Sabah siblings, in-law walk 1,080km to promote rural tourism

 

Sabah Tourism Board chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit (left) and former Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment permanent secretary Datuk Yusrie Abdullah (right) with the four adventurers who walked 1,080km to promote rural tourism. Pic courtesy of STB

KOTA KINABALU: After 52 nights, three siblings and the wife of one of them completed a journey of 1,080km, walking across 18 districts in Sabah. 

One of them, Ismardy Mosial, 47, said the idea came about six months ago when they felt the need to do something significant in their lives while their physical health still allowed them to do so. 

The former banker added that they also wanted their quest to contribute to Sabah's tourism industry by exploring lesser-known yet attractive places. 

With limited resources, the four adventurers kickstarted their journey on Feb 1 from Tun Mustapha Tower here, carrying only about RM500.

Following the coastal route, they walked through Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Pitas, Paitan, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Tawau, Merotai, Kalabakan, Sapulut, Nabawan, Keningau, Tambunan, and Penampang. 

They typically covered between 25 and 35km from sunset to sunrise. During the daytime, they camped by roadsides, in the jungle, or near rivers.

"We were lucky to receive support from well-wishers along the way, who shared food and offered us places to rest during the day," he told the media after concluding their journey at the Sabah Tourism Board building here. 

The youngest sibling, Dominic, 39, a former rock climbing trainer at Mount Kinabalu, said traveling on foot allowed them access to many hidden gems. 

"We either stumbled upon these places ourselves or were guided by locals. 

"Among them are the Columnar Basalt Balung Cocos in Tawau; a former World War II site that has been turned into a rabbit farm in Telupid; Felda Umas in Tawau; and, Gunung Alab in Tambunan, where temperatures can drop to 13 degrees Celsius. 

"We also visited the handicraft stalls at Kampung Timbang, Kota Belud. 

"We also encountered an elephant in Kalabakan, as well as snakes, deer, foxes, slow lorises, and the Kenyalang bird," he added. 

To promote local handicrafts, they carried traditional Sabah bags known as wakid and barait and shared their experiences on social media via https://www.tiktok.com/@tehtarikgo. 

The other two members of the group are Sofian, 42, a retired soldier, and Faulah Paul Paimol, 45, who is ismardy's wife. 

Their journey caught the attention of former Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Mohd Yusrie Abdullah.

Apart from supporting their endeavor, Yusrie also informed the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) about their attempt to enter the Malaysia Book of Records while promoting Sabah. 

STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit said there is potential for collaboration with the group to promote rural tourism through promotional videos or by creating a new tourism product involving walking expeditions to explore Sabah.

-nst online.