Himpunan Hijau chairperson Wong Tack's plans for a 12-day protest march from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur - to kick off next Tuesday - has received significant public support with hundreds expected to join him on the 300km journey.

He originally announced his ‘long march' on his Facebook page last month - that he would make a solo trek to the Parliament to raise environmental and political awareness.

However since the Oct 18 announcement, four environmental groups have pledged their support and said they would send representatives to join him.

The group would march between 5am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm each day beginning Nov 13, covering about 25 to 30 kilometres per day until they reach Dataran Merdeka on Nov 25.

NONE They would then hand over a memorandum at the Parliament House the next day.

"I am a bit nervous. I have never walked so far in my life and the closest was my hike up Mount Kinabalu in 2000. Recently, I have spent time jogging," said Wong ( right ) when contacted on Thursday.

"From what I understand, some of the participants can't even climb a few steps of stairs without panting, but they are joining the march," he added.

Wong, who is 53 years old, said that many are concerned that he would not be able to complete the journey, but he believes that ‘spirit conquers all'.

"This is not a feat that can be done with physical strength alone, but on strong spirit as well. I hope everyone would provide moral support," he said.

Wong said he and Himpunan Hijau committee members would set out from Kuantan, and then joined by the Raub Ban Cyanide Committee, Pengerang NGOs coalition, and an anti-Murum Dam NGO along the way.

60-year-old to walk barefooted

Meanwhile, Himpunan Hijau publicity chief Lee Chin Chen told Malaysiakini that thus far, 10 participants have confirmed their participation, plus three cars with 20 personnel to provide logistical support, such as food, drinks, tents and other supplies.

According to him, there is still a steady stream of donations such as rain gear and mosquito nets and volunteers and he expects the number of participants to exceed 100.

NONE "Their ages range from 24 to 71 - the oldest being 71-year old Tow Ah Mei. She said she wants to complete the entire 300 kilometre journey," Lee said.

Tow ( right ), an opposition supporter, is no stranger to protests and had previously claimed that she was punched by police personnel during the Bersih 3.0 rally.

"There is also one 60-year-old vegetable farmer," said Lee, "who wants to walk barefooted. However, he won't be marching the whole journey because he needs to tend to his crops."

He also said that there would be a Hindu plumber joining the march although it coincides with the Deepavali celebrations.

"This friend from Kuantan said Deepavali is about the triumph of light over darkness, so he want to join us. However he won't be completing the whole journey because he needs to get back to work after the holiday," Lee said.

"There is also one doctor from Kuala Lumpur-Selangor area, who is volunteering to provide medical aid and to join the march. This doctor is very much against environmental harm.

"Media personnel covering the march will be coming along as well," he said.

Rare earth yet to leave Australia

Without mincing words, Wong said his intention was to encourage others to take up environmental issues and call for a change in government.

"Frankly, I (march) because I oppose the government - a government that does not care about the people has no right to be in power," he said.

He said this protest would also draw opposition supporters, but added, "Some asked why I want to be used by opposition parties. I say, we are using the opposition's strength."

NONE Separately, Wong believes that raw materials for the Lynas Advance Materials Plant (Lamp) in Gebeng would not arrive in Malaysia this month because he was told that it has yet to leave Australia and the shipping would take two to three weeks.

He said blockading the shipment into Malaysia is now Himpunan Hijau's highest priority.

On Thursday, the Kuantan High Court has lifted an injunction on Lamp's temporary operating licence, and Lynas announced a A$2 million (RM6.38 million) capital raising venture on the following day to fund the plant's commissioning.

The company also estimates that the plant needs three or four months to begin operations.