News & Updates from KePKAS

‘Efforts to protect crocodiles should be maintained’

KOTA KINABALU: Although the estuarine crocodile is currently not facing a high risk of extinction, but the effort to protect it needs to be continued, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew. She said the crocodile’s role as a top predator of the food chain in rivers and lakes is crucial to keep the balance in the complex web of life in freshwater and estuarine ecosystems. “When a wetland habitat is healthy, the fishery is considered to be healthy too. “Crocodiles can also attract tourists, and community-based crocodile tourism has been lucrative in areas such as northern Australia,” she said in her speech during the launch of the book ‘Opogi, A Borneon Crocodile,’ here yesterday. Liew, who is also Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, said the crocodile is not a popular animal due to its reputation as an apex predator. She said in Sabah, the crocodile was first given legal protection in 1982 and remains protected to this day under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. In 2010, the crocodile population was around 13,000 to 15,000, and the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Danau Girang Field Centre are currently undertaking a statewide survey on the crocodile population in the major rivers in Sabah. — Bernama Source: Borneo Post Online
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Zamboanga-KK flight from March 31

KOTA KINABALU: Philippine Airlines (PAL), the flag carrier of the Philippines, will begin its thrice-weekly flight from Zamboanga to Kota Kinabalu that will take one hour and forty-five minutes effective March 31, 2020.Announcing this Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew said this is good news for the business community, trading fraternity and leisure travellers.“I have been looking forward to this inaugural PAL flight from Zamboanga to Kota Kinabalu since the proposal  was made last year when a delegation paid a courtesy call on me. The move is timely as it ties in well with Visit Malaysia Year 2020,” she said in a statement issued here, after a courtesy call by the Chairman of BIMP-EAGA Malaysia Business Council (BEBC), Sabah Chapter, Carl Moosom. He was accompanied by the BEBC Head of Sabah for Socio-Cultural Education, Ting Yi Hang. Liew, who is also Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, commended the Sabah Chapter for its initiative and persistence to ensure that the inaugural flight becomes a reality.Briefing the Minister on the flight schedule, Carl said it will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Zamboanga to Kota Kinabalu (8am-9.45am) and then from Kota Kinabalu to Zamboanga (10.45am-12.30pm). “PAL will be using the Bombardier 400 wd 86-seater aircraft,” he said.According to Liew, the aircraft will be given a water salute upon arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on March 31, 2020 while its passengers will be given a traditional welcome by the Sabah Tourism Board’s (STB’s) cultural troupe.Also present were the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Hjh Mariam Omar Matusin, Principal Assistant Secretary, Mary Malangking, STB General Manager, Noredah Othman and Marketing Manager Bobby Alex. Source: Daily Express
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Royal Brunei launches inaugural Sandakan flight

SANDAKAN: Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) on Monday launched its inaugural flight service from Bandar Seri Begawan to here. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, in his welcoming speech, said air connectivity is vital to enhance economic growth of Sandakan. He said according to the latest Malaysia Airports Bhd statistics, Sandakan Airport recorded a more than 10pc growth in the first quarter of this year. “I’m glad to see Sandakan Airport achieving such a significant and healthy growth rate. With the latest addition of Royal Brunei Airlines, I’m confident that the Sandakan Airport will continue to register positive growth.“In fact, I would even say that air connectivity and accessibility has become the single most important factor in influencing the growth of Sandakan’s economy. “In this regard, I would like to congratulate Royal Brunei Airlines for taking the bold step of launching this Bandar Seri Begawan-Sandakan route. This will certainly act as an enabler for both cities to forge closer ties, culturally and economically,” he said. His speech was read by Sandakan MP Vivian Wong. The six-time weekly Bandar Seri Begawan-Sandakan flight services uses a new ATR 72-600 aircraft operated by Malindo Air. Liew said he would also like to take the opportunity to urge all industry stakeholders, including Malaysia Airports, Sabah Tourism Board and Sandakan Tourism Association, to work closely with RBA to prove to all that Sandakan can and will sustain new international routes coming its way. “Tourism marketing has a relatively long lead time. We need to work closer together now to promote Sandakan more aggressively in order to get more people and more flights to our city,” he added. Also present were RBA’s Vice President of Government and International Relations, Rory Lou Teo, General Manager of Sabah Tourism, Noredah Othman, President of Sandakan Tourism Association, Teo Chee Kim, and Senior Manager of Routes Development for Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, Zainuddin Mohamed.The RBA flight carrying 72 passengers arrived at the Sandakan Airport at 2.15pm and was welcomed with a water cannon salute. Source: Sandakan
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Rebreeding coral reefs via ‘My Coral Programme’

KUNAK: Tawau Polytechnic Sabah (PTS) in collaboration with Amazing Kunak Adventures Sdn Bhd and Eco Marine Resources Sdn Bhd launched a “My Coral Programme” geared towards rebreeding coral reefs that were affected by human activities or natural occurrences. Kunak District Tourism and Culture Association Chairperson Mohd Hata Arabi said the programme was a corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort undertaken by the company to ensure that the natural beauty of the marine area is preserved.“The programme is also part of the association’s move to develop regulated and systematic tourism activities without affecting the environment. “It is also the basic framework for the community’s involvement in the Community Based Tourism (CoBT) concept stressed by the Government” he told Daily Express.“The programme will also impact the community through CSR activities such as cleaning up beach areas that have been done and will continue to be undertaken by staff and the community at Darvel Lagoon Hampilan,” he added.He said coral reef conservation is one of the goals of the association as the Kunak waterfront still has a beautiful, attractive reef that is the focal point for scuba diving.“The beauty of the sea floor should also be a priority for us to maintain and preserve,” he said. According to Mohd Hata, the effects of pollution, global warming, natural disasters, as well as fish bombing cases, fish poisoning (cyanide chemicals), uncontrolled sea activity and illegal export of corals have affected marine life including the reef ecosystem. He said the programme was also very useful in providing related exposure to Coral Rehabilitation to students of the Semester 5 Diploma in PTS Tourism Management through a course conducted in collaboration with the coral reef breeding industry near Underwater GreatWall Teluk Darvel.“The Underwater GreatWall area is one of the newest tourism products in Kunak waters that attract local and foreign tourists,” he said.Mohd Hata extended his appreciation for the involvement of strategic partners among PTS lecturers and students and Eco Marine Resources in making the programme launch a success The programme was launched in the coastal waters of Laut Hampilan, here.“The My Coral Programme has been running for two months since September 2 and reached its peak on October 17 with a visit to the coral reef site with students and stakeholders,” said Mohd Hata. Source: Daily Express
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Sabah as Asean eco-tourism hotspot

KINABATANGAN: Sabah is proud to host the Asean Tourism Human Resources Management and Development Network for Ecotourism Programme here for 25 participants from Asean member States to experience forest restoration, lake conservation and wildlife experience over four days and three nights, ending Oct 23.It also marks the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s aim to position Sabah as an ecotourism hotspot especially with the Visit Malaysia Year 2020, as it organised the event attended by hundreds. The Federal Minister hails from Sabah’s East Coast nearby where the event took place. Officiated by State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Assaffal P. Alian, the programme aimed to share Malaysia’s experience and expertise on best practices in ecotourism and to provide a platform for discussion and engagement among Asean tourism players.Assaffal said: “The State Government is eager to boost Sabah’s tourism industry especially on ecotourism, and the Kinabatangan area has been chosen as one of the sustainable tourism sites for others to learn in their bid to protect wildlife and promote green tourism.“The Kinabatangan River sustains one of the world’s richest ecosystems, being home to Borneo’s indigenous orangutan and proboscis monkey where it is only one of two known places in the world where 10 species of primates are found, and where all the eight species of hornbill found in Borneo thrive.”He stressed that ecotourism is a high-value sub-sector that offers genuine experience and adventure that is unique to a particular locality, and has the potential to become a premier destination, which brings in high-value tourists to the country.“There’s a need to protect and promote these nature-based attraction products to ensure long-term sustainable benefits to the environment. “I consider this programme is important considering the significant commitment by Asean member States to cooperate in sharing their experience and expertise on the best practices in ecotourism for the betterment of Asean region and protect the environment for future generation,” Assaffal P. Alian said.Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture’s Secretary-General Datuk Isham Ishak said in closing the event, “We aim for Malaysia to be ‘The Capital of Smart Ecotourism Destination.”“This programme is also in-line with the Malaysian Government’s efforts in promoting Sabah as an ecotourism destination with its rich natural environment and cultural diversity.”“I am confident that the Asean Tourism Human Resources Management and Development Network for Ecotourism Programme serves as an impetus towards the enhancement of environmental protection, preservation, and conservation in the Asean region,” Datuk Isham Ishak hoped.The global competitiveness reports and surveys reveal that Asean’s natural and cultural heritage is one of its key competitive strengths.The main weaknesses are in the areas of infrastructure and business environment, regulatory framework and human resources.Developing quality tourism destinations and products remains a major challenge for Asean. The weak performance of the less developed Member States is reflected in the asymmetric nature of the distribution of tourism flows within the region.The challenge therefore is to raise the competitiveness of the tourism sector in the affected Asean member States to bring about a more inclusive distribution of benefits relative to factors such as population and resource capacity.Thus, the focus areas to raise competitiveness are marketing, product development, investments, quality tourism, human resources, connectivity and infrastructure and travel facilitation. Source: Daily Express
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