BY: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH – A 12-member cycling delegation completed the “Ride to Hatyai 2025” mission organised by Oasys Cordova Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd from June 13 to 15, covering the route from Bukit Kayu Hitam to Danok, Hatyai and Songkhla.
The initiative, which supports the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026), adopted a grassroots approach with a low-carbon, community-driven concept.
Oasys Cordova’s Managing Director, Azizan Mohammad, said the programme aimed to go beyond just a cycling event, serving instead as a mission to promote Malaysia’s identity abroad.
“This is more than just a ride – it’s a mission. Every kilometre carries the spirit of the nation, from the Jalur Gemilang to the heartbeat of the people,” he said.
The event was supported by the local cycling group Brompton Meru Ipoh and co-organised by Kedai Kopi Dulu Dulu. Participants donned a specially designed jersey featuring the Visit Malaysia 2026 logo, KLCC, the wau bulan, the hibiscus, and elements of Perak heritage.
Along the route, the group visited landmarks including Wat Hua Thanon, Hat Yai Flea Market, Samila Beach, and the Khlong Hae Floating Market, and also stopped for a photo session at the Malaysian Consulate in Songkhla. The ride fostered informal people-to-people diplomacy through interactions with Thai cycling communities.
Azizan said the programme created positive cross-border engagement and helped introduce Malaysia’s tourism identity to international audiences in a more relaxed, non-official manner.
Following its success, the organisers plan to expand the cross-border cycling series to ASEAN destinations such as Singapore, Jakarta, Medan, Aceh, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Borneo route linking Kalimantan, Sabah and Brunei.
Future local events are also in the pipeline, focusing on physical endurance, community involvement and eco-tourism. These include tropical triathlon-style activities combining cycling, running, swimming and trekking, with iconic locations such as Pangkor, Langkawi, Tasik Kenyir, Kundasang and Lenggong in the spotlight.
Such efforts aim to empower Malaysians to become active tourism ambassadors while promoting national pride in the lead-up to Visit Malaysia 2026.
