04Mar

Sabah traditional dancers perform in London

KOTA KINABALU: The Royal Commonwealth Society has recently invited Sabahan Abroad UK to perform Sabahan traditional dances ‘Sumazau, Daling-Daling, Magunatip’ at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Family Day 2019. This Commonwealth Family Day is to celebrate diverse range of cultures and wide variety of art forms from across the Commonwealth. Hundreds of families with children attended the event to enjoy traditional performances from Commonwealth countries and folk stories from around the world. The Pangkis, a piercing shout of the lead male dancer, filled the hall. The sound of the gongs soared up gloriously. The dancers took their places and embraced the music. With grace and poise, they slowly swayed rhythmically in sync to the rhythm of the gongs. Like the waves and wind pushing through the wild sea, they danced as if it was the only way to be. With every beat of the gong, one could almost feel, understand the love story of a beautiful history, and just like that, enchantingly, the audience were transported back to North Borneo – every essence of the beat speaks of the beauty of the home they call Land Below the Wind. The Commonwealth Family Day Celebration at Westminster Abbey, London was a fun-filled family event showcasing great performances from various groups representing some of the Commonwealth countries. Performers included London’s Maori Choir with their traditional Fijian dance, sega dancers from Mauritius and classical Indian Kuchipudi dance. The Kulintangan Dance Group from Sabahan Abroad UK had the honour of representing Malaysia. They highlighted the traditional dances of the three largest ethnic groups in Sabah. After some brief introduction from Maya and Christian, the dancers performed the Penampang and Papar sumazau, followed by the Bajau’s famous courtship dance, endearingly known as the Daling Daling. Their performance ended on a high with the Magunatip , a Murut tribal bamboo dance to celebrate the homecoming of victorious warriors. As the dancers took heir last pose, an abrupt wave of cheers and applause echoed the hall. They did their motherland proud! The guests were then invited to try the Magunatip bamboo dance. Kids and adults happily volunteered to join and experience the fun. The Kulintangan Dance Group, consisting of Alfred, Laura, Jessie, Izman, Marie, Joel, Leona, Fred and Denis, with Nelda acting as group manager, is a sub division of Sabahan Abroad UK, a non- profit organisation based in England. Sabahan Abroad UK hopes that by participating in events such as the Commonwealth Family Day, it can help promote Sabah’s cultural and social diversity at an international level. The Kulintangan Dance Group are looking forward to being present at many future cultural and tourism related events. They hope by showcasing the cultural beauty of Sabah’s various ethnic groups, this will encourage more tourists from the UK and Europe to choose Sabah, and Malaysia in general, as their next travel destination. As for the Kulintangan Dance Group, it was a surreal and proud moment to have been given the opportunity to represent their country and culture, and share the love of their heritage at the renowned Westminster Abbey. This is one experience they will treasure for a lifetime. Sabahan Abroad UK believes this performance and activity can allow many visitors to pay more attention at the indigenous groups in Borneo. It is looking forward to being present at many other cultural and tourism related events in future and is confident the impacts of visual information and visual communication can be a great motivating factor to lead travellers with different cultural background to select Malaysia to be their travel destination. Sabahan Abroad UK is a community organisation and a non-profit organisation based in  the United Kingdom. It is the first established community organisation in the United Kingdom  since 2000. As of today, there are at least 700 Sabahans residing in the UK with 54 students under the scholarship of Public Service Department, Mara and self-sponsored. The aims of the organisation are to create a sense of belonging for  many Sabahans who live in the UK through social gatherings, sports and festival celebrations. Another aim is to promote Sabah’s cultural and social diversity by organising and participating in various cultural and social events in the UK. It hopes its events and activities in London, United Kingdom can help develop cultural tourism and offer new opportunity to promote Sabah cultural tourism in the United Kingdom and Europe. Its ambition is to set up a cultural centre in London to enhance friendship, amity and understanding between Malaysia and the UK through cultural and education activities. It believes its dedication towards this programme can help further develop established its cultural projects, introduce new opportunities to expand our Malaysian events for many visitors from the UK and Europe. Source: The Borneo Post
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26Feb

Ministry’s support for SMK Limbanak student delegation to Sweden

KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment will sponsor souvenirs from Sabah for a student delegation attending the Swemun 2019 Conference in Sweden next month. Its Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the six students of SMK Limbanak, Penampang deserved support as they will be playing the role of Ambassadors for Malaysia, Sabah in particular. They are Form Six students Jeromie Lam Chung Pei (Group Leader), Xlee Jude and Jennelle Jess Jammy and Form Four students Melfrance Jill Jouting, Ivan Nicholas Norrand and Carmen Darius Joiwin who will be representing Malaysia. “I am happy for you. Given that there will also be participants from 20 other countries, I am certain you will have a great cultural exchange. While you gain exposure and enrich your experience in Sweden, do capitalise on the golden opportunity to promote Sabah as you exchange notes. Tell the world what Sabah has to offer to tourists and visitors,” the Minister told them during a courtesy call. The students were accompanied by Assistant Minister of Education and Innovation, Jenifer Lasimbang and Moyog Kapitan Cina David Ng Chi Fong. The conference will be held at the Falun Frigymnasium in Falun, Sweden. Other participating countries are United Kingdom, USA, Russia, France, Canada, China, Japan, Sudan, South Sudan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Germany, Portugal,, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Czech Republic, Spain and Netherlands. The students will be chaperoned by four teachers – Anita Asin (Delegation Chief), Doris Kok (Student Welfare), Jovita Claudius (Finance) and Norberta Jualin (Student Welfare). Briefing the Minister on their “Fly Us and Our Culture to Sweden” proposal, presenter Ivan Nicholas said Swemun stands for Sweden Model United Nations (MUN). “MUN is a role-play of the actual United Nations (UN). It is an extracurricular activity that stimulates delegates to debate and discuss the current issues that are happening around the world,” he explained. He said the objectives of the trip are to promote Sabah’s traditional dances and costumes, food and handicraft products, to experience the Swedish culture, to develop leadership skills and to enhance vital skills in communication, public speaking, negotiation, conflict resolution and research. “We want other people from all around the world to know where Sabah is located and about our different ethnic groups. We will be wearing our traditional costume and performing the Sumazau.  In our sharing session, we will let our counterparts from other countries know that Sabah offers unique destinations such as Danum Valley, Kinabatangan River, Mount Kinabalu, Sepilok Naure Resort, Lankayan Island and Sipadan Island,” he added. Source: Borneo Post Online
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25Feb

Tourism being empowered in Kunak

KUNAK: Tourism is being empowered in Kunak especially involving interesting destinations in the area under the management of Sime Darby Plantation (Sabah) Sdn Bhd here, said Sabah Health and People’s Wellbeing Assistant Minister Norazlinah Arif (pic). She said investors keen to enter into a co-operation to develop the tourism sector in Kunak could send their working papers. “We are waiting for the working papers of several companies, namely, investors who are interested to manage attractive places with tourism potential in the Sime Darby area.   “The working papers must be handed to the district tourism committee latest by the end of February,’’ she said. Norazlinah, who is also Kunak State Assemblywoman, said this when met at the Sabah level National Anti-Drugs celebration, here. Norazlinah said Sime Darby itself would also be involved in the discussions on the working papers in March. “The joint discussions are to arrive at agreements on the selections of suitable companies who are capable and can afford to develop and look after the tourism areas in question,’’ she said. - Bernama   For the record, several attractive tourism spots in the Sime Darby Plantation Sdn Bhd area include a mud pool (Binuang), site of Japanese rule, Japanese army tunnel, oldest oil palm museum in Borneo and natural hot spring (Sungang). Among the interesting tourism destinations in Kunak included Madai Cave and Madai Waterfall, Seven Wells, pre-historic site (existence of the first man) in Tingkayu. Source: Daily Express
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25Feb

Sabah welcomes tourists, investors: Liew

KOTA KINABALU: The new State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal is open to visits by tourists and investors from any country. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew (pic) said Sabah is known for its natural beauty, radiant sunset, rich cultural heritage and friendly and hospitable people. “Our doors are open and we welcome tourists who are keen to visit Sabah and investors who intend to explore trade and investment opportunities here. Sabah has plenty to offer – we are blessed with Mount Kinabalu, Sabah Parks, pristine forests, beautiful beaches, offshore islands, Pulau Sipadan which is endowed with the best diving site in the world, exotic wildlife as well as fresh and succulent seafood.   “Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, is found in Sabah, and so is the world’s tallest tropical tree,” she said when launching the inaugural 2019 Mass Hakka Unicorn Traditional Dance Sport Festival at the Suria Shopping Mall, Sunday. It was organised by the United Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan Hakka Association (USFTLHA). Liew, who is also Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, commended the United Sabah and Federal Territory of Labuan Hakka Association for having organised the festival as this is one way of preserving the Chinese culture for future generations. She urged the overseas participants to help promote Sabah in their respective countries. “The Government through the Ministry and Sabah Tourism Board is making a concerted effort to promote Sabah as a premier tourist destination. When you return home, do share your memorable Sabah experience with your families, friends and colleagues, and encourage them to choose Sabah as their vacation place,” she said.   USFTLHA President Michael Ng said 26 unicorn dance troupes from China, Hong Kong and Malaysia participated in the festival. They included troupes from Hakka Associations in Sabah. Also present was Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Chan Foong Hin. Source: Daily Express
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25Feb

Charting new tourism directions

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government will set new strategic directions and provide an enabling environment for industry players to help drive tourism growth in the State. Deputy Chief Minister cum State Tourism Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew (pic) said for 2019 the government was targeting a diverse range of tourists in order to balance the increasing number of Chinese tourists to the State. “As such she said the government was also looking at increasing tourists from Asean countries.   “With resilience innovation, product quality and excellent service standards, the state Tourism industry will continue to drive the nation forward, thus making the state a preferred travel destination. “I believe we can come together to make tourism the best in the state and in the country. The State Government will stand fully behind every effort. Let us work hard to ensure fruitful outcomes,” she said, adding her Ministry and State Tourism Board have a blueprint to achieve this. “In addition to tourists coming from China which we intend to open up maybe two or three new market destinations from China, we decide to expand our route to Europe which is why we are going to ITB Berlin 2019 travel trade show in March. “It’s the gateway to Europe and we would like to have more European tourists and also open up markets in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Japan and Korea.  All these are important we believe in balanced tourism promotion. Hopefully we are able to get more tourist arrivals to the state than last year. “We will be visiting these countries and doing promotions to sell Sabah as a destination to all these tourism players in Europe.” On the expected number of European visitors coming to the State, Liew said she would know how to assess the number after going to Berlin. “Sabah has always been an attractive place for Europe because of what we can offer. We have elephants and orang utans, clean rivers and clean air, nice seafood and unique culture.   “So Sabah is a nice place for Europeans. This will be my first time as the State Tourism Minister to go to Europe to do the promotion so I would be able to assess it then. “With the help of Matta and Malaysian Tourism Board, I am very sure we would be able to push for the European Tourist market. We have set our target but we are striving to push it higher.” She said this to reporters at the B2B session between Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Sabah Chapter and 40 Asean Tour Operators at a hotel in Kota Kinabalu on Saturday. Meanwhile Matta President Datuk KL Tan when asked about his comment that only six percent of tourists from Asean countries that come to Sabah with the remainder more towards Kuala Lumpur in the Peninsular, he said traditionally the Sabah market was from China, South Korea and domestic tourism. So Asean market is something that the State can tap into. “For tourists from Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia going to  Kuala Lumpur is popular but today we want a breakthrough for Sabah because of our attractions of diving, trekking and mountain climbing, our food, beaches and clean air so we should be able to attract them. “With air connectivity from Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei  we should be able to tap a bigger share of the market  together with the assistance of the State Tourism Board and Tourism Malaysia. “These Asean countries generally tend to have a much bigger population than Malaysia. So we just need a small percentage of them.”   He said Matta Sabah Chapter was fully hosting the 40 tour agents delegates from the Asean countries. “This includes their air transport, accommodation and ground handling in order that they come to Sabah as they have been selling very well for Malaysia generally.” Meanwhile on the B2B event itself, Liew  said it was the first time an Asean tourism conference was  held in the state. “All this while it was held in Kuala Lumpur, but this year was the first time it was held in the state so that we can promote Sabah to them,” Liew said adding that she was sure the delegates would be able to understand what the state had to offer. “We hope today’s B2B session  will be able to produce results. We have spent some money on this as an investment but we believe that there will be a good result from it.” Sabah recorded 1.36 million international arrivals and 2.52 million domestic arrivals which increased by 10.2 percent and 2.8 percent respectively last year.  - Neil Chan Source: Daily Express
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