SIBU: The 10th Sibu International BASE Jump, which is slated to begin today (Sept 19) until Sept 22, will go on as scheduled despite the haze.
However, Sibu Division Tourism Task Force chairman Charles Siaw stated that once the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading here reaches 200, the jump will be called off.
“An API reading of below 200 is still ok. But if it reaches 200, which is hazardous to health, we will have to call off the jump,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
As at 3pm yesterday, the API reading for Sibu was at 179 (unhealthy).
The annual event involves 13 jumpers from around the world leaping from the 28-storey Wisma Sanyan, the tallest building in the state.
Siaw revealed that the jumpers would be provided with face masks during the three-day event.
“This is the first time, since its inception 10 years ago, that we are facing visibility problem but bear in mind that the safety of the jumpers is our top priority,” he said, adding that the firemen, Civil Defence Force and People’s Voluntary Corp (Rela) would be on standby for any eventuality.
The jumpers have also been advised to do their packing indoors after every jump.
Though the jumpers are encouraged to do as many jumps as possible according to their ability, Siaw said the poor visibility would definitely affect them from doing so.
He added that 20 jumpers had registered for the jump but only 13 of them could make it as “the others pulled out due to various reasons”.
The 13 jumpers are from Australia, USA, Poland, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and New Zealand.
The trial jump will be held today (Sept 19) while the event proper will start at 8am on Friday (Sept 20) with the Iban miring ceremony to pray for the safety of the jumpers.
