Anwar flags off Rainforest Challenge grand final

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim flagged off 26 four-wheel-drive (4x4) vehicles today to mark the start of the Rainforest Challenge (RFC) grand final.

Anwar arrived at the flag-off point at Dataran Putra here at 5.20pm and was welcomed by Unity Ministry secretary-general Datuk Azman Mohd Yusof, Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry senior division secretary (management) Datuk Shaharudin Abu Sohoy, and founder and director of RFC and Rainforest Global Series Luis Wee.

Some 26 years ago, on Nov 23, 1997, Anwar, who was then deputy prime minister, flagged off the first RFC at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.

According to Wee, over the course of 26 editions, the RFC has been successful in keeping Malaysia’s flag flying high and achieving the objective of promoting Malaysia as a sports tourism destination, especially for international off-road motorsport championships.

He said that RFC has introduced Malaysia to the world, ranking it third among the top 10 toughest motorsport events globally, alongside events like the Dakar Rally, Baja Race, Le Mans 24-hour Race, and Isle of Man Race.

Wee said the RFC grand final this year will be held in Perak from Dec 1 to Dec 11, with the participants going through forest routes and inland areas in Sungai Siput, Kuala Kangsar, Lenggong, and Gerik, before returning to Ipoh.

He said Perak was chosen due to its diverse tourist attractions, scenic flora and fauna, and suitability for outdoor activities like off-road motorsport.

The RFC grand final will see 300 local and foreign participants, including from Russia, Mongolia, China, South Korea, the United States, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Italy, the Philippines and Indonesia.