KOTA KINABALU: Tan Sri Azman Hashim, a prominent corporate figure, proved that age is no obstacle as he successfully reached the peak of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South-East Asia. At 84 years old, Azman Hashim started the climb on October 30th at 8:45am and arrived at Laban Rata, the halfway house, at 7:15pm. The next day, the summit climb began at 5am and Azman reached the summit in the early morning. Reflecting on his achievement, Azman Hashim stated, “I’m gratified at accomplishing this at 84, as age is not a barrier. With determination and a high spirit, everything can be achieved.”
This is the second time Azman Hashim has climbed to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. He first achieved this feat at the age of 71 in 2010. Standing at 4,095m above sea level, Mount Kinabalu takes its name from the Kadazan word “Aki Nabalu,” meaning “the revered place of the dead.” It is also the highest mountain in the region between the Himalayas and New Guinea.
When asked for advice, especially for the younger generation, Azman Hashim pointed out that his achievement represents a commitment to pushing boundaries and reaching new heights in every endeavor. He emphasized, “This achievement will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration to people of all generations, proving that nothing is impossible to achieve and within our grasp.”
Azman Hashim is a respected figure in Malaysia’s banking industry, with his career starting in the 1960s. His strong entrepreneurial spirit has made him the driving force behind the growth of AmBank Group since 1982. The Arab-Malaysian Development Bank, which started with 200 staff, has now become the AmBank Group, a financial conglomerate employing over 9,000 staff members.
In regard to the oldest Malaysian to have scaled Mount Kinabalu, Buatin Blandong, a government retiree from Papar, Sabah, achieved this feat at the age of 90 on September 5th of the previous year. It was Buatin Blandong’s eighth time climbing the mountain, with the first climb taking place during his youth. – Bernama
