MAY 2003

PETRONAS ANNOUNCES THE LUCKY TWO

9 May 03 - The results are finally in! After carefully considering the strengths and weaknesses of the interviewees, PETRONAS has made its decision about who’s going to this year’s Africa Trek expedition.

Congratulations to Ms Connie Lum Yooi Sin (non-executive) and Mr Muthukumar a/l Kuppusamy (executive) on their selection as members of the PETRONAS Adventure Team.

A NEW AND IMPROVED PAT WEBSITE

9 May 03 - If you’ve gotten this far in the website then you would have noticed our new look. With PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003 about to kick off, we thought a makeover for the PETRONAS Adventure Team website is timely.

From the homepage, you’ll discover where we’re coming from, how to keep in touch with us, and uncover our past expeditions and the latest news about PAT (this page).

A gallery, where you can download wallpapers from our past adventures and view photographs from our recent recce trips to Africa, is sure to give you a taste of what PAT adventures are all about! And for the convenience of our members and the general public, our PAT Shop sells the latest adventure gear and paraphernalia especially for the die-hard 4WD and camping enthusiast.

As with all our previous expeditions, we have a dedicated website to cover the progress of the PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003 expedition. In Africa Trek 2003, you can view information about the route and find out more about our expedition sponsors.

Then there are pages for the people behind this expedition who call the shots, and the expedition members who make the experience more memorable. We also have “Messages”, a place where members and their families and friends can correspond through. As usual, our roving reporter Harun Rahman will send reports and photographs, as and when (depending on the availability of the Net), through “Drumbeats from Africa”.

With a fresh colour palette and more news and photographs about your favourite team, the new website is a breeze to use. Tell us what you think. E-mail your feedback to by 30th May 2003. The best letter will be published here and the author will receive a PETRONAS Silk Road DVD.

"DRUMBEATS FROM AFRICA" BEGINS

09 May 03 - In conjunction with the first vehicle scrutineering and members’ briefing tomorrow at Zigi’s in Kampung Pandan, the new PETRONAS Adventure Team website and its sub-site PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003 will be launched simultaneously.

In the PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003 website, you will be able to keep abreast of the expedition’s progress through “Drumbeats from Africa” – stories filed by media production coordinator Harun Rahman and a team of staff writers, the latter based in Kuala Lumpur.

Harun is also one of the 44 expedition members to Africa, and he will share with you his insightful observations – from preparations in Kuala Lumpur to the end of the expedition in Cape Town, South Africa.

Known as the oldest instrument in the world, the drum has its place in societies worldwide, but the sacred love and use of the instrument in Africa is unprecedented. The variations of drums within Africa are innumerable as well, giving the country the scores of rhythmic sounds it is known for.

Besides entertainment, the drum is used as a form of communication, and is played over long distances for the sending and receiving of messages, hence “Drumbeats from Africa”.

Click here for our first drumbeats!

STORMERS SET A MALAYSIAN RECORD

8 May 03 - The PETRONAS Adventure Team is proud to be associated with the Stormers 4x4 Adventure Club. The club entered the Malaysia Book of Records when they held the “Largest 4x4 Expedition of a Single Make” in March. During the 10-day overland trip to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, a convoy of 51 Mitsubishi Storm Double-Cabs traveled to the city of Nakhon Si Thamarat, the beaches of Hua Hin and the famous temple ruins of Angkor Wat – a journey of 4,490km.

Organised by USF-Hicom (M) Sdn Bhd and managed by the Adventure Sports Management Sdn Bhd (the people behind the PETRONAS Adventure Team), the trip was smooth save for a minor puncture.

FIRST SCRUTINEERING GOES WELL

12 May 03 - Members of the PETRONAS Adventure Team turned up in full force on Saturday to attend the first vehicle scrutineering and briefing for PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003. Several regulars were seen reminiscing about previous expeditions. All were excited about the prospect of more adventure in the upcoming Africa Trek expedition, which will take members through seven countries. The expedition starts in Durban in South Africa, then heads northwards to Lake Victoria, before moving southwards to Cape Town, South Africa.

The day's event began with a video presentation about PETRONAS' brand essence - "Energy receive, energy returned, aspiring people everywhere," followed by the expedition leader's welcome and introduction of new PAT members: Lok Shun Mean (Alfa Kilo), Sidik Khan (Sea King), Fadzil Md Salleh (Xray Dada) , Baharom Hamzah (Bronco), Azhari Abdul Aziz (Fatimah), Zulkarnain Othman (Petmos), Connie Lum (Ms Saigon), and Muthukumar Kuppusamy (Mike Tango).

"I feel this group is a more cohesive group," said expedition leader Halim Abdul Rahman. Members were briefed about accommodation, health issues, car maintenance, and travelling concerns.

The team will visit six or more World Heritage Sites (WHS) such as the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Regulations are very strict, said Halim, especially at national parks. For example, at Ngorongoro Crater which is a self-sustaining eco-system, four cars with a guide are allowed in at any one time. The use of generators are also not allowed in these sites.

Route leader Dr Zaini Sharaani also prepped team members about what to expect during the journey and at border crossings. Fadzil Md Salleh then briefed members about radio communication rules and etiquette.

Facts

54 days including travelling time from Malaysia to/fro Africa.
PAT members: 47
PAT vehicles: 21
7 Mitsubishi Storms in the convoy of which 2 Mitsubishi Storm L200 EvO sponsored by USF Hicom
65% of roads are primary roads (trunk roads), 30% are off-road and the rest are sand dunes
70% camping. Hotel is a bonus
7 countries - 14 border crossings - 4 customs & immigration at each border. No group processing yet
40 degrees Celsius to minus 5 degrees Celsius (especially at Mount Kilimanjaro and the Kalahari Desert)
1 time zone. Africa is 6 hours behind Kuala Lumpur

THE DUO WHO SUCCEEDED

10 May 03 - Come each PAT expedition, there will be two places set aside for qualified PETRONAS staff. This year, Muthukumar Kuppusamy and Connie Lum attended the interviews. After they each emerged from the room, they thought their chances of getting into Africa Trek were nil.

So it came as a surprise to both when they were selected.

"I didn't expect to be chosen," said Kumar, manager for PETRONAS' Group Internal Audit, "I went with an open mind and tried my luck." Not bad for a first attempt. For Connie, a geoscience assistant in PETRONAS Carigali, this is her fourth attempt at joining a PETRONAS expedition. "I'm very happy that my preserverance paid off," said Connie, with relief. "I told the interviewers that (had I not been selected) they would be seeing me again next year!".

Connie has worked with PETRONAS for 26 years, while Kumar has been with the company for eight years. He's looking forward to experiencing the expedition, from driving the different terrains to camping and interacting with the people.

Of his contribution to the team, he said, "I can be a liasion between authorities and the team because of my knowledge and experience acquired in the Royal Malaysian Police." Kumar also has huge reserves of mental endurance and patience gained during his police days. Although Kumar has no off-road experience, having lived with 40 people for four months on an island may prove helpful when he has to live with 47 expedition members for 49 days.

As for Connie, she hopes to see if she can stay resilient during the expedition. Connie confessed to being at the management team's beck and call, and would not hesitate to jump in and learn what she can. For her, there is no obstacle which cannot be overcome. Connie has no off-road driving experience save for some time spent during short off-road stints to Cameron Highlands and Endau-Rompin. She has, however, offered to drive on the highways. Both Kumar and Connie expressed their thanks to the management of PETRONAS for selecting them.

PAT VETERANS HONOURED

10 May 03 - Eleven PETRONAS Adventure Team members were honoured on Saturday for having joined PAT's expedition from Day 1. These members have been to Tibet, Indochina, Silk Road and Siberia, and this year they will venture into Africa. Congratulations to Ng Chin Kwee, Stiven Sim, Linus Low, Jeffrey Ng, Mohd Najuib Abu Hassan, Lim Eng Guan, Yow Kai Kim, Goh Eng Kiong, Dr Avtar Singh, Halim Abdul Rahman, and Azman Baharuddin. They were each presented a personalised shirt with all five expedition logos affixed to it.

NEW CHALLENGE FOR THE PETRONAS ADVENTURE TEAM

22 May 03 - The PETRONAS Africa Trek expedition was launched last night by PETRONAS Chairman YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Seri Azizan Zainul Abidin amidst sounds of African drums and African elephant statues. This will be PETRONAS Adventure Team's fifth expedition since the first 1999 PETRONAS Passage to Tibet.

According to Halim Abdul Rahman, PAT's Expedition Leader, Africa has always been earmarked for an expedition ever since 2001. "PETRONAS asked me about going to Africa," Halim recalled, "but we weren't confident about it at the time. Africa is a continent that never forgives so it was only after much research and reconnaissance trips did we finally and seriously consider Africa for this year’s expedition."

The PETRONAS Adventure Team Malaysia has grown and established itself internationally, having been firmly recognised amongst 4WD enthusiasts world wide. The 49-day expedition will begin and end in the Republic of South Africa, after looping around Victoria Lake to the north. The bustling port city of Durban on the Indian Ocean will be the backdrop for the team's flag-off on July 2nd, 2003, while the historical Cape Town overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is where the expedition will conclude on August 19th, 2003. Expedition highlights include Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain, Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and crossing the Namib Desert.

The PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003 Expedition comprising 47 members and 21 cars will travel through seven countries and 14 border crossings covering a distance of 14,800km. The countries to be visited are the Republic of South Africa, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Malawi, United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Zambia, Republic of Botswana and Republic of Namibia.

"We’d like to thank the various African governments for allowing us to travel through their countries," said Halim, "and we are grateful for the hospitality that the government representatives have showed us during our reconnaissance trips."

Amongst the invited guests present were H.E. Dr A.S. Nkomo, the High Commissioner of South Africa, H.E. N.W Amagulu, the High Commissioner of Namibia, staff of the South African High Commission, Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin and Puan Sri, and Karamjit Singh. After Halim’s speech, a Mitsubishi Storm roared through the backdrop and onto the stage. PETRONAS chairman was then invited to inspect the car before team members, sponsors and VIPs took centrestage for a group photograph.

SPONSORING PETRONAS AFRICA TREK

22 May 03 - The title sponsor of PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003 is PETRONAS. PETRONAS Syntium, Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Bhd (MISC), USF-HICOM, KUMHO Tires, FUJIFILM, BlueTECH, and Engen Petroleum Ltd were also announced as the expedition’s official sponsors at a press conference in Petaling Jaya last night.

All vehicles will be using PETRONAS Syntium 3000 and Syntium 1000 lubricants. This fully synthetic multi-grade engine oil has been developed with F1 technology in mind to provide complete engine protection especially for the expedition's 4WD engines, which will be operating under the most extreme and demanding operating conditions.

MISC will ship the cars twice - from Port Klang to Durban and for the return journey, from Cape Town to Port Klang – a first for PETRONAS Adventure Team Malaysia.

Mitsubishi USF-HICOM, the official vehicle, will sponsor two Mitsubishi Storm L200 Evo. The cars' engines deliver power and torque like no other engines, and they are environment-friendly too. Expedition members will also be driving five other Mitsubishi Storms.

All expedition vehicles will use KUMHO tires. Its powerful Roadventure MT (mud terrain) tires display excellent handling and wear resistance in all weather conditions and are best for exceptionally off-road handling.

Fujifilm will sponsor a FinePix S2Pro Zoom Digital Camera and accessories. This 12.0 million-pixel SLR type Professional Body Digital Camera is also compatible with Nikon F mount lens.

BlueTECH is sponsoring a Satellite GPS Tracking System. Family, friends, and colleagues of expedition team members will be able to monitor the progress of the convoy in real-time via the Internet.

Engen Petroleum Ltd, a South African subsidiary of PETRONAS, will be sponsoring the welcoming ceremony in Cape Town, and is arranging for media promotions in Africa.

PAT LAUNCHES SIBERIA 2002 BOOK

22 May 03 - It was a double celebration last night at Sunway Hotel when the PETRONAS Adventure Team officially launched both the PETRONAS Africa Trek 2003 and the PETRONAS SIBERIA 2002 book. This 232-page picture book covers PAT's foray into the realm of Genghis Khan.

An excerpt from the book gives you a taste of what to expect.

"Travelling in a convoy of 21 cars, the Malaysians sampled life on the plains of Central Asia before venturing south. They chose a route that would start from Dalian, leading to Manzhouli, into the grasslands of Inner Mongolia; then to Irkutsk in Siberia and south to Ulan Baatar in Mongolia. Subsequently, it would lead back to China, approaching Beijing and the Great Wall, then on to the karst landscape of Guilin, before Laos, then Bangkok, and finally Kuala Lumpur. This exclusive collection of compelling images honours the legacy of the Great Khan. Through the lens of photographer, Omar Ariff Kamarul Ariffin, we revisit Siberia 2002. This album is a tribute to wonderful people in extraordinary places."

For RM80, you can have your own copy of this hard cover book. To purchase your copies, please contact Adventure Sports Management here.