‘Sibu International Base Jump draws most foreigners’
SIBU: The Sibu International Base Jump is the tourism event that attracts the highest number of foreigners to Sibu.
Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee said this when asked on the tourism potential of the annual event, which is into its ninth year.
“This is the event which attracts the most foreigners (to Sibu) in term of tourism event because for the other events, you don’t see such a big group of foreigners (coming),” he told The Borneo Post.
The ninth edition of the Sibu International Base Jump this year organised by Sibu Division Tourism Task Group ( DTTG) attracted a record 104 jumpers from 19 countries.
Hii, who is DTTG chairman, said this was a record for Sibu since the event debuted in 2009. In fact, there were only 64 jumpers from 18 countries last year.
Countries represented in this year’s event are the United States with 27 jumpers, Australia (17), France (12), Canada (10), Russia (five); Germany, Malaysia and New Zealand (four each); the United Kingdom, Brazil and Finland (three each); Belgium, Ireland, Italy and Mexico (two each); and the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Turkey (one each).
Hii disclosed that the trial jumps will be held on Sept 21, while actual jumps are scheduled from
This is the event which attracts the most foreigners (to Sibu) in term of tourism event because for the other events, you don’t see such a big group of foreigners (coming).
Sept 22 to 24, starting from 8am until 9pm daily.
The jump programme on Sept 24 will end at 5pm as the participants are scheduled to be brought to Rumah Michael Jalak in Bawan, Kanowit for a retreat.
During the event, base jumpers will leap from the state’s tallest building, the 126-metre high Wisma Sanyan.
Asked on safety measures taken, Hii gave his assurance this would be given the highest priority.
“We have the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), Bomba (Fire and Rescue Department), police, and a medical team to ensure all safety aspects are taking care of,” he said.
At the same time, a trade and exhibition fair will be held at Sibu Town Square Phase 2 to enliven the event.
BASE is an acronym that stands for four categories of fi xed objects from which a person can jump, namely buildings, antennae, spans ( bridge) and earth (cliff).
Hii Chang Kee, Sibu Resident