JUNE 2003

FIRST GROUP DEPARTS FOR DURBAN

23 June 03 - Last Saturday, the first group of members departed for South Africa and were met by a Malaysian High Commission representative upon arrival in Durban. Thanks to the representative, immigration and customs clearance were quick and the group was soon on their way.

While logistics coordinator Faruk Rahman and several mechanics visited Durban's port in anticipation of their cars, media and public relations director Azman Baharuddin, documentary producer Harun Rahman, and three mechanics headed for Pretoria.

While the mechanics checked on the progress of the Mitsubishi Storm's upgrading work, Azman checked that visas were in order and discussed the dinner arrangement and Pretoria flag-off function with Datuk Zainal Azman Zainal Abidin, the Malaysian High Commisioner in Pretoria. In the meantime, documentary producer Harun Rahman has started filming Pretoria's landmarks and will be interviewing Datuk Zainal soon.

ONLINE MESSAGES

19 June 03 - The PETRONAS Adventure Team has activated "Messages" , a place where team members and the general public can read and view messages and photographs. Knowing that news from abroad is always welcomed, PAT invites all to write in to . Likewise, when there is a stable Internet connection, the adventurers themselves will send e-mail.

The messages will be posted in two forums. "Messages to Africa" will be from friends and family and "Messages to Home" will be from the PAT team members. Click here to view the messages.

FINAL SHIPMENT OF VEHICLES

10 June 03 - Thirteen vehicles were sent to the MISC warehouse for final shipment to Durban for the start of the PETRONAS Africa Trek expedition. Leaving Port Klang three days later, the cars are expected to arrive in Durban on 25th June. Thanks to MISC Berhad for all their support.

UPGRADING THE STORMS

3 June 03 - Four Mitsubishi Storms left for Durban where they will arrive in Johannesburg on 17 June after a train ride from Durban. Each vehicle will be upgraded with a new rear canopy and equipment. Also in the works, will be a new rear offrack installed by the front runner. A well-known 4x4 equipment and accessories manufacturer in Johannesburg will be responsible for the upgrades.

MAIN TEAM FINALLY LEAVES FOR AFRICA

30 June 03 - The main team comprising 18 members of the PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003 expedition finally checked-in and bade farewell to family and friends before boarding their flight to Durban last night. The expedition team will be flagged off on July 2nd.

En route to the departure hall, some of the members talked candidly about their expectations. While some members are excited about the prospects of new adventures in the next two months, others had some trepidation. Could it be the added danger of coming face to face with the grand lions in Serengeti National Park or dune driving in the Namib Desert? No one would tell.

Omar Ariffin, the team's official photographer, said he hoped to come back a smarter man, to learn about the people, places and their culture. As for Mohd Najuib Abu Hasan one of several team members who has been on every PETRONAS Adventure Team expedition, he admitted that for the first time this year, he's scared. His veteran friend Yow Kai Kim agreed, "This year is very wild."

Although Baharom Hamzah is expecting the worst case scenario, he nevertheless said he was looking forward to nature, country and culture. Lim Eng Guan took it in his stride to say, "I'm looking forward to it all!" while Kanisin a/l Raman simply said he’ll try his best to uphold PETRONAS' name.

SECOND GROUP LEAVES FOR DURBAN

25 June 03 - Ten PETRONAS Adventure Team members were the next group sent off at the Kuala Lumpur Sentral station last night. The team members included expedition leader Halim Abdul Rahman, route leader Dr Zaini Sharaani, and PETRONAS staff Connie Lum, Zulkarnain Othman and Muthukumar Kuppusamy.

Preparations for the flag-off on July 2 is going according to schedule. Said Halim of the cars: "The 14 cars are at Port Durban now; the earliest they can come out is on Thursday, and the latest on Saturday. The Storms which were shipped earlier are already in Durban and by Thursday, we expect all upgrades to be completed."

As usual, families waited with their loved ones until it was time to check-in. Muthu came with his wife and his brothers' families. "I'm looking forward to life in the African countries and to take photographs of the wildlife," said Muthu. According to his wife Prema, her husband's work brings him overseas for about 10 days. So 56 days away from home is unprecedented. "But I've got his family around so I won't be lonely," said Prema optimistically.

As for Connie Lum, she's excited about spending her birthday (28th June) in Durban although she hasn't planned anything yet. Connie has brought with her a book of tricks and science demonstrations to enthrall both her team mates and the children during the community relations programmes.