11Apr

300 equipment showcase at North Borneo Classic Medical Assets Exhibition

KOTA KINABALU: The North Borneo Classic Medical Assets Exhibition will showcase almost 300 assets at the State Museum, creating a unique fusion of medical and tourism sectors. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun said the exhibition is likely to draw in more tourists due to its one-of-a-kind factor in displaying some of the first and rarest medical pieces of equipment in Sabah. “Sabah was one of the first states to use modern medical equipment in the past; in terms of domestic tourism, this could attract internal tourists to come and conduct researches in Sabah.” A total of 287 classic medical and non-medical assets from health facilities under the State Health Department would be displayed in the one-month exhibition which includes staff uniforms and historical photos among others. The number of assets included 35 pieces of equipment which were donated to the State Museum. “It could also be utilised for education purposes which are among the fields that we could explore with this equipment that has been used before and after Malaysia was founded; these are certainly valuable assets that need to be preserved.” His speech was delivered by permanent secretary to the Ministry, Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai. According to him, Sabah recorded 3.68 million tourists last year, generating RM7.8 billion and for the first two months this year, some 618,000 tourists have visited Sabah, bringing in RM1.38 million. The museum, he said, is a must for tourists in any country as it tells the history of a nation and civilisation, underlining the importance of preserving artefacts that are of high sentimental and historical values. “With the advancement of technology, we sometimes forget how fast things change. This equipment had once faced evolution through the innovation and creative minds of its creators. “They still have high value in museum context as each valuable item must have its own beginning; hence, the evolution needs to be exhibited for the current and future generation.” As part of historical preservation, he stated that the ministry is in the process of completing paperwork for the cabinet to gazette the Queen Elizabeth Hospital building as the state’s heritage building, making Sabah the first in Malaysia to take such action. “We will gazette it as a heritage building which will be an added value to tourism sector as well as to the credibility of the State Health Department as the state’s medical leader.” The ceremony also saw the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between State Health Department director Datuk Dr. Christina Rundi and State Museum director Mansur Asun. Christina in her speech explained among the equipment that was put on display was the Resuscitator and Sphygmomanometer which came from the 1950s. “The Stephenson Minuteman Resuscitator came from England and was used around 1950s to 1960s. It was used to provide breathing assistance in cases of emergency at Beaufort Hospital operation theatre during British colonisation. “The Sphygmomanometer, on the other hand, was produced by Accoson from England; used in the 1950s to 1960s, it was meant to monitor patients’ blood pressure at Beaufort Hospital Outpatient Unit.” Other equipment, she said, was a hydraulic operating table from 1960-1980s created by Eschman Bros & Walsh from England used for surgical procedures at Ranau Hospital which was manually adjusted by medical officers at the time. Another asset was a classic inhaler by Dr. Nelson which came from Switzerland that was made of glass and ceramic to provide treatment for patients with chronic breathing difficulties at Lahad Datu Hospital. “The concept of this exhibition is through real medical and treatment wards to ensure each visitor could feel as though they were in actual classic medical wards at the time,” said Christina. – By DK Ryni Qareena Source: New Sabah Times
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11Apr

Queen Elizabeth II Hospital building to be gazetted as Sabah heritage treasure

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry wants to gazette the old Queen Elizabeth II Hospital building here as a state heritage treasure. The ministry’s permanent secretary, Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, said: “We intend to gazette the structure this year. “It was built a long time ago. “Once gazetted, we can provide special care for the building and ensure that it will be around for future generations to see its British colonial architecture for themselves,” he said at the launch of the North Borneo Classic Medical Assets exhibition at the state museum here today. The exhibition, which is on throughout the month, features 287 classic medical and non-medical assets from health facilities under the Sabah Health Department. Datu Rosmadi said the ministry had proposed to hold the exhibition for an expanded period as many of the medical equipment were no longer in use. “Sabah is the earliest state to use modern medical apparatus. We have (the old) devices in our keeping that can be put on public display. “Such an exhibition will become a tourist attraction and be a source of research materials for university students.” Source: New Straits Times
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10Apr

Rubin says Kalimaran is continuing a tradition

Tenom: Persatuan Murut Sabah (PMS) President Datuk Rubin Balang said the Pesta Kalimaran is a continuation of the Injawari celebrated by the Murut ethnic community, a celebration inherited from their ancestors. Rubin said Injawari is a celebration of customs and culture, annually celebrated during the colonial times. The celebration remains lively and vibrant despite not receiving funds from the British government to conduct the celebration. "Today, we continue to celebrate this event with upgraded features, including changing its identity while still maintaining its concept to preserve the customary treasures and cultures of the Muruts. "Pesta Kalimaran is not only celebrated to preserve our customs and culture…but is also a tourism product whereby the festival has been in the State's annual celebration calendar for the past 11 years," he said. Earlier, Rubin said Pesta Kalimaran is held at district levels dominated by the Murut community before being held at State-level. Rubin, who is Tenom Umno Chief and Tenom Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman, said he is grateful and thank BN leadership Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman for the constant support of the celebration. "This time around, we spent RM1 million for the Pesta Kalimaran, in which RM500,000 is for the cost of the celebration, while RM500,000 for the filling of activities and does not include the RM300,000 approved by Musa," he said. He said this when welcoming Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to officiate the State-level Pesta Kalimaran here, attended by over 5,000 people. On that note, Rubin urged the people remain united and foster close ties to ensure a harmonious and peaceful environment. "We have close relationship with the Federal Government…in fact we will support BN government for the sustainability of our development because our area, especially in Rundum and Kapulu is in dire need of proper roads. "So far, RM3.6 million for the construction and upgrading of roads at Rundum is currently being done by appointed contractors…while the road between Kapulu and Sumambu which will cost about RM400,000 is underway and in the process of appointing a contractor to implement it," he said. In addition, Rubin also supported the memorandum delivered by the Tenom Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the Deputy Prime Minister at the Tenom Umno Office on Monday, for a new road linking Beaufort to be constructed. This was to reduce traffic congestion and risk of accidents along the hilly stretch from Jalan Kimanis to Keningau. - Mail Mathew Source: Daily Express
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04Apr

Ranau village renews commitment to conserve river

KOTA KINABALU: Many native villagers in Sabah are still practising Tagal – a community-based system to conserve native culture and natural resources. ‘Tagal’ in the Kadazan Dusun language refers to ‘prohibition’ and essentially, the system works to ensure a harmonious existence between users and the natural environment. Tagal Sungai (river) is one of the most popular tagals. There is also Tagal Hutan (forest). Although many villages successfully practice Tagal Sungai to protect rivers from overfishing, there are a few places that have failed. Kampung Mohimboyon, a village located about 20 kilometers from Ranau town, is one of them. However, the villagers there are not giving up. Recently, they started their commitment by renewing the spirit of Tagal with a systematic management by having a chairman as a leader and registering their commitment with the Ranau Fisheries Department. The registered Sungai Tahukad as a Tagal river and the launching ceremony was officiated by Ranau member of parliament Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin. Chairman Ajis Ruji said the three-kilometer long Tahukad River was once a Tagal river but failed due to unsystematic management. There was also no proper registration with the Fisheries Department and there was no monitoring team doing regular observations. “There was at one time when the river showed results after the Tagal, but many fish died due to mud pollution caused by construction of the Kundasang Tamu. “We are hoping this time around we will see good result from the Tagal, especially with the help from the Fisheries Department who will share how the other villages in Sabah made it a successful practice that benefited the whole community,” he said. Ewon, in his speech said commitment from the villagers is needed to ensure the Tagal is successful because it will bring many opportunities to the community, especially to bring more tourists to the village. He cited the example of Kampung Luanti with a Tagal system generating RM20,000 a month from visitors, and has also opened up other opportunities to the villagers. Source: The Borneo Post
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03Apr

Eastern Sabah records increasing number of tourists

SANDAKAN: The number of tourists coming to eastern Sabah is increasing after various initiatives taken by the government and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom). Sandakan Tourism association president Johnny Lim, who is also a tour operator, said its members had registered an increase of 31 per cent in room bookings last year, compared with 29 per cent the previous year. He said the security level was improving and the presence of security personnel boosted the tourists’ confidence in the security in the district. “Besides measures taken by the government, especially Esscom, the association and tour operators have worked together to promote and convince tourists that this district is safe. “Tourists here are more confident when they are escorted by security personnel to islands,” he said, referring to the recent incident of a group of China tourists who went to Selingan island, and gave a positive review of the security level. In Semporna, tour operator Kerinu Jalani said there were an additional 1,000 tourists daily. Kerinu, who is the chairman of the Semporna local tour companies association, said tour operators here saw an increased number of tourists after Esscom implemented a curfew in the area. The curfew in the waters off the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), which include this district, Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, and Beluran, took effect in July 2014. He said during the peak season, the rooms would usually be full and tourists had to make a booking at least a month in advance. “The most obvious (indicator that tourism is improving in the area) is the (increased number of) local boats from only about 30 last year to 80 last month. “This is attributed to the increasing number of tourists.” He said hotel operators were experiencing difficulty accommodating tourists’ needs. “We hope more tourists will come  to Sabah, especially the east coast, and that the government will continue with its curfew order,” he said, adding that besides Europeans, many of the tourists were from China. Source: New Straits Time
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