Challenging Times For Malaysia's Extreme Sports Industry

By Sakini Mohd Said

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) -- Malaysia has a diverse landscape that offers even the novice thrill seeker an extreme challenge.

There are steep hills and high mountains, challenging rapids and verdant jungles, thus extreme activities like jungle tracking, scaling hills and mountains, whitewater rafting provide the perfect challenge for adrenalin rush seekers.

And what more, many of these places are easily accessible so even the average person feels he is ready for an extreme challenge without any preparation.

A good example is Bukit Tabur in Taman Melawati, at the fringes of the city. This hill is the prominent part of nature reserve with its nature laden trail attracting city folks up to the peak to enjoy fresh air and the panoramic view of the city.

The eastern side has a rock face and it attracts those who want to put their endurance and bravery to test. But since 2009 four people have fell to their deaths and many injured due to falls.

Early this year Soleha Abd Rahman, 25, fell 60 metres into a ravine and died while trying to abseil the rock face. Less than a month earlier a science teacher Ng Pee Tat, in his 30s slipped from a ridge and lost his life. In 2009 Dr Haliza Mohd Shafie and Dr Amin Tai Abdullah believed have fallen to their deaths during while tracking to the Bukit Tabur's peak.

Then there was host of reports of people getting lost while jungle tracking or washed away by strong water currents. This made many to think twice in indulging in such extreme undertakings.

THE BRAVEST OR THE MOST FOOLHARDY

Many of those participating in such risky extreme activities do so without preparation, equipment or event guides. There are literally tempting their fate.

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Challenging Times For Malaysia's Extreme Sports Industry