Anuar (third right) with other 4×4 enthusiasts during the press conference.
KOTA KINABALU: Trans Borneo, the ‘mother’ of all 4×4 events in Borneo is back and this year, it will be held from August 13 to 27.
Organised by North Borneo Explorer Sdn Bhd, Trans Borneo 2017 which carries the theme ‘Into the Heart of Borneo (The last frontier)’ will see participants travelling all three countries on the island of Borneo.
Organising chairman Anuar Ghani told a press conference that the road adventure will start from Sabah, crossing into Kalimantan Utara and Kalimantan Timur before moving westwards across one of the last frontiers in Borneo, from Malinau to Ba’kelalan in Sarawak.
The objectives of the event includes promoting travel and tourism within the three countries’ region in Borneo especially to promote the potential adventure tourism in east Kalimantan to international audience.
“We also aim to strengthen relationshop between the three countries as well as among the BIMP-Eaga members,” he said adding that the event will also challenge men and machine against the great outdoors while enjoying adventure.
According to him Trans Borneo 2017 is also promoting culture, history, adventure, agriculture and nature in Borneo Island.
“We will have among us, a media team from Australia who will be filming the event for a television outdoor series. They are thrilled to know that the route we will be taking is the Death March trail. So they will incorporate the historical part of the event into their program.
“They will also be visiting the war memorials in Kundasang, Sabah Tea and Sandakan where there will be a ceremony to commemorate the death march,” Anuar said.
He disclosed that they now have 45 participants registered for the two-week event which will cover approximately 2,000 kilometres of on-road and off-road experience (10 per cent hardcore off-road, 30 per cent off road and 60 per cent sealed road).
The adventure will also take them to islands of Derawan, Sangalaki and Maratua in Kalimantan, he said.
“The event will end in Brunei Darussalam where a dinner will be hosted by the Brunei 4×4 association,” he said adding that the Trans Borneo 2017 is also done as a tribute to its pioneers and also 4×4 enthusiasts who have gone on ahead.
“I wish to thank all the sponsors and also the Sabah Land Rover Club for supporting the event,” Anuar said and added that those who wish to sponsor the event can contact him for more details.