Metro

Thursday October 15, 2009

23 people to jump off Komtar tower


Komtar International BASE Jump 2009 is set to take place this Sunday with a total of 23 jumpers, the largest group of jumpers in the event’s four year history.

Event chairman Mohd Bazid Abd Kahar said all Penang- ites were welcome to witness the event that would be held from 8.30am to 5.30pm at the Komtar Dome located on the fifth floor.

“The jumpers will make continuous jumps from Komtar’s 62nd and 64th floor, located about 180m above sea level, throughout the day.”

He told a press conference yesterday that out of the 23 participating jumpers, 13 were foreigners from Norway, New Zealand, India, Russia, Sweden, Holland, United Kingdom, Den-mark, Australia, Turkey, France and the United States.

Mohd Bazid added that the event was organised by the state government, Penang Develop-ment Corporation and Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd.

Menara Kuala Lumpur general manager Fadzil Ibrahim said BASE was an acronym for ‘buildings, antennas, spans (bridges), and earth (cliffs)’ indicating the locations the jumpers leapt from.

“The slightest change in wind changes everything and since the landing sites are nearer to the jump sites (compared to sky diving), the jumpers have to be very experienced,” he said, adding that jumpers had to complete at least 150 sky jumps before being allowed to try BASE jumping.

He said three landing sites had been set up, all located on Komtar’s fifth floor podium and out of the 23 jumpers, six are women - two local and four foreigners.

“All the jumpers are aged between 26 and the late fifties, and most of them are very skilled and experienced so it should be a great show.”

Mohd Bazid said Penangites located anywhere on the island with a clear view of Komtar should keep an eye on it on Sunday.

“Jumpers will be dressed in bright outfit and they will be seen from miles away. No roads around Komtar will be closed on that day but there will be officers on traffic control,” he said.

He added that other activi-ties held on that day include a mini-concert by Akademi Fantasia stars, kids’ group First Step and an exhibition by the Royal Malaysian Police Force.

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