| Achong Tanjong |
FANCY car enthusiasts thronged the Bridex Centre Hall in Jerudong yesterday to witness the best of the best cars and motorcycles at the first Borneo Kustom Show 2016 themed ‘We Born. We Ride. We Free’.
The two-day event, organised by the Independent Motorcycle Club (IMC Brunei) in collaboration with Cityneon Brunei and supported by Tourism Malaysia, was officially opened yesterday by the guest of honour Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muhammad Abdul Haffiz bin Pengiran Sura Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Bey Muntassir.
Also present at the event were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muhammad Abdul Razaaq bin Pengiran Sura Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Bey Muntassir; Dato Jack Ting, Managing Director of Cityneon Brunei; and Asmalee Ariffin, President of IMC Brunei.
A total of 150 cars and 30 motorcycles including from Sabah and Sarawak were showcased yesterday. The handiworks of vehicle modification experts were also on demonstration.
Asmalee Ariffin in his welcoming speech said that the event is part of IMC’s effort to promote motorsport in Brunei and the Borneo region.
Cars being showcased outside the Bridex Centre Hall. – PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muhammad Abdul Haffiz bin Pengiran Sura Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Bey Muntassir and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muhammad Abdul Razaaq bin Pengiran Sura Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Muhammad Bey Muntassir in a group photo with Dato Jack Ting, Managing Director of Cityneon Brunei and Asmalee Ariffin, President of IMC Brunei
“The number of motorsport enthusiasts in Borneo is fast growing over these years and it’s time to show the rest of the world our unique and strong community of both motorcycle and car enthusiasts,” he said.
“We are here today for the same reason, our love for motorsport, be it two or four wheels. So let’s work together in setting a new level for our motorsports. We believe that we can contribute to our community and our country by promoting Brunei and the Island of Borneo as a place nobody would want to miss”, Asmalee added.
The spectacular Borneo Kustom Show is like other Kustom shows held worldwide focusing mainly on developing entrepreneurship and showmanship in customising show cars, show bikes and others. In the Asean region, there are two major events that support the huge number of about 20,000 to 30,000 motorsport devotees around the world.
These events are ‘Kustom Fest Jogjakarta’ in Indonesia and ‘Art of Speed’ in Kuala Lumpur. Both events attract 30,000 to 40,000 people from around the region. And the number is growing each year.
Following the success of previous events, IMC intended to continue its journey with the 1st Borneo Kustom Show. Previous IMC events have attracted approximately 20,000 to 30,000 people including 5000 motorsport enthusiasts from Brunei and neighbouring countries.
The festival includes showcasing of custom motor vehicles, custom motorcycle as well as competitions and street festivals. There will be non-stop activities from 10am to 10pm during the exhibition period.
The objectives of the event are to boost travel and tourism in Brunei and within the Asean region, create greater unity of Borneo custom motorcar and custom motorcycle enthusiasts around the region, promote safety values, help both local and foreign entrepreneurs showcase their products and support charitable organisations in Brunei.
With the success of the 1st Borneo Kustom Show, IMC aims to be part of the international award-winning custom culture festival which will further promote the cultural diversity of the Sultanate, and hopes that the show will be included as an annual international event in Brunei’s tourism calendar.
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