13 YEARS EARLIER
In 2010, Tan Sri Azman Hashim climbed Mt. Kinabalu with a group of 46 individuals. Here is the story of that climb.
"Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery of why we climb."
A Man of All Seasons
PRELUDE
On 15 July 2010, 47 ordinary people set out to climb Mount Kinabalu, one of South-East Asia’s highest mountains at 4,095 meters. Many in the group were first time climbers and not knowing what to expect, the majority of them were uncertain if they would be able to reach the top. Among them was a special individual named Tan Sri Azman Hashim who at 71, was by far the oldest in the group of climbers. Many of the other 46 climbers were uncertain how Tan Sri Azman Hashim would fit in and there was some trepidation when they saw him walking up the steps of the bus to join the other climbers at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
“He is so extraordinary because he is so ordinary!”
For the next 4 days, Tan Sri Azman Hashim would live with this motley group of climbers made up of Businessmen, Business Executives, Professionals, Housewives, Insurance Agents, Accountants and 2 young children and he would share his 71st birthday with them. No one knew what to expect and how they should interact with a man who is one of the leading Business personalities in the country and who for many years had been the “Boss” of one of the most successful Financial Conglomerate in the region.
This is a story of how that special person walked into the hearts of 46 strangers and overwhelmed them with his charm, kindness, love, acceptance and most of all, his humility. Siow Hock Lee, a climber who spoke on the day of the dinner gathering on 18 July used these words to describe Tan Sri Azman Hashim – “He is so extraordinary because he is so ordinary!”
In his statement, Hock Lee aptly summed up the views of everyone there. What they were saying through Hock Lee’s words was that their lives have been touched by Tan Sri Azman Hashim and his inspirational example had brought them hope and an affection that grew into fruition in 4 short days. In that instant, I looked around and saw love and respect written on the faces of the 46 other climbers. It was simply extraordinary that a man could have impacted people he did not quite know in 4 short days in this way.
This blog is a gift from the 46 climbers who were privileged to share a common journey with Tan Sri Azman Hashim and for those few short days saw a glimpse of what greatness truly meant. It was that incredible ability to make lesser individuals feel accepted and cherished without any barrier of status differences that endeared Tan Sri Azman Hashim to every single climber who was there on that climb with him.
A Climb to Remember
“Before the climb, a banner and a cake… after the climb, a gift from our hearts”
This is a climb that all of us – all 47 of us – will remember for the rest of our lives. We will remember it for many reasons and many of these reasons will be personal. Some will look back and see great benefit in the struggle they went through; others will reminisce and see lessons in their difficulties; yet others will be completely satisfied because they dared to do something beyond themselves and succeed in it.
Beyond these and many more personal reasons will be the impact of people who drove us on to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. Some did it by their encouragement; others did it by their persuasion; some through motivation; still others through proffering assistance but one man did it by the very example of his life. That man is Tan Sri Azman Hashim. By just taking one step after another and always pressing on, he showed us that almost nothing is impossible if we move towards our goal with unwavering determination.
A Lesson for the Ages
“Why are you doing it, Tan Sri?”, came the question. “You could be sitting in the comfort of your house drinking a nice warm cup of tea instead of sweating it out here in the cold and the rain.”
His answer was simple. “We have only one life and we must live it to the fullest!”. This is a lesson for the ages and we should learn it well. Paying the price is exactly what is required in the endeavor to succeed. There is seldom an easier way and so it was, that Tan Sri Azman Hashim took one small step after another, knowing that the end- result of these small steps would be the reward of standing at the top of mount Kinabalu.
He Who Dares Wins
How many times in our lives have we stood in front of challenges that seemed far bigger than they actually are? How many times have we backed down from such challenges that required our commitment in overwhelming doses? Courage is the “gel” that binds the heart to try to achieve goals that are seemingly huge. All it does require are the first simple steps to be taken and Tan Sri Azman Hashim took those steps at Kinabalu.
Only 47 Ordinary Mortals
Real excellence consists not in doing extraordinary things but in doing things extraordinarily well.
47 simple ordinary mortals made the climb on 16 July 2010. All of them were hesitant and doubtful of their ability to reach the top. But they had the chance to look at the example of Tan Sri Azman Hashim and they were inspired.
“Seventy-one?”, they asked incredulously, “And still climbing the mountain?” They were awe-struck but soon it became evident that they became slowly believers of the mission before them – to reach the top of Mount Kinabalu successfully. Forty-seven climbed and forty-seven made it!
One Mission, One Focus
No one climbs Mount Kinabalu thinking of all kinds of problems and carrying doubts that are afflictive. Every climber has a clear mission and that is to reach the top of Mount Kinabalu. Soon an affinity begins as Mount Kinabalu grows on you and so it did with Tan Sri Azman Hashim. He had a complete focus on the summit of Mount Kinabalu. Somehow or other, Tan Sri knew he had to stand on the top of that great granite massif…… And so he did.
Music for the Soul – The Song of Kinabalu
Tinggi Tinggi Gunung Kinabalu
Tinggi lagi saying sama kamu
Biru biru hujung Kinabalu
Tengok dari jauh, Hati saya rindu
Kinabalu dekat di-Kundasang
Banyak sayur boleh pilih pilih
Apa guna pergi luar negeri
Naik Kinabalu, hati saya rindu
Sumandak sumandak pun ramai menunggu
Menari-nari lenggeng sumayau
Sekali melihat melepak kulit nya
Saya jatuh cinta
Saya sayang sayang Kinabalu
Kaamatan pesta bulan lima
Sayang sayang kita pergi tamu
Jalan Tamparuli Hati saya rindu
The words of the song reflect the affection that the locals have for this great mountain. As we look at it in the distance, it beckons to us to climb and to conquer. Then as we scale the massive slopes, we realize that we can never really conquer that great mountain.
Our privilege is to really be a part of it for a while and to know that we have had a chance to share in its wonderful ambience. That’s how life should be. The best of us knows that our own lives are like a fleeting vapour – here for a while and then it is gone. That is why humility leaves such an endearing mark. There are no scars in humility, only goodness and fellowship.
Tan Sri left us this indelible impression in our lives and we came away fortified by his humanity and kindness.
To Each, a Personal Victory
Each of us have won a moral victory on Mount Kinabalu and we must move on, ready to take on the next challenges in our lives. Each challenge can be met with relish and anticipation and if we decide that we will win, victory will usually come. My friends, there is nothing that can stop you from fulfilling your dreams if you move relentlessly towards your goal. Only 4 things making up your attitude will decide on your success – Your Desire, Your Dedication, Your Discipline and Your Determination.
Tan Sri Azman Hashim has shown us why it can be done through his example and we can do it! Just as in Mount Kinabalu, we will say to you, “See you at the top!”
Till the Next Climb, Adios Sabah
Many of us will say, “No more climbs for me – once is enough.” Somehow, somewhere when the pain is forgotten, many will come again and climb with me and when we do that, we will know that we have really overcome our fears.
Thank you, Tan Sri for sharing with us these 4 days of your life and for showing us such grace and goodness that came from your heart. We would like to wish you – Happiness, Health and Great blessings and may you continue to be a lighthouse shining out your warm beams of light to touch many lives. We would also like to thank your dear wife and family for allowing you to come on your 71st birthday to inspire us to reach for the top! You have won over 46 hearts and they will pray for your constant goodness and success.
FROM ONG HOCK SIEW
on behalf of all the July 16-18 climbers