Trishawman for Heritage.

There is an old saying that life begins at forty but when I hit the number exactly a month ago – my fortieth birthday has all the markings of a very unsavory connotation to it.

So imagine the surprise when I flicked the papers (NST, Here comes the trishaw man, May 7, 2009) and there it was my peer from Malacca days grabbing headlines for attempting a feat not for anyone much less at 40!!

Tan Ming Kiong, MK to me or Frankie as he is now preferably known, has been an outstanding athlete smashing records and blazing tracks in Kubu back when George Michael was known for his reign at UK music chart and not something else.

Sadly, a quarter of century later today nothing about our physical state is close to those glory times.

Hence, MK has my highest respect and support with his twin heritage city quest. If he succeeds and God bless, he will embody the free spirit that was once a profound feature in all of us. Despite the glaring age factor, he and his beca shall overcome the 800-plus kilometer journey for humanity.

Here comes the trishaw man - NST May 7, 2009

Frankie Tan Ming Kiong says riding his trishaw is the best way to promote Malacca and Penang.

MALACCA: Frankie Tan Ming Kiong is pedalling a trishaw from here to Penang for charity and to promote the two world heritage cities.

Tan, who spent 10 years in Britain as an IT consultant, said he wanted to give himself a career break and get involved in social welfare activities."I would like to make a difference and, at the same time, promote Malacca and Penang as world heritage cities." Although there were many ways to promote the cities, Tan said, trishaw riding was the best way to do it."The trishaw was the mode of transport in the old days and is still popular."

His journey began yesterday at the A'Famosa Fort. His journey will take him to Pengkalan Balak, Port Dickson, Sepang, Tanjong Sepat, Banting, Morib, Teluk Panglima Garang, Klang, Jeram, Kuala Sungai Selangor, Sekinchan, Sabak Bernam, Kampung Baru, Lumut, Segari, Pantai Remis, Terong, Changkat Jering, Simpang, Parit Buntar, Nibong Tebal, Simpang Empat, Butterworth and Komtar, Penang."

Small towns still exhibit the heritage side of Malaysia and that is precisely why I will stop at all these venues before I proceed to my final destination, Penang," Tan said. He will be taking photographs during the journey to create an album of the "united faces of Malaysia".

The charity organisations which will benefit from Tan's trishaw journey are the National Council for the Blind, Women's Aid Organisation, SPCA Malacca and Wings Malacca (centre for learning-disabled children)."

I will bear my own expenses and any proceeds or donations will be given only to the charitable organisations."Interested individuals can get in touch with the organisations directly or email us at contact@thetrishawman.com or call me at 012-6613813."