29Jan

Renewable energy way forward

Kota Kinabalu: Developing renewable energy or alternative energy sources is the way forward towards meeting future energy needs, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman. "The State Government believes the practice of conserving energy through sustainable and efficient consumption of electricity should be carried out for the survival of the next generation," he said. He said the National Green Technology launched in 2009 has four pillars – energy, environment, economy and social. "For the energy sector, the key challenge is to increase renewable energy resources and efficiently use energy. "The challenge is the extinction of energy sources such as gas and coal, thus the management of energy resources must be diversified taking into account renewable energy sources in our country's electricity generation systems," he said. Musa, who was represented by Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, said this when officiating the two-day Sustainable Energy Convention, here, Thursday. He further said the people should also be educated and given awareness on how important energy efficiency and optimum use is because it saves the environment and saves cost. "This is the best way to reduce the production of carbon dioxide as well as save on the volume of its use. "Environmental sustainability needs to be taken seriously in the interest of all. Energy generation is one of the biggest contributors to climate change through the fossil burning process. "Additionally, the upgrading and lifestyle of the community also witness the increase in energy needs, especially electricity and other fossil fuels, thus the people are advised to adopt more environmentally friendly lives in order to preserve the environment," he said. Musa also applauded Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) for organising the convention which he described as timely as it promotes sustainable use of energy to improve the quality of life of the people. He also urged SESB to improve the electricity supply system to drive development in the State. In this regard, he hoped cooperation between SESB and other interested parties would find a holistic approach to develop renewal energy to reduce the impact of fossil fuel in future. Meanwhile, Pairin told a media conference the convention will discuss about energy and what can be done to make sure energy is sustainable. "This should be what we are here for to ensure that we come up with more sustainable energy and less use of fossils from the ground that has been used since long ago to generate energy. "We are always reminded so that our country also takes part in programmes to reduce carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. "I think what we are emphasising here is to come up with more energy produced from natural creation, from the sun, rivers, water which has no pollution but can produce sustainable energy. "If we can do this, it is very important, now we are thinking of…we are already producing electrical mobile vehicles, we are also working on producing power from water…all this is for future needs of the world, humans, life and ensure our environment can be sustained for the future," he said. Also present were Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, and State Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Radin Malleh, among others. – Sherell Jeffrey   Source: Daily Express
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24Jan

Sabah expects more direct flights

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah expects more direct flights from various destinations and is working hard to accommodate the increasing number of tourists to the state, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun. He said in fact, 62 chartered flights from China were expected to arrive in Kota Kinabalu over the next three months. “We need to provide enough quality hotel rooms. The state cabinet has decided to speed up the building of hotels and have tasked some companies to build more hotels,” he told reporters upon returning from Beijing on the Xiamen Airlines’ inaugural direct flight here today. A total 163 passengers boarded the flight from Beijing, including Malaysian Ambassador to China Datuk Zainuddin Yahya. Masidi said the state government, as well as tourism industry players needed to be proactive to cater to the needs of the visitors. He was pleased that Xiamen Airlines had chosen Kota Kinabalu as its first international destination from Beijing – a manifestation of good relationship between Sabah and China. Masidi said Sabah recorded 430,000 tourist arrivals from China last year, a 14.7 per cent increase from 2016. Meanwhile, China’s Consul General in Kota Kinabalu Liang Caide said Malaysia and China enjoyed a long diplomatic ties and the relationship developed rapidly in recent years. He said as one of China’s youngest airlines, Xiamen Airlines’ flight to Kota Kinabalu could further help Sabah’s tourism industry development and enhance trade cooperation between Kota Kinabalu and Beijing. Vice-President of the airline’s Beijing branch, Ou Dong Ying said the number of Chinese tourists visiting Sabah grew steadily by about 20 per cent annually. She said the trend prompted the airline to serve its first international flight out of Beijing to Kota Kinabalu. – Bernama   Source: Borneo Post
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16Jan

State govt now consulted on rural projects via joint committee

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman said its close cooperation between state ministries and their federal counterparts was vital to successful planning and implementation of projects in the state. He therefore welcomed the effort by the federal Regional and Rural Development Ministry under its minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to jointly chair a meeting with its state counterpart on rural development projects for Sabah “We commend this initiative by KKLW, which for the first time has invited me to jointly chair a meeting on rural development projects for Sabah,” he told reporters after jointly chairing the Rural and Regional Development Ministry – Sabah State Government Project Planning and Monitoring Main Joint Committee here yesterday. Musa, who is also Finance Minister, said that for rural projects to really benefit the rakyat, consultation and close cooperation was vital between state and federal ministries. “They (federal ministries) are not psychic. How would they really know what Sabah needs without consulting us? So I really appreciate the move on setting up the joint committee, which is being done the first time by the present minister,” he said. Meanwhile, Ismail said the state government would always be consulted on any development programs under his ministry to be implemented in Sabah. “The state government knows best the development needs of Sabah and therefore, what projects should be implemented,” he said. He said all projects under the Rural Development Ministry must undergo a joint working committee consisting both representatives from the state and federal ministries.   Source: Borneo Post
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15Jan

Kuala Penyu to be top attraction

KUALA PENYU: The Central Board has approved a four-star hotel and a five-star hotel with about 800 rooms combined to be built in Kuala Penyu. Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming said Kuala Penyu would undergo major transformation in a year or so. “At present, the proposal to build four-star and five-star hotels have been approved by the Central Board. “In time to come, more hotels and resorts will be coming up in Kuala Penyu,” Pang said at the groundbreaking ceremony of Wong Tai Sin Temple, Sabah here yesterday. He said Kuala Penyu was poised to become one of the main tourism destinations in Sabah in the next five years with the establishment of the famous Wong Tai Sin Temple here. Pang believed that tourists from around the world, especially those from China, would flock to the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kuala Penyu to receive blessings. “I hope everyone will do their part in making sure that the temple is erected in the 1.5 to two years in order to spur the economy of Kuala Penyu,” he said. Pang said the establishment of the temple was a historical moment for Sabah as this would be the third Wong Tai Sin Temple outside Hong Kong, after Macau and Vancouver. “The Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong is a popular tourism destination with 6 million visitors recorded a year. “Each year, the temple receives donations amounting to HKD500 million. “I believe the Wong Tai Sim Temple here will enhance the tourism products of Kuala Penyu.” On behalf of the people of Sabah and Kuala Penyu, he thanked Dr Lee Yiu Fai, Monastic Supervisor of Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong, for giving his approval and blessing to build the temple during the latter’s visit to the district a few months ago. Pang also thanked Kuala Penyu Assemblyman Datuk Limus Jury for having the wisdom and taking the initiative and effort in making the temple a reality, as well as the government for approving the project. Limus, a Dusun whose religion is Buddhism, has donated five acres of land for the purpose of building the temple. “Limus, you will always be remembered fondly by the Chinese community as well as the people of Sabah and Kuala Penyu in many years to come for putting a monumental landmark in Kuala Penyu.” He said the temple’s modern design that resembled a turtle was also Limus’ request. “To the Chinese, turtle is a symbol of longevity and stability. “I hope the Wong Tai Sin Temple will bring not only peace, tourists and development to the district, but more importantly, longevity to the people of Sabah and Kuala Penyu.” Meanwhile, Limus said visitors who come for the Wong Tai Sin Temple here would spur the economy of the local community. He said the district would greatly benefit if the temple could attract half or even a million of the 6 million visitors who went to the Wong Tai Sin Temple, Hong Kong annually. He also spoke positively of the charity work to assist the underprivileged people that was carried out by Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong using the donations they collected. Also present were Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Datuk Dr Johnson Tee, Karamunting Assemblyman Datuk Charles O Pang, Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) president Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt, Beaufort Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Seri Panglima Chong Nyuk Yong, SUCCC deputy president Datuk Ling Tiong Chai, Wong Tai Sin Temple, Sabah life honorary advisor Fred Lee, Wong Tai Sin Temple, Sabah life honorary advisor Chok Ming Chong, organizing chairman Yeo Boun Kiat and event chairman Fung Tack Fui.   Source: Borneo Post
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11Jan

Sabah Cement, Ecooils ink agreement for ecologically-processed pozzolan

KOTA KINABALU: Cement Industries (Sabah) Sdn Bhd (Sabah Cement) has signed a sales and purchase agreement with Ecooils Sdn Bhd for a 10-year supply of ecologically-processed pozzolan for use in Sabah Cement’s products. Sabah Cement chief executive officer, Bahrul Razha Chuprat, said the processed pozzolan material, an oil palm by-product, would enable the company to produce its blended cement product for infrastructural projects in Sabah. “By producing the blended cement product, Sabah Cement can also realise the government’s aspiration to produce environmental-friendly products by recycling waste products,” he said at the signing ceremony yesterday. Sabah Cement chairman, Datuk Samsuddin Yahya, and Ecooils’ director, Datuk John Maluda, signed the agreement. Also present to witness the signing ceremony was Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, who is also State Industrial Development Minister. Bahrul Razha said Sabah Cement would buy 10,000 metric tonnes of eco-processed pozzolan a year from Ecooils’ factory at the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster in Lahad Datu to be processed into its blended cement product at the company’s Bulk Cement Terminal in Lahad Datu. He said Sabah Cement invested RM5 million in machines and equipment for cement-processing at the terminal, which was expected to be operational by year-end. “As a state government-linked company, Sabah Cement will strive to fulfil customer requirements and satisfaction by producing various types of quality cement to meet the specific needs of the construction sector in Sabah,” he said. Tan said infrastructure was an important driver for the growth of economy of any region and a vibrant construction industry was vital towards achieving the 11th Malaysia Plan and the Economic Transformation Programme. He said the construction industry has become significantly crucial to the Malaysian economy and was expected to contribute 5.5 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product by 2020. “Sabah has contributed 3.9 per cent to that percentage in 2016 and today, we are already seeing intense demand for infrastructure development in Sabah, such as the Pan Borneo Highway. “This rise in demand will in turn require construction players and the workforce to continually raise its capabilities,” he said. However, Tan said, it was also critical for the industry to maintain a healthy level of development to improve its efficiency and minimise negative impact on the environment as a whole. — Bernama   Source: Borneo Post
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