02Dec

Sabah’s young owe it to CM for green legacy

Papar: Sabah's future generation is assured of inheriting a high quality biodiversity and vast areas of Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) following the recent amendment to the Forests (Constitution of Forest Reserves and Amendment) Enactment 1984 by the State Legislative Assembly. Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) Backbenchers' Club Chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Ismail said they are very fortunate as the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman wants to ensure more TPAs in Sabah are left for the young people. He said the Assembly had approved the amendment to the enactment on Nov 24 to achieve the State's target of increasing the TPAs by 30 per cent in 2025. "This move showed that Sabah is very serious in protecting our environment and biodiversity conservation which is vital for the development of the State," he said to Daily Express when met here, recently. Rahim who is also Pantai Manis assemblyman said the amendment also complied with the provision of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in terms of promoting sustainable use of natural resources. He said the growing number of First Class forest reserves by way of reclassifying identified forest reserves in Sabah reflected the State government's commitment towards ensuring Sabah has a balanced development. "I have no doubt that the State government will achieve the expansion of TPAs in Sabah to 30 per cent in 10 years' time. "The amendment move is very meaningful as this will also maintain water resources when three new water catchment areas are gazetted as First Class forest reserve for protection purposes in Tambunan and Tenom so as to meet the villagers' demand and needs," he said. In addition, Rahim said the move will also maintain the role of the forest reserves as wildlife corridors and habitats which is important to the present and future generations. Source: Daily Express
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02Dec

Consulate boost for CNY lion dance fest

Kota Kinabalu: The Chinese Consulate presented an ang pow of RMB30,000 (about RM18,000) to support the annual Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival & Cultural Village Exhibition, as promised. Consul General Chen Peijie in handing over the cheque to United Sabah Chinese Communities Association Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) President Datuk Susan Wong, praised the NGO for organising the event. Chen said the token is to support and encourage the Chinese community here to continue the effort to preserve and promote the core values of Chinese culture, especially among the young. Chen also accepted the invitation to be guest of honour of the 2017 Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival & Cultural Village Exhibition during opening and closing ceremony, and be the judge of Cultural village tea tasting and traditional pastry competition, which would be held at Likas Sport Complex indoor stadium, Jan 17, 2017. Wong thanked Chen and Chinese government for their support. Besides the Unicorn, Dragon and Lion Dance troupes taking part in the event, 15 associations under the USCCAKK, would again feature the traditions and customs of the different Chinese clans such as costumes, cuisine, pastries and tea tasting, to compete and win the highest honour. Also present were Vice President Chua Kui Ting, committee members Datuk Clement Yeh, Datuk Chua Soon Phin, Ling Fii Yue, Chia Foo Soon, Choi Kwok Cheung. The Cultural exhibition will be open for public from 10am on Jan 17. The dragon, lion and unicorn dance would take place at 1.30pm. Source: Daily Express  
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02Dec

Pesta Kobis to allay Kundasang pesticide fears

Kundasang: The Cabbage Festival here popularly known as Pesta Kobis to be held on Dec 10 will showcase various vegetable produce from the Kundasang highland farming community over three days. A spokesperson, Wasri Tarisin, said 25 types of vegetables from the Kundasang highlands would be available. Participants from 16 villages are expected to join in the event, bringing varieties of produce from their respective villages. According to Wasri, each participant is expected to showcase their best produce which would be judged by its size, freshness and lusciousness. "Officials from the Agriculture Department, Fama and Planters Association will be involved in the judging," he said. An information booth within the Kundasang Township premises would also be sited to repudiate claims that the highland vegetables there are saturated with pesticides and herbicides. Besides that there will also be a booth to showcase household and farming instruments from the olden days. This would ensure that youths will have a knowledge of these gadgets of yore. Visitors would also have a glimpse of the people's lifestyle in the olden days. Another booth is the Traditional Costume Booth where youths dressed in full traditional regalia would be available for picture taking for a fee. Various government departments be showcasing their services and wares. Revellers, including children would be able to enjoy activities organised for them. Several sports activities lined up include a Kundasang Kembarathon, which will be flagged off by the Tourism Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun. The Kembarathon comes in three categories ­‑ mainly 21km run Open, 18 km Run Veteran and 9km Run Junior. The Open category winner will receive RM1,000 cash, a medal and a participation certificate, runner up RM800, a medal and certificate while the second runner up will receive RM500 medal and participation certificate. The fourth to 10th placings would receive RM100, a medal and certificate. "The Veteran Category's winner will recive RM800, a medal and certificate, runner up RM500, medal and certificate, the second runner up RM300, medal and certificate while the fourth to tenth placing will receive RM100, medal and a participation certificate." As for the Junior Category, the winner will take home RM500, a medal and participation certificate, runner up RM300, a medal and participation certificate and third place RM150, a medal and participation certificate. Fourth to 10th placing will bring home RM80, medal and a participation certificate," he elaborated. Wasry said they expect 300 participants for the three categories. A Motorcross Enduro Challenge opened to interested members of the public would also be held on the same day. The spokesperson for this event, Aziz Rijin shared that their target for participation is 30 people with motobikes of 150cc engine below. "The winners can expect RM800 and medal for first, RM550 and a medal for runner up, second runner up at RM350 and a medal with the fourth and fifth placings receiving RM350 and a medal respectively. The sixth to tenth places receive hamper," he said. A 4x4 Challenge at a circuit near the Kundasang township, is expected to attract at least 10 participants. The winner would receive RM3,000, runner up RM1,500, third place RM700, fourth place and fifth place RM250. Other sports competitions are futsal, for both men and women categories, sports for children and Tug o' War for Men. The guest of honour is Agricultrue and Food Industry Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin. Source: Daily Express
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02Dec

Coffee festival here this weekend

Kota Kinabalu: A coffee festival brewing this weekend is likely to be right up the alley of coffee lovers who happen to be in town. Some 20 independent café operators and firms in the coffee industry from across the country, Japan, Korea and Taiwan have picked the city as a meeting point for the inaugural 'KK Coffee Festival'. This is in view of the thriving coffee scene in Sabah with Sabahans consuming more than 200 million cups of coffee, involving over 1,000 tons of coffee beans annually and growing, according to national statistics. The event organised by Borneo Café Alliance, which is a subsidiary unit under the Federation of Sabah Industries, is to be held at the Suria Sabah mall from Dec 2-4, with the opening scheduled for Friday by Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai. Its Chairman Yap Cheen Boon said the festival among others is aimed at promoting professional standards and hygiene quality among those related to the coffee industry. "The level of coffee sophistication in Sabah has improved due to rising awareness of consumers on enjoying coffee. "Indirectly, the coffee culture in Sabah augurs well for the tourism industry as it also demands a better hygienic standard among operators," he said at a press conference on the festival here on Tuesday. Also present were the Borneo Cafe Alliance Vice Chairman Dick Lee and committee member Mike Wong. During the festival, 32 baristas are also expected to show their abilities behind the coffee machine to produce the most aesthetic cup of latte in the 'Latte Art' competition. Visitors will also have an opportunity to win a brand new camera worth RM1,200 for taking the best shot in the coffee-themed photography competition called 'Coffeegrapher.' A coffee-theme art gallery featuring coffee-stained art masterpieces by artists will also feature at the Festival, alongside 32 exhibition booths. Source: Daily Express
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02Dec

Kiulu Adventure Challenge to be complemented by mini carnival

Kota Kinabalu: The Second Kiulu Adventure Challenge scheduled for this weekend will be complemented by a Mini Kiulu Carnival as part of Visit Kiulu Month. Its organiser, the Kiulu Tourism Association (KTA) said the carnival aims to promote Kiulu as one of the potential tourism destinations that combines nature, culture and adventure. The carnival is open to the public. It will be held at The Adventure Centre (Riverbug) Kg Rangalau, Kiulu, which will also be the starting and ending point for the Kiulu Adventure Challenge. 'PeSBuk', a local non-government organisation, will hold a Traditional 'Tamu Gulu-Gulu' – or market, to showcase traditional food such as pinongian ikan, linopot, linabuk, bosou and rinukutun among others. "We aim to showcase many traditional and cultural items during the event so that Kiulu will also be known as a destination offering an authentic cultural experience. One need not travel so far away to get an all-round experience of Sabah local food, music and games," said Octavius Dares Saham, President of KTA. "We will bring back traditional games for visitors such as rampanau, tug of war, bamboo rafting and other forgotten games for children and adults. Cash prizes as well as lucky draw prizes up to RM 6,000 are up for grabs for all registered visitors," added Octavius. Kiulu district, usually known for mild white water rafting, offers other outdoor activities such as kayaking, jungle-trekking, hiking and mountain biking which is ideal for family outings. "Domestic tourism is still the main market source for Sabah. During the first nine months this year, we have received 1,636,962 visitors or a growth of +1.1% compared to same time last year. Combining with North Asian arrivals, domestic tourism contributed 85.7 per cent of Sabah's overall arrivals up to September this year," said Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board who is also Assemblyman of Kiulu, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. "It is important that we push new products to attract repeat and new visitors to the State," he added. Source: Daily Express
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