Two former North Pole skydivers want promises kept

Two former skydivers of the Putera UMNO North Pole Free Fall Expedition 2007 Sunday expressed their disappointment at being marginalised after their team broke a series of records and highlighted Malaysia's name in the global arena

Mohd Khashian Khan Omar Khan, 30, and Norafandi Noordin, 34, claimed that after 10 years, they, along with 10 other former skydivers of the expedition did not have a steady income nor received the proper support and incentives promised.

Mohd Kashian Khan, who is a fisherman, said after the expedition, he and his friends were unable to complete their studies at Kolej Tekad Automotif in Kajang as they had already missed many classes.

"We've asked for help many times and even convened a meeting once with those responsible. However, until now the promises given earlier like awarding of houses and sending us for the umrah (minor Haj) have not been fulfilled.

"As a fisherman I have no steady income and it is more difficult when fishing without a licence. There are are others who work as foreman, factory workers and Digi 'promoters' and drink mixers," he told a press conference here Sunday.

He said that he had on many occasions tried to apply for a licence but his efforts failed.

Thus, he was ineligible to receive compensation after reclamation projects were carried out in the state.

"I beg those who have promised to support us to come forward to help by at least setting up a club to help us find a fixed income," he said.

Norafandi, who works mixing drinks at a shop owned by his family, said they only received an incentive of RM1,000 after the success of the expedition before being marginalised.

He felt frustrated because all their efforts to bring fame and name to the country and even being recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records was unappreciated.

"Not only that, three more participants from Penang are also facing the same fate and are still waiting for the support that was promised," he said.

Meanwhile, Penang Malay Heritage and Tourism Association (Sahabat) president Syed Kamalrul Sufian Syed Kadiron Mustafa, who was also present at the press conference, said they should not be treated such because they can be regarded as national heroes and icons for the younger generation.

On April 23, 2007, exactly at 4.20am Norwegian time (10.20am GMT), 16 Malaysian skydivers, including 12 Putera UMNO members, aged between 19 and 24, had made the jumps from a Russian helicopter at the North Pole.

The expedition was part of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence in 2007. It was fully sponsored by Putera UMNO and organised in collaboration with the Malaysian Sports Aviation Federation. - Bernama