SEPANG: Seven children of Felda settlers who had participated in the Felda Everest 2013 project returned here tonight after having climbed the world’s highest mountain on May 21 and 23.
They were greeted on arrival at about 8.30 pm at the KL International Airport (KLIA) from Kathmandu, Nepal by Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Razali Ibrahim, besides family members and mountain climbing associations.
The head of the group, Siti Hanisah Sharuddin, 23, said their success would be shared together with the Felda settlers and staff as well as the whole population in Malaysia.
Siti Hanisah, who hails from Felda Jelai 1, Gemas, Negeri Sembilan became the youngest woman in the country to have conquered the Mt. Everest peak located 8,848 metres above sea level at 7.41 am (Malaysian time) on May 23.
She was the last climber to arrive at the height of 8,748 metres (South Summit) after being forced to delay the climb for two days due to health problems.
Her six other group members reached the peak on May 21. The six were Mohd Nasuha Shamsudin, 21, from Felda Tersang 3, Raub, Pahang who reached the spot at 8.31 am (Nepal time), followed by Mohamad Asyraf Mohd Halim, 25, (Felda Lok Heng Timur, Kota Tinggi, Johor, 8.48 am) and Muhammad Hafizuddin Ibrahim, 22, (Felda Chini Timur 1, Pekan, Pahang, 9.11 am).
Zainudin Lot, 37, (trainer, 10.16 am); Myrza Fasha Md Hamyrudin, 25, (Felda Tersang 3, Raub, Pahang) and Muhammad Illaham Ishak, 37, (trainer), both arrived at 11 am.
The Everest-Felda 2013 project was organised by the Malaysian Seven-Continent Exploration Club (KE7B) and was supported and sponsored by Felda, Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) and the Felda Youth Council, Malaysia.
In his brief speech earlier, Mohd Isa said the success of the Felda young generation would become Felda’s pride as well as that of the nation.
Despite the various perceptions made on the organising of the expedition, Felda and Felda Global gave their strong support so that the Felda children would conquer Mt Everest, he said. — BERNAMA