S’wak journos make it to Mt Kinabalu summit

KUNDASANG: A team of 10 from the Journalists Association of Kuching Division Sarawak (KDJA) reached the peak of South East Asia’s tallest mountain, Mt Kinabalu, on Oct 15.

KDJA in a statement said this year marks its fourth edition held for Kuching’s media fraternity, giving priority to those who have not climbed the mountain before.

This programme began in 2019 in response to the challenge by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for KDJA to challenge the strength, stamina and determination of its media members.

This year, media participants include from Sarawak Tribune, The Borneo Post, Utusan Borneo, DayakDaily, TV Sarawak, CatsFM, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and Jabatan Penerangan Sarawak.

The team was also accompanied by officer Wan Abdul Mubin Wan Abdullah from the Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) Sarawak to assist in the journey towards the peak.

Participants of the programme arrived in Sabah on Oct 13 before making their way directly to the Sutera Sanctuary Lodges at Kinabalu Park.

The next day, the team made its way up from Timpohon Gate towards Laban Rata Resthouse, where they stayed the night prior to the summit attack.

The team, consisting of nine media members and one representative from Bomba Sarawak, all successfully made it to the peak, with the earliest reaching at 5.20 am.

Standing at 4,095m, Mount Kinabalu is the highest peak in South East Asia, outside of the Himalayan and Papua New Guinean range.

The trail runs for 8.8km to the peak,  running along the southern side of the mountain over the Tenompok ridge.