Army veteran completes solo Merdeka ride from Sandakan to Kuching

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Rahim (standing front, fifth left) with bikers from Kuching, who rush over to meet him after his journey went viral on social media.

KUCHING: It was a tiring journey of over 1,500km, but his sheer will and determination had become the added fuel to this adventure – a journey from Sandakan to Kuching on a 90cc Demak motorcycle.

For Rahim Yusof, 67, from Sandakan, his maiden journey to Sarawak was merely to lift the spirit in the National Day celebration, by carrying the flag throughout the two states and spread the message of love for the country.

“I always ask myself, as a Malaysian, what have I done for the country?” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

“We always talk about what the government has done for us, until we forget the little things – those that made us who we are today,” said the army veteran.

“For me, our forefathers had worked hard to achieve our nation status, and the spirit of patriotism is dying each day. We seldom

see flags being displayed at homes or on cars nowadays, unlike what we used to see back in the old days.

“I feel that it is my duty as a citizen to add colours to this national day celebration month. I am a normal citizen and I can’t do much, but I believe that this is the least I can do,” said Yusof, encouraging fellow Malaysians to reflect on their level of patriotism and start doing something to show their love for the nation.

It was not Rahim’s first time heading on such adventure. Last year in August, he went around Sabah on the same faithful five-year-old Demak 90cc machine.

“It was my first ‘Kembara Merdeka’ – this year, my ‘Kembara Merdeka’ brought me to Kuching, a city on the opposite side of my home in Borneo. For next year, I plan to go around Peninsular Malaysia – if I had enough money,” he said.

Rahim’s journey, which kicked off on Aug 1, appeared to have united the bikers community across the state, particularly in Sarawak – he said the celebration and welcoming ceremony here were beyond his expectations.

“There are always bikers who welcome me from district to district, and the biggest (party) was during my journey from Kuching to Sematan, where 35 bikers accompanied me to the coastal district.

“The support has been tremendous. I have forked out my own money for this, but I’m never short of sponsors – there are those chipping in cash, offering places to stay and even food after learning about my mission.

“Some of them, who shared pictures of me that later went viral on social media, have helped a lot for people to recognise me. People said hello whenever I made a pit stop. It’s heart-warming to know that this journey has really opened my eyes to the good-hearted people, especially those in Sarawak,” he added.

News of Rahim’s journey even caught the attention of Demak Motor. Yesterday, Rahim was invited to ride his machine back to the factory here, where the motorcycle was assembled.

Rahim was treated to servicing to ensure that his motorcycle – the only means of transport that he owns – would be fit and workable for the entire journey back to Sandakan.

He is expected to start his journey home today.