WHEN I first heard about the Quantum Metal Ekspedisi Perpaduan Watikah Kemerdekaan 66 (QMEPWK66), I knew I had to be a part of it.
It was a voyage undertaken to mark the 66th year of Merdeka celebration.
The expedition was to commemorate the historic journey of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, who brought the Malayan Declaration of Independence from London to Kuala Lumpur in 1957. We wanted to experience the struggles and sacrifices of our national independence heroes 66 years ago.
This epic adventure was led by Arep Kulal, and the team comprised riders Rosmaidi Saad, Yusyafizal Mohd Yusop, Mohd Farid Mohd Yusof, Ahmad Fadali Baharudin, and yours truly.
Together,with our high-powered and robust BMW 1250cc motorcycles, we set off from London on a 66-day odyssey, traversing 66 cities in 16 countries.
THE JOURNEY TOWARDS MOTHERLAND
Our journey began on June 20, 2023, with a touching flag-off ceremony in front of the High Commission of Malaysia, London presided over by High Commissioner Datuk Zakri Jaafar.
Joining us to send us off on this audacious expedition were Quantum Metal Sdn Bhd's founder Datuk Lim Khong Soon, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, representative to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamdi, and Tourism Malaysia director in London, Noran Ujang.
This expedition was made possible through the efforts of Global Bike Explorer Sdn Bhd, with Quantum Metal as the primary sponsor. Additional support came from GB13, KMF Network, Buliion Success Group, and Tourism Malaysia, serving as co-sponsors. Our awe-inspiring journey ended with our triumphant arrival at the Merdeka Parade in Putrajaya on National Day.
TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
This was my maiden voyage on such an extensive expedition, spanning an astonishing 22,000km.
The experience was both memorable and unique, one I am eager to share with fellow adventurers who may be contemplating a similar odyssey.
I knew the journey this long would be one with many obstacles, and I was correct. The challenges were abundant, with weather extremes topping the list.
We endured scorching temperatures of 49-degree Celsius in Iran and a blistering 49-degree Celsius in the Gobi Desert, China.
To combat the heat, I often found myself dousing my face and body with water to maintain some semblance of coolness.
But we also faced bone-chilling conditions, with temperatures plunging to as low as 8-degree Celsius as we navigated the mountainous terrain on our route from Bern, Switzerland, to Livigno in Italy.
All faded in the background as my eyes feasted on nature's beauty along the way.
One of the most testing moments occurred while travelling from Toktogul to Issy Kul in Kyrgyzstan.
My trusty motorbike suffered a flat tyre. To keep on riding, I had to inflate it more than 10 times before reaching our destination.
This incident was a true test of my patience, as well as my mental and emotional strength.
Thanks to the unwavering support of my fellow riders and team members, we persevered and arrived at our destination around midnight.
MAKING IT A SAFE JOURNEY
Our expedition "arrow head", Rosmaidi's biggest concern was getting all of us home on Aug 29 and later joining the National Day parade in Putrajaya on Aug 31.
Being a seasoned and experienced traveller on two wheels, Rosmaidi is an educator at Setapak Vocational College. He had previously toured the world from 2013 to 2014.
He found the journey home relatively unchallenging, primarily thanks to the well-maintained highways, particularly in China, that led us safely back to Malaysia. Rosmaidi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Malaysian high commissions in various countries we visited for their remarkable hospitality and unforgettable memories.
He also acknowledged BMW Malaysia for providing essential maintenance and warranty packages for our motorcycles.
Meanwhile, Yusyafizal, a businessman hailing from Ipoh, faced his own set of challenges. His bike's front suspension failed in Bulgaria, and he navigated treacherous 150-kilometre off-road routes in Kyrgyzstan.
These experiences, although harrowing, were overcome, thanks to his prior participation in the Gs Challenge in Albania and a two-month motorcycle journey around South America.
ENCOUNTERING UNIQUE TRADITIONS AND CULTURES
In our group, Farid was the friendliest and chattiest, earning him the title of the expedition's public relations officer.
Everywhere we stopped, he engaged with locals and answered their inquiries. People often dubbed us "crazy" for embarking on such a long journey on our bikes, but we also encountered enthusiastic support, particularly in Iran, which served as a tonic.
Throughout our voyage from the United Kingdom to Malaysia, we covered an average of 300km to 800km a day.
Our lengthiest stop was a 22-day sojourn in China, while our shortest pause lasted just half a day in Laos, just before entering Thailand.
Though we may have left 16 countries behind, the memories we crafted, the warm hospitality we received in each nation, their unique cultures and beauty, technological advancements, and the trials and triumphs of our expedition will remain etched in our minds for years to come.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
As we arrived safely in Malaysia, expedition leader Arep expressed profound gratitude. Our homecoming was marked by a warm and proud welcome at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex on Aug 29.
Staff from the Immigration Department, Tourism Malaysia and the Superbikers Association Malaysia orchestrated this heartwarming reception.
On Aug 31, we proudly joined the National Day parade, passing by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, cabinet ministers, family members, friends, and the cheering crowd.
Our mission to foster unity and preserve our nation's sovereignty had been accomplished.
PIXs by Effendy Rashid and Global Explorer
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