21 classic vehicles flag off for abandoned animals
By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
Photo dan Video Balqis Jazimah Zahari
IPOH: A total of 21 classic vehicles of various models departed from the Hentian Rehat & Rawat (R&R) Jelapang here today in conjunction with the Rentas Peninsular 2023 program.
The program, attended by 30 participants from Malaysia and abroad, will take on the challenge of driving for 72 hours through a route spanning 1,500 kilometers starting in Ipoh across Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan and ending in Kangar, Perlis.
The program committee chairman, Dr Haridev Devdas said the program went smoothly with the release of 18 classic vehicles involving participation from all over Malaysia and three more vehicles from Ipoh.
“As a sign of support, three vehicles from Ipoh will cross together all the way to Kuala Kangsar and the remaining 18 classic vehicles will continue the journey until the end.
“This is a casual cross-country program and not a competition concept, so the driving is not bound by time but rather to see the durability of the classic vehicle being driven,” he said when met at the release session of the classic vehicle here today.
Haridev said that the charity motoring program successfully surpassed the fundraising target of RM15,000 to be channeled to the Persatuan Prihatin Haiwan Terbiar Ipoh, Perak (Papansouls).
“We were actually targeting a fund of RM10,000, but the collection exceeded the target of RM15,000.
“Funds are obtained not only from participants participating in the program but from various individuals and parties and the funds are directly handed over to Papansouls. Our main goal is indeed to create awareness about abandoned animals especially in Ipoh,” he said
He said, the funds had already been handed over to the association at the opening ceremony of the program completed by Datuk Dr Naran Singh at the Akash Classics Malaysia Showroom in Taman Canning here last night.
He said that in the future, his side also intends to continue the program to channel donations to other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
“If this program is successful, in the future we intend to continue the program which is not only limited to abandoned animals but also channel to some other NGOs in need.
“There is a proposal for us to give funds to orphans through a mosque, so it is most likely that we will do it next year,” he said.
Participant from Shah Alam, S Vijayan, 60, said, as a die-hard collector of classic vehicles, he was proud to be able to participate in a charity program to help abandoned animals.
“Since about 2007, I have actively participated in this kind of charity program.
“We really feel proud to be able to participate, because if we can afford a classic car, so we should participate in this kind of charity program, at the same time ensure that the vehicle is always ‘maintained’ and also help those in need, I hope that this kind of program can be continued,” he said.
He said, he now owns eight classic vehicles including a Camero and a Jaguar with the oldest vehicle being produced in 1966.
Another participant from Selangor, Cliften, 59, said that he was confident of completing the cross-country program until the end because he had previously successfully traveled around Asia with his classic Volkswagen car.
“Now I own two classic Volkswagens and several other classic vehicles. I do often enter this kind of cross program, so if there is any program organized involving classic cars I will participate in it.
“Previously we have contributed to orphans, the elderly and so on, this cross-charity program is good because as Malaysians we can give back to help others,” he said.
