| Hakim Hayat |
THE Trans Borneo 2017, a 15-day four-wheel drive expedition across the Island of Borneo, concluded its journey in Brunei yesterday evening with a closing ceremony.
The guest of honour, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, presented certificates and awards to participants of the expedition during the ceremony held at The Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong.
The Trans Borneo 2017 took all its participants on a road adventure, covering the three countries on Borneo Island.
The participants commenced their journey on August 13 in Sabah, Malaysia, crossing into the last frontiers in Borneo, from Malinau to Ba’kelalan in Sarawak, and later Brunei. The event included eight days of hotel and resort accommodation as well as seven days of camping by the roadside or in the jungle.
The journey was supposed to take them through Kalimantan, Indonesia but, due to some unforeseen circumstances, the organisers said they rerouted the trail to several other places in Borneo.
The expedition covered more than 2,000 kilometres through Malaysia and Brunei with a convoy of 20 vehicles and close to 60 participants.
Besides the thrills and adrenaline of off-roading, the expedition was also a journey of discoveries, with visits to interesting travel destinations in Borneo,
These included the only tea plantation in Sabah backed by a majestic view of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain on the island. The Chairman of Trans Borneo 2017, Anuar Ghani, in his closing speech last night said that the annual event combines together the automotive and tourism industries.
It aims to promote and strengthen the ties of friendship and the tourism industries in Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia, he added, by showcasing the beauty and charms of Borneo, shared by all three countries.
He shared that throughout the 15 days, the group visited over 22 places and took part in different cultural, community and leisure activities, which allowed them to experience the charm that each place has to offer.
Anuar also shared that 15 journalists from Australia, Japan and Thailand also took part in the event, and they will later produce their work on different media channels, including travel and adventure documentary TV shows.
Meanwhile, Pengiran Haji Mohiddin bin Pengiran Paduka Tuan Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar, chairperson of the closing ceremony, conveyed his appreciation to the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) for their support in welcoming the expedition group to Brunei.
This event – a collaboration between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei – was supported by the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines – East Asean Growth Area) business council, the Malaysian Government, the province of North Kalimantan and East Kalimantan, and Brunei Darussalam.
Also present at the ceremony last evening was Wardi bin Haji Mohammad Ali, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Tourism) at MPRT.
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