The annual SMARTER Cycling Challenge was the third of such sporting events organised by HSBC to raise funds for the association, drawing the participation of bank personnel as well as the general public.

The challenge - which was flagged off at 7 am by Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Dato Paduka Haji Bakar - also saw the participation of SMARTER President Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Ohtman and HSBC Chief Executive Officer Tareq Mahmood.

After the race, the minister, who has a passion for cycling, said the event had upped SMARTER's profile, while at the same time raised awareness on the need for public donations to keep the association afloat.

He later praised HSBC for its efforts and applauded participants for their involvement in the event.

Meanwhile, the grueling challenge almost forced SMARTER President Malai Haji Abdullah to throw in the towel at the halfway point of the race. However, a quick look over his shoulder, putting into view the long line of cyclists behind him, fuelled him to push on ahead towards the finish line.

The money raised in the SMARTER Cycling Challenge will help lighten SMARTER's financial burden, which amounts to $21,000 monthly.

With regards to securing financial support for the association, Malai Hj Abdullah said, "It is like fishing, if you're lucky you may catch some fish. I don't have a constant supply of funds so I have to look for funds every month. The challenge is trying to be sustainable and to get a constant flow of money."

Charity and donations, he said, "will be able to help us, but in the long run, we need to get our business up and running in our own building."

He believes the only way to sustain SMARTER is to start a business in order to ensure a constant cash flow. The donations will serve as additional contribution.

To depend on donations, he said, " I cannot plan ahead because I am not sure how much money I have. If I have a grant from education and welfare, then it will provide us the money to keep afloat."

Painting a picture of the financial cost of running SMARTER, he highlighted, "I need $21,000 a month. Our membership stands at 84, so when you multiply that by $120 a month, that gives us around $10,000... meaning I still have to source for $11,000.

The donated funds from organisation are unable to sustain us because some months they are high, and some months they are low. There is a constant fear of not being able to pay our people a salary.

Hence, we would like to ensure a fixed income by starting another business. Our shop at Wisma Jaya is not enough and only plugs the small holes. It is just enough to buy some materials, he said.

"If we have a building, we can operate businesses such as car servicing, furniture and air-con repair shops. For now, I have to talk to a developer and look for a new piece of land. It's a dream that I hope will come true," he said.

Speaking of the cycling challenge, he said, "The event has been very successful. I have to salute the participants, especially the cycling community. They have been very supportive and their numbers exceeded my expectation. It was indeed heart-warming to see a long queue of cyclists.

HSBC CEO Tareq Muhmood also conveyed his appreciation to all cyclists who played a role in ensuring the event was a success.

Meanwhile, Miss Amy flew in all the way from Taiwan to participate in the challenge, saying, "I have always wanted to join a charity expedition, so when I heard about this one, I told my Bruneian friend I wanted to sign up for it."

"I arrived on June 16 and I was able to raise $71 for SMARTER," she noted enthusiastically.

According to HSBC representative Pengiran Samayuda bin Pengiran Haji Masshor, the challenge raised $10,000 (part of which came from the $20 entry fee per person).

The challenge was split into two categories - Category A: 108-km challenge for adult cyclists, and, Category B: an eight-km community challenge which was open to all cyclists, starting off at HSBC (Jerudong).

There was also an eight-kilometre community challenge for children below six years, which took the young participants from HSBC Jerudong to the Smarter Centre in Sengkurong.

Coutesy of James Kon and Liza Mohd, Borneo Bulletin