Pahang Has Potential To Attract Extreme Sports Enthusiasts - State Exco

KUANTAN, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Pahang has huge potential to attract international extreme sports enthusiasts, including Building, Antenna, Span and Earth (BASE) jumpers, which will cement the state’s standing as a major adventure tourism destination, state Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said.

Pahang is a strategic location with many complete facilities for extreme activities, he said, citing the inaugural Kuantan 188 BASE Jump Extreme Challenge 2025 as an example, which has received tremendous response from foreign jumpers.

“This event managed to bring together 36 elite BASE jumpers from 13 countries, including Malaysia, Finland, Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia, Sweden, France, along with acclaimed BASE jumper Justine Beitler from Las Vegas, the United States.

“I’ve been given to understand that many wished to sign up but participation was limited to ensure the safety of jumpers.

Even with 36 jumpers, the impact is global as they will promote and boost Kuantan internationally,” he said at the event’s media conference here today.

Leong said the five-day event, which began on Feb 13, has garnered global attention as it was held at Malaysia’s second highest tower, the 1-4-metre high Kuantan 188.

“Previously there have been several other states that offered this extreme event. What’s interesting in Pahang is that it’s more challenging as they get to jump from the second highest tower in Malaysia.

“With the height, jumpers will feel more challenged, and it offers a spectacular panoramic view of Sungai Kuantan, the South China Sea, mangrove forests and fishermen going to and fro,” he said.

He expressed his confidence that the extreme sports event would serve to draw tourists to the state, along with other attractive programmes offered by Pahang to make the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 a success.

“According to Tourism Pahang’s tourism event calendar, last year we had over 40 international and national events. This year, we aim to have even more.

“If possible, we want to hold significant events in every district in Pahang. So, for Kuantan, we have previously had several events but with this BASE Jump, we can have more tourism events here,” he added.

-- BERNAMA