu finally received due recognition for their dedication and hardwork in making Borneo’s tallest mountain a most welcoming and world renowned natural wonder.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun honored the extraordinary men and women with the Minister’s Special Award, the highest recognition for individual or organization who have made an outstanding contribution to the State tourism’s development.

Announcing the award at the Sabah Tourism Awards here Saturday evening, Masidi said the porters, who are mostly locals from the villages surrounding the mountain, were the endilible part of the mountain’s existence and truly worthy recipient of such recognition.

He said Sabah applaud Sir Hugh Low, who was recorded as the first man to conquer Mount Kinabalu in 1851, but more so the State applaud the people upon whose backs that expedition was launched.

“Mount Kinabalu is revered by the surrounding indigenous communities as the sacred resting place of the dead and the villagers have to overcome tremendous trepidation to even venture into the cloud shrouded peaks on the summit. Yet, they did. And they paved the way for even more successful botanical expeditions in the late 19th and 20th century which brought to light the incredible biodiversity and beauty of Mount Kinabalu.

“Today, they continue their tradition of transporting essential goods and services for climbers of the Mount Kinabalu Summit Trail… They are the representation of the strength and courage of the human spirit to do what is necessary to bring pride, honour and respect for the mountain,” said Masidi, to the applause from the audience.

He said the award was presented to the porters in recognition of their services as dedicated ambassadors of the country’s cherished mountain and first World Heritage Site.

Their perseverance in the face of hardships and challenges, he added, enabled visitors from all over the world to experience the beautiful Mount Kinabalu.

Masidi also presented the same award to two other recipients, one of them sports veteran Datuk Balwant Singh Kler, in recognition of his dedication to sports and sports development in Sabah.

Former state and national athlete, he said Balwant is also well known as the imposing and authoritative Race Director of the Sabah Dragon Boat Race and Mount Kinabalu Climbathon, two events that have placedSabahon the map as a premier sports venue internationally.

Continue reading at: Mount Kinabalu porters honored

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Runners fear format change will make Mount Kinabalu climbathon less attractive

KOTA KINABALU: Top-ranked male runners in the just-concluded 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon feel that the popular mountain race will lose much of its novelty when the competition takes on a different format next year.

This is because the race will not culminate at the peak any more.

Italian Marco de Gasperi believed that the race to the summit was the main attraction and was the reason why the world’s best mountain runners took part.

“A change in the format will have a negative effect as the race to the peak and down is already a tradition,” said the 34-year-old who has competed in three Mount Kinabalu Climbathons, winning in 2003 and 2010.

“I hope the organisers will retain the present format,’’ he said, adding that he might not compete next year if they did not.

Local runner Saffrey Sumping echoed de Gasperi’s views.

He said the race should be retained and held separately from the proposed new competition – the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon: Adventure Series.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Runners fear format change will make Mount Kinabalu climbathon less attractive

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New Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon route promises more fun

SINCE its inception 25 years ago, the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon has tested the mettle of so many participants, who have endured the gruelling climb up the 4,095m-high peak for the glory and lucrative cash prizes.

Next year, as part of celebrations to mark the 26th year of the race, the organiser will introduce several key changes to the route but will maintain the race's iconic name and the RM100,000 cash prize.

Instead of scaling the mountain, participants will run the 23km route from the Mount Kinabalu Park to Kundasang town.

Three-time open and three-time veteran champion Guainus Salagan said the new route would remain competitive for seasoned athletes and, at the same time, friendly for the thrill-seekers.

"The race to the peak, at present, has a cut-off time and participants who cannot reach the summit in about three hours will be disqualified. Not many can do this, but they take part simply for the fun of it.

"Hopefully, we will see more runners participating with the new route, which covers the summit trail from the park to the Layang-Layang area, at 2,800m above sea level, and then down the Mesilau trail.

"People may find it not as tough but I believe it will offer a different kind of challenge," said Guainus, 42, who finished third in the Men's Veteran race on Saturday.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: New Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon route promises more fun

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Spaniard wins 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon title a third time

THREE races, three wins. That sums up Spaniard Killian Jornet, who clinched the Men's Open title in the 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon in Kundasang yesterday.

The 23-year-old university student clocked two hours, 37 minutes and four seconds in the race up and down the mountain to beat defending champion Marco De Gasperi from Italy, who was 44 seconds behind.

Jornet, who studies sports science, was also the winner in his debut race in 2007 and repeated his feat when he returned in 2009. He bagged the top prize of RM13,500, while Gasperi won RM12,500.

Third-placed Luis Alberto Hernando, also from Spain, won RM10,500 after clocking two hours, 42 minutes and 36 seconds, while the best Malaysian finisher was park ranger Saffrey Sumping, who came in sixth in two hours, 55 minutes and 12 seconds.

A total of 203 runners started the 21km race and Gasperi, who won the race twice before, was the fastest to climb the 4,095m-high peak at one hour, 37 minutes and 49 seconds, an effort that won him a 24-carat gold pendant.

The 31-year-old runner kept his pace on the way down but Jornet, who was four minutes behind Gasperi in the climb, proved to be stronger in the descent.

"I caught up with him once we reached the steps (after clearing the rocky surface near the summit) on the way down and stayed closely behind all the way," Jornet said.

In the last 3km, Jornet overtook Gasperi and did not look back.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Spaniard wins 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon title a third time

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Rubber tapper claims fourth title in challenging Mount Kinabalu race

KOTA KINABALU: Wearing only a pair of RM8 shoes locally known as adidas kampung, a rubber tapper broke an eight-year Malaysian jinx by grabbing the women's title at the 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon.

Danny Kuilin Gongot outpaced New Zealander Anna Frost and American Brandy Erholtz, who came in second and third respectively, to bag the US$4,500 (RM14,000) prize and the gold medal in the women's category of the annual event at this World Heritage Site, near here, yesterday.

It was the fourth title for the 44-year-old Sabahan from Kampung Nadau, at the foothills of the majestic mountain in Kinabalu Park in Kundasang, about 75km from here, after her last wins in 2003, 1998 and 1997.

No Malaysian woman had won the race since 2003.

Danny clocked a time of 3:41:29 to beat 101 women climbers, who raced 21km up and down the 4,095m-high peak, the nation's highest.

Interviewed after she completed the event, Danny said she was dedicating the win to her parents, who never stopped encouraging and supporting her.

“They are not in good health now, so this win is for them,” she said, thanking the heavens for her victory.

“I never thought I could win against many younger and fitter runners,” added Danny, who trained for just two weeks running three times up the mountain in preparation for the competition that was billed “the world's toughest mountain race”.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Rubber tapper claims fourth title in challenging Mount Kinabalu race

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Sabah Mulls Turning 'Rhythms Of Kinabalu' Into An International Event

KUNDASANG -- The Sabah government is mulling over the idea to turn 'Rhythms of Kinabalu' into an international event to promote the annual musical performance at the base of Mount Kinabalu as another tourist attraction in Sabah.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the organising of the event by the Information Communication and Culture Ministry, with cooperation from Tourism Ministry, had inspired the state government to turn the event as a new entertainment-based tourism product.

"We want to take this opportunity to promote Sabah's music and culture to the international community.

"Coincidentally, the event is being organised to complement our annual Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon," he told reporters after representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at the opening of the event here Saturday.

Masidi said the state government was also prepared to be the main sponsor for the event next year and would hold further discussions with the ministry on the proposal.

Deputy Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz said the Rhythms of Kinabalu was one of the 20 programmes to be organised by the ministry, with cooperation from Tourism Ministry, over the next three years.

He said the ministry had also fixed Oct 19-20 for the organising of the event next year.

Continue reading at: Sabah Mulls Turning 'Rhythms Of Kinabalu' Into An International Event

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Sabahan Reclaims Mount Kinabalu Climbathon Women's Title

KUNDASANG -- After an eight-year drought, Malaysia's Danny Kuilin Gongot today reclaimed the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon women's champion title.

Kuilin, 44, who last won the race in 2003, clocked 3:41.29s to win the race dubbed the world's toughest mountain race.

However, she came in second at the summit with a time of 2:20.17s behind United States' Brandy Erholtz, who romped home in 2:11.19s.

Danny Kuilin was ahead of last year's first runner-up Anna Frost of New Zealand, who finished the race in 3:50.38s, followed by Erholtz in 3:52.21s.

"I'm happy that I'm in good health today. I didn't expect to win, just to finish the race," Danny Kuilin told reporters after crossing the finish line.

Continue reading at: Sabahan Reclaims Mount Kinabalu Climbathon Women's Title

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Gilt-edged adventure in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo

"EAT some chocolate," Nathan Wedding says, thrusting four squares from a bar studded with hazelnuts in my direction. "It's really important for you to eat more chocolate," he says again with an uncharacteristic note of venom in his voice.

Under normal circumstances it is not necessary to force-feed me chocolate but this morning is anything but normal.

It's 4am, the temperature is just above freezing and I'm at 3800 metres on an exposed mountainside in a biting wind. I have an altitude-induced headache, my pace has slowed to a shuffle during the 90 minutes I've been climbing and it's probably going to take me another hour to get to the top of Borneo's Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in south-east Asia at 4095 metres.

Wedding warned us this would happen. "It's the altitude. You probably won't feel like eating but it's really important to keep your energy levels up," he said to us in the cosy confines of our four-bunk room in Pendant Hut the night before.

Wedding's specialty is putting ordinary mortals into extraordinary places. Correction: ordinary mortals with deep pockets who are ready, willing and able to take on some of the most remarkable experiences in the world of travel.

The visionary and chief guide of Seven Skies, Wedding has cherry-picked the best of local culture, wildlife, cuisine, accommodation and guides in select parts of Asia to stitch together a concept he calls "luxury adventure travel". Usually backpackers are the pioneers of the sort of trek he's offering but Wedding serves up the experience when it's still close to its raw state and then edges it with gold.

Our Borneo adventure begins with a sea-kayaking trip through Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's capital and gateway. Wedding began his adventure career as a sea-kayak guide and paddling comes naturally. After a quick introduction, including how to wear the spray skirts that look like neoprene tutus, we launch our kayaks in the shallow waters off the beach just south of Tanjung Aru.

First stop is Mamutik Island, which is crowded with day trippers from Kota Kinabalu. But when we beach 40 minutes later at the comma of sand extending from Sulug Island, it's completely empty. The only sign that anyone has ever been here is a table that awaits us at the water's edge and is loaded with tropical fruit, iced drinks and cold towels.

As pampered paddlers, we're accompanied by a boat carrying our overnight gear, plus snorkels and masks and a grinning crew of three.

Wedding escorts all his trips, a level of commitment that you don't often find in the travel business. Group sizes can be anything from two to eight but six is about a perfect number, according to Wedding. On this trip there's Nancy, who cycles, hikes, paddles, does an hour of yoga each morning and climbed Kilimanjaro last year. The trip is a present from her son, Adam, who works for a London fashion label.

On the second day, we paddle around the seaward side of Gaya Island, the largest in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Gilt-edged adventure in Sabah, Malaysia Borneo

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Mount Kinabalu Climbathon Hits Record Participation

KOTA KINABALU -- The 25th Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon next Thursday has hit a record participation with 568 runners from 28 countries vying for RM260,000 prize money.

State Assistant Minister of Culture, Tourism and Environment Datuk Ellron Angin said Malaysia registered the biggest number of runners at 405 followed by Singapore (33), the Philippines (26) and Japan (18).

The number of participants from the peninsula at 230 exceeded that of Sabah (156) and Sarawak (19), he told reporters here today.

Ellron said season campaigners included 24th Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon men's open winner Marco De Gasperi from Italy, Sudip Kulung from Nepal and reigning Malaysian champion Safrey Sumping.

In the women's category, last year's runner-up Anna Frost from New Zealand would be returning along with Malaysian women's champion Danny Kuilin.

Ellron, who is also chairman of the climbathon organising committee, said the sponsors included the Ministry of Tourism, Celcom, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Malaysia Airlines, Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, Exotic Adventure, International Skyrunning Federation, Spritzer and Mcorry.

Continue reading at: Mount Kinabalu Climbathon Hits Record Participation

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Blazing Sabah - 3 days with only RM 500

The challenge was to spend three whole days in the “Land Below the Wind” which is Sabah, Malaysia with only 500 Malaysian Ringgit in our pockets. Could we handle it? Armed with hungry eyes and ears for information, an ample amount of curiosity, my travel buddy Rey Rivera of the Philippine Star and I, toting a handsome pair of Canon cameras, gamely took on the challenge. Kota Kinabalu, here we come!

Heart of the city

The challenge started at the city’s zero kilometer point located at the Sabah Tourism Building. Our first task was to secure lodging. Just a couple of blocks from the zero kilometer point, at the middle of the city’s Australia Place is a backpacker lodge called Lucy’s Homestay. Other backpackers from all over the world were also lodged at Lucy’s Homestay and so it became the melting pot for people with a single mission: To blaze Sabah.

Our first stop was the Signal Hill Observatory. Our roving eyes spotted eyes spotted a trail in Lucy’s backyard that cuts through the mountain side going up, which made it easier for us to reach the view deck. The place was a good place to start because it offered an excellent view of Kota Kinabalu City’s skyline. From there, it was another short walk to see the Atkinson’s Clock tower, an enduring landmark which serves as the city’s official time piece.

We then walked westwards towards the harbor to check out the scene at Kota Kinabalu’s Esplanade. The spot offers an excellent view of the sea as well as the five islands that make up the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park which is located just off the city’s shore.

On our way to the city’s public bus terminal in front of Wawasan Plaza, we followed the harbor going south and came across the Central Market, the Wet Market, as well as the Handicraft Market which is also known as the Filipino Market because of the many Filipino merchants selling various products for tourists and locals alike.

Taking a bus that travels the line going to Penampang took us to the Sabah Museum Complex which houses several facilities that offer a glimpse of Sabah’s culture and lifestyle. Aside from the museum which gave us a glimpse of the province’s history, the complex also has the Sabah Islamic Civilization Museum and the Sabah Art Gallery which is a repository of contemporary pieces by local artists. Also inside the complex is a Heritage Village which depicts the people’s living conditions from the past, from its structures all the way to the tropical landscape where they settled.

We then took off to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park which is approximately five kilometers from the town of Kinarut. Along the way, we saw local wildlife including the Borneo Pygmy elephants, Malayan tiger, Proboscis monkey and the famous Orangutan.

This was followed by a trip to the iconic Menara Tun Mustapha, also known as the Sabah Foundation Building, to catch a glimpse of a fantastic view of the sunset. About 15 kilometers away from the city center at the Likas Bay area, the 30-storey high steel and glass tower draws a poetic scene when set amid the setting sun, definitely one good way to end a tiring day.

Welcome to the jungle

My travel buddy and I agreed to spend the second day with a trip that would traverse the area around Mount Kinabalu. We left Lucy’s early to get a ride going to the National Park. Because our itinerary would also cover the locations around the Kundasang village and Ranau town area, we opted to charter a taxi to take us to the destinations that we planned to see for a fixed rate. Fortunately, our driver, Mr. Yap Nyun Sang, was sympathetic and gave us really cheap rates.

The trip took us eastward towards the Ranau district and as soon as we left the city proper of Kota Kinabalu, it was all pristine landscapes and lush greeneries. The road going to the park proved to be a spectacular one as it elevated well above sea level. The view of the jungle canopy below, as well as the looming presence of Mt. Kinabalu served as a refreshing start to what was expected to be another tiring day.

Before getting to the Kinabalu National Park, we stopped over the town of Nabalu. Set up right beside the road is a complex that offers food and beverage as well as stalls selling souvenirs for tourists. The best thing about the spot is that it has a spectacular view of Mt. Kinabalu which we gladly took advantage of and captured great images of the towering peak.

As soon as we reached the Kinabalu National Park, we immediately sensed the altitude because of the cold climate and the distinct vegetation. The cool mountain breeze greeted us as we walked from the park’s entrance. It wasn’t long before we saw a trail that left the paved road and went deep into the woods.

We followed the Pandanus Trail, which was a 598 meter trek through a thick forest teeming with different types of vegetation. Although the distance was short, the trek was mostly uphill so it took us about 20 minutes to go through the trail. Climbing up the steep track wasn’t as hard as it seemed because of the cool temperature. The scene was made even more dramatic once the fog rolled in which gave the landscape a mystifying effect.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Blazing Sabah - 3 days with only RM 500

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Mount Kinabalu climbathon set to be more challenging

KOTA KINABALU: Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon is set to be even more challenging next year.

The new 23km route will require runners to race from Kinabalu Park up the mountain until Layang-Layang Hut. They will then go down the Mesilau trail before descending to Kundasang town at the foothill of the mountain.

Billed as the world's toughest mountain race, it is aimed at testing the endurance of competitors by running up and down Mount Kinabalu.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said next year's competition would be known as Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon: Adventure Series.

Come Oct 22 to 23, the 25th edition of the climbathon will be the final time that participants run the traditional 21km route up and down the 4,095m mountain.

The present route requires participants to run from Timpohon Gate the entry point to the summit trail to the peak and back.

Explaining the new route, Masidi said it was time for an overhaul of the race.

The new route will be thrilling and challenging for the runners.

He said the state wanted the competition to be a sports tourism event instead of just a sporting activity.

Continue reading at: Mount Kinabalu climbathon set to be more challenging

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Everest conquerer to climb Mount Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU: A well-known Japanese international mountain guide arrived in Kota Kinabalu yesterday with a Japanese film crew to shoot his ascend up Mount Kinabalu.

Atsushi Yamada, who succeeded in climbing all the highest summits of the seven continents, including Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Everest, was known as the world’s youngest “Seven Summitter” in 2002.

The Japanese TV programme will feature him revealing the attractiveness of Mount Kinabalu, seen from the eyes of this specialist.

Atsushi said during an interview upon his arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport that his objective of climbing the mountains was a personal challenge as when he was young, he had asthma and this was challenge to overcome his sickness.

This is his third time climbing Mount Kinabalu and he said the difference between Mount Kinabalu and all the mountains he had climbed was the nature with the abundance of plant life and different forest types.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Everest conquerer to climb Mount Kinabalu

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Chinese sacred cultural torch reaches summit of Mount Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU: The sacred torch of the 28th National Chinese Cultural Festival 2011 successfully reached the peak of South East Asia’s highest mountain, Mount Kinabalu, on Monday which coincidentally was the mid-Autumn festival.

Organising chairperson of the National Cultural Festival, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen who brought the sacred torch up to the peak together with youth members of the host, The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), said:

“It was the most prestigious moment when we reached the top of Mount Kinabalu and I am so excited and delighted that we have successfully brought the sacred torch to the peak.”

This reflected the words of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun during the Ranau Torch Run on September 10 that legend has it that a representative of the then Emperor of China actually went up the mountain to find a diamond said to be kept in the mouth of a dragon on the peak, and this belief has since become part of Chinese culture.

With the Chinese culture torch reaching the peak of Mount Kinabalu, it was indeed a glory for the Chinese community in Sabah and this has set a new historical record.

Masidi said these when presenting the torch to Susan and her team members after lighting the cauldron at the Pai Wen Primary School compound in Ranau.

The Ranau Torch Run, which was the sixth in the series of runs across the state, started at the school compound and then around Ranau town on September 10. The run was to promote Chinese culture to the people and to bring to them an awareness of this heritage cultural festival.

More than 300 participants consisting of students and the community took part in the run which was jointly organised by the Ranau Hakka Association headed by Datuk Jimmy Tham Yuk Leong, the Ranau Hokkien Association led by Tee Geok Moi and Ranau Sino-Native Association headed by Alldem Chia.

Susan in her speech after the run said she was very grateful to Masidi for giving his fullest support and participation in the run.

“We are very honoured to have the minister light the cauldron at the finishing point and this is symbolic of his close rapport with the people under the 1Malaysia concept,” she said.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Chinese sacred cultural torch reaches summit of Mount Kinabalu

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Mum scales Mount Kinabalu for the sake of ailing son

KOTA KINABALU: Heavy rain beat down on her and the climb was painful but no mountain is too high for Catherine Jayasuriya, who scaled the country's highest peak for the sake of her ailing son.

“The climb was challenging as it was raining and windy.

“But it was nothing compared with what my son is going through,” she said, after descending from the mighty Mount Kinabalu with several international climbers on Saturday.

It was not so much about reaching the top of the 4,095m mountain than conquering Duchenne, a fatal muscular dystrophy that involves rapidly worsening muscle weakness.

Her son, Dusty Brandon, 18, is afflicted with the disease, which is said to occur one in every 3,500 male births, cutting across race, culture and country.

Symptoms usually appear before the child reaches six and may appear as early as infancy.

Catherine, who founded the Coalition Duchenne to bring global awareness about the disease by making the long hard climb to South-East Asia's grandest peak, said:

“It was windy and drizzling and when we reached the summit it was very cold.

“One of the climbers said it was the worst weather he ever experienced in his 25 climbs up the mountain.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Mum scales Mount Kinabalu for the sake of ailing son

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The Coalition Duchenne Expedition Mount Kinabalu Flag Off

KOTA KINABALU: An international team of 35 climbers from nine countries led by Coalition Duchenne Founder Catherine Jayasuriya, will scale Mt Kinabalu today to raise global awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The climbers also plan to raise the Coalition Duchenne banner at the summit the following day that will include the names of the major organizations dedicated to finding a cure for Duchenne.

“20,000 boys are born each year with Duchenne with more than 50 each day. My 18-year-old son Dusty Brandom is one of those boys and we realized that what we needed most was global awareness and money for research so that boys like him could have longer lives,” Catherine said at the Coalition Duchenne Expedition Mount Kinabalu Flag Off held at Shangri-la's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa yesterday.

“We are stronger if we all come together as humans, as a force, as a coalition, bringing together not just Duchenne charities but everyone. We need to focus on changing the course, taking our quest to another level,” she said.

“Mt Kinabalu always stood for stability, strength and gives me hope as a mother on a journey with a son suffering from Duchenne,” she added.

“Mt Kinabalu is a challenging mountain. But the challenges are far greater for those living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These climbers are climbing for the boys and young men with Duchenne who cannot climb because their muscles are so weak that they cannot even hug their parents,” said the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun who officially flag off the Coalition Duchenne’s global event.

“The Ministry supports this endeavor and we are proud that Coalition Duchenne has chosen Sabah as the venue for this annual event,” said Masidi.

Continue reading at: The Coalition Duchenne Expedition Mount Kinabalu Flag Off

Related Reading: Obama backs Mount Kinabalu climb to highlight disease

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Photographs and documentaries on Mount Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU: Photographs and documentations on the beauty and majesty of Sabah’s very own iconic Mount Kinabalu will be displayed at an exhibition at Wisma Pertanian here from September 15.

Organised by the State Archives, the exhibition will run from September 15 to 30, including Saturdays and Sundays.

State Archives director Datuk D. Tigabelas Datu Zainal Abidin said the exhibition which would showcase more than 300 photographs and documentations about Mount Kinabalu, would open from 9am to 5pm daily.

“There will also be screening of documentaries, including one that has never been shown before on Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. There will also be a collection of photographs from the Armed Forces which were taken during their expedition where soldiers brought the largest Malaysian flag to the summit,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Some of the exhibits which are from the State Archives’ depository, date back more than 150 years, he said, adding that the exhibition was being held in conjunction with the state-level Independence Day celebrations.

He said the exhibition would also showcase journals as well as stories of both local and foreign tourists who had climbed Mount Kinabalu.

“We chose Mount Kinabalu as the subject of the exhibition because it has its own history and it is also the icon of Sabah. We also hope to boost the state’s tourism sector through this exhibition,” Datu Tigabelas said.

“It is our belief that many people know about Mount Kinabalu but not intimately, especially about its history so this is a good opportunity for them. We also hope that hotels as well as tour operators will encourage their clients to come and visit the exhibition.

Continue reading at: Photographs and documentaries on Mount Kinabalu

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The dandelion, an eco-threat to Mount Kinabalu's native vegetation

KOTA KINABALU: The beautiful yellow dandelion flower at Mount Kinabalu, is posing a threat to the native vegetation at the mountain.

Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, said, “I have learned that the dandelion is a beautiful yellow flowering plant, but without realizing it is actually a threat to the plants and other local crops at the mountain,” “The foreign dandelion species can be easily reproduced as the climate and the soil structure at the mountain are suitable and fertile for them to grow, which, under the circumstances, could wipe out other flora in the mountain,” she said.

She said this when launching a three-day seminar and exhibition programme on the dandelion species at Kinabalu Park at the State Library here yesterday.

Since the programme was started out in 2001, she said, the weeds continue to grow even though it has been pulled out but we will continue to destroy it and put its propagation under control.

UNESCO declared Mount Kinabalu a World Heritage site on December 2, 2000. This declaration recognizes the importance of natural values globally, for the benefit of mankind, she said.

We inherited this legacy from the past and we have to leave this for our future generation, as there is no replacement for the source of life found in this natural heritage, she said.

Furthermore, she said, as the Kinabalu Park is now a world’s heritage site, we need to have a collective responsibility to protect and conserve its natural uniqueness.

Continue reading at: The dandelion, an eco-threat to Mount Kinabalu's native vegetation

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