02May

Sabah CM launches month-long Kaamatan festival

KENINGAU: The annual Kaamatan festival is a showcase of Sabah’s multi-ethnic community, which lives in peace and unity, Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman said today. Celebrated mainly by the state’s Kadazandusun and Murut communities, the event is an expression of thanksgiving for the season’s crop harvest and an homage to the goddess Huminudon who sacrificed herself to save her people from famine. “This celebration also delivers the message of the importance (of being) thankful with what we have achieved (in terms of) stability, peace and prosperity, which we should (preserve). “Besides that, Kaamatan also gives the people an opportunity to better understand and respect customs and traditions of the Kadazandusun and Murut people, as well as other (groups),” he said during the launch of the month-long state-level Kaaamatan festival at Padang Bandaran here. Also present were Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and wife Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni; deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan; and state secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman. Musa added that he hopes this year’s programme, themed “Kaamatan is the foundation of unity and friendship,” will foster better relationships among the people. Meanwhile, Pairin, who is also the Huguon Siou (or paramount leader of the Kadazandusun and Murut people), said that the festival is a platform for people to preserve traditions and customs passed down for generations. He added that society has to intensify efforts to transmit traditional knowledge and experiences to the younger generation. “Meanwhile, touching on the district’s (social and economic development), the state government always thinks of the best ways to help develop Keningau, especially its interior. “Keningau will be developed in stages according to current needs, until the district becomes one of the more important towns in Sabah,” Pairin added. With the launch of Visit Keningau Year 2018, the district has become a main tourist attraction and transit point for people and travellers from Sabah’s east coast. Source: New Straits Times
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...
26Sep

Signature Food Fest back with more F&B outlets

KOTA KINABALU: The Signature Food Fest returns for its fourth instalment this year after last year’s successful run, featuring more new food and beverage (F&B) outlets. Organised by Eleventh Avenue Media Marketing, this year’s Food Fest is joined by renowned establishments Hyatt Regency Kinabalu and Grandis Hotel, an unprecedented move. “We are extremely overwhelmed by this year’s response with two well-known hotels participating, compared to previous years when no hotels took part. “This year, they are more prepared and we look forward to having them in years to come,” said Signature Food Fest organiser, Alfred Allen. Other participating F&B operators include Borenos Fried Chicken, BTC Restaurant, Dart Bistro, Ebizou Japanese Restaurant, Hard Rock Café, Little Melaka, Mosaic by Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, Tanjung Ria Kitchen also by Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, Rosea Café by Grandis Hotels & Resorts, Sakagura Japanese Restaurant, Shoney’s Dining & Bar and The Glass Grill & Bar. The operators will each showcase their signature dishes, respectively full spring chicken meal, nasi briyani chicken set, Bistro mixed grill chicken & lamb, collagen chicken ramen, classic nachos, Little Melaka signature, cake set, oxtail assam pedas and cheese garlic naan, garlic prawn spaghetti, Sukiyaki with special wagyu, Shoney’s 13-inch giant burger and fish rolled with sweet potato. Throughout the month of October, each signature dish will be showcased at its respective establishment for patrons to sample, which will also make it eligible for the ‘Dine, Win & Vote’ campaign. Patrons who order the signature dish stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes by simply attaching the dining receipt to a voting form. Meanwhile, all 12 Signature Food Fest participants will offer special packages and free samples during a three-day opening event from September 29 to October 1 in Suria Sabah Shopping Mall. During that time, Eleventh Avenue Media Marketing will also be joining the International Sabah F&B Fair at the main atrium of Suria Sabah. A total of eight awards will be made the highlight of this year’s Signature Food Fest, comprising Best Signature Menu, Best Ambiance, Best Customer Service, Outstanding Chef, Best Plate Presentation, Facebook’s Most Popular, Blogger’s Choice Award and the new MoreFun Best Awards. Winners of the respective awards will be acknowledged during the Signature Awards Night on October 31, at Grandis Hotels & Resorts’ piano lounge. Source : Borneo Post
By Inside KePKAS, Comments Off
Read more...
25Sep

RM20,000 for every district organising Kalimaran Festival

KENINGAU: The Sabah Murut Association (PMS) will channel an allocation of RM20,000 each to districts that organize the Kalimaran Festival this year. PMS president Datuk Rubin Balang said the allocation was obtained from Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Mohd  Najib Tun Razak. “The allocation was channelled to PMS and distributed to the Kalimaran Festival committees in  districts organizing the festival,” he said when officiating at the festival for Sook here on Saturday. Rubin, who is also Kemabong assemblyman, said districts intending to organize the festival were welcome and PMS would channel the allocation to fund the implementation of the celebration. “For the state-level Kalimaran Festival, Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman has approved an allocation of RM200,000 through the Sabah Cultural Board. “The organization of the festival  in every district gives the people the opportunity, especially the Murut tribe to highlight their culture and traditions as well as to promote local products,” he said. Rubin said the festival was a continuation of tradition inherited from ancestors. He said defending the culture and rights inherited from ancestors would not be wrong if it was not in conflict with government policies. Meanwhile, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Ellron Alfred Angin, thanked to the Murut community and the people in the area  for supporting  the festival in Sook. He said the festival could strengthen relationships among the Murut and other communities despite their different political affiliations. At the same time Ellron, who is also the organizing chairman, invited the Murut community to continue to support government policies, including the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. The Sook assemblyman also called on the Murut tribe to defend the culture inherited from their ancestors, which is the identity of the race. The festival showcased cultural performances, local artist performances and local handicraft and antique exhibitions. Also present were Assistant Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Haji Sairin Karno, Pensiangan Umno Division chief Datuk Abdul Ghani Datuk Yassin, PMS deputy president Datuk Taimin Lumaing and Sabah Mamagun president Rudy Mairi Sulaiman. Source : Borneo Post
By Inside KePKAS, Comments Off
Read more...
20Sep

Plenty on offer at Borneo Eco Film Fest

Kota Kinabalu: Visitors will be able to enjoy a three-day festival featuring art, exhibitions, workshops and free talks at the 2017 Borneo Eco Film Festival (BEFF). The film festival promises a fun, informative and interactive weekend for all at Suria Sabah's fifth and sixth floor from Sept 22-24. Programme Director Melissa Leong said this year's programme includes the first ever BEFF Eco Art Carnival, wax-straw making workshop, green storytelling for children and panel sessions. "The Eco Art Carnival features the collaborative work of artists who will be showcasing eco-themed art installations which is a great opportunity to check out and purchase the art and craftwork of local craftmakers and artisans," she said. Three main art groups will be participating, namely Persatuan Seni Visual Sabah (PSVS), Decorative Art and Craft Club and the collective from University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF). One of the artistic highlights in BEFF this year is an Orang Utan Art Installation, called "Love Me, Love My Home" featuring painted portraits of Sabah's iconic primate. These portraits, which are also for sale will be hung on tree branches along the corridor leading to the venue, symbolically replicating the degraded habitat of the Orang Utan and visitors are invited to write and hang their eco-friendly pledge on these branches. PSVS spokesperson and local artist Christianne Goonting, explained that this installation will serve as a reminder that humans must learn to sustainably co-exist with our natural surroundings. "We must acknowledge the fact that our world supports a huge variety of life and we need to respect this. We need to share and live together and not rob the animal kingdom of their natural habitat," she said. Meanwhile, children aged seven and above are invited to join a free wax straw-making workshop on Sunday, Sept 24. Conducted by Carolyn Lau, founder of the citizen-led initiative 'Tak Nak Straw!' the workshop aims to encourage people to explore alternatives to plastic straws. "It seems like such a small thing but single-use plastic straws are really bad for the environment. It takes hundreds of years to break down. They fill up landfills and end up in waterways and the ocean, which then endangers our marine life," explained Melissa. "This year, we are screening a film called 'Straws' which shows why we need to rethink the habit of using plastic straws. 'Straws' will be screened followed by the wax straw-making workshop on Sunday, 12.30pm, Sept 24. Additionally, there will be free talks and panel sessions where members of the public can interact with experts and engage in discussion on the various environmental and social issues featured in this year's film line-up. This year, there will be a special talk on Mount Kinabalu by The Sabah Society, a panel on access to education for underprivileged children and a light-hearted session on the pursuit of happiness and living a positive life by Dr. Sivakumar Kumaresan. The three-day festival is an annual non-profit event celebrating Borneo's biocultural diversity through showcasing environmental films and nurturing local community filmmaking. Source: Daily Express
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...
15Sep

Japanese Film Festival showcase starting Sept 29

KOTA KINABALU: The Japanese Film Festival will be held at Suria Sabah cinemas here on Sept 29-Oct 2. A statement received here yesterday said the festival was returning to Malaysia for its 14th installment and selected films will be shown in major towns and cities this month and October. It boasts a thrilling slate of box office favourites, trophy magnets, eye-opening documentaries, and highly-anticipated manga adaptations. The country’s premiere showcase for new Japanese cinema promises a truly immersive cultural experience for audiences of all ages and tastes, the statement promised. The month-long celebration did its rounds in the Klang Valley from Sept 7-13 at GSC Mid Valley, GSC 1 Utama, GSC Pavilion KL, and GSC NU Sentral. Penang (GSC Gurney Plaza on 14–17 September) is the next city on the nationwide tour, followed by Kuching (GSC CityONE Megamall on 21–24 September) and finally Kota Kinabalu (GSC Suria Sabah on 29 September–2 October). The revelry was enhanced with a generous helping of star power, courtesy of matinée idol Saitoh Takumi who appeared at GSC Pavilion KL on Sept 5. The in-demand actor sat in the director’s chair for his first feature-length production as he depicted two brothers coming to terms with their absent father’s death. All films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles. Source : New Sabah Times
By Inside KePKAS, Comments Off
Read more...