10Nov

Kiulu tourist arrivals up sharply

KOTA KINABALU: Promoting the uniqueness of Kiulu with the objective to make it a prime ecotourism destination has been bearing fruit so far, according to Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Tourist arrivals to Kiulu came up to 27,000 last year and their numbers surged to nearly 40,000 between January and September this year alone, he told reporters in a press conference for the third Kiulu Adventure Challenge (KAC), yesterday. “What we want to highlight and promote through the KAC is the uniqueness that Kiulu has to offer. “The run itself is unique, because it does not only combine cycling and running, but rafting as well. “We also made sure to include family involvement, with the introduction of a 5km Family Fun Run this year, in addition to the existing Kiulu Mini Carnival,” he added. Joniston said the KAC was organised as one of the many efforts to promote rural tourism and empower the local community by creating tourism and business opportunities in Sabah. “Kiulu locals are heavily involved in organising the KAC because we want them to really be able to feel the benefits of expanding ecotourism opportunities in their hometown. “We don’t want Sabah to be known only for our Mount Kinabalu. We want Sabah to also be associated with richness in traditions and culture from its interior parts,” he added. Earlier, KAC race director Auther J Kimon said flag-off would be at 6.30am on December 3, at Rumah Tradisi Kiulu. The route includes 13 kilometres of running and 30 kilometres of cycling along the hilly earth trails passing through villages and hanging bridges, alongside white-water rafting along the scenic Kiulu River. “The first five kilometres of the run will be on asphalt road while the second part will be on gravel. It’s all undulating surfaces so that’s why we call it a challenge. “There are even some parts of the route where participants will have to carry their bicycles, hence the term ‘mini challenge,'” said Auther, adding that the highest peak of the route reaches up to 140 metres. He also said each checkpoint is complete with markers and crew, and that the route was chosen due to its low risk and convenience for emergency evacuation, which provides accessibility to injured participants. The Kiulu Mini Carnival will also be held on the same day in Kiulu town, featuring stalls operated by locals selling authentic local food and handicrafts. Other activities include traditional games, catch-a-duck competition, stone painting, coconut bowling and tug-of-war. Approximately 430 adventure enthusiasts have registered for the challenge so far, while interested parties can still register till November 25. Those interested can submit registration at the Kiulu Tourism Association office in Tamparuli Point, Chanteek Borneo in Tamparuli, KLK Ponohuon Lodge in Kiulu, Riverbug office in Wisma Sabah here or through WhatsApp at 017-7698862 (Suzie).   Source: Borneo Post
By Inside KePKAS, , , , , , , Comments Off
Read more...
08Nov

‘Diving all year round in Sabah’

SEMPORNA: THE year-long “End in Sipadan” campaign organised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry will not only promote Sabah’s diving trails, but also its local dive operators, said the ministry’s state director, Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar. “The ‘End in Sipadan’ campaign, held in collaboration with Sabah Backpackers Association, began in April and has reached its pinnacle here in Sipadan. “Throughout the journey, we saw our local dive operators doing a great job not just for the tourism industry, but also for the conservation of our reefs,” he said during a press conference in conjunction with the closing of the campaign here recently. He said dive operators in Mari Mari Sepanggar island here and Bum Bum Island in Semporna engaged with avid divers to build artificial reefs within respective house reefs. “Before the campaign, the heaps of rubbish in Sepanggar island could reach an average man’s shoulder. But, dive operators have cleared the garbage and transformed the island into a diving centre.” Ag Ahmad said dive operator Blue Fin Dive and Surf from Kudat built a community-based homestay, while ND Divers from Bum Bum island provided jobs opportunities to the locals. As for Kudat-based Pirate Divers, its founder, Glen Hapirullah, sketched several hundred underwater maps in Malaysia, including 44 diving sites in Lahad Datu. Ag Ahmad said diver Abdul Razak Ismail, 33, from Semporna, took underwater videos to promote the campaign, adding that one of his videos gained 14,000 views in three months. The campaign, he said, had also helped 15 media personnel obtain diving licences to better promote the state’s diving trails. Present at the press conference were the ministry’s Pahang director, Datuk Idrus Yahya, and Sabah Backpackers Association president Richie Lee. “The ‘End in Sipadan’ pro-gramme is the continuation of the ministry’s ‘Start in Tioman’ campaign in Pahang, which began in 2010 and offered diving course to media personnel,” said Idrus. He said the programme in Tioman aimed to encourage people to take up diving. “People will not only spend money on diving, but also on activities that we have created for them before they board a plane home. “Besides that, the programme made people appreciate nature more because once the marine ecosystem is destroyed, divers will not be able to enjoy underwater activities anymore.” Volunteer Datin Chan Goek Kooi, from Johor, said she fully supported the campaign in Bum Bum island and in Sipadan. “As a dive operator, it is important for me to explore dive sites before promoting them to my clients.   Source: New Straits Times
By Inside KePKAS, , , , , Comments Off
Read more...
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
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...
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
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...
25Sep

Around 1,000 people join in awareness race

KOTA KINABALU: Around 1,000 people participated in the 2017 Shark Runner organised by Junior Chamber International (JCI) to raise awareness on the negative impact of hunting for shark fins. JCI President, Lenny Yap said that the run is part of their campaign to stop cruelty towards sharks. It was the first run of its kind in Malaysia where were participants dressed with “shark fins” and being hunted along the route. “For the first time participants will able to experience the dreadful feeling of sharks being hunted by fisherman, and at the same time, to instill awareness to protect the shark population,” she said. “Sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the marine food chain and prey population and without them, the existing marine ecosystem will be unbalanced.” A number of activities have been implemented by JCI to spread and instill greater awareness among locals to refrain from consuming shark fin soup and stop shark hunting. Among them was “Say No to Shark Fin Soup” (SNTSFS) Drawing and Coloring Contest. The run was officiated by Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) City Environmental Health Department director Robert Lipon who represented Mayor, Datuk Yeo Boon Hai. The awareness run was organized by JCI Tanjung Aru with the collaboration of Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI), Grab Car and Sabah Amateur Radio Society (SARS). The 5.3km run was held at Tanjung Lipat, here. The event also saw various activities such as lucky draw, shark walk and Judging of Best Costume, Zumba session, and a magic show. Source : New Sabah Times
By Inside KePKAS, Comments Off
Read more...