Strong winds, bad weather fail to stop KL 2017 torch from reaching peak of Mount Kinabalu

RANAU: Bad weather and strong winds failed to stop Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and a delegation of 24 climbers to reach the peak of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, this morning, the highest peak in South East Asia, with the Kuala Lumpur 2017 (KL2017) torch, in conjunction with the 29th SEA Games and 9th Asean Para Games,
Khairy who led the delegation and mission to carry the torch which is part of the KL 2017 Torch Run, to the peak of Mount Kinabalu, reached the peak at 5.53am.
Speaking to reporters after arriving at the Timpohon Gate, Taman Kinabalu in Kundasang at 1.30pm, Khairy said he was both happy and proud to have reached the peak with the torch which marks the symbol of the SEA Games theme 'Rising Together'.
"Lighting the KL 2017 torch at the peak of Mount Kinabalu is a very special occasion because Mount Kinabalu is the most iconic place. Due to the strong winds, the torch had to be ignited several times but we continued our mission which carried the hopes and inspiration of the entire nation since Malaysia will be hosting the SEA Games and Asean Para Games," he said.
Khairy and the delegation of climbers who had started their ascent at 9.45am, camped the Laban Rata camp at night before continuing their journey at the break of dawn.
Upon completing the descend, the torch was handed to Sabah Youth and Sports assistant minister Datuk Masiung Banah to be taken to the Pentas Budaya Kundasang.
Masiung later handed the torch to Ranau Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin and Kundasang state assemblyman Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam who started a symbolic torch run in the Ranau district today.
The torch run which involved about 100 participants including athletes and youth, started at about 3.30pm, and covered areas in and around Kundasang.
Sabah is the fifth destination of the nationwide torch run.
Apart from Ranau, the torch run which ends in Sabah on June 8, would also reach Keningau, Tawau, Sandakan, Kota Belud, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu and Sipitang before heading to Sarawak.
The 29th edition of the SEA Games will be held from Aug 19-30, while the Asean Para Games is scheduled from Sept 17-23. — Bernama