News & Updates from KePKAS

12Jun

Sabah beauties with a mission

KOTA KINABALU: TWELVE young women will put their skills of persuasion to the test today   to convince supermarket customers to say no to plastic bags. The "No Plastic Bag Challenge" is one of the Miss Earth Sabah 2012 activities that will be held at Giant Hypermarket in Citymall, here. All 12 finalists are required to encourage shoppers to use eco-friendly bag thus creating awareness among the public on the importance of preserving the environment. Pageant organising director and former Miss Earth Malaysia 2009 Madelyne M. Nandu said the challenge was a platform for the young women to use their voice to persuade the public. "It is something different. We want the finalists to really engage with the community to further promote the no plastic bag campaign. "The challenge is beneficial for everyone. "I hope the girls will see it as an opportunity to communicate with the people and spread awareness," she said during the official launching of Miss Earth Sabah 2012, near here, yesterday. Winner of the "No Plastic Bag Challenge" will bring home a subsidiary title Miss Eco Giant. Present was state Environment Protection Department deputy director Dr Jammy Gabriel. A finalist, Grace Chang Siew Ling, 19, admitted she had always used plastic bags when doing her shopping but stopped after involving herself in the pageant. Realising what plastics could do to the environment, she viewed the challenge as a mission for her to contribute to the society and environment. "Personally, it is not hard to stop using plastic bags but what makes it difficult is the habit, because people are comfortable using plastics and we need to change that. "Being part of Miss Earth Sabah, it is our responsibility to share our knowledge and tell the people that plastics can harm the environment." Meanwhile, State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun hoped that Miss Earth Sabah 2012 finalists would play a proactive role in addressing the environmental issues. In his speech delivered by Jammy, Masidi stressed the "No Plastic Bag Challenge" would spur initiative and creativity to a higher level to save the earth. "The drive to stop the unnecessary use of plastics is very challenging but what all the finalists do, can be a starting point for a plastic free lifestyle among the public. "What motivates me is to see how the finalists and society in general is eager to claim personal responsibility and take action." Source : New Straits Times
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05Jun

Pesta Kaamatan now celebrated around world – Pairin

PENAMPANG: The Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) is no longer celebrated just in Sabah but also around the world, according to Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan. With the assistance of the state and federal governments, the festival is now a tourist attraction as it introduces the culture, tradition and rites of the KadazaDusun Murutas well as those of other ethnicities in Sabah to the world, he said. Pairin, who is the Huguan Siou (Paramount Leader) of the KadazanDusun and also the state level Pesta Kaamatan main organizing committee chairman, said details about the Harvest Festival celebrations have been spread far and wide with today’s information and communication technology. This directly means the information has been recorded in a database that will become important reference materials for the future generation, he said in his speech at the launch of the annual Traditional Sports by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at the KDCA grounds here yesterday. Pairin expressed hope that dying or rarely used practices will be revived for the benefit of all, especially the younger generation. “As I have said earlier, the state and federal governments have given their full support to the effort in organizing the annual celebration. Other than that, they have also given support to the development of the KadazanDusun Murut community by including them in the country’s development agenda,” he said. “This include the federal government’s agreement to set up a KDM College in Kampung Kaingaran, Tambunan,” he said. Pairin said he is confident Musa will continue to lead the state government towards dynamic and realistic development in order to improve the socio-economy of the people in Sabah. “The presence of the Chief Minister and wife is a firm testament of the Kaamatan celebrations and how close this cultural event is to the heart of the Chief Minister,” he said. “Coming from a mixed background, he is indeed a fine example of a true one Malaysian citizen. Your attendance and participation in the Kaamatan celebration indeed helps to intensify the meaning of our cultural understanding and reflect the kind Malaysian unity that we need to work together for a better future of Sabah and also Malaysia. “On behalf of the state and implementing Kaamatan committee, I would like to extend our most sincere thanks and gratitude for the financial support given to make the whole Kaamatan celebration achievable and most certainly enjoyable,” Pairin said. Source : Borneo Post  
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05Jun

Film on Kadazandusun culture

KOTA KINABALU: A SABAH company has come up with a  documentary to create awareness  on the importance of preserving   Kadazandusun culture. Through the hour-long film, the producers of Vinoun Films hope to bring to light the plight of the community in terms of its cultural identity and disappearing tradition. Titled The Kadazandusun Story: Through The Eyes of A People, the feature length documentary also acknowledges the generation gap between the young and old. The production team, comprising young Sabahans, believed this generation gap made it harder for the community to preserve its traditions. Producer Genevieve Duis said the documentary examined the level of Kadazandusun understanding and the cultural decline among younger people. "In today's world, the younger generation is exposed to greater western influence and technology unlike the older generation. "This project is something close to us and we want to see how modernisation and urbanisation have shaped our identity and slowly replaced our traditional culture," she said during a preview of the documentary here, recently. Vinoun Films, which is based in Kuala Lumpur, believed the documentary was crucial to address the challenges faced by young Sabahans in keeping their traditions alive. The film presents a wide variety of views from the younger and older generation on their Kadazandusun roots. It also shows the young people's struggle to understand their roots as many have adapted to city lifestyle and have little knowledge of their culture or mother tongue. Content producer Melissa Duis hoped the documentary would be an eye-opener. "I believe the documentary will inspire many individuals to do something to prevent their culture from disappearing." The documentary also covers aspects of Kadazandusun beliefs and customs, including bobohizan (high priestess), sogit (penalties) and taboos. The DVD on the documentary is priced at RM40 and is on sale at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA today. Those interested can email info@vinounfilms.com for more information. Source : New Straits Times
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05Jun

RTM ready to give slots for Sabah during prime time

Penampang: The Information Communication and Culture Ministry is prepared to give slots for drama and musical programmes produced in Sabah to be aired during prime time on Radio Televisyen Malaysia's (RTM) television. Its Deputy Minister, Senator Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz, said the ministry understood the constraints facing arts activists in Sabah and strive to find the best way to help them. "I'll bring up this matter to the ministry and I believe there is a way for us to resolve the matter," he said at the opening of the inaugural Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) Screen Award presentation, held in conjunction with the Tadau Kaamatan at Hongkod Koisaan, near here, Friday night. Earlier, organising chairman, Tony Francis Gitom, who is also KDM Film and Music Activist Association adviser, called on the ministry to provide slots during RTM's TV prime time for broadcast of films and musical programmes produced by Sabah production companies. He said development of Sabah artistes and TV programmes produced in Sabah would be hampered if they were only given slots for airtime during the day or noon. On the award presentation, Maglin said it was a noble effort for KDM artistes to contribute ideas for the development of KDM arts, including songs and films. He hoped the programme would continue to get the support of various quarters. Source : Daily Express  
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05Jun

Wetlands World Environment Day on Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) will be celebrating World Environment Day (WED) on June 7 at Kota Kinabalu Wetlands. SWCS president Zainie Abdul Aucasa said this year’s celebration would be launched by Tourism, Culture and Environment state assistant minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin. Commemorated every year on June 5, he said WED was one of the principal platform utilised by the United Nations to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and enhance political attention and action, through its environment programmes. “In our efforts towards a Green Economy and sustainable development,  SWCS has initiated a  public  signature   campaign  in support of the KK Wetlands with the slogan ‘Our Wetlands for Now and the Future Generations’. “We are particularly concerned with proposed high-rise condominium developments in close proximity to the Wetlands which would have a detrimental impact on its sustainability,” he said in a statement. Zainie said the signatures would be submitted to the relevant authorities at the local and state government levels so that objections on any unsustainable infrastructure or condominium development “that will affect Kota Kinabalu Wetlands will be given due consideration by the authorities”. He said this campaign was, among others, aimed at increasing public awareness on the importance of wetlands conservation and SWCS’ efforts to obtain Ramsar Site status for the Wetlands. Through this signature drive, SWCS hopes to create awareness among the people of Kota Kinabalu City on the importance of wetlands and their ecological functions to society in various ways, added Zainie. He said SWCS is striving to conserve the 24-hectare mangrove forests at the Wetlands as a sanctuary for more than 90 species of birds and aquatic animals and maintain its rich biodiversity of flora and fauna as a heritage for the younger generations. Zainie said there were six wetlands designated as Ramsar Sites in Malaysia including the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands, Sabah. He said SWCS will continue with its efforts to obtain Ramsar Site status for the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands and being within the boundary of the city “the value of a wetland lies in the benefits it provides to the environment and people of Sabah, something which is not easily measured”. — Bernama Source : Borneo Post
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