Latest news with #MountKinabalu
The Star
25-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Hiking keeps this Singapore-based Malaysian connected to his hometown palsie
Almost every weekend, Singapore-based Chua Chee Yong, 50, makes his way back to his hometown in Kluang, Johor to visit his parents and in-laws. One of the things the service manager looks forward to is hiking up Gunung Lambak, a 510m hill popular among locals. He usually hikes with a group of his old schoolmates – some of whom he's known since primary school. Chua (first from left) looks forward to his regular hiking trips with his ex-schoolmates to Gunung Lambak, Kluang. "At 3pm on Saturdays, chances are you'll find me with my kakis (friends) at Gunung Lambak. That's been our standard weekend routine for over 10 years,' says Chua, 50, during an interview in Kluang recently. It is admirable how Chua travels nearly 130km from his home in Bukit Panjang, Singapore almost every weekend to hike with his closest the years, their friendship has only grown stronger, forged by a shared love for the outdoors and a deep sense of camaraderie. "We've always kept in touch since our school days," adds Chua, who studied at Sekolah Tinggi Kluang. "Before we got active in hiking, we'd meet up during Chinese New Year or whenever I was back for the holidays – just for a few hours to have a meal or some drinks and catch up." Choi (seated, left) have been hiking with his Kluang buddies for over a decade. Chua, was encouraged to start hiking by his former primary school friend, businessman Choong Jenn Huat, 50, after falling ill when he was 38. "In 2012, I felt numbness throughout my body, but I was still able to move and control it. I was in and out of three different hospitals, and it took about a month before I fully recovered. After that experience, I started exercising and began hiking up Gunung Lambak with my friends. It wasn't easy as I wasn't a hiker, but over time, I managed to build my strength and stamina." Their first major hike was Mount Kinabalu in 2014. Since then, they have climbed mountains across Asia, including Mount Rinjani, Mount Merapi, Mount Semeru, Mount Prau and Mount Arjuno-Welirang in Indonesia, and Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Chua says that each mountain comes with its own set of challenges, but the group is lucky to have good friends who always motivate and support one another. "Sometimes we feel demotivated, especially during long climbs, steep terrain, volcanic ash trails or when someone experiences altitude sickness. But we always push each other to keep going," Chua shares."Some of our team members joke that even if they have to crawl, they'll still make it to the summit." Chua (left) and Lim strike a triumphant pose as Indonesia's Mount Semeru emits smoke and ash in the background. Brothers in arms Among Chua's closest hiking buddies are his childhood friends – Kluang-based kopitiam owner Lim Jit Chiang, 50, and Kuala Lumpur-based business development director Davin Choi, have been friends since they were Year One classmates at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tunku Mahmood 1 in Kluang. Lim says they have remained close buddies because they share the same interests – exercising and staying healthy. "We're the cincai (laid-back), shorts-and-slippers kind of guys. Maybe that's why we ngam (get along) so well. "Chua, Choi and I have been friends since Year One. We used to do all sorts of things together – play ping pong, badminton, football. We lived nearby, so we'd cycle to each other's houses, play games, even catch fish in the streams." (Clockwise from left:) Chua, Lim and Choi are lifelong friends who've stuck together through thick and thin. Photo: Davin Choi Even though Choi now lives in KL, he stays in regular contact with the group through WhatsApp and makes it a point to return to Kluang often, especially since his parents still live there. He pauses, smiles and shakes his head, thinking back on their childhood mischief. "In lower secondary, we graduated from BMX bicycles to racing bicycles and would cycle all over Kluang, visiting friends and playing games," says the father of three with a grin. "Once we got our motorcycle licence, all hell broke loose," he laughs. "We'd ronda (ride) all over town, have sleepovers and go camping in the jungles around Kluang. "There was one time we sneaked out at night and rode our bikes to Desaru, the south-east part of Johor. The journey took us over two hours in the wee hours of the morning. Of course, our parents found out the next day – and we got quite a shelling. We were pretty naughty back then." Chua (left) and Lim have shared many fond childhood memories, having been classmates since Year The Star/Sheela Chandran Lim, who has two kids, knows that some friendships fade as people grow and change, but he considers himself lucky that theirs has stood the test of time. "Even though we've all taken different paths in life, we've never judged each other or let pride get in the way. We accept one another as we are – that's what makes this friendship last," he says. Chua agrees. "Over the years, people change; careers, families, priorities. But with us, the bond has always been there. Even if we don't talk every day, when we meet, it's like no time has passed. That kind of friendship is hard to find."
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Climbers cling onto a line as they brave fast-flowing water pouring down a mountain in Malaysia
An eyewitness video has captured the moment climbers had to cling desperately to a line as they descended a hiking trail in Malaysia due to torrential rain. The rush of water was seen flowing down Mount Kinabalu as the hikers were descending early on Thursday (July 10). Click on the above video to watch the heart-stopping scene.
Malay Mail
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Mountain guides lead 155 climbers to safety as flash floods hit Mount Kinabalu (VIDEO)
KOTA KINABALU, July 11 — A total of 155 climbers on Mount Kinabalu were safely guided down by mountain guides early yesterday morning after sudden flash floods occurred at the Sayat-Sayat checkpoint due to heavy rainfall. Sabah Parks confirmed that the flash floods started at around 6.15 am, when torrential rain hit the summit area, causing a rapid surge of flowing water to sweep across the KM7 trail section, one of the final stretches before the peak. 'The SAR team, MOSAR, and mountain guides monitored the situation and determined the area was safe to pass using the safety ropes installed at the site. All 155 climbers successfully crossed the fast-flowing water by around 7.48 am,' they said in a statement issued last night. They said that weather monitoring precautions are carried out daily by Sabah Parks' SAR as early as 2 am to 3 am to ensure the environment is safe for climbers. 'If the weather remains unsafe, park rangers or SAR personnel will brief climbers and announce the closure of summit climbs,' said Sabah Parks, adding that such water surges were normal during heavy rain. 'On the day of the incident, Sabah Parks SAR had conducted weather monitoring and found the conditions to be safe. The summit trail was opened at 3.26 am. However, by around 6.15 am, the weather changed suddenly, with heavy rain and strong winds causing the formation of a flash flood at the Sayat-Sayat checkpoint,' they said. The descending climbers had to cross the flash flood area with assistance from the mountain guides. 'Sabah Parks has already established safety SOPs for climbers that take into account weather conditions on Mount Kinabalu. Climbs to the summit will be closed if weather conditions are deemed unsafe,' they said. 'We advise climbers not to panic if they encounter similar situations. Climbers should always follow instructions from SAR personnel and mountain guides for everyone's safety.' Videos showing the climbers being ushered across the waterlogged trail have been circulating online. Some claimed they were temporarily stranded due to the bad conditions. Mount Kinabalu, standing at 4,095 metres, is Malaysia's highest peak and draws hundreds of trekkers each week. Flash floods and extreme weather events have become more frequent due to changing climate patterns, prompting calls for tighter precautionary measures on the mountain trail.
Al Jazeera
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Al Jazeera
Hikers brave torrential rain on Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu
Hikers brave torrential rain on Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu NewsFeed Eyewitness video shows climbers on Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu descending its peak, wading through surging water and holding onto rope lines after torrential rains. Officials confirmed all the hikers made it down safely. Video Duration 01 minutes 09 seconds 01:09 Video Duration 00 minutes 37 seconds 00:37 Video Duration 01 minutes 06 seconds 01:06 Video Duration 01 minutes 47 seconds 01:47 Video Duration 02 minutes 51 seconds 02:51 Video Duration 05 minutes 42 seconds 05:42 Video Duration 00 minutes 46 seconds 00:46
Daily Express
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Tourism Malaysia launches ‘Explore Sabah' campaign
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Haryanty (fourth from left) with tourism stakeholders launching the 'Explore Sabah' promotional campaign. Kota Kinabalu: Tourism Malaysia Sabah is leveraging on digital marketing to further boost the strong recovery of the tourism sector. Its Director Haryanty Abu Bakar said they are embracing digitalisation and innovative marketing strategies in advancing the goals of Visit Malaysia 2026. 'We are confident in driving greater visibility for Sabah and Labuan through an e-commerce travel platform,' she said at the launch of 'Explore Sabah' promotional campaign here. The campaign, aimed at positioning Sabah as a premier travel destination in Malaysia, will be carried out in partnership with to promote over 400 curated travel experiences across the State to both domestic and international markets. Tourism Malaysia Sabah Marketing Director Poh Khay Inn said this collaboration underscores its commitment to connecting Sabah and Labuan with global travellers through instant bookings and engaging digital content. 'We are proud to work alongside Tourism Malaysia to showcase Sabah's lush rainforests, rich heritage and captivating travel experiences,' she said. Highlights include island hopping and diving in Semporna, wildlife and river safaris in Kinabatangan, the Mount Kinabalu expedition, cultural village and heritage tours, as well as eco-retreats such as hilltop resorts and rainforest escapes. Additionally, the campaign extends to Labuan, promoting activities such as sunset cruises and yacht charters, beachside retreats and snorkelling spots, WWII historical trails and memorial tours, and cultural attractions like the Labuan Museum and Chimney Tower. Running from April 2025 to February 2026, the campaign offers up to 30 per cent discounts for bookings made through the online platform using the promo code XPLORE5. From January to April 2025, Malaysia recorded 13.4 million international visitor arrivals, marking a 21 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. China has emerged as the third largest source market, followed by Singapore and Indonesia, and ahead of Thailand and India. With 1.4 million Chinese visitors recorded in the first four months of 2025 (a 37.8 per cent increase from the previous year), Malaysia is progressing well towards achieving its target of 43 million international visitor arrivals and generating RM283.8 billion in tourism receipts by the end of the year. Tourism Malaysia is also distributing official Visit Malaysia 2026 promotional vehicle stickers to licensed tour operators across Sabah. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
