Events, Opinion Pieces, Reviews, Travel Tips

DRB-HICOM “Ke Bawah Bayu” Media Drive 2014

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Every once in a while we get invited to something a bit different from the ubiquitous car launch, and now in its fifth year, the annual DRB Hicom Media Gathering is one such event. It is essentially a very big get-together between DRB-Hicom and its subsidiary companies, both motoring and affiliated, as well as the media to get to know each other better, foster closer ties and better working relationships.

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The first ever DRB-Hicom event like this was back in 2009, dubbed the ‘Amazing Hunt to Lake Kenyir’. It was followed by ‘Nature Trail to Taman Negara Pahang’ in 2010, ‘Eco Trail to Belum Rainforest’ in 2012 and the DRB-HICOM Southern Reach To Tanjung Piai, Johor  in 2013.

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This year a total of 113 participants comprising business partners and us automotive journalists, photographers and cameramen from 28 local media (TV stations, newsprint and online media), along with DRB-Hicom’s top Management and Group Companies’ CEOs took part in the trip.

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There’s always a drive thrown in of course, and this year we’d be privy to a fleet of 40 Prevé and Suprima S, taking on the roads surrounding Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Apart from giving us a second taste of the brand which DRB Hicom took over two years ago, the group also made a charitable contribution to several schools as part of its efforts to be involved responsibly towards the community.

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The Group was involved in supporting a total of 358 children from SK Tambulaong, SK Kinasaraban, and SK Kionsom in Sabah.  “We believe that this support we give to these children and the community has truly embraced the concept of giving back. As an organization that aligns with corporate responsibilities, we are committed to impact communities in a positive manner and inspire others to do the same” said Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil.

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“We recognize our responsibility towards the community. Thus, we hope this visit, which is intended to ensure that our Corporate Responsibility efforts goes beyond contributions and encourage closer ties between the Group and society, would help ease the discomfort of the children as well as teachers and would enable them to have a more comfortable environment for learning,” he added.

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Part of the drive would see us stop over at the Kinabalu National Park, about 90km from Kota Kinabalu. It has been described as ‘one of the world’s most significant natural environments’, and is home to a multitude of unique flora. As such, Kinabalu National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the first in Malaysia.

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All in all, it was a very successful outing for DRB-Hicom, and for the media as well, who not only enjoyed a very good drive around Sabah, but also a fair bit of quality time with our hosts, who proved to be as gracious as ever.

Footnote: A heartfelt thanks from all of us here at AF to Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil and his team at DRB-Hicom for putting this together for the media. – CW.