Adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow accompanies Malaysian CEO to climb Everest

20 March 2006

Vincent Loh (left) and Khoo on summit of Aconcagua on 4 Feb 2006.

Vincent Loh, 51, is not only a high-flyer in the corporate world. He now aims to climb high too, literally, by attempting Mt Everest this coming spring season. Mr Loh, executive chairman and CEO of LKT Industrial Berhad, a company based in Penang, will be accompanied by adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow. Mr Khoo will also be attempting Everest without oxygen for the 2nd time. He reached 8415m on Everest in 2004 without oxygen before descending due to exhaustion.

The expedition is named Everest Friendship 2006. As part of their training, they climbed Mt Aconcagua in Argentina on 4 Feb 2006. This is Khoo's 2nd time on that summit. Aconcagua is one of the 7 Summits that he climbed in year 2000.

Vincent Loh says of his decision to climb Everest: "It's more of a natural progression. As with all things, it all started small before leading to bigger accomplishments. As I climb more and more mountains, I begin to appreciate the beauty of the place and at the same begin to realize my personal ability to scale up higher. So, why not make climb the highest mountain in the world and this has become a personal challenge. This challenge will also provide me an opportunity to know myself better."

Khoo says of this expedition: "Vincent is a very driven and focus person. I will do my best to help him succeed on Everest. In 2004, I reached the altitude of 8415m without oxygen. This is another golden opportunity for me to return to Everest again to push that personal limit further."

The expedition is sponsored by LKT Industrial Berhad, BOXX, BYG Architecture, Sunon Precision Engineering, TBS Precision Engineering, Micropex Technology, Rimbaco, ACA Vision Technology and Alshem Group.

The expedition is raising funds for Kwang Hwa Primary School in Penang for their school development program. The expedition costs RM$400,000 and an additional RM$300,000 will be raised for the school.

The expedition is also an educational platform for students to learn about mountain geography, Himalaya culture and mountaineering among other topics through the expedition website. Information and progress reports will be posted on www.everestfriendship.net and Khoo's website www.daretodream.com.sg.

Khoo is in discussion with some primary schools on some interactive projects including emails and phone calls from base camp to students. The team hopes to bring Mt Everest into the classroom.

The team will depart for Kathmandu from Penang on Sunday 27 March 2006 and begin their trek to the base camp the next day. The expedition will last 2 months with the summit attempt in the period of mid to end May.

For press enquiry, contact:
Khoo Swee Chiow
Email: hello@daretodream.com.sg
Mobile: 96556554