Roland, Sajymee win Borneo Safari for second year running

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 5): Local off-road veteran Roland Liew Sue Khiong and co-driver Sajymee Janish emerged victorious for the second year running in the recently concluded week-long 32nd Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge 2024 (BS2024).

The pair representing Asli 4×4 from Powergine Enterprise Sdn Bhd, accumulated 1,503 points from 20 Special Stages (SS), an impressive 40 points ahead of their closest opponent and a record number of 37 competing teams, to take home the prestigious Borneo Safari Challenge Trophy plus RM103,000 worth of cash and prizes.

“I want to thank all the team members and sponsors who supported our 2024 Borneo Safari mission as without them, we would not have made this dream to retain the championship title a reality,” he said.

The first runners-up were father and son team from Keningau, Tham Vun Pin and Beckham Tham, who collected 1,463 points and claimed more than RM60,000 worth of cash and prizes, alongside trophy.

The second runners-up were “Sabah’s YoungGuns”, who have been trailblazing their way through the local scene this year, Aleshen Lo and Onassis Onneil Johnny, only two points behind the first runner-up.

The pair brought home a trophy and RM47,000 worth of cash and prizes.

Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) President and Borneo Safari Event Director Faez Nordin congratulated all the winners and competitors who took part in the Competition Category, as well as all participants in the Extreme Offroad Expedition Category.

This year’s event which was held around the Ulu Tongod and Tabuk Forest Reserve in the Ranau and Telupid Districts saw a record breaking 1,900 participants in 620 registered vehicles.

Faez also thanked Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd for returning as the event’s Diamond Sponsor; UMW Grantt International Sdn Bhd for continuing their support as the Platinum Sponsor, and all Gold Sponsors and Silver Sponsors.

Also present at the closing ceremony were Istana Seri Kinabalu Secretary for Communication, Datuk Haji Mohd Rashid Dato’ Mohd Tahir; Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd Chief Operation Officer’s representative, Masaki Terashima; UMW Grantt International Sdn Bhd Manufacturing & Engineering Director, Anas Nasrun Mohd Osman; Sabah Road Transport Department director Mohd Harris Ali and Effandy Mahany representing the Sabah Tourism Board.