18th Asia Pacific / 9th Malaysia National Jamboree .1997 Bukit Keluang, Besut Terengganu Malaysia
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Date: 2017-08-12

Historic Site Asia Pacific Scout Region  18th Jamboree 1997 Bukit Keluang, Besut Terengganu Malaysia
18th Asia Pacific / 9th Malaysia National Jamboree .1997
August 1, 1997–August 8, 1997
18TH ASIA PACIFIC & 9TH MALAYSIAN NATIONAL JAMBOREE – 1997
Green Cord Junior Scout M.B. Perera and Efficiency Decora­tion Senior Scout A. Farook were among the 25 members of the contingent selected to represent Sri Lanka at the 18th Asia Pacific & 9th Malaysian National Jamboree in Terengganu, Malaysia. The Chief Commissioner Mr. Camillus Fernando presented the Sri Lankan flag to our contingent leader Mr. M.F.S. Muheed, to be hoisted at the Jamboree.
The 18th Asia Pacific Jamboree was held at Sri Keluang Youth Camp, Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia from 1st to the 8th of August. About 20,000 Scouts and Girl Scouts and Guides from 23 countries from the region and Europe took part in this Jamboree.
The theme “Towards Developing an Excellent Youth” was cho­sen as it best reflects the fundamental Scouting ideals and strategy for Scouting towards 2000.
On the 1st, early morning we all gathered at National H.Q. and went in a coach to the Airport. Then we took a direct 3 hour flight to Kuala Lumpur Airport. We were welcomed by 2 Malaysian Scout Leaders. Then we took another 12 hour journey by coach to the jamboree site in Terengganu which is in East Malaysia. It was 3 a.m. by the time we arrived at the campsite. So we slept in the Inter­national Secretariat till morning. We were given a welcome break­fast of pizza, bread & salad. Then we were taken to the campsite by a special bus and the Malaysian Army brought our tents and camp equipment. Then we arranged our site. The same day, the Opening Ceremony of the jamboree was held. It was a very grand event.
Next day we were given activity tickets to take part in jambo­ree activities, both indoor and outdoor, which included obstacle circuits, pioneering projects, tracking, off-road cycling, wall climbing, orienteering, computing skills, firemanship, skate boarding, beach games, swimming. canoeing, hiking and many activities which were on for the rest of the Jamboree.
 Akram Farook was the quarter master of food. Bimantha Perera was selected to represent Sri Lanka at the 18th Asia Pacific Regional / 9th Malaysian National Jamboree Youth Forum. He was elected as the Vice Chairman of the Recommendation Committee. The Youth Forum mainly focused on the theme “Towards Developing Excellent Youth” for discussions. Its aim was to reflect awareness that knowledgeable thinkers have a better chance of taking charge of their lives and achieving personal advancement and fulfillment; and to meet the challenges of living in a technologically ori­ented, multi-cultural world towards achieving Scouting Vision 2000.
During the jamboree we went for the cultural show and inter­national night. The Devil Dance for the cultural show was our item where we managed to share a part of our culture with them. During our Sri Lanka Day we were all dressed up in our National Dress. We displayed a Sri Lanka corner with arts and crafts. We served the other contingents with Sri Lankan sweets and we sang with them. “Suranganita Malu Genawa” was a hit with everyone.
During the jamboree we were also invited by many contingents for their cultural days, campfires, meals or to make friends. We also explored the jamboree site which was a very large area of 288 acres. We exchanged many badges and souvenirs and made friends with many other scouts. The grand closing ceremony included a musical show which got everybody dancing and singing.
On the 9th morning everything was packed and ready. After breakfast we said good bye and got into the coach and came back to Kuala Lumpur after a 12 hour journey. In Kuala Lumpur, we stayed at Kuala Lumpur District headquarters. The next 4 days we toured and did shopping in Kuala Lumpur.
On the 13th of August we look a flight to Colombo via Singapore leaving us just a few days for the Colombo Camporee.
We would like to thank the Warden, Sub Warden, Mr. Daniel Edirisinghe – our Master-In-Charge, and late Mr. A.L. Victor, who was our Group Scout Leader, for their support and advice concerning the jamboree.

kredit  cut video to Chong Lim