Inside KePKAS

It is a 13.6 percent increase compared to 2010′s total arrival and an estimated RM4.98 billion in tourism receipts, proving the importance of air accessibility for the industry, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun announced yesterday.

Masidi congratulated the tourism players in the state for this better-than-expected result. He said this was due to the close rapport between STB and the industry players, and their hardwork.

“STB’s marketing strategies were very effective and everyone has worked on ‘overdrive’ mode to ensure success,” he said.

“It was an unpredictable year-end with the flight issues. However, I am pleased to say that Sabah recorded double digit growth every month since March last year. This consistency of growth shows the strong demand of visitors coming to our State be it for leisure or business. Ninety-six per cent of these arrivals come by air. The numbers show it all, air accessibility into Sabah is essential and the only way for the industry to grow,” added Masidi.

Strong markets indicated were from China (including Hong Kong) at 37.6% growth and Australia (33.3%). Despite the recent Japanese tsunami crisis, the Japanese market remained strong at 18.4% growth. Domestic tourists recorded the highest number of visitors of 1.99 million or an increase of 17% compared to 2010.

Recent news reported strong public opinion against the route cuts into Sabah by Malaysia Airlines affecting direct air access from Australia, Korea and Japan as well as the suspension of Malaysia Airlines low-cost carrier, Firefly.

Masidi cautioned that while he is optimistic of another good year in 2012 but it will also be a challenging year in view of MAS’ recent route rationalisation.

“The rationalization will especially affect the Japanese and Western Australia markets. There are now no direct flights between Sabah and Japan. As for Australia, STB is working hard with other airlines to continue offering Sabah holiday packages.

“I still believe that it was premature, in fact short-sightedness for MAS to cancel the KK-Perth route. It should have continued to develop the route as there was very strong growth of Australian arrival in Sabah last year, i.e 33.3 percent. I am sure the route would have eventually been very profitable for MAS in a relatively short period of time,” Masidi explained.

“This year, we are targeting regional and domestic markets and are working closely with local industry players to improve the quality of its products as well as packaging attractive holiday offers during low season.

“We are also looking into collaborating with three-star hotels to offer affordable holiday packages during non-peak season to achieve the 2012 projection of 2.93 million visitors. This means we have to do better, and be more aggressive. We are open to work with other airlines to achieve this target,” he added.

Source: Borneo Post

A tour guide for more than 20 years, Tham still walks, climbs and cycles along routes he charts for his guests, mostly adventure seekers.

An adrenalin junkie before venturing into the tourism industry, Tham scaled Mount Kinabalu over 500 times, Mount Trusmadi (Malaysia's second highest peak) over 100 times and trekked the "Borneo Triangle" that links the Kelabit highland people in Long Pasia (Sabah) Long Bawan (Kalimantan) and Long Semaduh (Sarawak).

As his reputation grew, so did his desire to introduce Sabah to the world.

Many people from abroad began seeking his service or advice. They included popular reality show producer Mark Burnett who launched the Survivor show, followed by the Eco Challenge in Sabah.

Tham walked 1,135km for three months from Kudat to Limbang in Sarawak, circumvented 385km around Mount Kinabalu and hosted Australians who came to pay their respects for their fallen heroes in the "Death March" from Sandakan to Ranau during World War Two.

He was instrumental in retracing the route used by the Japanese to force some 2,700 prisoners of war to march nearly 300km between 1942 and 1943. Only six survived to tell the story, with recollections from locals who assisted the prisoners in their escape.

Source: New Straits Times

The first phase of the project will be implemented at Sabah Port and Likas Bay, the second phase at Tanjung Aru, Sembulan and Central Business District (CBD), while the third phase at Tun Mustapha building and UMS.

The pedestrian walkway and cycleway project will include among other facilities bicycle shared path, bridges, decks, covered bicycle parks, children playground, lighting, benches, public toilets, showers and lockers.

Tender for the first phase is expected to be available in April this year, Abidin said during the flag-raising ceremony in conjunction with the 12th City Day celebration at Padang Merdeka here yesterday.

In addition to the pedestrian walkway and cycleway, City Hall will undertake the second and third phases of Sembulan River beautification project, starting from the end of phase one near Sembulan River bridge till Wisma Muis.

He said this year will also see the upgrading of public transportation system or city bus, as well as the building of a bus terminal at Jalan Kepayan.

In addition, City Hall has begun the cleaning of drains in and around the city to overcome flash floods during heavy rain, he said.

Abidin also pledged to expand and duplicate the 5K programme, namely Kebersihan (cleanliness), Keindahan (beauty), Keselamatan (safety), Keteraturan (orderliness) and Kesejahteraan (well-being), to other towns, as well as increasing awareness and enforcement of the anti-litter campaign.

Last year, Abidin said City Hall successfully implemented several programmes as planned, including launching the 5K Programme in Menggatal, ‘greening’ the main roads, upgrading and beautifying city landscape, implementing phase one of Sembulan River Beautification Project and setting up of lay-by stops for buses and taxis in the city.

He said City Hall would be focusing on City Hall Strategic Plan 2011-2015 this year by implementing the projects stated in the plan.

He vowed to overcome the weaknesses in City Hall’s existing service delivery system.

“I urge all City Hall staff to facilitate and not frustrate in delivering your services.

“City Hall staff should stress on efforts to promote creativity and innovation in executing daily tasks,” he said.

Meanwhile, apart from the flag-raising ceremony yesterday, a marching team competition was held and it attracted 23 contingents.

The Health and Urban Services Department took the top spot under City Hall category, while the Department of Corporate Affairs and Engineering Department were second and third respectively.

In the secondary school/higher learning institution category, SMK Perempuan Likas was first, followed by Kolej Aseana and SMK Likas cadet in the second the third places respectively.

SK Sri Gaya and SK Tanjung Aru took the first and second places under the primary school category, while Persatuan Penjaja Bumiputra Barat and Hume Concrete (M) Sdn Bhd took the first and second places under the association and private sector category.

Also present were Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Edward Khoo Keok Hai, Puspanita Kota Kinabalu branch president Datin Florence Malangkig, Mayor of Kota Kinabalu sister city Yongin, Kim Hak Kyu, president of Municipal Council of Penang Island Hajah Patahiyah bt Ismail and City Hall director-general Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.

Source: Borneo Post (by Chok Sim Yee)