Reporter Travels Around Peninsular Malaysia With Only RM70.57
I found this news from internet… wow… with only RM70.57 to travel around peninsular Malaysia is really ’something’…
here is the news:
| August 18, 2008 23:12 PM |
Reporter Travels Around Peninsular Malaysia With Only RM70.57
ALOR STAR, Aug 18 (Bernama) — With only RM70.57, a reporter from a Kuala Lumpur-based newspaper was determined to set a personal record by travelling solo on a high-powered motorcycle throughout Peninsular Malaysia in conjunction with the country’s 51st independence anniversary.
Matt Nazriee Hassan, 41, is confident that the expedition named ‘Cobraeite Expedition, will come to a finish after he succeeded in travelling almost 6,000km through the Federal Territory, Pahang, Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis in 46 days.
He said the solo expedition started on July 1 in Gombak where he headed to Pahang with only RM70.57 in his pocket, the number being significant as it is also his motorcyle registration number, BJS7057.
After stopping in Kedah, he will be heading to Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan to complete his expedition scheduled to end on Sept 16.
“It was hard for me to find the financial resources, but the attitude of Malaysians and their support for the expedition helped me to continue my journey when they gave some financial assistance,” he said here Monday.
Matt Nazriee said the expedition had taught him the meaning of patience and determination in life.
It was proven when the money he brought ran out and he was forced to take up odd jobs at certain destinations. For instance, he helped out at the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang to cover the cost of repairing his motorcycle.
“I also helped a businessman deliver goods to some villages in Pahang for three days,” he said when met by Bernama, here Monday.
Besides that, he also experienced camping and spending the night in an area in Selangor where someone was murdered and got to feel the uniqueness of living with an Orang Asli community in a village in Perak.
Matt Nazriee, who was born in Kuala Nerang, Kedah, had always wanted to travel but his busy work got in the way before he decided to take no-pay leave to realise his dream of going on this expedition.
He said he got the idea when he thought of his late father, Mohd Hassan Ismail, who had cycled around then Malaya, including Singapore, but could not continue the journey because he died.
“Father was a religious man and very patriotic. He was willing to cycle during the independence campaign in those days and I’m impressed with his spirit,” he added.
Matt Nazriee plans to record his experiences in a special blog and publish a book on his expedition.
He would also like to prove that Malaysia is peaceful, and economically and politically stable, which allowed him to travel without any disturbance like in other countries.
Matt Nazriee, who has 15 years’ experience as a reporter, is grateful that there have been individuals willing to make a contribution for him to carry out his solo expedition.
He said a company producing a health drink, Sherry’s Cafe, had donated a hamper and some pocket money, besides a supply of coffee made from tongkat ali, ubi jaga and pegaga for his journey.
Managing director Sharimah Haron said she was proud of Matt Nazriee’s willingness to travel around Peninsular Malaysia and campaign for the month of independence.
She also contributed a Jalur Gemilang and placed a Jalur Gemilang sticker on his motorcycle in conjunction with independence day that will be celebrated on Aug 31.
Those who like to make a contribution so that the expedition ends successfully can contact Matt Nazriee at 013-5181512 or visit the ‘Cobraeite Ekspedisi’ blog at http://cobraeite.blogspot.com.
– BERNAMA