02Oct

The 2017 Borneo International H.O.G Rally Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU: The third 2017 Borneo International H.O.G Rally Malaysia was held as one of the tourism products to promote the state. Sabah Tourism Board General Manager Gordon Yap said that the international event held for the third time is part of a programme to promote the state with big bikes which are popular especially among professionals. “Sabah has a beautiful landscape, where bikers can enjoy their ride from the lowlands to long wide roads with ever changing scenery and we are very happy that the Borneo International Hog Rally decided to come to Sabah again”. He said this to reporters after officiating the 2017 Borneo International H.O.G Rally Malaysia at the Hotel Ming Garden, Saturday. Also present was Sabah Parks chairman Tengku Datuk Zainal Adlin who is a big bike enthusiast. Yapp also said that, the expedition is also one of the tourism products which can cater to more international tourists. “Hopefully, with the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway, it will be a game changer, and could attract more participation especially the international bikers to come to Sabah,” he said. Seventy Harley-Davidson motorcycles and 120 international and Malaysian participants participated the 10-day expedition which started at Kota Kinabalu and will end in Kuching, Sarawak in conjunction with the 2nd Kuching International Bike Week 2017. The expedition will take bikers from here to Kota Belud, Kundasang and from Keningau to Labuan, Brunei, Miri, Sibu, Bintulu and finally Kuching. The ride will cover a total distance of 1,578km. Source: New Sabah Times
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29Sep

Botanists shed light on Borneo’s Saurauia

KOTA KINABALU: Little is known about the Saurauia of Borneo but a team of botanists from Sabah and Singapore spent time to document the flowering plant. Their hard work has been compiled into a book that would regale readers with images and facts of the 85 Saurauia species that can be found in Borneo. One of the key researchers, Tan Jiew Hoe, said 62 of them were newly discovered. “Before this, we had no idea that the Saurauia could be so rich in species. “We now realise that our biodiversity can be very rich. They are hiding in the rainforest,” he said at the book launch here on Wednesday. The Saurauia is a genus of small to medium-sized trees found in tropical and subtropical forests from South and South-East Asia to the southwest Pacific, and in some parts of tropical and subtropical America. There are an estimated 300 species of Saurauia worldwide. Tan, who is Singapore Gardening Society president and Gardens By the Bay board director, said much remains unknown about Borneo’s flora and fauna. “Any disturbance to the rainforest could be destructive as we may not know what was present in the first place,” he said. He said additional knowledge like those presented in the book could also help assess the effectiveness of conservation areas. “Not supporting such studies could contribute to persisting knowledge gaps and potential losses,” he said. The Saurauia of Borneo is published by the Natural History Publications (Borneo). Its managing director Datuk C.L. Chan commended the team for its efforts. Source: The Star
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28Sep

300 divers clean up sea bed around Sepanggar Navy base

KOTA KINABALU: About 5,000 sea urchins were picked up from the sea bed surrounding the Sepanggar Navy base here during a Mega Dive programme this morning. Organised by the navy’s eastern fleet command, the programme is aimed at creating a healthy marine ecosystem and clean underwater environment. The event saw 300 participants from Kampung Gentisan, Kota Kinabalu City Hall, University Malaysia Sabah, the Sabah Environment Protection Department, the Marine Department, and the navy working together to clean the area of debris and sea urchins. Navy eastern logistics commander First Admiral Ow Kiat Bin said there had been too many sea urchins on the sea bed, and their presence could have destroyed the coral reef in the area. “The collected sea urchins were handed over to fishermen from Kampung Gentisan for consumption. This will further strengthen the relationship between the navy and the local community,” he said. Ow added that the involvement of villagers in the clean-up programme was in line with the navy’s efforts to enhance awareness among the fishing community of the importance of keeping their water village clean. He said navy divers had also placed three artificial reefs in waters near the navy’s Yacht Excellent Centre to create a thriving marine habitat. Source: New Straits Times
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27Sep

‘Finding balance between sustainability requires wisdom’

KOTA KINABALU: Biodiversity conservation is becoming increasingly an crucial issue amid growing concerns that conservation appears to conflict with economic growth and social development. Finding balance between the need for sustainability, according to JICA Malaysia, Migawa Tomoko, requires wisdom and closer attention to ensure priceless natural wonders and biodiversity wealth are preserved for future generations. “The extension of the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) on Integrated Biodiversity Conservation underlines the commitment to provide the platform for experience sharing among developing nations on maintaining conservation strategies for biodiversity and ecosystems in an integrated and coordinated manner,” said the Japan International Cooperation Agency official. Migawa was speaking at the closing of the Sabah TCTCP 2017 at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) yesterday. This year’s training programme benefitted 15 participants from different countries. They received their certificates presented by UMS Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Shahril Yusof who represented Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Kamarudin D. Mudin. “Sabah has become a training ground for integrated biodiversity and ecosystem management,” he said and expressed hope that participants can initiate their own conservation plans for their own countries from the knowledge, skills and experience they gained in Sabah. Extending his praise to participants for their success in completing their training, Dr Kamarudin said the Sabah TCTP secretariat will follow-up on their progress and implementation of plans of actions in their respective countries. “Sabah TCTP signifies the close cooperation between both governments of Malaysia and Japan aimed at sharing Sabah’s experience in the implementation of integrated biodiversity and ecosystem management, and we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation for supporting the training programme expenses incurred,” he said in his speech read by Dr Shahril. The training programme for the 2nd programme of the 3rd cycle of the Sabah TCTP saw participants from six countries, Botswana, Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Meanwhile, acting director of the Institute of Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC) of UMS, Prof Dr Monica Suleiman said the success of the programme benefitted more than 100 government conservation officers from 17 countries. “For the last 16 years, we have produced highly qualified and experienced conservation officers from Sabah who are now training our fellow conservationists from other developing nations in Sabah TCTP,” she said, and extended her congratulations to participants who successfully completed their training this year. The first cycle was initiated in 2009 to 2011 followed by the second cycle in 2012 to 2015 where ITBC acts as the training institution with the Natural Resources Office of Sabah (NRO) as its partner and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a collaborating agency. The training programme has also been placed under the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among those who attended the closing ceremony included Hiroko Matsuo, Head of the Japan Consular Office in Kota Kinabalu. Source : New Sabah Times
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26Sep

Signature Food Fest back with more F&B outlets

KOTA KINABALU: The Signature Food Fest returns for its fourth instalment this year after last year’s successful run, featuring more new food and beverage (F&B) outlets. Organised by Eleventh Avenue Media Marketing, this year’s Food Fest is joined by renowned establishments Hyatt Regency Kinabalu and Grandis Hotel, an unprecedented move. “We are extremely overwhelmed by this year’s response with two well-known hotels participating, compared to previous years when no hotels took part. “This year, they are more prepared and we look forward to having them in years to come,” said Signature Food Fest organiser, Alfred Allen. Other participating F&B operators include Borenos Fried Chicken, BTC Restaurant, Dart Bistro, Ebizou Japanese Restaurant, Hard Rock Café, Little Melaka, Mosaic by Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, Tanjung Ria Kitchen also by Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, Rosea Café by Grandis Hotels & Resorts, Sakagura Japanese Restaurant, Shoney’s Dining & Bar and The Glass Grill & Bar. The operators will each showcase their signature dishes, respectively full spring chicken meal, nasi briyani chicken set, Bistro mixed grill chicken & lamb, collagen chicken ramen, classic nachos, Little Melaka signature, cake set, oxtail assam pedas and cheese garlic naan, garlic prawn spaghetti, Sukiyaki with special wagyu, Shoney’s 13-inch giant burger and fish rolled with sweet potato. Throughout the month of October, each signature dish will be showcased at its respective establishment for patrons to sample, which will also make it eligible for the ‘Dine, Win & Vote’ campaign. Patrons who order the signature dish stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes by simply attaching the dining receipt to a voting form. Meanwhile, all 12 Signature Food Fest participants will offer special packages and free samples during a three-day opening event from September 29 to October 1 in Suria Sabah Shopping Mall. During that time, Eleventh Avenue Media Marketing will also be joining the International Sabah F&B Fair at the main atrium of Suria Sabah. A total of eight awards will be made the highlight of this year’s Signature Food Fest, comprising Best Signature Menu, Best Ambiance, Best Customer Service, Outstanding Chef, Best Plate Presentation, Facebook’s Most Popular, Blogger’s Choice Award and the new MoreFun Best Awards. Winners of the respective awards will be acknowledged during the Signature Awards Night on October 31, at Grandis Hotels & Resorts’ piano lounge. Source : Borneo Post
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