All articles of culture in Sabah

05Jun

Christina finds her tourism ministry job interesting, challenging.

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew, is finding her ministry interesting and challenging. She also said that she needs to have more understanding concerning her ministry and to know about the role she has to play. “I like this job. It is challenging. I also found out there are some events I must attend and cannot delegate to others,” she told press members who waited outside her office to witness her clocking in as the new Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister. She also said that she trusts her officers will assist her in the next five years. Liew also explained that she looks after three areas in her ministry: tourism, culture and environment. In addition, she also has to play her role as the Api-Api state assemblywoman, as member of parliament for Tawau, and as the Deputy Chief Minister. With her plate filled to the brim, one wonders how she would cope. When asked, Liew simply replied: “It boils down to time management.” Liew also shared the ministry’s plans to continue its promotional plan to attract more Chinese tourists and Europeans to come to Sabah. She also said that she plans to turn Sandakan and Tawau into tourist attractions as the two regions do not benefit from tourism at all. “Tourism should not be confined to Kota Kinabalu only,” she said. Meanwhile, Liew announced that she is no longer a practising lawyer. She told press members that effective yesterday (22 May), she has quit her job as a practising lawyer. “I have informed the Sabah Law Society,” she said, adding that this was her pledge in her manifesto. She also said that she has practised law for 20 years. Source : The Borneo Post
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24Apr

Aussie students choose Sabah to experience lifestyle, culture

Kota Kinabalu: Nineteen students from Kalamunda Senior High School and Governor Stirling Senior High School of Perth, Australia chose Sabah to experience local lifestyle, culture and destination. Four teachers and two parents led the trip to accompany the students. During a hosted lunch with Sabah Tourism Board, Diane Thorn, 61, a teacher from Governor Stirling Senior High School, said: "We're lucky that the Western Australia Education Department listed Sabah as a safe destination. It took us six months to prepare the proposal, then waited another three months for approval from the Ministry." She added that the tedious approval process was relevant because the safety and security of the students are very important aspects in planning overseas trips. Sabah was chosen as a cultural learning experience for the students because most of them took Bahasa Indonesia as a foreign language in their respective schools. "There are a lot of similarities between Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Malaysia so it was easy for us to understand the local language spoken here," said Conor Lyon, 13, from Governor Stirling Senior High School. Apart from Kota Kinabalu, the group took a half-day trip to Sandakan and visited Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Rainforest Discovery Centre and Sandakan Memorial Park. "Sandakan was terrific. At the Memorial Park, one of our parents, Alex, laid a wreath brought here from Australia. We also brought honky nuts, eucalyptus leaves and buds as part of our offering. I think it is a wonderful tribute to all our fallen diggers and we truly appreciate what Sabah has done," added Kuldeep Kaler, a teacher from Kalamunda Senior High School. "The Pavilion was very informative and fantastic. The kids actually stayed back to read what actually happened to the Australian diggers and Malaysian army on what they have to go through for their freedom. ANZAC has a huge impact in Perth." she added. Kaler also mentioned that a lot of people don't realise the Australian diggers were in Southeast Asia. Most students were chosen to go to Turkey through a competition for Anzac Day. The teachers and parents hope that Sabah Tourism and the Tourism Australia will have similar programmes to offer schools for the students on an Anzac holiday or ceremony. "I think we need to focus more on this site as it is easier for them to come here to represent Western Australia or their schools," said teacher Jessie Sohan. "It is a positive challenge for the students to experience Sabahan local culture as well as to try to converse in Bahasa." The group also visited Mari-Mari Cultural Village, Kinabalu Park, Poring Hot Springs, Kiulu Countryside, Tempasuk River, Nanamun River and more. Alex Stephens, a parent to one of the students, enjoyed the farm stay in Kg Tinagon Baru where the group experienced the local lifestyle of the villagers, including rubber tapping. General Manager of Sabah Tourism, Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani, said: "The opportunity is there to explore the educational segment from Western Australia with the listing of Sabah as a safe destination. The direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Perth has been maintaining well for the past years and an eight-day tour for school trip is just nice." Source: Daily Express
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10Apr

Rubin says Kalimaran is continuing a tradition

Tenom: Persatuan Murut Sabah (PMS) President Datuk Rubin Balang said the Pesta Kalimaran is a continuation of the Injawari celebrated by the Murut ethnic community, a celebration inherited from their ancestors. Rubin said Injawari is a celebration of customs and culture, annually celebrated during the colonial times. The celebration remains lively and vibrant despite not receiving funds from the British government to conduct the celebration. "Today, we continue to celebrate this event with upgraded features, including changing its identity while still maintaining its concept to preserve the customary treasures and cultures of the Muruts. "Pesta Kalimaran is not only celebrated to preserve our customs and culture…but is also a tourism product whereby the festival has been in the State's annual celebration calendar for the past 11 years," he said. Earlier, Rubin said Pesta Kalimaran is held at district levels dominated by the Murut community before being held at State-level. Rubin, who is Tenom Umno Chief and Tenom Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman, said he is grateful and thank BN leadership Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman for the constant support of the celebration. "This time around, we spent RM1 million for the Pesta Kalimaran, in which RM500,000 is for the cost of the celebration, while RM500,000 for the filling of activities and does not include the RM300,000 approved by Musa," he said. He said this when welcoming Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to officiate the State-level Pesta Kalimaran here, attended by over 5,000 people. On that note, Rubin urged the people remain united and foster close ties to ensure a harmonious and peaceful environment. "We have close relationship with the Federal Government…in fact we will support BN government for the sustainability of our development because our area, especially in Rundum and Kapulu is in dire need of proper roads. "So far, RM3.6 million for the construction and upgrading of roads at Rundum is currently being done by appointed contractors…while the road between Kapulu and Sumambu which will cost about RM400,000 is underway and in the process of appointing a contractor to implement it," he said. In addition, Rubin also supported the memorandum delivered by the Tenom Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the Deputy Prime Minister at the Tenom Umno Office on Monday, for a new road linking Beaufort to be constructed. This was to reduce traffic congestion and risk of accidents along the hilly stretch from Jalan Kimanis to Keningau. - Mail Mathew Source: Daily Express
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03Apr

Taking Kaamatan to Penang

Penampang: The rich cultures of the Kadazandusuns in Sabah will be showcased in Penang next month as the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) branch on the island will be organising the Harvest Festival celebration there for the first time. It will be a Penang state level event with cooperation from its State Government and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, universities and the private sector, including Sada Borneo, a popular band comprising Sabahan and Sarawakian musicians who only play traditional acoustic instruments. KDCA Penang Deputy Chairman II Murasun Murphy said the main event will be held on May 13 at Kompleks Bukit Jambul. "Our main objective is to enable Sabahans here to celebrate the harvest. Aside from that, we want to share the Kadazandusun ethnic cultures and traditions with people of other races here, including tourists," he said. He said there are younger generation of Sabahans who have been living in Penang and other states in the peninsula for a long time and are no longer familiar with their cultures and traditions, hence the importance of the celebration. He said they expect Sabahans who are residing in other states in the peninsula to come to the island to join the celebration. There are more than 40 indigenous ethnic communities under the KDCA. Penang is one of three KDCA branches in the peninsula. The other two are Klang Valley and Johor. Murasun said the highlight of the event will be the Unduk Ngadau and Sugandoi finals. Currently, organisers are calling for interested individuals nationwide to register as contestants for both contests. He said they must be Malaysian citizens above 18-year-old from any of the more than 40 ethnic groups of the Kadazandusun, or at least either parent is of that race. Auditions will be held on April 28-29 at the KDCA office at Goldhill Complex, Ayer Itam in Penang. "We will select seven finalists for the Unduk Ngadau and five for Sugandoi," he said. The prizes for the Unduk Ngadau winners are RM1,200 cash, not including products and accessories, RM700 (second place), RM500 (third place) RM150 each for the fourth and fifth place. Prizes for the top three Sugandoi winners are RM700, RM500 and RM300. The winners will represent Penang for the finals in Sabah during the state level Harvest Festival celebration on May 30 and 31. Source: Daily Express
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28Mar

KL gives RM 250,000 to set up Lotud Research and Learning Centre

Tuaran: A Suang Lotud Research and Learning Centre will be set up in a private land in Pogun Lawit here, said Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau. He said the upcoming building worth RM250,000 will be equipped with learning and teaching facilities as well as placing a Lotud Community Learning Centre (LCLC). "The Suang Lotud Research and Learning Centre will not only be the benchmark for Tuaran but it will become the identity of multiracial Malaysians with diverse backgrounds who can live together in harmony through unity and camaraderie spirit. "Such initiative has invaluable meaning and has its own historical value towards uplifting the cultural heritage, language and tradition of Lotud ethnic race in Sabah," he said. Tangau, who is also the Tuaran MP, said this after handing over a contribution of Federal funds to build the Suang Lotud Research and Learning Centre, at the Tuaran District Council. He said different views and understanding would not prevent any effort to fortify culture and races in Sabah to continue be united and live harmoniously. Meanwhile, Suang Lotud Sabah Association President Dato's Fredie Sua said the proposal to establish the centre was made two years ago and forwarded to Tangau. He said the Suang Lotud community is pleased with the Federal Government for channelling the funding for the cost of building the centre here which showed its concern on the need of ethnic groups in Sabah. "This is the initiative of Tangau …and this will definitely create history to the Suang Lotud community in Sabah. "The site for the centre was donated by Suang Lotud leader Balanting Erom and we are most grateful and thankful to him for his generosity. His sacrifice would always be remembered, including by the next generation," he said. He said the upcoming centre also has the potential to be developed as an attraction for tourists when it is completed. "Our vision is we want our cultural heritage, language and tradition of Dusun Lotud in Sabah known to the world," Fredie said. - Hayati Dzulkifli Source: Daily Express
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