24Feb

Overwhelming response to Sabah Construction Fair

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Construction Fair 2017 organising committee paid a courtesy call on Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai on Tuesday. The delegation was led by the organizing chairman for SCF2017, Datuk Gerald Goh and during the meeting he officially invited Yeo to attend the opening ceremony on February 24 at Sabah Trade Centre in Likas. Goh, who is also Sabah Builders’ Association (SBA) secretary general, said SCF2017 with the theme ‘Innovation, Technology and Transformation’ would be held from February 24 to 26 and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau is scheduled to officiate at the opening ceremony. After accepting the invitation, Yeo congratulated SBA for organizing the event which is a collaboration between Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (Mosti) and the association. SCF 2017 is also supported by the Ministry of Works, Sabah Infrastructure Development Ministry, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), state Public Works Department and many other government authorities as well as professional institutions. Yeo said he was happy for the overwhelming response received adding, “it is very encouraging to hear that all the 129 booths were fully taken up and you have to increase the number of booths due to the overwhelming demand.” SCF2017 features more than 130 exhibitors to showcase their innovative and high technology products and services in the field of construction and build environment. The exhibitors include those from China, Singapore, Brunei, France, India, Austria, Germany, Korea, Japan, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah as well as government institutions and departments. Some notable SCF2017 exhibitors include Mosti, CIDB, Standard Malaysia, Sirim, myIPO, Vinci Construction Grand Projects, Doka Formwork, Pan Borneo Highway Project Delivery Partner, China State Construction, Lybase, Gamuda, Sunway, Sinohydro Corporation, 3DTech, MCC Overseas, Smartpool, Adforsb Saint Gobain, Korea Milen Bio and CNBM International Engineering. Source: Borneo Post
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10Feb

Pitas event listed as Sabah’s newtourist draw

PITAS: After three decades being touted as the district’s most awaited annual festival, the Pitas non-stop, seven-day Chinese New Year celebration has been listed as Sabah's latest tourist attraction. Organising chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ruddy Awah said he received news of the recognition in a letter from the Sabah Tourism Board. “Over the last few years, the organisers have been asking the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry to include the festival in the state tourism calendar. “This event brings together the cultures of all ethnic groups in the state. “This celebration probably does not exist anywhere else in the country,’’ he said at the closing of the event here on Saturday by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak. Ruddy said many tourists attended the festival which had been endorsed by the Malaysia Book of Records as the longest non-stop Chinese New Year festival. He said the festival had a positive impact on Pitas' economy and would also help forge closer relations between locals and those from outside the district. Besides cultural performances, the festival also lined up a variety of activities such as sports, concerts, poetry recital and stalls selling local produce. — Bernama Source: The Star
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13Jan

Year-long activities planned for Sabah tourists

KOTA KINABALU: More than 100 programmes have been lined up this year for those planning to go to Sabah. According to the Sabah Tourism Board 2017 calendar, this month visitors can take part in the Kiulu Adventure Challenge and specialised Duathlon (a multi-task outdoor programme) on Jan 15. There will be art and fitness festivals in the beginning of February, followed by Chinese New Year celebrations, marathons on Feb 18 and 19, as well as the City Day Regatta on Feb 25 and 26. The months of March, April and May will continue with numerous competitions such as mountain bike races, dart tournaments and different running activities.
Open Tagal day (fish harvesting) will take place on April 16 and the months will also feature food festivals, wedding showcases and art exhibitions.
There will also be commemorative events such as “Remembering Double Six” tragedy on June 6, reef day and other sports programmes before Hari Raya at the end of June. Scores of musical and art related events such as the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival, Sunset Music Fest, Women’s Art Exhibition, Jazz Festival, and World Youth Folk Dance are set to captivate locals and visitors alike in July. The focus in August is Malaysia’s independence, with many activities lined up for Aug 31. There would be a kid’s marathon, flower festival and other events. September will feature several events highlighting Sabah’s unique flora and fauna with orchid shows, followed by the Borneo Bird Festival in October. There will be a hospitality fiesta on Nov 20, celebration of sea turtle, bundle fest, Tambunan and Baboo Music festivals, and the Kokol Hill Challenge. The year will end with the annual Christmas and New Year celebrations. For details, visit www.sabahtourism.com or call 088-212 121. Source: The Star
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02Dec

Pesta Kobis to allay Kundasang pesticide fears

Kundasang: The Cabbage Festival here popularly known as Pesta Kobis to be held on Dec 10 will showcase various vegetable produce from the Kundasang highland farming community over three days. A spokesperson, Wasri Tarisin, said 25 types of vegetables from the Kundasang highlands would be available. Participants from 16 villages are expected to join in the event, bringing varieties of produce from their respective villages. According to Wasri, each participant is expected to showcase their best produce which would be judged by its size, freshness and lusciousness. "Officials from the Agriculture Department, Fama and Planters Association will be involved in the judging," he said. An information booth within the Kundasang Township premises would also be sited to repudiate claims that the highland vegetables there are saturated with pesticides and herbicides. Besides that there will also be a booth to showcase household and farming instruments from the olden days. This would ensure that youths will have a knowledge of these gadgets of yore. Visitors would also have a glimpse of the people's lifestyle in the olden days. Another booth is the Traditional Costume Booth where youths dressed in full traditional regalia would be available for picture taking for a fee. Various government departments be showcasing their services and wares. Revellers, including children would be able to enjoy activities organised for them. Several sports activities lined up include a Kundasang Kembarathon, which will be flagged off by the Tourism Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun. The Kembarathon comes in three categories ­‑ mainly 21km run Open, 18 km Run Veteran and 9km Run Junior. The Open category winner will receive RM1,000 cash, a medal and a participation certificate, runner up RM800, a medal and certificate while the second runner up will receive RM500 medal and participation certificate. The fourth to 10th placings would receive RM100, a medal and certificate. "The Veteran Category's winner will recive RM800, a medal and certificate, runner up RM500, medal and certificate, the second runner up RM300, medal and certificate while the fourth to tenth placing will receive RM100, medal and a participation certificate." As for the Junior Category, the winner will take home RM500, a medal and participation certificate, runner up RM300, a medal and participation certificate and third place RM150, a medal and participation certificate. Fourth to 10th placing will bring home RM80, medal and a participation certificate," he elaborated. Wasry said they expect 300 participants for the three categories. A Motorcross Enduro Challenge opened to interested members of the public would also be held on the same day. The spokesperson for this event, Aziz Rijin shared that their target for participation is 30 people with motobikes of 150cc engine below. "The winners can expect RM800 and medal for first, RM550 and a medal for runner up, second runner up at RM350 and a medal with the fourth and fifth placings receiving RM350 and a medal respectively. The sixth to tenth places receive hamper," he said. A 4x4 Challenge at a circuit near the Kundasang township, is expected to attract at least 10 participants. The winner would receive RM3,000, runner up RM1,500, third place RM700, fourth place and fifth place RM250. Other sports competitions are futsal, for both men and women categories, sports for children and Tug o' War for Men. The guest of honour is Agricultrue and Food Industry Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin. Source: Daily Express
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11Nov

Sabah band emerges third in Japan

Kota Kinabalu: All the hard work and sacrifices have finally paid off for Poseidon, a Sabahan band, when they emerged one of the top three bands at the Asian Beat 2016 band competition, in Tokyo, Japan, recently. The Kota Kinabalu-based band won third place through 'Ontoros Antanom', a song composed by its vocalist Kaynizam Maskor, against seven other bands from Asia, Europe and North America. "Poseidon was formed this year and comprises six music enthusiasts from Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Papar. "Apart from me, the other band members are Hasdee Nurikhwan Jalil who plays the guitar, Ramzul Ihsan Ab Rahman (drum), Mohd Alhafiz Basri (keyboard), Isam Dion Ismail (bass) and Abdul Muis Mushadi (flute). "We started off by joining the Yamaha Band Mentor 2016 organised by Yamaha Malaysia by sending a video clip and luck was on our side as 'Ontoros Antanom' was selected to go to the next phases and eventually we won the competition," he said when contacted on Tuesday. By winning the Yamaha Band Mentor Malaysia 2016, Poseidon received a ticket to represent the country to the Asian Beat 2016 which was held in Tokyo, Japan on Nov 5. "We decided to perform 'Ontoros Antanom' once again for the grand finals as the song is unique where it tells a story of the legendary Murut warrior apart from the traditional music elements which we infused into the song through the sounds of 'Bungkau' and flute. "The idea for the song came from our own awareness on the uniqueness of Sabah and its culture. "We are also excited to make the State and the country proud by grabbing the third place after competing with seven other acts from various countries in the competition." The competition was won by Gift from South Korea while in second place was leMeow from Canada. The other competitors were Sabi Band from Indonesia, Bad Ditch (Singapore), Li Ji (China), Koralli (Ukraine) and Sugar Bro (Hong Kong). Poseidon brought home a voucher for US$1,000 worth of Yamaha musical instruments while the winner and the first runner-up received a US$3,000 voucher and a US$1,500 voucher, respectively. "Money was the greatest challenge for us as we have invested a lot throughout the competition, especially for the preparations as we had to go through full scale practise sessions… we had to rent a studio every day, plus we had to upgrade our instruments as well. "All these are not cheap and we would like to thank (Youth and Sports Minister) Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan and (Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister) Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun for their support," said Kaynizam. He disclosed that the band is in the midst of completing their debut album and that they will tour with Yamaha Music Malaysia in East Malaysia, starting with Kuching before proceeding to Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. "We hope to penetrate the Asian as well as the international market in future and bring the Sabah elements in our music to another level," he said. Asian Beat is one of the biggest amateur band contests held throughout many regions in Asia. It started out from local competitions in participating countries and regions where each winner at these competitions proceeds to the grand finals to perform together on the same stage and compete to be the top of amateur bands in Asia. Yamaha Corporation started the event as Band Alert in 1998, prior to renaming it as Asian Beat in 2001. In the past years, international famous musicians were the judges such as Nathan East, Wes Borland, Tommy Aldridge, Sonny Emory, Billy Sheehan, James LoMenzo and Akira Jimbo. Source: Daily Express
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