Orang Indonesia keliling dunia dengan motor

 {mosimage}

KARACHI: Jeffrey R. Polnaja, who is on a world tour on his motorcycle in his “ride for peace”, made a stopover at Karachi and shared his experience of travel through countless cities of many countries with journalists at the local press club on Thursday.

Deeply impressed by the natural beauty of Pakistan’s northern areas, he remarked that people of this country need not visit Switzerland.

Narrating his exciting ride after crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan, he described his travel through Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi as a thrilling experience. “The journey across Afghanistan was scary and adventurous and it was amazing to note that people had to live with a constant threat to their lives and properties amid thunder of warplanes flying at law altitude and bombardment,” he observed, and added: “There was, however, a strong urge for peace and an end to bloodshed among the people I have come across in my tour so far.”

Mr Polnaja carries message of promoting peace through people-to-people contacts for which he has been on the world tour since April 23. He expects completing the crusade, that will take him to over 100 countries, in five years.

The 44-year-old Indonesian peace campaigner has a German BMD adventure bike especially designed for such a long journey. He has already been through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, China, Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal and Afghanistan. He will be leaving Pakistan after a few day stay in Karachi for Iran via Quetta to embark upon his next destinations in Central Asia, Middle East and Europe.

KPC President Sabihuddin Ghausi welcomed Mr Polnaja on his arrival at the club along with the Indonesian Consul (Information) Henny Muliyani.

Mr Polnaja says the idea of undertaking the “ride for peace” clicked when his 13-year-old son, annoyed over the routinely coming reports of killings, terrorism and war from different countries, asked him: “Why people are killed everywhere…can’ t we do something to help stop this bloodshed?”

According to the biker, he discussed the idea with his wife and (two) children and they liked it. He said he had to wind up his business and dispose of the assets to fund the solo campaign and spare some amount for the family to spend the next five years without any financial problem.