Bernama's Flag Took Place Of Pride At ABC

By Linda Khoo and Noor Shamsiah POKHARA, May 3 (Bernama) -- Four journalists of the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) are among 31 media practitioners from the various news organisations who have successfully made it to the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in the Media and Fire and Rescue Department Annapura Challenge 2017 mission. They are Nur Firdaus Abdul Rahim, Linda Khoo, Noor Shamsiah Mohamad and Mohamad Hafiz Abas (stringer) who have arrived safely at the ABC with other expedition participants at noon on Sunday. (April 30). They have also dedicated their success with the hoisting of the Bernama flag in conjunction with the news agency’s 50th anniversary celebrations. They and the other participants – from Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, TV3, The Star, Kosmo, Harian Metro, TV Alhijrah, Astro Awani, Nanyang Siang Pau, China Press, and Malaysia Gazzete – have earn themselves a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records for being the largest number of participants in a Malaysian group to reach the camp at an altitude of 4,130 metres. The group also hoisted the giant Jalur Gemilang at ABC besides singing the national anthem ‘Negaraku” and “Jalur Gemilang’. According to Nur Firdaus, it was not easy to gather a group of 31 media practitioners in a programme that size but the participants had shown a high spirit of close cooperation and friendship that witnessed the success of the expedition. “What is important is that this mission can further boost the reputation of media practitioners who are not only successful in executing their ‘core business’ of journalism but also in world standard outdoor activities such as the challenge of climbing up to ABC. Meanwhile Berita Harian news editor Khirul Bahri Basaruddin, 56, said it was a great success as the feat proved that media practitioners are also capable of extreme activities. "The participation of the media practitioners from various ages was not an obstacle for us to achieve this feat together with the Fire and Rescue Department (personnel),” he said, adding that the greatest challenge faced was on Sunday while climbing to ABC in snowy condition with depleting oxygen. “I myself initially did not have the confidence to complete the mission but with the camaraderie and team spirit, I managed to get here,” he added. Harian Metro associate editor of News and Media Integration Noor Sham Saleh took pride that despite generally not being professional climbers, the media practitioners were able to meet the challenges of the four-day climb of a distance of 41 kms. “It is historic that all 31 media practitioners could attain the mission alongside the firemen,” said Noor Sham, who indulges in outdoor acitivites as a hobby and exercise and did not expect to arrive safely at ABC with her husband Zainuri Misfar, who is also Berita Harian news editor. Pahang Media Club president and main organiser of the event, Nik Naizi Nik Husin attributed the success of the expedition to the close cooperation among the participants, including the firemen. "We work for it and we do our best. Combined efforts and commitment make this mission a success," he added. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA