Scouts aim to build 'longest scout pioneering structure' in Malaysia

IPOH: A group of scouts will attempt to create their third record for the "longest scout pioneering structure" in Malaysia after the tallest and largest structure entered into The Malaysian Book of Records.
Shiang Yang Scout Open Troop Bercham achieved their previous feats — tallest (40.26m) scout pioneering tower in 2008 and largest (4.2m in height x 40m in width x 125m in circumference) bird nest scout pioneering structure in 2012.
All the structures are made from mangrove woods without using nails and built by tying up with ropes made from natural fibres.
Perak Assistant Chief Scout Commissioner Voon Yeow Hong said this time around they want to built the structure measuring 75m to beat the previous record of 50m to qualify for the record.
"Apart from creating a record we want to display the skills of scouts to the local community and the public," he told reporters here yesterday.
The previous record was held by St John's Institution Kuala Lumpur 10 years ago.
The structure using 1,600 mangrove woods and 200 bamboos costing RM20,000 is being built by 30 scouts from SMK Bercham and SMK Jalan Tasek at Pusat Rekreasi Kampung Baru Bercham.
The project which started end of November is expected to be completed by end of this week.
Officials from The Malaysia Book of Records will certify the feat on Dec 24.
The public could also walk on the structure for a fee and it would be dismantled before Chinese New Year next year.
He also said 11 scout skills competition would be held at the same venue on Dec 23 and 24.
Some 40 scouts from eight states besides Japan, Brunei, Singapore and Taiwan will participate in the competition.
Perak Assistant Chief Scout Commissioner (administration) Khairul Abu Kassim said the structure could be an added attraction in conjunction with Visit Perak Year 2017.