KUNDASANG: The Sea Games torch was lit at the highest peak in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu, here by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy led a team of 24 in the climb up the 4,095m mountain in an expedition that was part of the Kuala Lumpur 2017 Torch Run to mark the 29th Sea Games to be held from Aug 19-30.
Also with him at the highest point, Low’s Peak, was “Rimau” the Sea Games mascot this year, backed by a team of mountain guides from the Mt Kinabalu Park as well as those from the Fire and Rescue department’s Mount Search and Rescue (MOSAR) squad.
Earlier this morning Khairy had also spent time with family members of those who perished in the earthquake that killed 18 people two years ago on the mountain. They climbed the mountain to commemorate the tragedy.
In the first leg of his climb from the starting point at Timpohon Gates and the transit point Laban Rata at 3,400m yesterday, Khairy was greeted by many climbers, porters, guides and rangers, obliging photographs and handshakes. He also joined guests for a breaking of fast at around 6.35pm.
The final ascent began at about 2am this morning and the team took about four hours to reach the peak.