02Oct

International airport for Sandakan, Tawau

BY ALIZA ALAWI KINABATANGAN: Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mohamaddin Ketapi will propose to the Government to upgrade the airports in Sandakan and Tawau to international air hub. According to him, the proposal is due to the diversity of tourism products available in Malaysia especially in Sabah which should be promoted extensively to foreign countries. “Obviously, it will help to increase the country’s revenue if the number of international tourist arrivals to Sabah also increases from time to time,” Mohamaddin said. Through the proposal, he said arts and crafts activities could help to spur Sabah’s economy, especially through eco-tourism in rural areas, he said when launching the 4th Pesta Damas at the Dataran Tamu Pekan Sukau here on Sunday. Hence, Mohamaddin calls on rural folks to play an increasing role in diversifying art and handicraft activities to attract foreign tourists. “We will further boost the activities of tourists, crafts and arts in rural areas to broaden the market of the products apart from wooing tourists to generate the people’s income,” he said. Also present were Persatuan Bangsa Sungai Sabah (SABAS) president, Dato ‘Juhari Hj Janan, Assistant Sabah Minister of Tourism and Culture and Environment Assafal Panglima Alian and Assistant Sabah Minister of Youth and Sports, Arunarnsin Taib. Mohamaddin said Malaysia received 25.9 million tourist arrivals, which generated revenue of RM184 billion from January to September this year. Earlier at the event, Mohammadin was awarded the “Tagajoh” title by Juhari in recognition of his leadership, struggle and devoted services especially to the Sungai community in Sabah.   Source: New Sabah Times
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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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14Sep

Sandakan hospital first in region to use solar energy

SANDAKAN: The Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK) here is the first hospital in South East Asia to utilise solar energy to support part of its electricity consumption, said Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong. Chong said HDOK had installed a total of 140 solar tubes at the hospital and it had managed to save up to 50 percent of its electricity usage for air conditioning. “HDOK has been utilising the solar tubes to generate electricity since 2017. Before the solar tubes were installed, HDOK was using three centralised ventilation systems for its air conditioning for the past 23 years. “However, the solar tubes have now completely replaced one out of the three centralised ventilation systems in supplying electricity for air conditioning at the hospital,” Chong said, adding that electricity would be generated once the temperature at the solar tubes reaches 75 degree celcius and above. Chong said this after a briefing session by Sedafiat Sdn Bhd, HDOK’s solar tube supplier, represented by its facility manager Rosly Shaflie at HDOK here recently. The briefing session was initiated by Sedafiat Sdn Bhd to let Chong have a better insight and understanding on the quality, cost and effectiveness of the solar green energy utilised by HDOK. “In this case here, green energy not only helps the hospital to reduce electricity cost, it would also contribute in lowering power interruption in Sandakan due to low electricity supply. “I also strongly encourage the use of green energy such as solar, biomass, biogas, wind and waste to generate electricity amongst the local community, especially big scale industrial factories. With the new government now, we encourage green energy because it would save cost on energy generation and it would also benefit the Rakyat,” Chong said.   Source: The Borneo Post Online
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05Sep

Hotel staff show artistic talents

SANDAKAN: Associates of The Four Points by Sheraton Sandakan initiated a drawing competition to commemorate the 61st Malaysian Independence Day. The theme, which is based on this year’s theme ‘Sayangi Malaysia Ku’ received an overwhelming response and the three external judges, Roslee Jaafar (professional art and culture), Emilina Gustin (head of dental unit) and Eva Mohamad (Zumba instructor and teacher), were captivated by the final products of the talented staff. Roslee complimented the hotel’s general manager, Peter Padman, for having such a motivated and joyful team of employees while commenting that he was in awe of the 10 final artworks which expressed so much detail and love by the associates for their much adored country, Malaysia. When asked why this drawing competition was organised, Peter said that his team had been working so hard over the past few months with so many new implementations within the company, and with the ongoing integration of Marriott International with Starwood, he felt that his fellow colleagues could do with a break from the daily routine which had somewhat been quite stressful lately. He added that the associates, who were a team of Malaysians, expressed so much passion and love for their country through the drawings and it was brought to reality that a picture does paint a thousand words. The competition, which was open to all 10 departments of the hotel, was won by the Human Resources Department, led by Haeruddin Nurdin, the Human Resources Manager. Their painting represented the various cultural and ethnic groups of the country who live in perfect harmony from the North to the South, from Perlis to Sabah. The various colours were explained in detail as to what it represented, while not forgetting the meaning of the Hibiscus as the National flower and the iconic KLCC tower that showed the progress and development of the country over the 61 years.   Source: Borneo Post Online
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27Nov

Marian Hill set to charm tourists with its unique attractions

SANDAKAN: Little-known Marian Hill here is set to be a new attraction with its pristine natural surroundings, as well as religious and historical significance. A church has teamed up with Sandakan Tourism Association to promote the hill based on these elements, as well as the view it has from the hilltop. During a recent hike with the media, St Mary’s Parish Pastoral Council chairman Pilis Malim said it took less than an hour to reach to the peak where climbers could see the expanse of Sandakan town below. “The 2.5km journey provides views of beautiful flora. “It begins from Marian corridor, a name dedicated to Mother Mary, who is the guardian of the parish. “The first stop is a ‘Japanese Bunker’, which was used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War 2,” he said, adding that there were about 10 bunkers in the area. After a 300m climb, hikers will reach a 16m-wide by 8m-tall dam. Pilis said the church committee members discovered the dam by chance when it was almost damaged by treasure hunters in 2013. “The dam is believed to be built by a company in 1902 and was used by the Imperial Japanese Army as their main source of clean water. “The committee renamed the structure as Mill Hill dam in honour of a visit by Mill Hill Missionaries at St Mary’s Cathedral here,” he said. Hikers will continue their journey to Marian spring where Catholics believe that its water had miracle powers. Pilis said the new attractions on Marian Hill would complement the other existing eco-tourism products in the district. In 2015, the Sabah Forestry Department gave a licence for the church to conduct religious activities on the hill, which is located near the cathedral. The Sandakan Diocese is working on providing infrastructure in fulfilling the hill’s status as a tourist destination that is on a par with other tourism products in the state. Sandakan Tourism Association president Johnny Lim said he would soon invite the Sabah Tourism Board and tour agents to help promote Marian Hill. Those interested to visit the hill can go individually but for a group of up to 15 people, they are required to book at least a week in advance.   Source: New Straits Times
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