14Mar

Historical Sabah Tourism building turns 100 years

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism building, formerly the old post office, celebrates its 100th year exactly on March 16 after surviving the war, a major restoration and today, housing the Sabah Tourism Board office. The once-in-a-lifetime occasion will feature a good mix of local resources coming together to mark the event, according to chairman of Sabah Tourism Board, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. The event will be held at the building location and stretching as far as the end of Gaya Street for the “Night @ Gaya Street”, where food outlets, food trucks and vendors will operate till extended hours that day. North Borneo History Society will feature a virtual reality booth for public to ‘experience’ Jesselton in the past. The event will also feature a 100-metre long cake co-hosted by Sabah Tourism and Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort for all who attend. The first ever 3D projection mapping showcasing the history of the building will be projected and produced by Sabah Animation Creative Content Centre. “It is very rare to witness a centenary anniversary of a structure such as this one, as Jesselton was almost in ruins during the war. Today it is one of the 24 heritage sites gazetted in Sabah. We hope our next generation will conserve and learn to love our history,” added Joniston. The building, officiated by British North Borneo Charter Company Governor A.C. Pearson in 1918, was formerly a printing office before it was converted into a post office in 1936 until 1986. In 1989, the Sabah Government restored the building for the then Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation which moved into the building in 1990 and is based there till today. Public are welcome to join in the event. Road closure notice will be announced on press and social media. Motorists are encouraged to find alternative ways to find their way to Gaya Street. Source: The Borneo Post Online
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28Dec

Festive visiting strengthens unity, togetherness and brotherhood: Musa

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman (pix) said the practice of visiting especially during festive seasons could strengthen unity and promote the feeling of oneness among the people. According to Musa, the practice of visiting among the people of various races and beliefs in Sabah such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Tadau Kaamatan and Christmas could deepen the feeling of brotherhood among the people. "We will continue with this (mutual visiting) to boost unity among us and enhance our relations. With this we can develop our beloved state of Sabah together," he told reporters when visiting the open house of United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) in Tamparuli, Tuaran today. Present were acting Upko president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin, State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai who is also Sabah Tourism Board chairman. — Bernama   Source: The Sun Daily
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18Sep

More than 60,000 attended Malaysia Day celebration

KOTA KINABALU: More than 60,000 people celebrated Malaysia Day at the Likas Sports Complex on Sept 16. From a dignitaries list comprising the who’s who in public office to the man in the street, the celebration was considered by some to be the biggest and most elaborate since the day was declared a public holiday a few years ago. The celebrations kicked off with stage performances by a slew of Malaysian artists, and concluded with spectacular fireworks that lit the city’s night skies. The festive atmosphere started well before the 8pm arrival of the Head of Sabah State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni. The Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman, Sarawak State Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and VIPS of the Federal government and governments of Sabah and Sarawak, were on the specially erected stage earlier to await Tun Juhar’s arrival. Also present were the Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Seri Dr. Salleh Said Keruak who was also the chairman of the event, and his wife of Datuk Raya Erom and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun. A highlight of the event was the signing of the 2017 Malaysia Special Note Day declaration by Najib, Musa and Mohamad Asfia, followed with the cutting of a cake decorated with Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa logo by Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah. “I am happy and very proud of being part of this historic celebration,” said Zuraidah Ahmad, one of the performers from the Ministry of Information who participated in the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) march. “I am happy to contribute my idea and also energy together with my friend during the Jalur Gemilang march.” Around 30 people participated in the march led by Haji Suwadi Guliling the Sabah Information Department Director, and his deputy Supian Musa. Meanwhile, Azhar Tahir, 55, said that Malaysia Day ‘is about the freedom that we now have with our independence’. The retiree, who once ran a printing shop, came all the way from Perak just to be part of the Malaysia Day celebration. “For me, Malaysia Day is a symbol of hope and freedom. It is up to us what we want to do and the freedom to make our own decisions,” he said. Azhar lamented that the younger Malaysians do not seem to possess the level of patriotism that his generation possessed. “It is a shame that some of the young people today are embarrassed to even wear a patriotic shirt or admit that they are Malaysian,” he added. For Faizan Haniff, 23, the young generation today should learn to open their hearts so that they will appreciate the spirit of patriotism. “As a Malaysian myself, I am very proud to see lots of people coming together with their families and friends to celebrate Malaysia Day,” said Faizan. Ricky Larry, 28, who recently completed his studies abroad, made a dash to be back in time to celebrate Malaysia Day. “It is great to see that our celebration is still lively with lots of people coming together,” said the Sabahan who has been away in England the past five years. “I think it is right that Sabah is hosting Malaysia Day.” Source : New Sabah Times
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15Sep

Host Sabah all poised for Malaysia Day event

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is all set to host this year’s Malaysia Day programme which runs for three days from today. Workers have been putting the finishing touches to the stage and booth as well as canopies for the event. Full rehearsals have also been conducted every evening since Wednesday. This year’s Malaysia Day, which falls tomorrow, has heaps of activities lined up for the public. “So far, everything is going as planned and we hope there won’t be any hiccup,” said Malaysia Day organising committee deputy secretary Mariam Omar Matusin. Mariam, who is also state Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment deputy permanent secretary, said the event which will take place at the Sports Complex in Likas is expected to draw thousands of spectators.
 The Malaysia Day celebrations will see activities and programmes including exhibitions, concerts featuring local artistes, and the official launch tomorrow.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to officiate the event. The events during these three days will start at 2pm and go on until night. The public is invited to come and make this Malaysia Day merrier. Malaysia Day commemorates the formation of the federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963. Source : The Star
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08Sep

Three day carnival to mark Malaysia Day

KOTA KINABALU: A three-day carnival will mark Malaysia Day celebrations here The celebrations that are expected to draw a crowd of 30,000 over the three days will see a host of activities including songs, dance, cultural shows and exhibitions on the country’s digital age progress. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Rusmaidi Sulai said that unlike previous Malaysia Day celebrations,  the event would be spread over three days starting with the eve of Malaysia Day on Sept 15. “We want people irrespective of their political ideologies, race, religion or region to come and celebrate Malaysia,” he told a press conference here Friday.
He said the theme was in line with the National Day celebrations  ‘Negaraku: Sehati Sejiwa' (My Country: One Heart, One Soul) as it was aimed at instilling unity to strengthen national integration among all Malaysians.
Rusmaidi said that Sabah Yang Di Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin will be the chief guest of the event that will be attended by Prime Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and ministers of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg on Sept 16. The highlight of the celebrations would be the involvement of 1,500 youths that will provide a variety of entertainment to reflect the colours of Malaysia. “It is very refreshing entertainment and we can assure that public will not be bored,” he said. Entertainers from Astro and RTM will also be performing during the celebrations. Source : The Star
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