05Jul

Fund-raising KK Jazz Fest is back again

Kota Kinabalu: The Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival (KKJF) is back again for its 10th Anniversary edition this year. An annual event, the jazz festival is aimed at raising funds for charity and is organised by the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu (RCKK) and Society of Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu Sabah (SPArKS). This year, the festival will once again bring together a musical melting pot of talents from around the world. Three international bands and musicians, together with nine renowned and upcoming Malaysian talents and bands, will join the line-up for the exciting two-night concert. Malaysian TV host and emcee Daphne Iking is back to emcee this year's festival. Performers lined up for this year's festival are USA Motown legend Bobby Taylor who is back by popular demand, one man band Juzzie Smith, Indie pop artiste Juwita Suwito, Shang Hai Jazz Reprise group consisting of May Maw, Zyan and Winnie Ho and the WVC jazz ensemble. Local Sabahan talents are Appy Tots, Jonathan Tse, Gee Mojina and Elixer, Mormain Blues, 4Bs, RTM combo team, Borneo Big Band with Joan Jim and talent search winners Jazz Crash and Alton Wong. At the KKJF media launch press conference at Sutera Avenue Riverson on Friday, KKJF Festival Organising Chairman and Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu 2016 President Jack Ong said the festival will definitely be a memorable one with pure non-stop music performed on the main or centre stage. "We are expecting slightly more than last year's 4,000 music lovers for this year's event." He said the festival doors will open at 6pm with the first act to begin at 7pm and ending at around 11pm each night. There are tables and chairs provided at the venue but availability is on a first come first serve basis. Knowing that no jazz festival would be complete without good food this year KKJF will also have some of the best restaurants in Kota Kinabalu serving up their best food and beverages such as Carlsberg, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Outlet, Party Play, The Chateau, Fruto, Adelphi, Aleyxs, Wine Shop, Good Shepherd Services, soft ice cream and more. Tickets to the jazz festival are available for sale via online purchase at www.kkjazzfest.com , Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Outlets, Damai & Wisma Merdeka, Party Play Lifestyle Café, Gaya Street, Adelphi & Co, Damai, Alexys Café, Luyang, Breadboss Bakery Café, Damai. The main sponsor for KKJF is Yayasan Sime Darby. Another sponsor is the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah together with Mah Sing group and the jazz festival event is strongly supported by Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) and Carlsberg. The KKJF is listed as a premier event in Sabah Tourism annual calendar of events, and is also a key component of the Kota Kinabalu Arts Festival.   Source: Daily Express
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01Jul

Folklore Fest this year to highlight traditional Murut attire

Kota Kinabalu: Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi and members of the Sabah Cultural Board of Directors paid a courtesy call to the Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin on Wednesday. The visit was to inform Juhar of the Sabah International Folklore Festival scheduled for July 24 to 30. Kamarlin said the cultures of races of various nationalities will be featured at the festival. "Participants will also get the opportunity to exchange costumes and this year as host we chose the Murut traditional attire as gifts to foreign participants," said Kamarlin. A total of 12 nations will participate in this year's festival, with participants expected to feature their indigenous cultures. The SIFF is divided into three main programmes, namely KK City Folklore Parade, Sabah Traditional Food and Handicraft Exhibition and International Folk Dance Competition. The SIFF website was launched on May 26 to provide details and updates on the festival, ticket prices, participating countries and schedules. Also present was Chairman of the Sabah Cultural Board Tan Sri Wences Angang. Source : Daily Express
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24Jun

Mediacorp boost for Sabah

KOTA KINABALU:Mediacorporation Studios (M) Sdn Bhd’s ‘Legal Eagles’ drama is poised to help bring in more visitors from Singapore to Sabah this year. Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai revealed arrivals from Singapore into Sabah were 21,764 for 2015. However, he said the January to March arrivals recorded around 4,800 from the country in 2016, a 17.2% dip compared to the f irst quarter of last year. “This drama will mostly cover the West Coast of Sabah, from Tanjung Aru Beach to the islands and the Highlands of Kundasang where our iconic Mount Kinabalu is located, all of which are our main attractions within a short drive from the city,” said the STB Chairman. “I would like to think, the fact that Mediacorp is coming to Sabah again illustrates that we have the best natural setting and products for filming of rustic drama and movies that suits all budgets. “I believe this drama is a result of our previous partnership with MediaCorp Singapore for the successful f ilming of ‘Beyond Words’ which was shot in Kota Kinabalu for 30 days last year,” he added. Bangkuai is positive that the drama series will help put the spotlight on Sabah’s natural beauty and pull in more Singapore arrivals into the state through the 14 direct Airasia and Silk Air f lights between Singapore and Kota Kinabalu. “We wish to welcome the MediaCorp crew from Singapore to Sabah for the f ilming of yet another future blockbuster, the 30 episode inspirational drama ’Legal Eagles’ which will feature 10 episodes in Sabah. If I may say, the result will be a project that is Made by Singaporeans in Sabah,” he said. “We will continue to open our doors for Singapore and Singaporeans to bring Singapore and Sabah even closer. Many Singaporeans probably still need to familiarize themselves with Sabah, its beautiful beaches, world-famous sunsets and dive sites, from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu, slightly over 2 hours’ fl ight away. “On behalf of the State Government, we would like to acknowledge MediaCorp for their efforts in bringing the warmth of Sabah to every household and living room in Singapore and Malaysia, which bodes well in our efforts to promote domestic tourism,” emphasized Bangkuai. Sabah Tourism Board of Directors member Alexander Yee Kok Tsen and one of the board’s deputy general manager, Kevin Chin Kui Vun, and Avangio Hotel’s general manager, Gordon Seet were among those at the press conference. In addition, Mediacorp’s law and order ‘Legal Eagles’ drama series executive producer Ng Lai Huat and its star studded cast, China national actor Zhang Zhen Huan, Malaysian actor/singer Huang Qi Ming, Malaysian born actress Phyllis Quek as well as Malaysian artist Aric Ho also met with the media during the event. Source : The Borneo Post
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24Jun

Second trail to open soon

KOTA KINABALU: A second new trail to the summit of the 4,095m Mount Kinabalu promises more adventure for climbers when it opens by August. Kinabalu Park rangers continue to check and recheck the more or less completed new Kota Belud route on the western side of the mountain for safety before Sabah Parks decides to open it to the public. Kinabalu Park manager Yassin Miki, who checked out the second route known as Kota Belud – as climbers can see part of the Kota Belud district – said the route was “slightly shorter” than the Ranau trail. “We are now rechecking the trail for safety and may also have to change certain rules for those using the trail,” he said yesterday. The Kota Belud trail is an alternative to the Ranau trail that is on the eastern side where climbers get breathtaking views of the Ranau area. Yassin said there was a possibility of the second trail being opened by as early as middle of July. The trail where climbers would move on a westerly direction from Panalaban, is a tougher route involving some steep climbs with help of ropes. Ranau trail, also from Panar Laban, is more picturesque. Both trails end at Sayat-Sayat (3,668m) before climbers head for Low’s Peak, the summit. Sabah Parks chairman Tengku Datuk Zainal Adlin said that part of the Kota Belud route utilised the original summit trail but avoided the rockfall areas following last year’s June 5 earthquake. The magnitude 6.1 earthquake triggered rock and boulder avalanches killed 18 and left over 150 people stranded in the summit plateau. The move to set up the Kota Belud trail as an alternative to Ranau trail was initially aimed at providing an emergency escape route for climbers in the event of any emergencies due to natural disaster.   Source: The Star
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17Jun

CM launches promotion for Sabah Int’l Folklore Festival

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman yesterday launched the promotion for the 11th Sabah International Folklore Festival 2016 (SIFF) at the compound of Wisma Innoprise here yesterday. Eleven countries, including Malaysia, will be participating in the 11th SIFF to be held from July 24 to 30 at the Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang. The participating countries are Australia, Ireland, Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Estonia, South Korea, Republic of Sakha Yakutia Russia and Malaysia. Also those present were the three deputy chief ministers — Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin, Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah and Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan as well as Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun. According to Sabah Cultural Board chairman Tan Sri Wences Angang at the launch of the promotion drive for the festival at Wisma Innoprise, they were also waiting for the confirmation from Kazakhstan to take part in the festival. “If they join, then we will have 12 countries participating,” he said. There are three main programmes in this year’s SIFF with the theme “Warrior”. These include the KK City Folklore Parade on July 26 from 2pm to 5pm here; the Sabah Traditional Food and Handicraft Exhibition at the Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang on July 25 to July 30; and the main event, the International Folk Dance competition from July 28 to July 30. The competition’s main event will be taking place on July 28 and Musa is expected to grace the event. Meanwhile, the Head of State, Tun Dr Juhar Datuk Haji Mahirddin is expected to attend the finale on July 30 at 7pm at the Sabah Cultural Centre. Aside from the main event, photographers documenting the event are also invited to take part in the photography competition. Participation forms for the competition are available from Rinah Lingom (telephone: 088-268851/254958). Tickets for the events are sold at RM30 each for adults and RM10 for children and students aged 17 and below. The tickets are sold at Wisma Budaya, Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang and the Sabah Art GAllery Conservation Centre. Further information about the event can be obtained via their website at http://www.siffborneo.com. Meanwhile, the Tugu Budaya event for schools will not be held this year due to monetary constraints. “We will have it next year,” said Wences. Source : The Borneo Post
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