Malaysian Teacher Covers African Continent On Scooter In 42 Days

GEORGE TOWN (Penang, Malaysia), Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The "Malaysia Boleh" spirit has taken a teacher far: in fact, on a record solo expedition around the African continent on a 110cc scooter in 42 days. Mohammad Lasim Deraman, 47, travelled more than 10,000 kilometres around Africa, beginning at Cape Point on Nov 15 and moving around to Tanzania, Botswana, Moyale and Zambia before reaching Mount Kenya. The special education teacher at a secondary school in Kuala Lumpur, said prior to the expedition in Africa, he had been on a motorcycle expedition covering Borneo and Indonesia. "I chose to go to the African continent because of its challenging geographical landscape which is mountainous, with lakes, rivers and desert," he told reporters here Monday. He said that among the unforgettable experiences during the expedition was when travelling through a desert area from Kipiri Morsi to the Tanzanian border, Naconde. The place is a habitat for wild animals, he said, adding that fearing for his life, he was forced to hitch a ride in a lorry across the desert. Mohammad Lasim, who hails from east coast state of Kelantan, said the temperate climate there of between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius enabled him to ride long on his motorcycle, covering an average of 290 kilometres a day. He initially planned to go to Nairobi and then to Makkah after arriving in Moyale (a town bordering Ethiopia and Kenya) on the 34th day of the expedition, but was forced to change plans due to a civil war in Nairobi. "I was also advised by the embassy to turn back because of the civil war," he said. On the expedition, Mohammad Lasim said meeting the people there, he realised that many of them had heard of former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and were happy when asked to pose for pictures with the Malaysian flag which he had brought along with him. "I also had the opportunity to see how the Zulu people live. They still lead a traditional way of life and live in straw houses. Looking at them made me feel grateful to be living in a progressive and prosperous country," he added. After completing the expedition in Africa, Mohammad Lasim did not immediately come home but sent his scooter to Thailand and went on a three-day expedition in the land of the White Elephant. He then went on to southern Thailand and entered Malaysia through Bukit Kayu Hitam on Dec 26 before coming here to meet some friends. He said one of the basic things one needed to know before going on a motorcycle expedition alone was to know how to maintain the machine and make minor repairs like changing a punctured tyre. Travelling on a scooter is not only exciting, but also cheap, he added. --BERNAMA