25Sep

Sandakan set for extreme sports tourism

By JAMES LEONG SANDAKAN: This east coast town is set to become a destination for international extreme sports enthusiasts as part of the efforts by Extreme Sport Sandakan to promote Sandakan as a venue for extreme sports tourism. A team of renowned international extreme sports specialists including National Geographic and Discovery Channel’s Kimi Werner from Hawaii, daredevil Brian Mosbaugh and Scott Rogers, two of the original members of the Moab Monkeys. The Moab Monkeys is a group of thrill-seekers nicknamed after the US town of Moab in Utah which the daredevil calls home. They were in Sandakan to identify locations for international extreme sports enthusiasts. Members of the group together with Extreme Sport Sandakan paid a courtesy call to Sandakan Municipal Council secretary Faridah Giau at her office in Wisma Perbandaran recently. Both sides exchanged views on the potentials which Sandakan has to offer to international extreme sports enthusiasts. One of the spots the group went to was Pulau Berhala located just off the Sandakan mainland during their visit here.   Source: New Sabah Times
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24Sep

Plans afoot for proposed Zamboanga-Kota Kinabalu flight

KOTA KINABALU: Plans are afoot for the inauguration of the proposed Zamboanga-Kota Kinabalu flight to be operated by Philippine Airlines (PAL) express. With the agreement of parties concerned, Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Christina Liew said the tentative date for launching of the maiden flight is April 1st next year after advising PAL to seek clearance from the relevant authorities. “I am in favour of collaboration in respect of an exchange of tourists whereby it will be a two-way flow from Zamboanga to Kota Kinabalu, and vice versa,” she said during a courtesy call by a 12-member delegation from PAL, Sabah Tourism Board (STB), BIMP-.EAGA Business Council Inc., and Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Malaysia (KCCI). It was led by PAL Consultant-Public Relations Services, Charlie T. Yu. Towards this end, Liew suggested that MATTA, Sabah tour operators and the Sabah Tourist Guides Association put their heads together in working out attractive tour packages for potential tourists and visitors from Zamboanga. “PAL can do likewise,” she said. The discussion with the Minister revolved around accessibility, landing rights, aircraft operations, flight frequency depending on passenger load, safety and security aspects, and publicity blitz. Briefing the Minister, Yu said the idea was mooted by BIMP-EAGA and strategic planning for the proposed Zamboanga-Kota Kinabalu flight began recently. “Actually, it is not new for PAL as the would-be realisation of the flight will be a reinstatement of PAL flights to Sabah which were discontinued about 20 years ago,” he said. He assured Liew that PAL was in the process of applying for landing rights in Kota Kinabalu under the Asean Air Transport Agreement. “In terms of entitlement, it is not an issue because we are in Asean. To be conservative, we are looking at three flights per week but if we see more opportunity, we can increase the frequency to daily flights. For starters, we will just open up the link with a Q400 New Generation 86-seater. If the passenger load increases, we may consider changing the aircraft to ATR-72; otherwise, we will maintain it (86-seater),” he said, adding the target date can be met. Roselan remarked: “You don’t have to go to Spain to see the Spanish. Zamboanga itself is rich in Spanish heritage.” Meanwhile, STB General Manager, Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani reported that there were close to 20,000 air travellers from the Philippines to Sabah between January and July this year. Also present were the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mariam Omar Matusin, PAL express Project Manager – Commercial & Business Development Office of the President, Philippines, Joseph Eli Tan, Malaysia representative in PAL, Low Siew Lian, Area Manager Malaysia, Gene Pauline DC Banzon, KCCI Vice-President Carl Moosom (Chairman, Domestic & International Trade) and STB Marketing Manager Bobby Alex.   Source: Borneo Post Online
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24Sep

Niche market for orchid centre: Liew

Kota Kinabalu: Orchid enthusiasts are encouraged to open up an orchid centre in Sabah, particularly here, as there is a niche tourism market for it, said Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew. Liew, who is also Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, said her Ministry will render full support and assistance to those interested in establishing such centre. "So far, there is no commercial orchid centre in Sabah except the Poring Orchid Conservation Centre, which is also a research centre for orchids in Kinabalu Park under the management of Sabah Parks. "That is why I encourage orchid enthusiasts to open up an orchid centre. My Ministry through our Orchid Conservation Centre will render full support and assistance in terms of providing data and information as the centre has a large collection of original native orchid species from Sabah, not hybrid ones like in other countries," she said. Liew said this to reporters after opening the Borneo International Orchid Show (BIOS) 2018, organised by the Borneo Orchid Society Sabah (Boss), at the Kota Kinabalu Community hall, here, Friday. The weeklong event till Sept 27 showcases iconic native orchids that position Sabah as a preferred orchid destination for eco-tourists. Also present were Boss President Dato' Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin cum Sabah Parks Board of Trustees Chairman, City Hall Deputy D-G (Finance) Kenny Chan, Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Deputy Permanent Secretary Mariam Omar Matusin, Sabah Parks Deputy Director Dr Maklarin Lakim and other senior officials. In fact, Liew said, there is always a niche market for whatever people call it as "flower tourism" or "orchid tourism" in Sabah, which has proven that any orchid show would bring in many tourists, particularly orchid lovers, which will directly boost tourism in the State. She said this was proven in the Borneo International Orchid Show held here two years ago that bought in some 10,000 visitors, mostly tourists. "I spoke to Boss and encourage them to expand their network pertaining to orchid shows because it can be a niche market for Sabah as far as tourism is concerned. "Tourists come here to visit and participate in orchid exhibition or show. For example, for this BIOS 2018 I was made to understand that there are foreign delegates from Myanmar, Thailand, Japan, Singapore and other countries participating. "We are very pleased with the results and are expecting a big number of visitors," she said. She said she expects the next event to be held in 2020 which will be a big international orchid show involving 70 countries, in conjunction with the Matta Fair, here. During the event, Liew also presented prizes for the Best Plant of the Show to Gomez Sim from Sabah for his Phalaenopsis hybrid orchid, Best Malaysia Species to Sabah Parks for its native orchid Paphiopedilum Lowii and Best Hybrid Show to Alice Ong for her Cymbidium Orchid. She also presented prizes to winners of World Landscape Competition that went to Sabah Parks, followed by The Royal Horticultural Society of Thailand and Myanmar. Meanwhile, Tengku Adlin said in his speech that Boss organised the BIOS 2018 together with the Ministry, Sabah Tourism Board and City Hall in pursuance of the society's mission to promote as well as conserve Sabah's spectacular native orchids, many of which are the aristocrats of the orchid world. He said Sabah is indeed a "must see" for orchidologists and orchid enthusiasts worldwide, orchid industry players, orchid growers as well as the public due to great natural wealth of orchids here. He said the show will provide knowledge and understanding to appreciate the beauty of orchids that resonates the majesty of nature and the reason for the need to conserve the State's natural heritage. - Hayati Dzulkifli   Source: Daily Express
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24Sep

Dollhouse earns pretty title

KOTA KINABALU: It is a “dollhouse” of sorts, suitable for people of all ages, featuring 300 dolls wearing Sabah’s great variety of traditional costumes. Chanteek Borneo, a museum that started in 2014 for visitors to get a glimpse of the “Little World of Sabah”, is located in Tamparuli. The exhibits, which are dressed in native costumes, are depicted in “scenes” in which they perform traditional rituals or go about a daily routine. On Friday, the museum was recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for being the first of its kind in the country.
It has now earned the title of being “The First Miniature Indigenous Museum” in the country.
Canteek Borneo owner, Anne Antah, said: “Even though the museum exhibits are in a miniature form, the exhibits were delicately handcrafted to resemble the actual costume designs.” However, she noted that the costumes might differ according to district or village, as well as changing times. As for the recognition by Malaysia Book of Records, she said this would not only add prestige and value to the tourism industry in Sabah but also allow visitors to get more information on Sabah’s diverse cultures. Political secretary to the Chief Minister, Jo-Anna Sue Henley Rampas, who was present at the Friday ceremony, said the recognition would not only attract more tourists, but would also encourage entrepreneurs to think out of the box. “This gallery is operated by locals. And the fact that they want to promote our heritage and Sabah’s unique cultures to the world through a gallery is something to be proud of,” she said. She said the gallery was “technology operated” in which visitors would sign in via a social media application – WeChat – instead of the usual guest book. “This resonates with young people as everyone is on their phone almost all the time now,” Rampas said. She said information on the costumes such as the ethnicity and district that they represent is available via a QR code. Source: The Star Online
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21Sep

10-year action plan drawn up to protect Sabah wildlife

KOTA KINABALU: Human activities including development, poaching and illegal trapping of Sabah’s wildlife are endangering protected species, such as the Borneon Banteng (wild buffalo), proboscis monkey and Sunda Clouded Leopard. A 10-year action plan has been drawn up to help protect these species, and is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet soon. Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew said the action plan drawn up by various experts including scientists, the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) and Sabah Wildlife Department will help the state tackle the issue. “The plan will provide guidelines and a structure for the management of wildlife in Sabah,” she said after the soft launch of the State Wildlife Species Action Plan here on Thursday (Sept 20). She said she supports the proposals included in the action plan, and will be submitting the papers to the Chief Minister to be approved in the Cabinet once everything is finalised. Liew said the daunting task of protecting Sabah’s unique flora and fauna does not only lie with the authorities, but with the people itself. “We need everyone, including local communities to be aware of the things they do that could hurt our wildlife,” she said, adding that the Sime Darby Foundation had also played a huge role in funding research and efforts to protect Sabah’s wildlife. Among the proposals in the action plan is to have an "elite" team of enforcers on the ground to help tackle the issue. Liew said she was all for it but whether on not it could be implemented immediately was another issue. She said this was because the funds involved would be huge to rope in local experts and those from overseas. DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens said the three species – Sunda Clouded Leopard, proboscis monkeys and the Borneon Banteng – are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and road development such as the Pan Borneo Highway. “We need to get the government to relook at the Pan Borneo Highway and get information on how not to bulldoze through wildlife rich areas,” he said. He said the decline in proboscis monkey population was due to the expansion of aquaculture projects in mangrove areas while the clouded leopards suffer from low population density (loss of habitat). “The Banteng is victim of heavy poaching, snaring and fragmentation and sometimes, hybridisation where it is mated with domestic cattle,” Dr. Goossens said. On Sabah’s fight against illegal hunting and killing of the Borneo Pygmy Elephants, Liew said efforts are continuously being taken to prevent deaths but the tasks are difficult. “We suspect foreign workers and even locals themselves to be the ones responsible for their deaths but we don’t have any proof or eyewitness,” she said. She said the government is planning to have one to one meetings with plantations and local communities to tell them to stop setting up snare traps or killing encroaching animals. “We won’t press charges for now (as we don’t have any proof) but we want to get everyone on board to help protect our protected wildlife in Sabah,” Liew said. Source: The Star Online
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