Surveyor to tour world in Satria GTI

JOHOR BARU: Come Feb 15, a quantity surveyor will begin an 180,000km journey around the world in a Proton Satria GTI decked out in the colours and motifs of the Jalur Gemilang. 

Shamsurrijal Abdul Jamil, 38, will drive through 118 countries in six continents under a RM2.5mil solo expedition, dubbed the “Jalur Gemilang II Around The World Programme.” 

The programme, which has been endorsed by the Johor Government and is co-sponsored by various private agencies, is also an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the 'Vehicle Entering the Most Countries’ category - currently held by Jim Rogers and Peise Parker from the United States who travelled in a Mercedes four-wheel-drive wagon through 111 countries.  

HI-TECH: Shamsurrijal checking some of the equipment he will be using in Johor Baru Wednesday. The car will be monitored via satellite and his progress can be tracked 'live' over the internet.

Shamsurrijal, from Parit Semerah in Pontian, will be flagged off from Dataran Bandaraya here on what is expected to be an 18-month journey in the Satria, which is his own car. 

He said the expedition is to motivate Malaysian youths to cultivate the spirit of Malaysia Boleh and promote sports tourism among youths. 

Besides maintaining good ties between Malaysia and other countries, he also wants to show the world how well peace is preserved in a multi-racial country like Malaysia.  

A Visit Johor Year sticker displayed across the front windscreen of the car will serve as a means to promote the state as Shamsurrijal passes through the continents.  

“Brochures and pamphlets on Visit Johor Year will also be distributed to embassies and tourism centres in all the countries,” said the father of four sons aged between five and 16.  

“We have received about RM1.5mil donated in kind, but the rest will be raised through continuous fund-raising campaigns throughout my travels.  

“My progress throughout the expedition will be monitored and tracked on a Global Positioning System sponsored by Meridian Survey, a Canadian company,” he told a press conference yesterday. 

“It will be an eye-opener for me because I have always wanted to write a book about man and his surroundings and this is a good chance for me to get that hands-on experience during my travels. 

“When the expedition ends, I may write about my experiences, what I saw, and the culture of the people and their nature in the countries I visited,” said Shamsurrijal. 

Members of the public can track his daily progress `live’ at http://www.jgii.skali.com as the website will be updated half-hourly, he said.