01Oct

Promoting Sabah through films

Kota Kinabalu: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry will widen the scope of promoting Sabah, especially through creative content like films, said its Minister Mohammadin Ketapi. "When we talk about culture, art and heritage, it is not something new in terms of promotion. But now, the Ministry would like to make it wider where we will promote it in a bigger scale abroad," he said when officiating the premiere of Tangisan Akinabalu, here, Thursday. The film, inspired by the devastating 5.9 Richter scale earthquake that struck Ranau in 2015, tells a story of a group of mountain guides who were involved during the quake. Tangisan Akinabalu, shot in 2016 entirely in Kundasang, Mount Kinabalu and around the city, is produced by local production house New Line Film and directed by award-winning director Datuk Jurey Latiff Rosli. The lead actors are big screen debutants Yuri Mejal and Phantagerow, and assisted by a pool of Sabah's talented actors, with a special appearance by Datuk Yusof Haslam. More than 300 actors and 40 crew were involved in the production of the RM2.2 million Tangisan Akinabalu. The film is screened in 32 cinemas nationwide starting Thursday. "The Ministry will also provide incentives for local production houses to create more local creative contents…we will provide a bigger opportunity for exposure and promotion for them," said Mohamaddin. The State, he said, is naturally beautiful and its unique culture should be promoted through films so that it is better known by outsiders. "I hope these unique local stories can be showcased on the silver screen so that the culture of Sabah can be better appreciated internationally," he said. He added that the Ministry welcomed any proposals to promote Sabah culture whether in the form of film, drama, theatre, song and other activities to boost nation's arts industry. Mohamaddin also disclosed that he had discussed with the director and producer of Tangisan Akinabalu to include the film in the Ministry's international promotional programme. "Films are among the most suitable channel to promote beautiful and interesting locations, and local culture." Towards this end, he said, the Ministry plans to showcase the film in the World Travel Market London (WTM London) next month. WTM London is a leading global event for the travel industry to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals. He also hoped the State Government through the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry can chip in to sponsor a pavilion to promote Sabah at the WTM London 2018. Meanwhile, he said Tangisan Akinabalu has a good storyline which can attract movie fans, especially locals, to the cinemas. "I was also informed that the cast and crew are nearly 100 per cent Sabahans. "Such opportunity and trust should be given to them as they, too, can be great film stars and crew in Malaysia," he said. Also present were Permanent Secretary to the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, producer Datin Stelyviana Vie Dandam Sitoh and executive producer Rodih Madun.
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01Oct

China airline begins Shenzhen-KK flight

KOTA KINABALU: China Southern Airlines started its flight connecting Shenzhen to Kota Kinabalu at 1.40am today (Sept 29). According to Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew, the airline, which is Asia’s largest and the world’s fourth largest, will fly on all days except Wednesdays. “With this additional connectivity, there will now be a total of 98 weekly flights direct from a total of 10 major and secondary cities in China to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA),” she said during a press conference at her office yesterday. She added that the flight would be the airlines’ second connection to Kota Kinabalu after successfully connecting KKIA to Guangzhou and also Sabah’s second connection to Shenzhen. She said that in less than three years, China Southern Airlines had increased its flights from three to 21 weekly from China to Kota Kinabalu, which is almost one-fifth of the total flights from China to Kota Kinabalu. She said this signified strong confidence in the destination. Christina also congratulated the airline for upgrading its aircraft from A320 to A321 for the first five flights due to highly encouraging response during the opening sales of the route in mid-August and reaching over 90 percent of the A320’s capacity. “The decision to increase the seat capacity with a bigger aircraft would bring additional 200 passengers in the first five flights,” she said. She said as of July this year, the total arrivals to Sabah had increased by 5.3 percent or 2.221 million compared to the same period last year. She said 43.3 percent or at least 358,000 of these arrivals were from China, making the country the largest market source for arrivals to Sabah. “We hope to achieve 500,000 China arrivals by the end of the year,” she said. Up to July, Sabah Tourism has estimated that the total tourism receipts have reached RM4.81 billion or eight percent more compared to the same period last year. Christina said Sabah was on track to reach the RM8 billion revenue from tourism by the end of the year. She also iterated that her ministry aims to re-emphasize tourism in the east coast, especially in Tawau and in Sandakan. “These are Sabah’s second and third largest cities with equal, if not more potential for tourism. Most of the attractions there are unique to the east coast and not found in the west coast. It is also our aim that the community there are prepared to re-embrace tourism especially now in this digital era,” she said. China Southern Airlines (Malaysia) general manager Eric Wang said they would study and conduct a marketing research on Sandakan and Tawau as destinations and make a proposal to the airlines’ headquarters. Also present was the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu Consul General Liang Caide.   Source: Borneo Post Online
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28Sep

Orangutan Appeal UK gives RM1 miilion to Sabah Wildlife Rescue Unit

KOTA KINABALU: Orangutan Appeal UK, a United Kingdom-based NGO, has contributed RM1 million for the purchase of three fully-modified 4-wheel-drive vehicles for the sole use of the Sabah Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU). Susan Sheward, the founder of the Orangutan Appeal UK, handed a mock cheque for the amount yesterday to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal who received it on behalf of the WRU, a unit under the Sabah Wildlife Department. Reading out a statement later, Sheward said she believed that the new government would make an excellent contribution to saving Sabah’s wildlife, pointing out that the state government had introduced a logging ban and regulated timber felling. She said Sabah had some beautiful wildlife which people would be happy to pay to come and see from across the world and it would be devastating if the wildlife was allowed to become extinct. “I told the Chief Minister that over the last 18 years Orangutan Appeal UK had invested RM11.5 million and I gave him a summary of the work that had been done, which included a complete refurbishment of the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (in Sandakan) and provision of nine local staff to work there,” she added. She also said that Orangutan Appeal UK was seriously worried about the problems with the Bornean pygmy elephants and would like to assist in any way possible, perhaps by way of rehabilitation programmes and funding a team from Orangutan Appeal UK and the Sabah Wildlife Department to study the work done in India and Sri Lanka. Sheward said a male Orangutan called Tiger would be relocated by helicopter from Sepilok to the Tabin Forest Reserve on Oct 4 and she intended to invite Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Christina Liew to be with them during the translocation process. Mohd Shafie, when welcoming the initiative taken by Orangutan Appeal UK, said: “On behalf of the people of Sabah, I would like to convey to you our heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable assistance and passion in helping Sabah save its iconic wildlife – the Bornean Orangutan. “We are further indebted to you for your proposal to come and assist Sabah again, but this time to help save the Bornean Elephant. — Bernama   Source: Borneo Post Online
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27Sep

Beijing group keen on investing RM2b in Sabah: CM

Kota Kinabalu: A group of Chinese investors have expressed interest to pump not less than RM2 billion in a particular sector in Sabah. Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who disclosed this, said this would not only create some 3,000 job opportunities for Sabahans but also many spin-offs. The group concerned expressed this to him when they met earlier, Wednesday, he said, adding the State Government has received other enquiries as well. "The Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu is playing an important role and has done a lot of work in promoting China-Sabah friendship and cooperation in various fields. "The Consul General is very diligent and very popular among the people of Sabah," he said at a ceremony to celebrate the 69th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at Pacific Sutera. Mohd Shafie said the State Government is willing to maintain communication and cooperation with the Consulate to jointly promote the friendship between China and Sabah. "We are also willing to provide assistance to the work of the Consulate, including extending assistance and facilities that the Consulate needs when providing consular protection to Chinese citizens. "It must be noted that Sabah has become a favoured destination to China tourists – we have the sun, sea and the beach as well as different types of food that are enjoyed by the Chinese," he said. In his hometown Semporna alone, Mohd Shafie said hundreds of Chinese tourists are there daily. He said the Warisan-led State Government is willing to make better use of the "Belt and Road Initiative" to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields such as infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism. "The agreements related to durian, rubber and palm oil signed during the Prime Minister's visit to China are encouraging. I believe that Sabah can benefit from those agreements," he said. At the same time, he said Sabah welcomes Chinese companies and businessmen to invest in Sabah, bringing more capital and technology, creating more jobs, and adding momentum to Sabah's economic development. "The State Government will strive to provide a convenient and favourable investment environment." Mohd Shafie said the change of Malaysian Government will not change Malaysia's friendly policy towards China, and the same is true of Sabah. "For Sabah, China is very close in both geographical location and cultural customs," he said, adding China's development the past 40 years has benefited the whole world. Tremendous contributions have been made to the world development by lifting 740 million people from poverty. It is shown that China has chosen a suitable path for its own development, which provides reference and confidence for other developing countries around the world." He said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir recently said during his visit to China, that Malaysia's Look East policy in the new period includes learning from the successful experience of China's development, promoting innovation and creativity, as to achieve greater development for the country. - Larry Ralon   Source: Daily Express
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26Sep

RM50,000 for lantern festival celebration

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal yesterday announced a funding of the sum RM 50,000 for the Gaya Street Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival celebration on September 29 at 6pm. Shafie will also be gracing the event as the guest of honour, while Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Christina Liew and Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Liang Caide have been invited as the special guests for the festival. The Gaya Street Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival celebration is jointly organized by The United Sabah Chinese Communities Associations of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) led by Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament (MP) Chan Foong Hin, Likas Assemblymen Tan Lee Fatt and Luyang Assemblymen Phoong Jin Zhe. In a courtesy call by the organizing committee yesterday, Shafie said the State Government would allocate a sum of RM50,000 in support of the Chinese cultural festival. He said the Mid-Autumn Festival was a meaningful activity as it provided an opportunity for the government to celebrate the event with people from all walks of life. “The Mid-Autumn Festival at Gaya Street is not only celebrated by the Chinese community, but also people from other races and ethnic groups, which in turn promote harmony and unity in our diverse society. “The event also enables foreign tourists to experience and enjoy the festivities in Sabah, especially those from China.” On another note, Shafie acknowledged support from the Chinese community during the 14th General Election (GE14), which was reflected in the unprecedented appointment of four full Chinese ministers in the State Cabinet. He also urged the Chinese community to continue to support the government’s policies, as well as create more business opportunities and reject corrupt practices. Also present at the courtesy call were USCCAKK vice president Datuk Michael Lui and Datuk Wong Hai Ming and the co-organizer Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (SATTA) president Datuk Seri Winston Liaw. The public are welcome to bring their family along to join the Gaya Street Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival celebration this Saturday.   Source: Borneo Post Online    
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