00:00 A group of 23 visually impaired individuals shattered stereotypes as they embarked on
00:09 a challenging hike up Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinci on Sunday.
00:14 These determined adventurers from the Society of the Blind in Malaysia, or SBM, were not
00:19 alone as they were joined by trail experts from Persatuan Malim Gunung Perhutanan Selangor,
00:25 or MGPS, who provided guidance throughout the hike.
00:29 Participants of the hike shared their profound appreciation for this initiative.
00:34 The benefit for me is that it is more relaxing.
00:38 I have had a hard time before, but now I have a new group and I can share my experiences.
00:47 That is what makes me happy.
00:48 Muhammad Shahe also said such events were not only important in expanding social networks,
00:55 but also would further promote inclusivity.
00:57 We both have the same understanding.
01:00 When it is like that, it is more fun and you can benefit as a visually impaired person.
01:06 We, the blind, can also benefit.
01:07 That is why we say in English, "Inclusive society" is important because we are together
01:16 with the people of the world.
01:17 What the visually impaired do, the blind can do, but in a way that is helpful.
01:22 That is important.
01:22 28-year-old Muhammad Fikri Omar agreed with Muhammad Shahe and emphasised the importance
01:28 of equal opportunities for all in recreational activities.
01:32 The challenge for us to guide the blind is very challenging.
01:36 Unlike us, we are used to guiding people who are physically perfect.
01:43 They have a slight deficiency, so it is challenging.
01:48 We need to give them instructions one-to-one.
01:53 We need to tell them what is in front of them one-by-one so that they can follow the instructions.
01:59 Meanwhile, mountain guide G Kishen also shared his experience in guiding a visually impaired
02:04 hiker for the first time in his 17 years of hiking experience.
02:09 We have to be their eyes.
02:11 We have to put our body pressure on them so that they can hold us,
02:16 so that they can feel us.
02:18 We have to make sure that they can cross the trees and the rocks.
02:22 Murugan said he has gained confidence and aspiration to tackle even taller mountains
02:28 in the future, inspired by Kishen's guidance.
02:31 I got the best guide.
02:36 This is my first time hiking.
02:41 We have a little bit of experience.
02:47 We have never experienced this style before.
02:50 I have never been to a big mountain.
02:53 This is not a challenge.
02:56 But there may be big challenges in other mountains.
02:58 I want to try.
03:00 The programme was organised by human development company Zubedi Sendrian Berhad
03:04 in collaboration with SBM and MGPS.
03:08 Zubedi Sendrian Berhad General Manager Ebi Mohamad said #HikeSomethingNice
03:13 was part of a series aimed at promoting unity and inclusivity.
03:18 If we talk about hiking, we will see that only certain groups will go hiking.
03:24 So today, the difference is that we have bridged it.
03:28 We have united those who usually go hiking from the Malim Gunung Selangor Forestry Union
03:38 as partners for our friends who have sight problems.
03:45 They will go hiking together.
03:48 #HikeSomethingNice is an activity where we bring together
03:53 special groups of blind people and us,
04:00 to unite and see from the perspective of health, we can go hiking.
04:03 And in terms of the activities we do, we don't just have to be with a certain group.
04:11 Everyone can do it.
04:12 As part of the National Month and Malaysia Day celebrations,
04:16 the programme will also continue with a 5km charity run in Kepung Botanical Garden
04:22 on September 10th in collaboration with Yayasan Muslim Aid Malaysia.
04:27 #HikeSomethingNice
04:29 #HikeSomethingNice
04:31 #HikeSomethingNice
04:33 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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