KOTA KINABALU: Seasoned female hardcore class explorer Alison Murugesu will be among the female participants taking part in the hardcore class of the Trans Borneo Land Below the Wind (TBLBW) expedition.
The 50-year-old 4x4 enthusiast from Kuala Lumpur started coming to Sabah in 2015 and participated in the Borneo Safari in 2016.
"The warmth and the camaraderie amongst the people here always amaze me," said Alison who went on an 18-month road trip from London via Europe, Cape Town and the Americas from 2008 to 2010 with her (now late) husband and son.
TBLBW organising chairman Anuar Ghani said the event had achieved its target with over 22 per cent participation from Peninsular Malaysia.
Anuar, who is also North Borneo Explorer director, said this year was also momentous as the expedition had recorded the most female participation compared with previous years, with nine female participants joining the hardcore class and seven in the touring class.
"Despite the pandemic, we are overwhelmed by the good reception of this event," said Anuar.
"If anything, this year's chapter also tells us that the off-roading is no longer just a man-dominated activity. The women are also proving that they're not afraid of getting their hands dirty," he added.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor who will flag-off the event at the Kinabalu Tower tomorrow (Sunday) commended the organisers for taking strict measures to ensure that the safety and health of its participants remain the top priority.
"All participants are required to do their own Covid-19 test at least three days prior to the expedition and produce a formal lab test result," said Dr CK Liew who is head of the TBLBW medical team.
Participants are required to always wear a mask and keep their social distance throughout the expedition.
In case of symptoms appearing, change of vehicles for jumps seaters are not allowed. All passengers in the same vehicle will be quarantined and further Covid-19 test will be done.
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 (MITA). Sponsors for this event include CST Tyres, Angkatan Hebat Sdn Bhd, and the Sabah Energy Corporation.