News & Updates from KePKAS

25Jun

Bum-Bum Island’s muck dive sites to draw in new waves of tourists

KOTA KINABALU: From tiny colourful sea slugs to spider-like marine creatures, Semporna's Bum-Bum Island could be Sabah's newest dive tourism site following the discovery of what are called muck dive sites. Muck dive sites are murky seabeds that house tiny and strange-looking marine creatures photographers and videographers love to take pictures and footage of. This discovery was made during a five-day Macro Dive Site Mapping Voluntourism Programme organised by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry's (Motac) Sabah office recently. Sabah Motac director Ahmad Zaki said during the programme, a total of 14 dive sites were explored and eight were marked as having huge potential for macro diving. "Muck diving is a diving activity conducted in a dirty or mucky environment," he said. He said other than muddy sediment, the dive site may consist of dead corals, house or fish farm wrecks and other man-made items that are trapped underwater. "Within these underestimated mucky waters lies a high density of minuscule marine life that are tiny and strange," Ahmad said. Some of the unique and endemic species recorded were skeleton shrimp, hairy shrimp, tiger shrimp, decorator crab, orangutan crab and a few species of small cuttlefish. They include the flamboyant, popcorn, bobtail and papuan and pygmy cuttlefish. There are also various types of nudibranch (seaslugs) such as melibe and Thecacera Pacifica or famously known as "Pickachu". Ahmad said these underwater creatures attract underwater photographers and videographers who use "macro" lens to magnify the subject. He said having a dedicated macro dive site can place Pulau Bum-Bum on the map as a must-dive spot for divers from all over the world, complementing other established dive sites in Semporna namely Sipadan-Mabul-Kapalai. This programme held with the aim of setting up the first dedicated macro dive site for Malaysia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020 saw 10 volunteers from the Semporna Tourism Association and Semporna Professional Divers Association participating. Source: The Star Online
By Inside KePKAS, Comments Off
Read more...
25Jun

US-based founder of pangolin research centre, sanctuary needs public help

KOTA KINABALU: Animal loving engineer Peter Chan has come to Sabah to initiate the setting up of a pangolin research centre and sanctuary, but he would need the public’s assistance to keep the programme afloat. Chan, a Penangnite who is based in Arizona, United States, said with the help of the Sabah Wildlife Department and state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, have identified Tawau as the location for the centre. The Sabah Pangolin Sanctuary and Research Institute (Sapsari) founder, gave a RM1mil startup fund, and hopes to get everyone in Sabah to be part of the programme. “Pangolins are very much under-represented in terms of wildlife protection in the world, and I personally feel that we should take the lead as Malaysians to protect pangolins before they go extinct,” he said. Chan said, however, since Sapsari is a non-governmental organisation, the only way for the sanctuary and programme to sustain and be successful is to have consistent funding, which is from corporate bodies as well as individuals. Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said awareness on pangolin conservation had increased in Sabah over the past years. “I am sure with the work we are doing in the ministry together with the Wildlife Department, Sabah Parks and all relevant agencies, we will be able to make a change for the better,” she said. Asked whether the state government will commit to an annual funding to facilitate Sapsari, she said "it will be considered". Liew said this after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of Sapsari with Chan. The sanctuary is expected to fully start and cater to public visits by next year, and it will be managed by local pangolin expert Elisa Panjang, as Chan will be based in Arizona. Earlier, Liew said the state government has taken new initiatives to improve wildlife protection and conservation in Sabah. “For some of our wildlife such as the pygmy elephants, Sunda clouded leopard, proboscis monkeys and bantengs (wild buffalo), we have drawn up a 10-year action plan to protect these species,” she said. She said the Sabah Wildlife Department will also be embarking on a two-year conservation programme to do a statewide survey on the Borneo pygmy elephants and orangutan. “As for the near extinct Sumatran rhinos in Sabah, we will not stop until we find a way to revive this species,” Liew said. Source: The Star Online
By Inside KePKAS, , Comments Off
Read more...
19Jun

Conservationists call for mangrove preservation measures along Sabah’s coast

KOTA KINABALU: A coalition of conservationists and community-based entities have called for mangrove-preservation measures in future development along Sabah's coast. Coalition 3H, which is made of nine organisations, recommended that any tourism development and associated roads planned must consider future effects of climate change and preserve the natural coastal defence system that mangrove provides. The group is made of WWF Malaysia, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Borneo Futures, Danau Girang Field Centre, Forever Sabah, Jaringan Orang Asal Se-Malaysia (Joas), Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP), Pacos Trust and Seratu Aatai. Coalition 3H said that despite their immense value, mangrove forests are in constant danger of being damaged and disrupted by infrastructure like roads, hotels and housing developments, shrimp farms and fish farms, and to a lesser extent from being cut for firewood, charcoal and posts, the coalition said in a statement. "Most are protected as Class V Mangrove Forest Reserves, or as Class 1 Protected or Class VI Virgin Jungle Forest Reserves. "However some critical areas, for example on Sabah's west coast, remain unprotected. "While Sabah should be proud to host two wetlands recognised as being of global importance and designated as Ramsar sites – the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands, and Kota Kinabalu Wetlands right here in the capital, other parts of Sabah's mangrove areas are decreasing or being degraded," she said in the press release. She added that mangrove areas act as a 'bio-shield' by stabilising shorelines and reducing the effect of storms. As such, coastlines are prone to storm surges and coastal erosion where mangrove forests have been removed or the sea has been reclaimed. "This natural coastal protection and stabilisation from mangrove forests are going to become more and more important as sea levels rise and more severe storms hit Sabah. "Manmade substitutes to mangrove, such as reinforced concrete embankments, as a measure of erosion control would be extremely costly," she added. She said that while they can be tough, mangroves also dependent on freshwater and die when deprived of freshwater, such as when road development reduces the flow of water from rivers. The protection of mangrove areas is also important to maintain the habitats of wildlife such as the endangered proboscis monkeys. "The Sabah Proboscis Monkey Action Plan (2019-2028) explicitly states the halting of loss and degradation of habitat, as one of its priority actions to protect this iconic species" pointed out Dr Goossens from Danau Girang Field Centre. Mangrove forests are also home to birds, crabs, prawns, mudskippers and many other types of fish, as well as Sabah's famed fireflies and the increasingly rare silver leaf monkey. Source: The Star Online
By Inside KePKAS, Comments Off
Read more...
19Jun

Celebrating Borneo’s treasures

The third consecutive International Borneo Fest 2019 showcased Borneo’s diverse cultures to visitors. Organised by Suria KLCC Sdn Bhd and Sabah and Sarawak Heritage Association of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, the three-day event at Suria KLCC shopping mall was an eye-opener for local visitors as well as foreign tourists. Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said the event highlighted Malaysia’s diverse cultural attractions. “The festival provides a glimpse into the diversity and culture of Sabah and Sarawak. “We should have more cultural fests like this in Kuala Lumpur to promote both states,” he said in his speech before launching the event. “The festival is in line with the government’s aim to foster unity among all Malaysians. “We are also open to the proposal of a Borneo Street here in Kuala Lumpur,” said Khalid. The main highlights of the International Borneo Fest was the Borneo Designers Award and Miss and Mister Ambassador 2019. This year, 12 Sabah and Sarawak-based designers showcased their exclusive collections where the best three designers would be given the opportunity to feature their collections at the final leg of the International Borneo Fest to be held in London by the end of this year. Visitors also participated in the “sago worm” eating challenge, which was held for the first time. There was also a basket weaving demonstration by the Penan, Borneo food and beverages on display as well as holiday promotions at the Sarawak Tourism booth. Also present during the launch were Suria KLCC executive director and chief executive officer Andrew Brien, mall chairman Datuk Hashim Wahir and chief operating officer Francis Tan. Source: The Star Online
By Inside KePKASComments Off
Read more...
15Apr

Sabah eyes four million tourist arrivals this year

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government hopes to achieve its target of four million tourist arrivals this year, up from the 3.8 million for 2018, Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin said. He said the government is targeting more balanced tourist arrivals from China, Europe, the United States and the countries in Oceania. “To achieve the target, the government will strive to enhance air accessibility to Sabah and diversify the tourism products of the state, especially in the rural areas and the east coast,” he said. Juhar delivered the policy speech when opening the first meeting of the second session of the current Sabah Legislative Assembly. He said the Sabah Government is also committed to ensuring that the tourism sector in the state remains vibrant and competitive by focusing on the beauty of nature and cultural heritage as the major tourism assets. He said that in line with this and the desire of the government to preserve the natural environment and boost eco-tourism, efforts are being taken to declare Mount Kinabalu and its surroundings, comprising the districts of Ranau, Kota Belud and Kota Marudu, as a National Geopark this year. “The area will be promoted to be a Unesco Global Geopark site by 2020. “Additionally, the government is also in the process of gazetting the Darvel Bay in Lahad Datu and Mantanani Island in Kota Belud as marine conservation areas,” he said. Juhar said that the government is committed to developing the manufacturing sector that has the potential to boost the economy of the state, as well as sectors such as tourism, agriculture and mining.“The government will maintain the policy banning the export of logs to stimulate the timber-based downstream industries such as furniture-making and provide more jobs. “This measure will directly help local manufacturers to generate economic opportunities and enjoy the multiplier effects of the local timber industry. The government has also identified an area in the Sandakan Palm Oil Industry Cluster (POIC) as a furniture manufacturing hub for Sabah,” he said. Juhar said the government will strive to spur high-value downstream activities in the state, especially in the downstream oil and gas industry in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) and the Lahad Datu POIC. – Bernama Source: The Star Online
By Inside KePKAS, , , , , Comments Off
Read more...