Genting contributes RM500k to 10 M’sian Mount Everest climbers to complete expedition

KUALA LUMPUR – Ten Malaysians including a disabled person, three police’s Very Able Troopers (VAT 69) Commando’s plan to summit Mount Everest was cut short when they ran out of funding midway, but it was shortlived as Genting Malaysia Berhad (Genting) decided to contribute half a million ringgit to ensure that the team complete their mission.

The special mission entitled “Misi Keluarga Malaysia Everest 2022”, aims to successfully capture the Everest Peak as a family for Malaysia with a team of ten individuals from various races and ethnic backgrounds including a disabled person who was deaf and mute, VAT69 commandos, and a member from the Civil Defense Force.

They would be the first uninformed personnel from Malaysia to attempt to scale the peak.

Former Forest Research Institute of Malaysia director-general Tan Sri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor said that the team is now at Everest Base Camp (EBC), ready for the programme organised by Altitude Exploration Club.

"The president of the club, Azim Afif who leads this mission has informed us that the team is in good spirits despite a few having coughs and exhaustion.

"They had undergone the necessary acclimatisation process and practice climbing ice rock," he said after a ceremony at which saw Genting’s representative contribute RM500,000 to the club.

Salleh said the team’s plan to advance further in the hike was hampered due to a shortfall in funds and the contribution would help in completing the mission, with an estimated cost of about RM2.6 million.

Salleh who is also the Chief de Mission of this expedition said the fund would cover the license and charge fees for shepherds to climb Mount Everest.

"In our team we have 20 shepherds to handle the baggage, to guide and look after the safety of participants.

"The participants are ready with enough training held in Batu Caves and also rock climbing in Kuala Lumpur. This is to prepare them to face the great mountain," he said.

Salleh also urged all young Malaysians to participate and try mountain climbing as it is the most challenging and fun sports activity.

"I have experience in climbing Mount Everest before. I once hiked there at the age of 72 and ended up in the Malaysian book of records as the oldest Malaysian to reach the Everest base camp. So, I encourage you all to hike," he said.

The contribution was presented by the group’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Datuk Seri Kay Atisha Parasuraman.

Also present were representatives from Genting and Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

The special mission to climb Mount Everest started on April 14 and was expected to end on June 5.