The winners of the 33rd Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge 2025.
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 4): The 33rd edition of the Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge 2025 came to a close on Sunday night after eight gruelling days of extreme 4×4 adventure across Sabah’s Ulu Tongod Forest, with participants celebrating their achievements and teamwork at the event’s closing dinner.
Flagged off on October 26 from the Sabah Tourism Board building, this year’s event once again drew record participation with 641 modified 4×4 vehicles and over 1,800 offroad enthusiasts.
Competitors and Tag On convoy members faced intense jungle challenges including deep mud tracks, steep inclines, river crossings and unpredictable weather conditions.
Emerging as overall champions for the third consecutive year were Roland Liew Sue Khiong and co-driver Sajeymee Janish from Team Asli 4×4 representing Powergine Enterprise Sdn Bhd.
The pair made history as the first team to achieve a hat-trick victory in the event’s 33-year history, collecting 1,550 points over 20 special stages and taking home RM112,783 in cash and prizes alongside the coveted Challenge Trophy.
First runners-up Koo Foi Loong and Velerick Martin from Keningau earned RM69,195 worth of prizes while the second runners-up position went to Tenom’s Agustinus Asananen Bin Ara and Chia Ket Chong, who received RM52,629 worth of cash and prizes.
In the International Category, Hong Kong’s duo Li Pak Sau and Jerome Yeung Yik Lam took first place, showcasing strong technical performance despite challenging terrain.
Other notable recognitions included the Borneo Safari Team Spirit Award, which went to Team Tag On C for their camaraderie and perseverance despite still being deep in the jungle as of the awards ceremony.
The Jungleman Award was presented to Bradley Mark from the Event Manager’s Team, while the Junglewoman Award went to Marliana John, also known as Turbo Girl Medic, from the UMS Medic Team.
Both received Saber Offroad Recovery Rings sponsored by Pedders Suspension & Brakes Malaysia along with BS2025 plaques.
The Environment Award was presented to Zaizulie Shakry from Team Communication & JPJ for his efforts in promoting conservation and environmental responsibility throughout the expedition.
The Foul Up of the Year Award went to Convoy Number 166, driver Lee Thau Loi, who received a set of 20-inch 4×4 sport rims worth RM5,000 sponsored by Hup Sheng Auto Sdn Bhd.
Convoy Number 488, a Land Cruiser LC79 belonging to Low Kah Lin from Genius Performance Service, won the Vehicle of the Year Award for engineering innovation and performance, receiving a pair of KC Hilites Gravity Titan LED SpotBeams worth RM4,560.
The Fred Leong Award for excellence in visual storytelling went to content creator Cigu Wenddy for her viral vlog “Day 2, Borneo Safari 2025,” which received over 6,500 likes and 238 shares online.
She was awarded a rechargeable USB task light and a cordless impact drill sponsored by Dewalt Malaysia and Total Tools Malaysia respectively.
Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) President and Borneo Safari Event Director, Faez Nordin, congratulated all participants for their sportsmanship and endurance.
He thanked Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd for returning as the Diamond Sponsor, UMW Grantt International Sdn Bhd as Platinum Sponsor, and PETRONAS Dynamic Diesel Euro 5 with Pro-Drive as the Official Fuel Partner.
Also present at the closing ceremony were Isuzu Malaysia Chief Operating Officer (After Sales Division) Miyamoto Wataru, UMW Grantt International General Manager Iskandar Mohamed Salleh, PETRONAS Dagangan Head of Marketing Strategy and Communication Cheok Yen Kwan, Sabah Road Transport Department Director Datuk Mohd Harris Ali and representatives from various government agencies and sponsors.
The annual event, organized by the Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association, continues to be one of Malaysia’s most anticipated offroad challenges, blending extreme adventure with teamwork, endurance, and appreciation of Sabah’s natural landscape.
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