02Mar

KDCA opens Hongkod Koisaan Cultural Unity Centre in Penampang

PENAMPANG: The Hongkod Koisaan Cultural Unity Centre was officially opened to the public by the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) here yesterday. The cultural village, which has been the main venue of the annual Kaamatan (Harvest) festival since 1989, showcases and preserves the rich cultural heritage of the multi-tribal Kadazandusun people. Deputy chief minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also the Huguan Siou (Kadazandusun paramount leader), said the cultural village was opened as a visitor attraction due to keen interest shown by tourists eager to learn more about the lives of the Kadazandusun. The village currently features 11 traditional houses, an Unduk Ngadau gallery, a gift shop, a mini-local restaurant and an open performance stage. Pairin said the village is at its most resplendent during the Kaamatan festival. "At the heart of the festival each year is (this village), where our Kadazandusun cultural heritage expresses itself. "I would like to commend the KDCA management committee for turning this village (into) an educational centre for cultural tourism through the dances, music, handicrafts, exhibitions and traditional sporting matches of some of the 15 sub-tribes of the Kadazandusun community," he said during the launch. Also present at the event was Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Pairin added that the village and the festival have highlighted Sabah’s vibrant and diverse indigenous people to the world. "I (also wish to) thank the Sabah state government for its continuous subsidy funding for the festival since 1960," he added. The cultural village is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9am to 4pm. The entrance fee is RM25 for Malaysians and RM35 for non-Malaysians. For guided tours, prospective visitors must make a reservation through the KDCA or tour agents. Source: New Straits Times
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01Mar

Beach, scenery and shopping: Why more Chinese are visiting Kota Kinabalu for CNY

PETALING JAYA, Feb 26 — Yearning for the perfect selfie, Chinese tourists are increasingly choosing Sabah as their vacation destination. State Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said Sabah's stunning backdrops and locals’ ability to speak Chinese dialects made the Chinese nationals more “at home” during the Lunar New Year, reported the South China Morning Post. “We are unique because we are ‘the best Malaysians’. We don't have any problem with racial harmony and a lot of the non-Chinese here speak Chinese,” Masidi was quoted as saying. “This gives a lot of confidence to the Chinese tourists because they feel they are at home. We speak the language but we don’t have the crowds or traffic jams and we have the cleanest air in Malaysia. “Our beautiful scenery and islands make it perfect for their favourite activity: taking selfies.” SCMP reported that Chinese visitors to Sabah were increasing, with the East Malaysian state now in the top 10 of destinations for the 6.5 million Chinese nationals holidaying abroad during the Lunar New Year. Last year, 431,000 Chinese nationals visited Sabah, accounting for 35 per cent of all arrivals in the state and 75 per cent higher compared to 2015. “We are getting a lot more of the cosmopolitan types,” Masidi said of Sabah. “They speak some basic English, they are younger, and they know exactly what they want from the holiday so they just travel on their own without tour groups.” In Kota Kinabalu, the top three attractions listed by Chinese visitors were “viewing natural scenery”, “relaxing by the beach” and “shopping”, according to surveys. Air connectivity is also highlighted as a reason more of its people are heading to East Malaysia. Out of 186 international flights into Sabah each week, 86 are from China. Masidi called on private investors and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to take advantage of the tourism boom and pump more money into the state.   Source: Malay mail Online
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01Mar

Arts and culture reflect civilisation, values of local community

PAPAR: Celebrating the art and culture of every ethnic group in the state is imperative in inculcating unity and camaraderie among the multiracial community. Chief Minister, Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman said that art and culture hold a special place in very community in spite of the changing time. He said that the culture of an ethnic group reflects various aspects of its civilisation and the values held by the community. “Therefore, I welcome the Persatuan Masyarakat Brunei Sabah’s (PMBS) efforts in organising this Pesta Gambus (a stringed musical instrument). This is in line with the government’s aspiration in instilling unity and harmony among the various races in Sabah,” he said when officiating the 18th Pesta Gambus here yesterday. According to him, Pesta Gambus provides an opportunity for the people to get to know better the culture of the people of Brunei descent. He said that the state and federal governments will continue to provide assistance to art practitioners in the state. “I would like to urge PMBS and other ethnic associations in Sabah to utilise all facilities and assistance provided by the government to preserve and develop their respective cultures,” he said. Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Arifin Arif who is also PMBS president; Deputy Works Minister, Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin; Infrastructure Development Assistant Minister, Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar; and Bongawan Assemblyman, Datuk Mohamad Alamin. Source: New Sabah Times
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23Feb

24 gazetted heritage sites in Sabah – Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has gazetted 24 places as heritage sites in the state. They include the old post office building which is now the Sabah Tourism Board office, Atkinson Clock Tower, Community Hall in the city, Padang Merdeka, Mat Salleh Monument in Tambunan and the Skull Hill archaeological site in Semporna, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun. Speaking at the launch of the State Heritage Enactment Act at the Sabah Museum near here yesterday, Masidi said the benefits of having these places gazetted as heritage sites included financial assistance for their preservation. He said several other places would be gazetted as heritage sites, namely Sabah Turnbull Hall, the old RTM Building, Melalap Train Station and Kent Teachers College. “I hope that more buildings will be nominated,” he said, adding that the recognition did not mean that the heritage sites would be taken over by the government. “The ownership will not change …What we want is for the structures to be maintained and preserved. The Sabah government will help in terms of financing the preservation and restoration works, if any,” he said. He also said the owners were not obliged to agree to their buildings being turned into heritage sites. Masidi said the State Heritage Enactment 2017, passed by the Sabah State Legislative Assembly last year, was important to facilitate efforts to study, manage and gazette heritage sites in the state. He said the new enactment was better than the Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Enactment which was repealed, as it was more comprehensive and easy to understand. “With the new enactment, the efforts to register the state’s heritage will be done by the museum, however, it will not work out if there is no support from other agencies. “Hence, the assistance and cooperation of all parties, especially the district offices, is essential to ensure successful implementation of this enactment,” he said. Source: Borneo Post Online
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23Feb

First special direct charter flight to Sandakan brings 160 tourists from Taiwan

SANDAKAN: A total of 160 tourists from Taiwan became the first group of passengers arriving in Sandakan Airport on a special direct charter flight from the country today. It was an initiative of tour agency, Taikar Sdn Bhd, with cooperation from its Taiwanese counterpart, Sunrise Express Travel Service Co. Ltd, using Malindo Air flight. The arrival of the tourists at 10.50am was given a grand welcome in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration. Also present were Sabah Tourism Board general manager Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani and Sandakan Municipal Council secretary Faridah Giau. Speaking to reporters, Suzaini said the initiative was in line with the state government's efforts to bring tourists to other districts of the state and not to focus only to Kota Kinabalu. "This is their first attempt and I hope more tour agencies, airlines and hotel operators would collaborate in this kind of partnership to enable more tourists from Taiwan to visit Sandakan," Suzaini said. During their stay here until next Tuesday, the tourists would be brought to visit Bakkungan Kecil Island, Libaran Island, Puu Jih Shih Temple, Orang Utan Conservation Centre in Sepilok, Gumantong Cave and enjoy the wildlife habitat along the Kinabatangan River For the record, 62,121 tourists from Taiwan were recorded to have visited Sabah last year, which was an increase of 12% from the number recorded in 2016. Earlier at 2am today, 90 local tourists boarded a similar special charter flight from the Sandakan Airport heading to Taiwan. Source: Bernama
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