Tag - Culture

KOTA KINABALU: The poverty rate in Sabah has continued to decline from 19.7 per cent in 2009 to 8.1 per cent last year. Disclosing this yesterday, the director-general of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Rahamat Bivi Yusoff said this showed the success of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman in addressing poverty. She said the poverty rate in the rural areas of Sabah also recorded a decline – from 32.8 per cent in 2009 to 12.9 per cent – and in the urban areas, there was also a drop from 9.8 per cent to 5.3 per cent. Dr Rahamat Bivi added that a survey also showed that the household income throughout Sabah for 2012 rose to RM4,013 from RM3,102 in 2009. “It represents a 29.4 per cent improvement with the average growth rate of 8.6 per cent per annum. This is a good achievement for Sabah because in just four years the household income has increased by a huge amount,” he told a press conference here yesterday on the Findings from the Household Income Survey (HIS) 2012 for Sabah. Also present was State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman. Dr Rahamat Bivi also said the average monthly income in the urban areas had also shot up by 22.7 per cent from RM3,803 in 2009 to RN4,668 in 2012 and in the rural areas, by 33.8 per cent from RM2,177 to RM2,913. She said the HIS 2012 also indicated that the income distribution in Sabah has improved. According to her, the Gini coefficient reduced from 0.453 in 2009 to 0.428 last year and that this reflected a more equitable distribution of income among households as a result of the implementaiton of a more comprehensive initiatives and inclusive socio-economic development programmes in Sabah. “In particular, the implementation of specific programmes to assist the poor and low-income group to generate higher income,” he said, adding that among such programmes were 1AZAM, Agropolitan and Minis Estet Sejahtera Development as well as the livestock and commercial agricultural and microcredit programmes. Meanwhile Dr Rahamat Bivi said the federal government has allocated RM24.8 billion under the 10th Malaysia Plan (Rolling Plan 1, II and III) for the implementation of development programmes which included the construction of basic rural infrastructure as well as education and housing assistance programmes under the National Key Results Areas (NKRA) in Sabah. As a specific measure to help the poor and low-income earners, he said a total of RM293.5 lillion was allocated to implement 1AZAM under the NKRA Low Income Households. As of December 2012, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) has also provided RM920.6 million to help the poor to conduct micro-businesses. “More importantly, the continuous effort by the government to improve basic infrastructures including road and portable water has helped to improve the quality of life in Sabah. “The improved connectivity also created a conducive environment for Sabahans to undertake their economic activities, hence improving income and reducing poverty,” she said. Source : Borneo Post

TAWAU: The International Cultural Festival here is the right platform to showcase Sabah’s unique unity, peace and harmony enjoyed by its multi-racial and religious people. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman said apart from assisting to promote tourism such festival was also the best platform to continue preserving culture, particularly among the younger generation. “I am very proud to see the spirit and commitment as well as involvement of the people from all walks of life what more many youths are participating to make this event a success,” he said at the opening of the third edition of the festival in the Municipal Council compound in Fajar here yesterday. About 50,000 people attended the festival featuring cultural performances from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Syria as well as 25 sub-ethnic groups. Musa said this was a positive sign for the nation’s future especially in the context of further galvanising unity, togetherness and harmony of the people from all backgrounds, religions and ethnicity in line with the 1Malaysia spirit. According to him, the situation was what makes Sabah beautiful. “This is the joy for us living in Sabah … we live in peace and harmony, we can sit down together and celebrate all the celebrations,” he said Musa said it was also the aspiration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to see the people of Malaysia live in peace and harmony under the 1Malaysia concept. Sabah was also proud since Najib had said that the State was among the states that can be the role model of the 1Malaysia concept. “That is why we always called on the people in Tawau, Sabah and the whole country to ensure we continue to live in peace,” he said. Musa also cautioned the people against falling into the trap of the opposition who only aimed at creating chaos such as through street demonstration, among others. “We don’t want this unhealthy culture and what we want is to continue living in peace and enjoying good economic development,” he said, adding that the people in Sabah must be thankful for the sensitivity of the Prime Minister. As for the State Government, Musa said it was taking various approaches including providing for a huge State Budget in order for the people to continue social and economic development that comes with peace and harmony. “I am also amaze with the commitment of the organiser to invite international participation not only from this region but other countries from the Asia continents and Middle East,” he said. Towards this end, he said the State Government welcomed the organiser’s efforts and initiative to take various kind of approaches in order to make the festival more attractive. Three years ago, he said leaders from the district, namely Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan and Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh had discussed with him on creating something good for the people here to celebrate together just like in other districts such as the Kalimaran Festival, among others. “So the Tawau International Cultural Festival was born,” he said, adding the festival had enabled the people to see various cultures of not only the various sub-ethnic groups in the state but also from other countries. “What is important is that we continue to preserve our strong unity and I hope the festival will continue to be the catalyst of the district’s economic development,” he said Meanwhile, Tawau Municipal Council President Datuk Haji Ismail Mayakob expressed gratitude to the State Government under Musa for the unwavering support to the festival. He said it reflected that the State Government prioritise the local economic development through promotion of tourism, which is among the objectives of the festival. “The essence of the festival is community driven, participation from each sub-ethnic group,” he said, adding this year’s concept was a bit different from previously where it features folk song, dancing and playing of traditional music instruments. Among those on hand were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran, Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming, Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Ghapur Salleh, assemblymen, Sabah Cultural Board Chairman Datuk Wences Angang and foreign consuls Source: Borneo Post

KENINGAU: Sabah Foundation’s North Interior Zone office here has implemented and completed 94 small projects for the people here. Its director, Tan Sri Datu Khalil Datu Haji Jamalul, said these comprise 41 houses for the hardcore poor under the people housing program (PPRT), 33 bridges and 20 gravity piped water system. “These projects are for all members of society regardless of race and creed,” he said in his speech at the Sabah Foundation programme with the people (YSBR) in honour of the elderly and single mothers for the coming Chinese New Year at Perkasa hotel here yesterday. The programme was officiated by Assistant Rural Development Minister cum Liawan assemblyman Datuk Haji Sairin Haji Karno. He said for this year, a total of 37 projects have been identified and are in the process of implementation. Many of these projects will be implemented through joint efforts of the villagers. “Through this YBSR program, efforts will be intensified to ensure that each programme or project undertaken will be optimized in all aspects of socio-cultural and socio-economic. “We hope in the socio-cultural aspect, it would be able to produce a caring society, always in agreement and united in the development of village and community. This could indirectly preserve the culture and traditions of the people,” he said. Khalil added the Sabah Handicraft Centre hopes to realize the state government’s desire to improve and accelerate the production and marketing of handicraft products and for training courses in handicraft production to be conducted in faraway villages. He said further training on forest yields, wood and batik is being undertaken centrally at the Sabah Handicraft Centre and so far, the Sabah Foundation Group through its zone offices and Sabah Handicraft Centre had trained 15,000 people in the handicraft industry. “Such being the case, the production and marketing of handicraft products will provide economic returns to the people, especially the villagers involved in the manufacture of handicrafts. Economic activity will open many employment opportunities, such as the supply of raw materials and transportation,” he said. The objective of the program, according to Khalil, was to promulgate the actual roles, dedication and contributions of Sabah Foundation Group to the people. He noted that the Sabah Foundation group was already known to society in the state, especially of its role in education. Since its inception in 1966, he said the programme had become the priority in the development of education to complement the efforts of the state and federal governments in the development of human capital. From this effort, he said many of the people in the state were extended the benefits of education in the state or in a foreign country and those who graduated have returned to serve the government or private sector. “In addition, our children who are in secondary schools, have also received assistance through scholarships. This helped to ease the burden of parents in their children’s school spending. “Apart from the aspect of education, through YSBR program, Sabah Foundation Group also helped the government to manage poverty in the state, particularly in building houses for poor families. “This effort is consistent with the Sabah Foundation Group mission to reduce poverty in the state,” he said. Khalil added the Zone Office would always work closely with the district offices and the offices of the people development leader unit to identify families that have been prioritized based on the e-kasih lists, apart from the small projects for the benefit of rural residents being implemented such as bridges and gravity water pipes. Meanwhile, Sairin in his speech urged the people here to be thankful for the assistance provided by the government through its agencies, including the Sabah Foundation. “I believe that through the aid granted, it provides some form of comfort to people living in the rural areas,” he said. During the programme, Sairin presented ang pows contributed by Sabah Foundation to 222 people comprising elderly and single mothers. Source: Borneo Post

KOTA KINABALU: The State Museum is currently showcasing a photograph collection entitled “Peace Corps in Malaysia – 50 years of Enduring Bond, 1962-1963″. The exhibition materials contributed by the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur was officially handed over to Sabah Museum in a ceremony officiated by Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun here yesterday. US Ambassador to Malaysia, Paul W Jones, said the exhibition was part of the their programme held across Malaysia to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps in the country. Jones said the showcasing of the collection was meant to celebrate the bond and friendship between US and the people of Malaysia that have been nurtured through the various activities organized by the Peace Corps since setting foot here in 1962. He said thousands of Peace Corps volunteers have served in Malaysia where they helped improve the living quality of the local communities through sharing of their expertise in education, health and agriculture, among others. “The Peace Corps have changed many, many lives and opened the window to the world. Undeniably they have created a lasting impact not just on the community wherever they served but they also created an enduring ties between our countries,” he said. Jones noted more than 210,000 Americans have served in various countries under the Peace Corps to date, out of which more than 4,000 have been stationed in Malaysia. In the 90s, Malaysia was among the countries with the biggest number of Peace Corps volunteers, he added. Meanwhile, Masidi in his speech, said the 50th anniversary celebration was a time to recollect the past and show appreciation to the contribution of the volunteers, and more importantly to look at the future and how the two countries can further improve ties and collaboration for mutual benefits. He said the historical relationship between America and Sabah went back much further, about 148 years, to 1865 when the American Consul to Borneo, Charles Lee Moses, obtained a large tract of land which consisted most of the modern day Sabah right up to Balabac and Palawan. In fact, although it was the British who then ruled Sabah, it was the Americans who headed and pioneered the State’s forestry, he said. Source : Borneo Post  

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the state government appreciated the cooperation and involvement of local artistes and arts enthusiasts to help the state progress. He said they played an important role as ambassadors and role models for their following among the younger generation. "Artistes and arts enthusiasts have the potential to succeed in their respective fields and they are good examples for young people to emulate and be inspired," he told reporters at his official residence at Sri Gaya here Saturday. More than 100 local artistes from six artistes and arts enthusiasts associations in Sabah expressed their support for the Barisan Nasional (BN) at the function. The associations comprised Sabah Artistes Associations (Paras), 1Malaysia Artistes Club (KA1M), Sabah Local Artistes Association (Pertisa), Music Industry and Sabah Film Entrepreneurs (Perintis), Sabah Creative Industry Group Movement (SCGIM) and Creative Film and Music Industry Association. Paras President Abu Bakar Ellah was appointed as chairman for the Sabah Artistes Secretariat which would serve as medium between the artistes and the government. "We will form a committee to find ways to assist the government in the general election by reaching out to the people, albeit in a more relaxed environment," he told reporters. Source : Daily Express