All articles of environment in Sabah

05Jul

11 countries for Sabah International Folklore Festival

KOTA KINABALU: A total of 11 countries will take part in the 11th Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) scheduled to take place on July 28. The participating countries would be Australia, Estonia, Ireland, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun during a press conference held at his office yesterday. He added that the participants were required to pay a fee of USD30 for each of their members. The fee would go towards paying for the cost of organising the festival. Meanwhile, the festival would be launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman on July 28 at the Penampang Cultural Centre at 7pm. The finale of the event would be held on July 30 and would be attended by Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Hajjah Norlidah R.M. Jasni. He said a photography competition would also be held and photographers covering the events from July 25 to July 30 are encouraged to take part. The participation fee is RM30 per person. The first prize winner will win RM1,500. The second prize winner will win RM1,000 and third will win RM700. A total of 10 consolation prizes worth RM300 each will also be given away. In addition, a selfie and wifie as weekly quiz will also be held. The closing date for participation is July 29. Further information concerning the festival and competitions is available at the Sabah Art Gallery. Meanwhile, tickets for the 11th SIFF are now on sale at RM30 per adult and RM10 per child and students 17 years old and under. Source: The Borneo Post
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24Jun

Second trail to open soon

KOTA KINABALU: A second new trail to the summit of the 4,095m Mount Kinabalu promises more adventure for climbers when it opens by August. Kinabalu Park rangers continue to check and recheck the more or less completed new Kota Belud route on the western side of the mountain for safety before Sabah Parks decides to open it to the public. Kinabalu Park manager Yassin Miki, who checked out the second route known as Kota Belud – as climbers can see part of the Kota Belud district – said the route was “slightly shorter” than the Ranau trail. “We are now rechecking the trail for safety and may also have to change certain rules for those using the trail,” he said yesterday. The Kota Belud trail is an alternative to the Ranau trail that is on the eastern side where climbers get breathtaking views of the Ranau area. Yassin said there was a possibility of the second trail being opened by as early as middle of July. The trail where climbers would move on a westerly direction from Panalaban, is a tougher route involving some steep climbs with help of ropes. Ranau trail, also from Panar Laban, is more picturesque. Both trails end at Sayat-Sayat (3,668m) before climbers head for Low’s Peak, the summit. Sabah Parks chairman Tengku Datuk Zainal Adlin said that part of the Kota Belud route utilised the original summit trail but avoided the rockfall areas following last year’s June 5 earthquake. The magnitude 6.1 earthquake triggered rock and boulder avalanches killed 18 and left over 150 people stranded in the summit plateau. The move to set up the Kota Belud trail as an alternative to Ranau trail was initially aimed at providing an emergency escape route for climbers in the event of any emergencies due to natural disaster.   Source: The Star
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24Jun

Dept gets mini trucks to help care for elephants

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department has received three mini trucks to help send food and medication for elephants in need in the state. The three mini HIJET trucks contributed by Asahiyama Zoo, Borneo Conservation Trust Fund Japan (BCT japan), Daihatsu Japan was handed over to the department in a simple ceremony here recently. State Tourism, Culture and Environment assistant minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi said the contribution was made possible due to the effort by Asahiyama Zoo director Dr Gen Bando. “I was told that Dr Gen had really pushed for this contribution when he told Daihatsu about the conflicts between elephants and humans in Sabah,” he said. He said Dr Gen also explained to the company the various issues affecting these jumbos. Kamarlin said the clearing of forests for farming activities, especially in elephant ranges, has resulted in the loss of habitat for these mammals and disrupted their migration routes. The state government came up with various efforts and plans were drawn up to address these issues, he said, adding that Sabah’s close collaboration with the BCT had also helped a lot in elephant conservation. Meanwhile, Sabah Wildlife Department director William Baya, who was also present at the event, agreed that conflict between humans and elephants has been there over the past years. “It is obvious that there has been a dramatic change in the landscape, especially in the elephant ranges, he said. “We have been working tirelessly to help in resolving these issues by being the middle man for the affected communities and the elephants,” he said. William said without collaboration with the Japanese trust fund and zoo, they would not have the trucks to assist their field staff in acquiring food for the elephants . Currently, field staff use whatever means possible to obtain food for the animals and sometimes their vehicles break down during the task, he said, adding that these new trucks will lessen their burden. “It is our duty to strike a balance between both the communities and elephants to co-exist peacefully,” said William. The trucks will be used in the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES) in Kinabatangan, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Sandakan and the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park here. These three places play different roles in elephant conservation. BES caters to the injured and displaced elephants en route relocation while Sepilok cares for orphaned calf in need of 24-hour care. The Lok Kawi Wildlife Park meanwhile focuses on educating the public on the plight of the elephants.   Source: The Star
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17Jun

Paint tourist boats green, white call

KOTA KINABALU: The Tourism and Culture Malaysia Ministry (Motac) Sabah branch yesterday expressed its concern over boats that were bringing tourists to islands in Semporna. Its Sabah office director, Ag Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar, said the local authorities were equally concerned, particularly with regard to security issues. He said Semporna was booming and based on feedback received, there were between 14,000 and 18,000 China tourists per month coming to Semporna. “Motac is just taking proactive measures to catalogue the boats. We are looking at almost 140 boats owned by locals who are genuine boatmen and are in the tourism industry,” he said at the State Tourism Industry Enforcement Issues Seminar held at the Promenade Hotel yesterday. Ag Ahmad Zaki added that they had suggested that the boats be painted white and green to differentiate them from other boats. The aim of the move was not only to allow easy identification, but also hoped to boost the image of Semporna as a tourism destination. At the same time, the new identity will help the local authority in terms of security and allow them to identify which boats are legitimate in bringing tourists and which ones are not. He said the same concept was being adopted for tour vehicles. “Other people can paint them but once we catalogue them and organise them as an organisation, they will become strong and will be the ears and eyes of the government. They will want to protect their turf and would stop others pretending to be boatmen for tourists,” he said. Ag Ahmad Zaki added that the boatmen were from various villages in the area. By arranging the boatmen in such as way, he said they could also help to eliminate touts who were making huge income out of the tourism activities. “By making things more systematic, we may be able to help the boatmen increase their income,” he said. The new system is likely to be introduced and implemented this year, after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. “We have already conducted our first meeting with the local authorities, ESSCom, resort owners, local tourism players and non-governmental organisations, and they welcome the proposal,” he said. Ag Ahmad Zaki also commented on the issue of Uber drivers and said they could not carry out tour operation activities. He added those caught doing so could be charged under the 1992 Tourism Protection Act which disallows the use of unlicensed vehicles under Motac for tourism purposes. “If we catch anyone, we will fight for the maximum penalty,” he said. Present to launch the seminar attended by over 200 participants from various tourism related industries was Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun. Source : The Borneo Post
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10Jun

Best local talents perform at Sunset Music Festival 2016

KUDAT: In the northernmost tip of Borneo, Sabah’s iconic Tanjung Simpang Mengayau comes alive with music, showcasing the best local talents which captivated a packed crowd, Saturday at the Sunset Music Festival 2016. As the sun goes down over the horizon where the South China Sea meets the Sulu Sea, young talented ukulele players of D’Franciscan Uke Onsoi group warmed up the crowd with a medley of traditional and contemporary songs, including Dusun favourites “Pemilihis Ginawo’ and got the crowd singing along to ‘Tanak Kampung’. Staging a fresh and dazzling performance with their fresh tagline ‘Onsoi’ which means admirable and great, the group composed of students of the St Xavier Secondary School was an instant hit and wowed the crowd. Among those in attendance include Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun who enjoyed the musical talents at the tenth edition of Sabah’s biggest open air concert. By sunset, local band from Kudat Matlankidz and Brothers sets the pace with an electrifying performance of instrumental soulful guitar licks of local rock classics and an original song entitled ‘Kaamatan 7 pagi’. Representing Sabah’s talented stars, the award-winning Esther Applunius was an instant hit who even sportingly sang a traditional song together with Josephine Magdalene Joseph, a member of D’Franciscan Uke Onsoi. It did not take long for Esther to get crowd on their feet who sang and danced to her mesmerising, riveting vocals of traditional, Mandarin and English songs. The concert delighted a packed crowd, including tourists who gathered for the closing spectacles of the Sunset Music Fest, featuring a captivating display of talented local musicians and artistes performing a dazzling repertoire of music renditions against the breath-taking sunset view at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau. No stranger to the entertainment scene, The Deep Buskers took to the stage and spiced up the night with entertaining renditions of Spanish songs and popular Indian Bollywood favourite Janam, Janam, especially legendary rock classic ‘Whats Up? By American rock group 4 Non Blondes which got the crowd really pumped up, singing along while punching their fists in the air. Among the other stage acts include jazz singer, Nur Farhan Azizan and 28-year-old Dafi also known as Gadaffi Ismail Sabri, another famous alumni of Akademi Fantasia. Among the major highlights of the event, the beautiful and talented songstress, Marsha Milan Londoh needs no introduction in the local music scene who enthralled the audience with her powerful vocals of ‘Sumandak Kinabalu’. To the delight of the children who danced their way throughout the event, Marsha sang Disney’s hit animated movie Frozen in Bahasa Malaysia and English and got the crowd dancing the night away while singing to Tanak Kampung.   Source : New Sabah Times
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