Expedition begins CSR project in interior
KOTA KINABALU: Just two weeks before the flag-off of the Trans Borneo Land Below the Wind (TBLBW) 4X4 expedition, the TBLBW team has teamed up with the Malaysian Welfare & Disaster Charity Association (Amal Malaysia) and traveled into the interior division of Sabah on Saturday to hand over daily necessities and cash donations to the asnaf community.
The collaboration known as the Trans Borneo Malaysia Charity & Care Tour Program is implemented to deliver aid to parts of Sabah that are heavily affected by the pandemic and recent natural disasters, such as landslides and floods. Funds contributed to the asnaf community are donated by the Taqwa Foundation and the general public.
This community and social responsibility (CSR) program will be divided into two series. The first series covered the areas of Ranau, Mesilau, and Kota Kinabalu, to where aids have been delivered by the team. For the second series, Amal Malaysia will be participating in the Trans Borneo Land Below the Wind (TBLBW) 2021 program, which is a seven-day 4x4 expedition from Kota Kinabalu to Semporna that will be crossing through hardcore routes.
The TBLBW program, which will be taking place from the 12th to the 19th of December, will be joined by four Malaysian charity associations as well as by a team from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and broadcasting crew from Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM). TBLBW will also be participated by the CEO of Taqwa Foundation, together with three other officers.
TBLBW is the sole promotional tourism revival event in Sabah for 2021 and it seeks to help jumpstart Sabah back to her nature tourism heyday, back before the pandemic forced it to a screeching halt.
“The overland expedition organised by North Borneo Explorer Sdn Bhd aims to discover hidden gems in Borneo, The Land below the wind. The adventure also seeks to raise awareness for healthier lifestyles through outdoor activities,” says Datuk Harun Ismail, the CEO of Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC), which is one of the main sponsors of the event.
“SEC is proud to be part of the event and wishes the group to have a safe and successful seven-day adventure that will test their skill, endurance and their 4x4 driving skills, especially in some of the unspoiled and remote places in Sabah,” Harun concluded.
With the participation entry open in early November, the event slots are already filling up with only a few available spots left. So far, the event has gathered about 85 participants, with an encouraging number of participation from Peninsular Malaysia.
TBLBW is endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, the Sabah Tourism Board, and the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association. Sponsors for this event include CST Tyres, Angkatan Hebat Sdn Bhd, and the Sabah Energy Corporation.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor is the patron of the event and he will be hosting the welcome dinner, as well as the official flag-off from the Sabah State Administration Centre on December 12.