Re: [hizamss] Malaysia, Damai Wall Accuracy Challenge (15-16 August 2009)
Thanks for clearing a few things up Hizam.
The approximate jump heights of the buildings are:
1. Menara Taming Sari - 73 meters (240 feet)
2. Menara Alor Ster - 104 meters (340 feet)
3. Menara Komtar - Upper exit point - 210 meters (690 feet), Lower exit point – 196 meters (645 feet)
4. KL Tower - 301 meters (987 feet)
I have not been to Menara Taming Sari but the jump height I previously heard reported is a similar height that Hizam gives. I heard it could be a dodgy landing area but knowing Aziz had jumped it I assumed it should be sort of ok. I did not hear about a “solid” jumper crashing into a bus though. I wonder how Menara KL’s first jump students will go there. They don’t really seem to care about any carnage at their events but other officials in Malaysia are starting to.
Our Sabah event was planned for 27th, 28th and 29th October, which Menara KL knew. Now Hizam reports Menara KL will provide money to jumpers to stay in KL at that time. I have to question if it is another attempt by Menara KL to stop any event in Sabah that they cannot organise.
Menara KL did change their schedule to include Sabah at the beginning of their tour after hearing of our proposed event in Sabah. I know at least one BASE jumper has bought flights to start Menara KL’s event in Sabah on the assumption that their schedule is legitimate. I still think they will not be welcome back there.
Sabah officials feel “Menara KL have made a very sad impression of Base Jumping in Sabah” and will not give them any support this year. Menara KL still have one other path into an event there but that is also with people they did not make a good impression on last year. They also seem to have plenty of money provided by a sponsor that could help to buy their way in. There is still about 11 weeks before their event starts for them to force their way in there so I guess all hope is not gone for those who have already purchased flights to go there.
I did hear that Menara KL also had no response from Sarawak. I always assumed since the head of Menara KL seemed to have very close ties to one official in Sarawak that he would get their event going at the very last minute. But maybe he disgraced himself there too much last year also. We did not really have any intention to organise an event in Sarawak but there was the feeling from some Sarawak locals involved in organising previous events that they could get the event going there if Menara KL did not get their act together. Hence my question if Hizan was talking about Menara KL’s proposed events in Sarawak and Sabah.
Most likely we will not go ahead with our event in Sabah at this stage. Our approvals have still not come through and there are too many uncertainties with what Menara KL will do with their events. They tend to do very erratic things when they get desperate. I will leave it to them to continue with their own chaos. We will continue to work towards having events there at a more stable time.
It is the same reason that Damai wall is having an event in August for the locals there and you most likely would not see any event officially announced there around the Menara KL event. You can jump there any time you want anyway.
It would be nice to have events in Malaysia without all the chaos that Menara KL brings to them but I guess that is all part of the Malaysian experience. The buildings they REALLY have secured should be fine. Once jumping does eventually get started it usually flows very well. I always enjoy jumping there.
