JANUARY 2003

SUDAN RECCE IN PROGRESS

27 Jan 03 - Logistics Director Faruk Abdul Rahman and Expedition Consultant Dr Zaini Sharaani left Kuala Lumpur this morning for Sudan where they will begin their two week recce of the country. Arriving in Khartoum, Sudan’s city, they will explore the facilities here as well as at Port Sudan, where the cars will eventually be shipped to for the start of the PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003 expedition.

PAT BRIEFS MEMBERS ON AFRICA

20 Jan 03 - PETRONAS Adventure Team held their first African expedition briefing for its members on Saturday at the Concorde Shah Alam. About 50 interested people turned up to get a clearer picture of the expedition and of PAT's first recce to Africa.

Chaired by Expedition Leader Halim Abdul Rahman, the briefing also included the rules and regulations of the expedition.

"The expedition will begin in July and we're estimating it will take about 50 days," said Promotions and Marketing Director Azman Baharuddin. "Members then will have to make a decision by 25th January if they want to join this expedition."

Von, Travis and Etienne from PAT South Africa were also in attendance as well as member Fons van Oers from Holland.

FIRST AFRICAN RECCE

17 Jan 03 - Preliminary talks have begun for this year’s international expedition. Expedition Leader Halim Abdul Rahman and Promotions and Marketing Manager Azman Baharuddin met representatives of several handlers and guides in Africa. They also met Engen Petroleum Ltd, PETRONAS’ counterpart to brief them about the expedition.

PAT has also established an office in Johannesburg, South Africa. Von, Travis, Etienne and Johan will run the PAT SA office to assist PAT in recce and logistic issues.

PETRONAS Gas Managers Learn the Basics

17 Jan 03 - Twenty-two managers from PETRONAS Gas recently completed a 2-day course on 4x4 driving under the guidance of PETRONAS Adventure Team’s Taib Khamis and Dr. Zaini Sharaani. The course’s objectives were to endow the managers with basic knowledge about 4x4 vehicles and accessories. The first day covered theory, and the second day, participants were out into the field for the practical training. This is the third of five training courses tailored made for PETRONAS Gas.

Festive Wishes from PAT

16 Jan 03 - 2003 is finally upon us. The management of PETRONAS Adventure Team wishes our Hindu friends, “Happy Thaipusam” and Muslim friends “Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha”. And to our Chinese friends, we wish you “Gong Xi Fa Cai”.

Halim Abdul Rahman, PAT’s managing director, says “The Year of the Ram is going to be another exciting year for us as we are putting into motion preparations for our next international expedition.” Halim also promises more off-road excursions within Malaysia.

“We’re also busy processing orders and sourcing for more nifty equipment and gear for our online PAT Shop,” adds Promotions and Marketing Director Azman Baharuddin. According to Azman, the Siberia 2002 Expedition is now available on VCD for RM140 for a 7-VCD set. Customers can click here for the PAT Shop to place your orders.

HIGH VIEWERSHIP FOR SIBERIA 2002 TV PROGRAMME

15 Jan 03 - More than half a million people watched PETRONAS Siberia 2002, the television programme, when it was aired on TV3 late last year. The programme was aired every Friday at 11pm for seven consecutive weeks, playing against Survivor on NTV7. Needless to say, the programme clinched 25% of the market share.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the grand average of adults watching the programme was 579,000 people. "Into The Middle Kingdom" (episode 5) was the most watched episode, followed by "The Khan's Legacy" (episode 4). PETRONAS Adventure Team's expedition leader Halim Abdul Rahman said he has the viewers, participants, and PAT supporters to thank for this achievement. He added that the programme will soon be available on VCD for people to relive the adventure.