Sarawak a paradise for diversity, says BASE jumper from France

SIBU: Sarawak in particular and Malaysia as a whole is unique with its many races practising various religions, yet live peacefully and harmoniously as ‘one big family’.

A BASE jumper from France, Cyprien Revaux said this unique characteristic makes Sarawak a paradise.

“I’m amazed by the existing unity here, unlike in many other countries where people of different races and religions cannot live peacefully together,” he said when met after one of his jumps here yesterday.

They are 84 BASE jumpers from 17 different countries participating in the ninth edition of Sibu International BASE jump from Sept 22 to 24. Of that number, eight are women.

Four of the jumpers are Malaysians. The other jumpers come from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, UK and USA.

The jumps are held from 9am to 9pm on Sept 22 and 23, and from 9am to 5pm today (Sept 24).

The event is organised by Sibu Tourism Task Force Group under Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee as chairman.

Cyprien said he and other jumpers were fortunate to be able to come here to experience the uniqueness of Sarawak and the beauty of unity.

“Eventhough it is my first time to Sibu, this truly beautiful spirit of unity has taken my breath away...of how people of different races and beliefs can mingle freely like brothers and sisters.

“This makes me want to come back again for the next jump,” he added.

He felt at home as the organisers and locals were treating them so well.

He said he had made 600 BASE jumps and 2,000 sky diving, most of them in Europe.

This year’s event is special as it is specially held with Visit Sibu Year (VSY) 2017.

BASE is an acronym for four categories of fixed objects from which a person can jump from: Buildings, Antennae, Spans (bridge) and Earth (cliff).