08Mar

IPEC To Support Growth Of Paragliding in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 06 March 2017 - Paragliding is a popular sport in many parts of the world and it continues to boom like most other adventure sports, or extreme sports as some prefer to call it. In recent years, the sport has seen an upsurge of interest in Malaysia, with more people keen on learning about the sport, and training to take to the skies. It’s recent growth in popularity laid the foundations for the establishment of MSAF Paragliding Bureau in 2015. In collaboration with MSAF Paragliding Bureau, IPEC Bureau will play a crucial role to support the progress of paragliding in Malaysia by working towards skills and competency recognition for the sport. While MSAF Paragliding Bureau will govern the sport according to internationally recognised standards and regulations, IPEC will explore the possibility of setting up conformity assessments for a paragliding certification scheme based on the ISO/IEC17024. Personnel earmarked by IPEC Bureau under this scheme includes trainers, instructors and, sports and recreational safety personnel - essential areas that require substantial advancement and standardisation to elevate paragliding into a mainstream sport in the country. As part of IPEC Bureau’s commitment to paragliding in Malaysia, it will be supporting the upcoming Ranau Paragliding Accuracy & XC 2017 (RANPAXC 2017). RANPAXC 2017, to be held between 10 - 12 March, will be the first ever multi-disciplined international paragliding competition organised in Malaysia where approximately 100 local and international pilots will be showcasing their skills at the Ranau Paragliding Park in Ranau, Sabah. The guest of honour at RANPAXC 2017 will be the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun. Hundreds of enthusiastic fans and visitors are expected to throng the event over the two days. So, come join us and witness the incredible sight of pilots in their colourful wingsuits soaring in the skies of Ranau. RANPAXC 2017 will also be a significant stepping stone towards identifying and training highly talented Malaysian paragliders to represent the country at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. For more information on RANPAXC 2017, please visit http://www.msafparagliding.gov.my/ranpaxc2017 Source : IPEC CERTIFICATION BUREAU
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03Feb

Funds to upgrade these Tambunan destinations

Tambunan: The Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry will provide special funding to upgrade tourist destinations here in conjunction with Visit Tambunan Year 2017.Its Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said allocating such fund is one of the early measures to upgrade and provide facilities that have not been put up at the Mat Salleh Memorial in Kg Tibabar, about eight kilometres from here. "The Ministry is prepared to increase the funding to rehabilitate the tourist attraction here by providing facilities for tourists who come here. "All efforts are aimed at ensuring the Visit Tambunan Year 2017 is filled with various activities that could lure tourists to visit Tambunan," he said. Masidi said this during his working visit in conjunction with a programme to track the heritage and history of Mat Salleh as part of the Visit Tambunan Year 2017, at Kg Tibabar, on Wednesday. Mat Salleh rebelled against the British and was killed when he and his followers were cornered in Tambunan. Some accounts point him as a bandit. He also walked through paddy field and village settlement up to Kota Mat Sator located in Kg Kepayan Lama, here, about one kilometre from the Mat Salleh Memorial. Also present were the Ministry's permanent secretary Datuk Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, his deputy Mariam Omar Matusin, Sabah Museum Director Sintiong Gelet, Tambunan district chief OKK Philip Kitingan and other senior officials.
  Source : The Borneo Post
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30Dec

FCAS Chinese New Year Carnival on Jan 23-26

KOTA KINABALU: The Chinese New Year Carnival jointly organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) and City Hall will be held at Padang Merdeka on January 23-26 from 6pm to 11pm. The carnival was originally scheduled for January 20-22 at Gaya Street. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman will open the carnival at 7pm on January 23, while Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang will close the event at 7pm on January 26. The FCAS social and welfare bureau will host a dinner for senior citizens and orphans on January 24. The wife of the Chief Minister Datin Seri Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin will grace the event. FCAS President Datuk Seri TC Goh said the organising committee, headed by the federation’s vice president, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen was currently making preparations for the carnival. He said among the highlights were entertainment programmes such as singing and dancing by school students, traditional Chinese cultural shows, as well as dragon and lion dance performances. “Apart from booths selling Chinese New Year goods and foodstuff, we are also organising four open competitions – children’s talent contest, singing competition, dance competition and cheongsam pageant contest. “We hope to attract people from all age groups to the carnival to celebrate the Chinese New Year together,” he said after a meeting with Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai at City Hall building here, recently. Although the carnival was moved to a later date, Goh said the event would be equally exciting and joyous as the previous years. “With days to go before Chinese New Year, I believe KK folks are already in a festive mood as we enter the Year of the Rooster.” Goh also said carnival goers could continue their Chinese New Year shopping at the night market after the carnival ends on January 26. He said Chinese New Year is a major and most important festival celebrated by the Chinese community. “Let us preserve our strong unity and culture,” he said. Also present were FCAS vice presidents, Datuk Chua Soon Ping and Datuk Agnes Shim.   Source : The Borneo Post
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27Dec

Yahya: Celebrating Christmas together a sign of unity

KOTA KINABALU: Celebrating Christmas together irrespective of religion, faith and culture is a sign of unity among Malaysians, says Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin. Yahya, who is also Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, said it was a practice for the multiracial people in Sabah and Malaysia to celebrate festivals together. He said this when representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman at Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS)’s Christmas open house jointly hosted by party president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and his deputy Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili at KDCA here on Sunday. “Like the Christmas open house today, others and I also attended the event to celebrate Christmas with our Christian friends, even though we are not Christians. “This is a sign of unity among the people of Malaysia, irrespective of religion, faith and culture,” said Yahya. Meanwhile, Maximus said events such as open house could instill the spirit of moderation in the people. Although Malaysians comprised those of many faiths and backgrounds, he said the people were always united and able to work together. On Pairin’s absence, Maximus explained that his president was supposed to return from leave on Saturday. “However, he had to postpone his leave due to the prime minister’s visit to Tawau last week. “Hence, he was unable to come back from leave due to his commitment to his children and grandchildren. But we are all here,” he said. Also present at the open house were MIC Sabah president Datuk V Jothi, PBS deputy president Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai and wife Datin Vicky Yee, secretary general Datuk Johnny Mositun, supreme council members Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Chin Tek Ming, as well as Datuk Gerald Goh and Datuk Paul Kong from MCA.   Source : The Borneo Post
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27Dec

SICC expected to catalyse Sabah’s economic growth

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) under construction here will catalyse Sabah’s economic growth and play a key role in high-impact tourism. The project, owned by state-owned Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG), is being built on a 15-acre reclaimed site adjacent to the soon-to-be relocated Kota Kinabalu Port. The convention centre, the first of its kind in terms of scale in Sabah, is one of the strategic projects to enhance YSG’s impact on Sabah’s development, its director Datuk Sapawi Ahmad said yesterday. He was speaking during a 3-in-1 event here witnessed by Chief Minister cum Yayasan Sabah Chairman Datuk Musa Haji Aman. The event saw the signing of a multi-party memorandum of understanding, a Loan Syndication Mandate and the presentation of dividends to YSG. Under the MOU, YSG’s wholly-owned subsidiary Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd will collaborate with WH Vector Sdn Bhd and Koperasi Agrotek Malaysia Berhad in the development of the Papar Smart City project. Koperasi Agrotek will act as consultant and developer for this project. The loan syndication will see state-owned Sabah Development Bank and AmInvestment Bank Berhad leading a syndicated loan to finance the completion of SICC which, when completed, will be the biggest in Borneo. SICC is envisaged to be the main driver to attract MICE (meetings, incentives, conference and exhibition) visitors. The adjacent Kota Kinabalu Convention City (KKCC) built by renowned Mah Sing Group, will have three hotels and high-end shopping, office and residential components to complement SICC. KKCC has a gross development value of RM1.4 billion. It is connected to SICC via a covered sky bridge. Aside from KKCC, SICC will also be complemented the proposed world class cruise terminal and marina. According to state government figures, these facilities are expected to generate RM735 million in revenue from domestic tourists, RM2.3 billion from international tourists and an additional RM3.15 billion from MICE. In the presentation of dividends, nine YSG subsidiary companies paid a combined RM44.6 million in dividends to YSG. The companies are Tanjung Aru Hotel Sdn Bhd, Benta Wawasan Sdn Bhd, NRG Consortium (Sabah) Sdn Bhd, Sabah Softwoods Berhad, Norsechem (Sabah) Sdn Bhd, Borneo Nature Tour, Innoprise Jungle Lodge, Sabah Foundation Bioscape Sdn Bhd and YSG Landscape Services Sdn Bhd. YSG, set up not long after Sabah attained independence in 1963 and backed by rich timber concessions, is aimed at uplifting the standard of living of Malaysians in Sabah. It has an extensive business portfolio from shipping tom plantation to tourism. “When completed, the SICC is poised to be an engine for the economic growth of the state, particularly in relation to high-impact tourism said,” said Sapawi. Meanwhile, in applauding the financial achievements of the YSG-owned companies, Sapawi stressed on the ability of these companies to pay dividends testify to their abiding with their respective Key Performance Index (KPI). “KPI should be maintained and enhanced to a higher level in ensuring that the subsidiaries continue to be relevant not only to the YSG but also to the people,” said Sapawi. “Indeed, the dividend will help YSG to actively continue to carry out its social programmes in improving the people’s quality of life.”   Source : New Sabah Times
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