Malaysian set to become Grand Slam explorer

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday launched an expedition to the South Pole that will see national extreme sports icon Muhammad Muqharabbin Mokhtaruddin attempt to achieve the internationally acclaimed Grand Slam explorer status.

At the launch at the Perdana Putra building here, Ahmad Zahid said he hoped that Muhammad Muqharabbin would return with the recognition as a motivation for the younger generation, particularly the National Transformation 2050 ( TN50) group.

“By 2050, we want 20 more Muhammad Muqharabbin to emerge and be recognised as Grand Slam explorers, with him as the initiator,” he said at the launch, and announced a RM100,000 contribution to the mission.

Muhammad Muqharabbin is scheduled to set out on Dec 19 on the Seven Continents Exploration Club ( KE7B) Malaysian Grand Slam Explorer 2017 Expedition. He is also KE7B president, climbed the Everest in 2004 and is the first Malaysian to reach the seven highest peaks in seven continents in 2010, and has also gone on an expedition to the North Pole.

If he succeeds in the South Pole expedition, Muhammad Muqharabbin, 36, will become the first Malaysian and the third and youngest Muslim to join the 70 other explorers who have achieved the Grand Slam explorer status.

Muhammad Muqharabbin is scheduled to leave for Punta Arenas, Chile, on Dec 15 and begin the exploration on Dec 19. He is expected to complete the exploration over 110 kilometres by Dec 27 at the latest.

Ahmad Zahid, who has been following Muhammad Muqharabbin’s explorations over the past 10 years, said the young explorer had the mental, emotional and spiritual strength to join the ranks of the 70 Grand Slam explorers before him.

Muhammad Muqharabbin said he was optimistic of completing the exploration within the specified time. He expressed his gratitude to the government for having given him the opportunity to create history by becoming the country’s first Grand Slam explorer.

“Although I have to face extreme cold weather and ski 25 kilometres daily, I am fully prepared, emotionally and physically, for the journey to the South Pole,” he said. — Bernama