All articles of culture in Sabah

12May

After China’s JM Group MICE, Sabah ready to take on larger events

KOTA KINABALU: Over 3,500 delegates from China’s JM Group have been arriving to Sabah since last Saturday, as Kota Kinabalu was picked as their conference venue. It was the largest MICE (meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) group from China the state have hosted. The delegates of the JM Top Achievers China arrived in batches and were spread out to eleven hotels in the state capital. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, in a statement, said that the event is an indication that Sabah is ready to host large scale events. "Sabah is embarking into a serious business conference venue with the completion of the Sabah International Convention Centre soon. “An estimated RM31.8 million economic impact is expected to flow into tourism in Sabah (from this development). "The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) will be targeting incentive groups from China as it has a huge potential due of the many large corporations there,” said Masidi when opening the JM Top Achievers China’s conference at the Universiti Sabah Malaysia, yesterday. According to him, more Chinese incentives are expected, such as Perfect (China) and Babycare. STB’s forecast shows a potential average of 33,000 arrivals from China monthly, this year alone. New direct flights connecting China to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) has been steadily introduced every year. In the last six months, new and additional flights from Wuhan, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Fuzhou brought to a total of 79 flights from China into the state on a weekly basis. Last night, Masidi and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau chief executive officer Datuk Zulkefli Sharif attended the JM Group’s beach gala night dinner as guest-of-honours at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort. In the event, JM Group Executive Director Qiu Wei Joe and delegates were treated to a sunset beach party, featuring entertainment and fireworks display. Source: New Straits Times
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12May

Land policy for food production needed – Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: The state government needs to look at its land policy for food production, said Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun. He said this was imperative to ensure the state was not dependent on others to supply its food needs in the future. “About 75 percent of our rice is imported. We need to address this, we need to look at our land policy for food production. We need food for ourselves,” Masidi said, adding that this was his personal opinion. He added that members of the government also seemed to feel the need to look at the land policy and feel that Sabah had probably reached the limit for oil palm. “There is a need to sit with the planters to look at other crops such as food crops,” he said at the book launch of the ‘Orang-utan: The Natural History of an Endangered Ape’, authored by Elizabeth L. Bennett and photography by Cede Prudente. The book was published by the Natural History Publications (Borneo). Masidi also spoke of the conservation efforts undertaken in Sabah, stating that it was the best in the country. “Fifteen years ago we realised that we have enough (of) logging. We caused misery to our iconic animals,” he said. The state has since decided to keep between 56 and 58 percent of its area under forest cover and is aiming for 30 percent as Totally Protected Areas (TPAs), he said. “We are now at 25 percent in TPAs,” he said. He added that they were expecting to achieve the target by or before 2025. Additionally, a total of 700,000 hectares of forests are being planted to avoid cutting natural forests, he said. And with regard to the orang-utans, Masidi said the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre had become a popular tourism attraction for Sabah. He explained that the primary objective of setting up the centre was not for tourism but rather to rehabilitate orang-utans that were displaced in the past. “It accidentally became a tourist attraction. It is not a zoo but a rehab centre. Some tour operators feel short changed because they did not see orang-utans during feeding time. But this is a good sign. It means that the (rehabilitation) programme has been successful,” said Masidi. Also present at the event was publisher Datuk C.L. Chan. Source: Borneo Post
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12May

Closer Sabah-China ties now

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has always been willing to support the work of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan. “Let us work together to continue to expand the exchanges and cooperation in various fields, to further enhance the close relationship between the people, to deepen the cooperation of Sister Cities (Kota Kinabalu and Hangzhou), and to promote the exchanges between Sabah and China’s provinces. “We shall grasp the golden opportunity of the Belt and Road Initiative, to strive for a stronger development for Sabah that will benefit the people,” Pairin said when gracing the second anniversary of the establishment of the consulate here yesterday. The Chinese consulate also introduced its new Deputy Consul General, Zhang He, at the event. Pairin, who is also the Minister of Infrastructure Development, said the Consulate General had been well-integrated into Sabah’s society in the past year, and had, as always, promoted the friendship and cooperation between Sabah and China. “They have done many practical works that benefit Sabah and its people, such as supporting the local Chinese education and cultural exchanges, official and non-official visits, exchanges between cities and so on.” He was also pleased that Kota Kinabalu and Hangzhou had become Sister Cities, and moved by the consulate’s concerns and assistance to the local special groups. “All efforts reflect the close family bonding of Malaysia and China.” he said. Pairin said China’s Belt and Road initiative as well as the presence and efforts of the Chinese consulate, had further contributed in bringing more tourists from China and more Chinese companies to visit and explore possibility for cooperation in Sabah. “These are Sabah’s expectations, opportunities and responsibilities as well. “This year, the Sabah State Government has made progress in upgrading the infrastructure construction, better regulating the tourism market, enhancing capacity building while the safety of tourists becomes a more important issue to be ensured.” Pairin conveyed his deepest sympathy to China and the Chinese tourists, referring to the Mengalum boat tragedy in February this year. “It is something we should ensure does not happen again.” That aside, Pairin looked forward to a future with opportunities for cooperation to achieve fruitful and win-win results between Sabah and China. Also present were Pairin’s wife Puan Sri Genevieve Kitingan, Consul General Chen Peijie, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah and Datin Mary Wong,  Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA) chairman Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai and wife Datin Vicky Yee, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, prominent Chinese businessmen and leaders Tan Sri Joseph Lo, Tan Sri David Chu, Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt, Datuk Michael Lui, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, Datuk Lau Kok Sing, Datuk Tan Tiong Lai, Datin Tiong Tan Hua and KTS Trading Sdn Bhd Sabah area manager Wong Kee Mee.
 Source: Borneo Post
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11May

Hundreds celebrate Kaamatan festival in Tuaran

TUARAN: Hundreds of people flocked the Tenghilan Multipurpose Hall near here today to celebrate the Kaamatan celebration. The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Oganisation (Upko) hosted the harvest festival, which saw some visitors donning their traditional costumes. In launching the event, Upko acting president and Tuaran member of parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau called on the people to appreciate and understand the essence of Kaamatan. "May is an important month for Sabah people, especially the Kadazandusun Murut community as we celebrate our culture. "It is celebrated at national level and has been recognised as an official event. "Many may ask why Upko, a political party is organising Kaamatan festival. We are a party that is built to protect the welfare of Kadazandusun people," he said. Madius, who is also Science, Technology and Innovative Minister said it is Upko's responsibility to educate the people of their heritage as well as culture. In the event, visitors were entertained with Sugandoi performance (Kadazandusun singing contest) and the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant. Source: New Straits Time
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07Apr

Handicraft woven from bamboo can generate RM20 mln for Keningau

KENINGAU: Kraftangan Malaysia believes that handicraft woven from bamboo can generate up to RM20 million in revenue annually for Keningau with the right marketing and promotions. Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the district’s fine, quality bamboo handicraft, such as bags and containers, had been attracting Asian and European tourists to buying it. “Bags, especially those made by craftsmen from Kampung Batu Lunguyan using the Dusun traditional motifs, are durable. “It is not impossible that the village comes to be known as the ‘Land of Bamboo’ as its handicraft is of the highest quality and can potentially penetrate the international market,” she added. She told reporters this after officiating the state-level Kraf KampungKu programme in Sook, near Keningau here yesterday. Also present was the Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department and Sook State Assemblyman, Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin. Aside from Kampung Batu Lunguyan, Mas Ermieyati said Kraftangan Malaysia would also be assisting 15 other villages in Keningau, also producers of bamboo handicraft, to market and promote their products to achieve the RM20 million revenue target. Aside from the Tourism and Culture Ministry, 28 other government and private agencies are also involved in the implementation of the state-level Kraf KampungKu programme. It includes the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority. Mas Ermieyati said that next year, Keningau district would be organising the Visit Keningau Year, which would include a large scale promotion of bamboo handicraft. She also said that as of February this year, 3,960 handicraft entrepreneurs in Sabah had registered with Kraftangan Malaysia, of whom 1,098 are forest product entrepreneurs, with sales totalling RM4.69 million. Meanwhile, Kraftangan Malaysia Director-General Zuraida Mokhtar said the agency had always emphasised on sustainable entrepreneurial attributes, to ensure that the handicraft business continue and remains competitive. “The Craft Village project is not just about implementation. It includes a holistic approach, with product laboratories, guidance, quality advisory services, product design and marketing,” she added. — Bernama Source: Borneo Post
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