Rainforest challenge set to be tourist attraction

07 December 2009 , By The Star

The thrills and spills of Malaysia’s biggest 4x4 competition, the Johor Rainforest Challenge (RFC) is set to be a tourist attraction for the state.

“This event is a World 4x4 Council sanctioned event and has attracted many participants from other countries to participate,” said Johor Tourism Action Council manager Jabar Tahir.

The first RFC competition was held in Terengganu last year.

This year, 300 participants and 150 specially tuned 4x4 vehicles are taking part.

Jabar spoke to reporters after the Raja Muda Johor Tunku Ismail Idris Tunku Ibrahim Ismail flagged-off the participants at the Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim here yesterday.

Meanwhile, 45-year-old competitor from India D.Jesu said that he was excited about taking part in the event.

He added this was his first time participating in the challenge, adding that he could not wait to drive his modified Mitsubishi Pajero through the forests.

“I have heard many wonderful things about the lush rainforests and wildlife here,” he said.

Jesu’s fellow team mate S. Meganathan, 48, said that they had been taking part in various 4x4 events and tournaments in India for the past 9 years.

The convoy of vehicles will make their way to Sedili where they will have to travel 18km through the Ulu Sedili forest reserve to their first campsite.

The RFC challenge route include Ulu Sedili forest reserve, Selai national park, and the forests of Segamat before making their way back to Johor Baru.