Kayaking around Penang isle in show of patriotism

GEORGE TOWN: A 47-year-old former soldier yesterday embarked on a three-day solo kayak journey around Penang island to mark the country’s 60th National Day celebration this year.

The Kuala Kangsar-born adventurer was flagged off by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) assistant director Noor Azlina Nordin at the Batu Uban police marine jetty yesterday.

Murad said the 80km trip will take him to Tanjung Tokong, Sungai Batu and Teluk Kumbar before returning to the Batu Uban jetty at about 2pm tomorrow.

“I decided to kayak around Penang to express my love for the country as this month is Malaysia’s independence month.

“I expect some tough times as the sea is going to be choppy in some parts of the coast off Penang, but I am prepared for this,” he said.

Murad said he would take a break at night before resuming paddling his RM16,000 kayak during the day.

“My next target is to kayak around Langkawi,” he said.

Murad, a former curriculum kayak coach for the University of Sultan Azlan Shah in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, has seven years of kayaking experience.

Last year, he set a record by kayaking around Peninsular Malaysia in 52 days. Two years ago, he successfully paddled in his kayak from Kuala Kangsar to Pengkalan Nelayan Batu 4, Port Dickson, in 14 days.