SEPANG: Sayangi Malaysiaku was the patriotic inspiration behind the endeavour by 27 Malaysians with a mission to fly a giant Jalur Gemilang flag at the Everest Base Camp (EBC), held in conjunction with the National Day celebration.
The group of climbers from various employment sectors will be taking the challenge to fly a 6 meters by 2 meters flag weighing 11kg at 5,364m above sea level of the EBC.
Leader of the expedition Mohd Fakhrul Munir Mohd Isa said the climbers will be facing physical and mental challenges, including severe weather, below-freezing temperatures and the Altitude Mountain Sickness (AMS).
He said they would have to climb up the base starting at a height of 2,700m from Lukhla for 12 days which would cover 130km for the return trip.
“The participants will also be climbing the 5,545m Mount Kala Patthar,” he told the reporters at an event to hand over the giant Jalur Gemilang at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport here yesterday.
The group includes Malaysian celebrity Azhan Rani and media representatives - Berita Harian reporters Zainuri Misfar and Abdul Razak Raaff, Bernama photographer Mohd Faizol Abdul Aziz and Kosmo! reporter Norzasrudin Mohamed.
Malaysia Unity Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye handed over the flag. Also present was Malaysian singer Amy Search, who is the expedition’s icon.
The expedition, organised by Summit Attack Resources (SAR), includes six climbers from Brunei. The expedition ends on Sept 16.
Mohd Fakhrul said the participants would trek for eight days from Sept 2 in order to get to the EBC.
He said they would walk for about 15km a day and depending on weather, the mission to fly the Jalur Gemilang could take place on Sept 10.
“All climbers have prepared themselves mentally and physically for the expedition. Prior to this, they underwent training by scaling several mountains inside and outside of the country in the last few months,” he said.
Lee said the group of climbers showed how Malaysians of different backgrounds could work together to ensure that the expedition was a success.
He said the team would be able to create history by flying the giant Jalur Gemilang at EBC.
“It would be a great challenge but I believe it can be done if everyone in the team works hard and look after themselves,” he said.