18Feb

RM173.5mil federal tourism projects proposed for Sabah

PUTRAJAYA: The Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment has submitted a list of proposed tourism development projects in the State, estimated to cost RM173.54 million, to be funded by the Federal Government. Its Minister Datuk Christina Liew made the submission to the Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), Datuk Seri Mohammadin Ketapi, at a meeting with the latter at his office, here, Thursday. Also present were Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism) Dato’ Haslina Abdul Hamid, Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Musa Yusof and Special Functions Officer to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Jamil Hamzah. Liew, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, stressed that the proposed projects are for the continued growth of the tourism industry in Sabah. These involve 10 districts, namely, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Sandakan, Kudat, Kota Belud, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Penyu, Tenom and Beaufort. The projects include upgrading of the infrastructure at the Tawau Hills Park, building of jetties, upgrading of visitor facilities at Simpang Mengayau and at an archaeological site, renovation of the existing building at two heritage museums, provision of tourism facilities at a wildlife sanctuary and renovation of the Lansaran building and multi-purpose buildings in Tenom. “I will make a strong recommendation for the approval of the proposed tourism-related projects. However, the applications for funding of these projects will be scrutinised by the Federal Economic Planning Unit.  We will keep on fighting for funds,” Mohammadin assured Liew, who was accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, William Baya, Director of Sabah Parks, Dr Jamili Nais, Sabah Tourism Board General Manager, Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani and the Minister’s Private Secretary, Helen Muhammari. The Federal Minister also said he would duly consider the application for funding of the proposed facelift for the Poring Hot Springs in Ranau. Briefing Mohammadin further, Liew, who is MP for Tawau, made a request for an annual grant of RM1,500,000 for the preservation of Sabah’s ethnic heritage for the benefit of future generations. There are 35 main ethnic groups and 217 sub-ethnic groups in Sabah. She also sought another annual grant of RM500,000 in support of the International Youth Folk Dance Festival involving primary and secondary school students in Malaysia at national and international levels. Thirdly, Liew made a request for a “one-off” grant of RM500,000 for the Riu de Tawau programme to kick-start the Cuti-Cuti Tawau campaign which will be launched early next month. She said the programme will showcase the district’s ethnic groups and their rich heritage via a parade and cultural performances as well as their traditional cuisine through a food expo. “Tawau is a jewel in the crown but has yet to be fully explored and promoted to tourists. “I would like Cuti-Cuti Tawau to be incorporated into the calendar of events for Visit Malaysia Year 2020.” In response, Mohammadin said he would “cari jalan bantu” (find a way to assist), adding “I will help you on that one. I am a Sabahan.” He also assured his State counterpart that he would put in a word to the Minister of Transport in relation to the proposal to upgrade the Tawau and Sandakan Airports to the status of international airports. He concurred that Tawau is the gateway to the East Coast of Sabah, and an alternative gateway to Sabah, after Kota Kinabalu. Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Musa Yusof disclosed that statistics showed that 44pc of Chinese tourist arrivals to Malaysia came to Sabah in the previous year. Source: Daily Express
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14Dec

Sabah, Sarawak expect to receive more tourists next year

TAWAU: Sabah is expected to receive more tourists following the launch of the Kuching-Tawau direct flights by Airasia starting yesterday. The inaugural Kuching-Tawau flight from Kuching International Airport was officiated by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister cum State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew. “The flights will help boost the number of tourist arrivals further,” she said. Besides, this new route launch came at the right time in line with the state government’s aspiration to promote East Coast Tourism with special emphasis on Tawau and the neighbouring districts (Semporna, Kunak Lahad Datu and Sandakan) as new tourism hubs,” she said in her officiating ceremony speech here. Airasia yesterday celebrated its maiden flight from Kuching to Tawau and becoming the only airline to connect the capital of Sarawak to the third largest city in Sabah. The aircraft departed with Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Airasia Director of Government Relations Zamani Rafique, and was greeted with a water cannon salute upon landing in Tawau Airport at 12.30 pm and received by Christina. Airasia is offering celebratory fares from as low RM49 until 15 Disember 2018 for either way from Kuching or Tawau. Meanwhile, Abdul Karim in his speech said that the new route would also benefit both destinations Tawau-Kuching under the Borneo Brand and further enhance the relationship between the two Malaysian states on Borneo Island. He said the opening of the new route was in line with the promotion for the Visit Sarawak Year 2019. At the same time, he said he would make thorough plans concerning the cooperation between his ministry and the Tourism Ministry in Sabah to promote the Borneo Brand tourism sector. Meanwhile, Zamani who represented Airasia Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Riat Asmat said the new service was part of Airasia’s continuing commitment to enhance air connectivity in east Malaysia. Zamani also announced that Airasia was offering FREE SEATS for flight from Kota Kinabalu-Sibu and Kota Kinabalu-Bintulu where the promotion starts from now until Dec 16, 2018 for travel period between Jan 1, 2019 and Feb 4, 2020. – Bernama Source : The Borneo Post
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09Nov

Miss Scuba International pageant Nov 17

Liew receiving the invitation from Lo. Also seen are Datu Rosmadi (second from right), Suzaini (right) and Yee.

  KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Christina Liew has extended her warm welcome to 22 contestants of the Miss Scuba International pageant. They hail from Malaysia, the United Kingdom, United States, Mexico, Germany, Poland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Belize (a country in Central America), Australia, New Zealand, Iran, South Africa, Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and South Korea. She noted that nature has endowed the competitors with both beauty and brains. Among the professionals are Salvina de Pacheco Kan, 28, an English teacher from Macau; Sarah Young, 28, an interior designer from New Zealand; Noelle Fuentes Uy-Tuazon, 26, an anthropologist from the Philippines; Natalia Magdalena Janoszek, 28, an author and entrepreneur from Poland; Ko Songmi, 24, a costume designer from South Korea; Leung Yan Kuen, 27, an artist from Hong Kong; and Brittany Daniels, 27, an aquatic invasive species research associate from the United States. On Tuesday, the contestants were transferred from the Tawau Airport to Mabul Water Bungalow on Mabul Island where they will spend nine days engaging in personal training, scuba diving, attending conservation talks and participating in photo shoots and other related activities to boost their confidence level. “Welcome to Sabah. I wish you all the best and do enjoy your stay in the Land Below The Wind. There is so much to see here, and I am sure you will bring back beautiful memories of Mabul Island and other scenic spots. “As you play a vital role as ambassadors, it is my hope that you will help promote Malaysia, in particular Sabah, when you return to your respective countries,” said Liew who is also Member of Parliament for Tawau. The minister has been invited to officiate at the event on Nov 17 at the Magellan Sutera Hotel. Founder cum president of Miss Scuba International Ltd, Robert Lo said the Miss Scuba International pageant aims to raise awareness on the importance of marine conservation. Some of the contestants arrived a week ago to undergo training in scuba diving designed to develop their passion for ocean conservation. On Nov 14, they will leave Tawau for Kota Kinabalu for a two-day grooming session and speech therapy prior to the finals. “The ladies will be enlightened on environmental issues under the tutelage of WWF Malaysia,” he added. Also present were the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, Sabah Tourism Board General Manager Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani and tourism player Alexander Yee.   Source: Borneo Post Online
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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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03Sep

Church parishioners collect 315kg of rubbish in Tawau

TAWAU: The Holy Trinity Catholic Church parishioners collected 315kg of rubbish during its 3K Run, Walk & Plog organized by the Parish Human Development Committee on Saturday. Plog or plogging – collecting trash while walking or jogging – is the church’s first such program in conjunction with the World Day of Prayer for Care of the Creation. The event was participated by 225 parishioners from the Filipino, Chinese and Indonesian Pastoral Community, Neocate, EMC, Parish Youth Apostolate, altarboys, Legion of Mary, BEC Megah Jaya and outstation chapels from St Stephen, Tass, St Paul, Balung and St Francis of Asisi, Gudang 4. St Stephen collected 65kg of trash which was the highest collected and earned them a prize. The event that started at 6.30am to 10am saw trash being collected along Kuhara, Guru, Mawar and Melati Roads. Parish priest, Monsignor Nicholas Ong said 2.2 billion Christians prayed for care of the creation on that day and called on parishioners to take care of the environment. He also called on the parishioners not to wait for others, and start taking care of the environment by saving energy, water and practice organic fertilizing. The church, he said would be getting water tanks to collect rain water for watering purposes and urged the parishioners to come and listen to talks on how to care for the environment on September 26-28.   Source: Borneo Post Online
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