SIBU: Indonesian Jeffrey Polnaja, 57, has been riding solo around the world since 1978 to spread peace and the love for the environment.
Jeffrey, who is from Bandung, arrived here yesterday from Kuching. He made a quick tour of the town before leaving for Bintulu, then to Miri and later Sabah.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting flagged off his journey.
“Everywhere I go, I meet people and share with them the spirit of brotherhood. I make friends with them and tell them that there is only one world.
“We are all the same despite each of us are of different race and religion,” Jeffrey said.
It is not only the message of peace that he is spreading but also on the importance of protecting the environment.
“We are sharing one planet. We must all do our part to protect our Mother Earth from further deterioration due to pollution of all kinds for our children and children’s children,” he said.
As the first Indonesian to ride around the world, Jeffrey has covered most parts of West Malaysia before coming here.
He has passed through a total of 97 countries, covering a distance of 420,000km since he first embarked on a solo mission in 1978.
After covering most parts of Indonesia, he challenged himself to ride to other countries. It took him nine years from 2006 to 2015 with a break of two years where he returned home to recuperate from 2010 to 2011.
He travelled through Asia, North Africa and Europe. On Nov 29, 2008, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest award that can be given by the Indonesian Motor Association (IMI) to the Indonesian automotive enthusiast.
Since IMI was established more than 100 years ago (1906), only two people have been given this award.
His journey has not been plain sailing. He remembered being almost hit by a bullet in Afghanistan. In South America, he was lost in a vast desert but with his never-die-attitude, he managed to survive.
“This motorcycle suit is not in the market yet but I am lucky to be the first to wear it,” he said proudly.
Asked how much was needed for each long journey, he was quick to reply, “I have never counted. The most important thing is not money but to go and take the challenge.
“In Kuching for example, people volunteered to pay for my meal which I did not asked for it. This is the spirit of brotherhood,” he said.
Jeffrey said he preferred to use a bike rather than a car as “I can smell and experience the air of a place.”
His trip is sponsored by a company dealing in motorcycle accessories and wear.
