27Jul

Salt Trail Challenge aims to raise RM50K

Kota Kinabalu: The fifth edition of the Salt Trail Challenge aims to raise RM50,000 this year, said its race coordinator Jerry Ong. He said the challenge, a fundraising event at the historical Salt Trail at Crocker Range Park to be held on Oct 27, managed to raised RM35,837 last year. "The event, held in collaboration with Sabah Parks, Sabah Amateur Radio Society (SARS) and Pacos Trust, aims to generate funds to support the activities organised by Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter all year round for the people in the State," he told a press conference here, Wednesday. Traditionally, Ong said, the Salt Trail served as a route used by Tambunan folks to bring their produce to the tamu (markets) for barter trade. Salt was the most commonly traded product, resulting in the route being known as the Salt Trail. "The challenge promises a different experience altogether because it connects people with nature, as well as serve as a platform for participants to interact with the local community along the trail. "Trekkers and nature lovers would love this challenge." The challenge, themed "Trail of Hope", is divided into two categories – Men's Open and Women's Open, and each category is available in distances of 16 kilometres or 25 kilometres. The 16-kilometre challenge will cover the route to and from Inobong Substation to Pogigimpaan hut, while the 25-kilometre challenge will cover the route to and from Inobong Substation to Kampung Terian. "Participants interested to spend the night in Inobong Substation before the challenge begins can do so by contacting Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter office to arrange for accommodation," he said. Sabah Parks Board of Trustees Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Tengku Zainal Adlin Tengku Mahamood said the race can promote adventure tourism in the State. "I also urged corporate teams to not only contribute in terms of funds but also participate and experience the trail for themselves as Mercy Malaysia has been doing a great job here where they have good track record with the locals in the interior," he said. Meanwhile, Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter Chairman Dr Anbarasu Ramalingam said fundraising events such as the annual Salt Trail Challenge served to provide the financial support much needed by the Chapter to fund its activities. "Committed to serve the people of Sabah, Mercy Malaysia Sabah Chapter has been providing primary healthcare services for the communities since its establishment in 2003 in the State. "The Chapter has conducted more than 100 mobile outreach clinics as well as Disaster Relief Reduction (DRR) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) projects throughout Sabah," he said. He also disclosed that currently, there are about 200 active volunteers of the Chapter in the State. The public can contribute help to the Chapter by joining the challenge by paying the entry fee or raise funds using donation card which can be collected at the Chapter's office. All fees and donation cards should be submitted by Sept 28, and for more information contact the Chapter's office at 088-272 667 or Ivy (016-840 0208) or Edna (019-311 6182). - Ricardo Unto Source: Daily Express
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26Jul

Tourism players hoping Kunak made a destination

Kunak: Local tourism industry players in the district are hoping for cooperation and opportunities to explore the potential of regional tourism products in Kunak, especially in areas that have yet to be developed as a tourist destination. Many tourism products in Kunak have not been explored like Baturong Cave (pre-history cave) and hot springs (Sungang and Jeleta Bumi hotsprings at Tingkayu). In the same development, Kunak NT Adventure Sdn Bhd communications supervisor, Azriana Basri said Sarinah Beach area in Pangi is now in the observation of tourism industry players to study how far the area is able to attract visitors. "Currently, we have received the arrival of tourists from China who come to the Madai Cave and some are looking at local products such as salak fruits grown by locals," Azriana said. The tourism industry, if developed, can generate the local economy, including traditional food, handicraft and manufacturing IKS, as well as the growth of homestays that open job opportunities to youths and those interested in the related fields. Meanwhile Azriana said Kunak NT Adventure is moving forward in the effort to promote and further develop eco-tourism related industries in the region. She said the company currently offers several packages and services including homestay, scuba diving, and tours to Madai Caves and Madai Waterfalls, hiking 'itan peak Madai'. According to her, Kunak NT Adventures is providing its official facebook page for those who want to know about the services available. Azriana said homestay lodging is available in the Kunak town area where visitors can easily visit the destination of their choice. Meanwhile, Kunak Adun, Norazlinah Arif said that Kunak will face changes when the tourism industry is developed in the area. - Ibrahim Tabir Source: Daily Express
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23Jul

102 booths for this year’s Matta Fair Sabah on July 27-29

Kota Kinabalu: Matta Fair Sabah 2018 will be held at the Suria Sabah shopping mall, here, on July 27-29. "For this year, a total of 102 booths have been taken up by 45 exhibitors comprising travel agents focusing on inbound and outbound travel, travel-related companies, airlines, banks, hotels, National Tourism Boards, the Malaysian Aviation Commission, tourism college and NGOs," said Matta Fair Sabah 2018 organising chairperson Alicia Gomes. Matta Fair is expected to boost the local travel industry as air connectivity is dependent on a two- way traffic between different destinations. Consumers can expect unbelievable low fares to Asean and East Asia destinations. "This year, our national carrier Malaysia Airlines has come all out to support the Matta Fair Sabah 2018. "MAS Sales Executive, Commercial for Sabah and Labuan, Mahzan Mat Salleh, said special fares and flights bargains are on average 35 per cent off on selected destinations. "This year is expected to be a very dynamic fair ever with the estimated number of visitors at 85,000. One of the venues of achieving this target is to have higher expenditure on advertising and promotion. "Knowing today's changing trend, there are different ways of reaching out to the younger generations. Hence, this explains our move into social medias," she added. There will be shows and activities during the three days, from 10am to 9pm, and lots of lucky draws to be won for those who spend RM500 and above at the fair. Lucky draw prizes range from return air tickets from Kota Kinabalu to Taipei on Business Class, Tarakan, Mulu, Sandakan and Surabaya, sponsored by Malaysia Airlines, MASwings and Royal Brunei Airlines. There will also be other prizes, including overseas ground arrangements, local hotel stays, discount vouchers on tours and others. "Matta Sabah Chapter works with local tourism institutions and during the Fair, provides practical training for tourism students to gain exposure in promoting consumer fairs and managing an event," said Alicia. Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew will grace the occasion, together with Matta President Datuk KL Tan, Matta Sabah Chairman Lawrence Chin and all the Matta Sabah committee members. Source: Daily Express
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19Jul

Sabah to promote tourism on its east coast

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government is considering opening up more touristic areas in the east coast. Assistant Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Assaffal Alian said the area spanning from Kudat to Tawau had great sea and beaches. There have also been reports about several shipwrecks at the seabed of Kudat waters which could be developed as dive sites and for historical visits. “As for my constituency, for example, Silam area has Darvel bay which is rich with coral life that can be developed as marine park and tourist areas. “However, we are still in the planning stage and have to look into every potential besides addressing shortage of accommodation, especially four or five star hotels,” said Assafal, who is also Tungku assemblyman, after launching a two-day Digital Tourism Workshop here. Earlier, in his opening speech Assaffal said the state should embrace social media that appeals to today’s travellers especially young people. Up to May this year, tourist arrivals recorded 1.497million visitors which was an increase of 3.2 per cent compared to the same period last year. “Last year, 52 per cent of our 3.68million visitors were free independent travellers. These are mainly young people who are very active on social media. “Their decision to visit a destination is mostly influenced by postings or videos they see on media platforms, ” said Assaffal. Meanwhile, the ministry will work with all stakeholders in tackling trash especially at tourist areas following complaints from operators and tourists on sighting of garbage at the sea. Last week, City Hall collected 402 tonnes of garbage within two weeks when the storms hit Sabah. Source: New Straits Times
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16Jul

The Green Gold of Borneo: an exciting environmental docufiction by Sabahan writer

KOTA KINABALU: Emin Madi’s new release English book titled “The Green Gold of Borneo (GGoB)”, is not only an adventure-packed documentary fiction, but also provides an insight into Sabah’s phenomenal achievement  in forest conservation efforts. The protagonist of the 145-page literary work is a strong-willed journalist obsessed to uncover the secrets of the unexplored saucer-like summit in the middle of the famous Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA), also known as Sabah’s Lost World. The fictional journalist did not heed a Murut shaman’s advice and later encountered unusual happenings and strange events in very unlikely situations. “In many ways, although the plot is mostly fictionalised, GGoB is all about natural environment, particularly the fate of the last remaining undisturbed rain forest in Malaysia and Sabah in particular. “I came to realise that natural wonders, and in this case the totally protected forest in Sabah, is a very interesting topic for book writing. “I was very fortunate to have participated in many resource and wildlife surveys inside Sabah’s last remaining natural wonders and I thought I should write something more interesting, such as documentary-adventure-fiction. “It took me the whole year of 2016 to complete the manuscript for GGoB , after which my former colleague, Zahir Ahmad, edited the first copy before sending it to the UK-based Austin Macauley Publishers,” the veteran journalist told Bernama. The Bernama freelance reporter’s first foray into environmental reporting was in 1980’s when he participated in a scientific expedition in the now world renowned Danum Valley Conservation Area in Lahad Datu, Sabah, involving local and foreign researchers, including the Royal Society, UK. In 2013, Emin, 69, who hails from Kampung Bayangan, Keningau, Sabah,  spent 10 days in the deep jungle of MBCA with local researchers who were carrying out resource and wildlife survey. “It was at Maliau Basin that I felt a deep urge to write an environmental-based documentary fiction, especially after some expedition participants related to me many mysterious events that took place around the area. “So I got an idea to start writing GGoB using MBCA as a central theme and also based on my own experiences working alongside scientists and researchers. “From my own observation, the findings from the field work are very important as it could be used to communicate using facts and information about the stature of Sabah’s protected forest. “On top of that, I was also very motivated by the tremendous and commendable efforts undertaken by the Sabah Forestry Department with the strong support of the previous state government to protect the state’s natural heritage. “Moving forward, I hope the current government will have strong commitment to protect our pristine and undisturbed forest as well as to continue and encourage more research activities and international research collaboration,” he said. As at November 2016, Sabah’s Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) was 1,874,061 hectares or 25.46 percent of the state total land area. In 1997, the Sabah State Assembly elevated the Maliau Basin Conservation Area into Class 1 Protection Forest Reserve and increased its size from 39,000 to 58,000  hectares to include the outer northern and eastern escarpments and Lake Linumunsut, the largest lake in Sabah. According to record, Maliau Basin was spotted in 1947, when a British pilot flying from the West Coast of Sabah to Tawau in the east coast, nearly crashed into the steep cliffs rising over 915 meters above the jungle floor. Emin, a former Press Secretary in a Federal Ministry, has also authored two environmental-based fictions in Malay language. -Bernama Source: The Borneo Post
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