Author - jessica

KOTA KINABALU, July 16 (Bernama) -- The number of tourist arrivals in Sabah has shown an increase of 3.7 per cent in the first five months of this year over the figure in the same period last year. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said 1,134,149 tourist arrivals were recorded from January to May this year with RM2.02 billion in tourism receipts. "During this period, Sabah received 71,152 tourists from China including from Hong Kong and Macau. "This shows a positive growth of 41.4 per cent compared to the figure (50,304) during the same period last year," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Liew Teck Chan (SAPP-Likas) at the state assembly sitting, here, Monday. Masidi said it was estimated that tourists from China spent RM197 million in Sabah for the first five months of this year compared to RM139.3 million over the same period in 2011. Source : Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has received investments of RM23.9 billion since the start of the 10th Malaysia Plan last year and until the first quarter of 2012. Sabah Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah said data from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) showed that of this amount, RM12.4 billion or 53 per cent was domestic investments, and the remaining RM11.4 billion from overseas. “The investments provided 14,674 job opportunities,” he added. He said this in reply to a question from Samsudin Yahya (UMNO-Sekong) in the Sabah State Assembly here today. Tan said for the state, six National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) had been identified, namely, tourism, oil and gas, oil palm, manufacturing and logistics, agriculture and education. He said apart from this, there were 31 Entry Point Projects (EPPs)identified to be implemented in Sabah, to raise the country’s income level and create widespread job opportunities in the state. “The EPPs involve an investment in the oil and gas sector of RM18.72 billion. The Gross National Income (GNI) for the country is expected to be RM12.8 billion, while providing about 23,119 jobs. “Seven EPPs have been identified for the oil and gas sector in Sabah, including the Sabah Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) extension project to the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), the Kimanis Power Plant, Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT), Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), Lahad Datu Re-Gasification Terminal, Lahad Datu Power Plant and Gas Separation Plant in Kimanis,” he added. He said for the oil palm sector, two EPPs had been identified, that is, the Beluran and Kemabong Agropolitan Project, as well as the Sabah Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) project at Lahad Datu and Sandakan with an investment of RM22.485 billion. “The GNI to be adduced from the project is RM8.766 billion and the oil palm sector will provide about 12,201 jobs,” he added. The manufacturing and logistics sector will witness the setting up of the Main Line Operator Set Up project in the Sepanggar Investment and the KKIP project, while the GNI from this is expected to be RM1.939 billion, with about 23,471 jobs offered. Tan said the projects and businesses identified will be developed by the private sector and also involves developing support industries such as spare parts supplies and small machines needed by the larger industries. He said the large investments in the state will also bring about the rapid development of luxury and medium cost homes. — Bernama Source : Borneo Post

Kota Kinabalu: The fifth series of the team invitational tournament here started Saturday on a high note with only one upset in the opening qualifying round. Mutiara Tennis Tawau upset fifth seed 1 Tennis Tawau by beating them 4-1 in the morning. The other results went as expected. The winner section comprises Lakeview Wilson, Singapore Advantage Tennis, DLP Dunlop PJ, KK Frenz and Mutiara Tennia Tawau. The loser section comprises 1 Tennis Tawau, ILP Sandakan, IPG Lestari Tawau, Sandakan Golf & Country Club and Likas Wolves. In the play to determine rankings for the champion, Lakeview Wilson KL defeated Singapore Advantage Tennis 4-1, while DLP Dunlop PJ defeated Mutiara Tawau 4-1. In the losers' section, ILP Sandakan was defeated by Likas Wolves KK narrowly by 3-2 and Sandakan Golf Club beat IPG Lestari Tawau 5-0. Likas Wolves were 2-0 down but determination to salvage pride made them fight back in the last three matches to clinch a narrow 3-2 win. Play will continue today. Last night all players, officials and team members were feted with dinner and a Sabah cultural performance at the Sutera Harbour Marina Resort Hotel. The event was sponsored by Tourism Ministry, courtesy of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun. Wilson Sporting Amer Sports sponsored the lucky draw prizes comprising all sorts of tennis apparels and rackets. All the team managers and extinguished guests were called on stage to draw the winners. Bernard Chin of Wilson Amer Sports congratulated Sabah Tennis as the most well organised team event and the most cheerful and exciting event to participate with the good dinner, beverage and friendly atmosphere. Brian Werner of Sutera Harbour Resort is happy to come back as one of the main sponsors of this prestigious tennis event, which is a boost to sports tourism in Sabah. With so many tennis players from young and seniors, tennis in Sabah must progress. Thanking all sponsors for helping out in the special tennis event, Johnson Koh paid tribute to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minister, for agreeing to the challenge trophy be named after her. Apart from that, he also thanked Youth and Sport Minister Datuk Peter Pang and Masidi for the assistance and sponsorship in this prestigious tennis event. Source : Daily Express

Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said Sabah's unity and harmony is unique. Opening the 3rd Folk Art Exhibition in conjunction with the 7th Sabah International Folklore Festival at Ming Garden's Golden Dew Bistro, Monday, he said Sabahans are well-known for their ability to adapt with other cultures. And that despite the various cultural backgrounds, races and beliefs, we have managed to maintain our good relations with each other, he said. "Some even live in the same house," he added. This year's Folk Art Exhibition's theme is "Understanding Aspects of Australian Aboriginal Culture. "We hope that we will be able to learn from each other," added Masidi. Throughout this one week exhibition from July 9 until July 17, people will be able to witness the basket weaving skills of three Aboriginal artists from the Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne Australia by the names of Treahna Hamm, Bronwyn Razem and Patricia Harrison. Dainsing Darum (Murut Tanggala), Mainah Tuumuh (Murut Tahol) and Rembini Suanti (Dusun) are the three indigenous Sabahan weavers who are taking part. Among activities at the art exhibition involve workshops, demonstrations and a dialogue which will involve secondary and university students as well as the public. There is also an exhibition of Folk Art paintings by local Sabahan artists. Masidi also received a "clapstick" from Nicolas Boseley, Curator of Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne, Australia. According to one of the artists Treahna Hamm, during the old days when there were no books, music and dance were among the ways of getting information/education. "The clapstick is from Northern Australia and is an important part of the story-telling as it is the vehicle which assists in dance and music." Also present were General Manager of Sabah Cultural Board Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, Manager and Curator of Sabah Art Gallery Jennifer P. Linggi, Chairman of Sabah Cultural Board Datuk Seri Wences Angang. Source : Daily Express