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Ghapur supports calls for hike in oil and gas royalty BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo

Ghapur supports calls for hike in oil and gas royalty

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 10:30 AM PDT

TAWAU: Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh, supports fully the proposal that the federal government should pay a higher oil royalty to the state, as demanded by some parties.

Ghapur, who is also Kalabakan Umno division chief, said the increase in royalty payments would allow more developments to take place mainly for the rural areas in the state.

"If we look at the roads in Peninsular Malaysia, you can see the roads linking the states are built beautifully and comfortable. But in Sabah, there are still villages that are cut off from one another due to the absence of roads," he said yesterday.

"We believe that when the federal government pays a higher oil royalty to Sabah, the money can be used to boost the development of the state, especially in rural areas," he said.

Ghapur said, while the opposition parties are also seen to be speaking out on the issue of oil royalty, it is to be understood that the claim is the aspiration of the people of Sabah who want to see the state continue to be developed.

For the record, Sabah is the third largest oil producing state after Terengganu and Sarawak.

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Three injured in Hilux-Myvi crash

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 09:35 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Three people, including two women, suffered minor injuries in a collision between a Toyota Hilux pick-up truck and a Perodua Myvi car at Lintas Road, near Taman Iramanis, Kolombong on Tuesday night.

Both vehicles were reportedly heading towards Kolombong from Luyang when the driver of the Hilux is believed to have lost control of his vehicle as it hit the Myvi car at around 10.50 pm.

As a result, the Myvi car skidded off the road and crashed into a tree on the road divider before ending up on its side over a small drain.

Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Senior Assistant Superintendent Mohd Affendy Ramin, when contacted yesterday, said the department received a distress call at 11pm and immediately dispatched seven personnel to the scene.

"When we arrived, the drivers and passengers have been taken out of their vehicles by passers-by. The injured persons, in their 20s, were then taken to the nearest hospital in an ambulance for outpatient treatment," he said, adding that all of them only sustained minor injuries.

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Unduk Ngadau: Liew eligible

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 09:34 AM PDT

by Jenne Lajiun. Posted on June 5, 2014, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: The participation and crowning of the second place winner of the state-level Unduk Ngadau contest, Kota Marudu contestant Scarlett Megan Liew Zi Ling, during the Kaamatan Festival on May 31 has been the subject of debate.

State-level Unduk Ngadau organising chairperson Joanna Kitingan yesterday clarified that some people have expressed their dissatisfaction merely because Megan has a Chinese name.

"They raise the question because they say she is not pure Dusun. However, how would you define the term 'pure Dusun or pure Kadazan'? Is it by the percentage of Dusun blood or Kadazan blood flowing in your veins? How can you check that?" she asked.

Joanna said the organising committee accepted contestants that were not pure Kadazans and pure Dusuns as long as they were descendants of the community.

"We accept half 'orang putih' (Caucasians), half Indians and so on…what we aim for is to encourage them to learn more about part of their culture and learn about the mother tongue of their ancestors," she said.

Joanna said Megan fulfilled the requirements to take part in the competition and she was selected as the district winner before competing in the main competition.

"The selection committee at the district level knows the criteria for each of the contestants registered, and she was allowed to join at the district level, which essentially meant that she fulfilled the criteria for the state-level Unduk Ngadau competition," she said.

Joanna said she personally went to visit Megan's grandmother to address all the queries raised and to ensure Megan meet the requirements to compete in the state-level Unduk Ngadau competition.

She explained that Megan was raised by her grandparents and that her grandmother had vouched that she is of Dusun descent.

"She has her grandmother vouching for her. I have personally met her grandmother, so how can you say that she is not who she say she is.

"She has every right to join. And how can you say that only pure Dusuns can join? For all you know, you may have great grandparents who were Chinese," she said.

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Hostel built for budget climbers on Mt Kinabalu

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 09:33 AM PDT

by Nancy Lai. Posted on June 5, 2014, Thursday

KOTA KINABALU: Kinabalu Park has constructed a 28-bed hostel at Laban Rata to complement the existing accommodation facilities available at the rest stop located at 3,272 metres above sea level on Mount Kinabalu .

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said the additional accommodation is for those who are climbing the mountain on a budget.

Masidi pointed out that there have been many complaints, especially from locals, on the high cost of the mountain climbing package of late.

"So with this new hostel facility, which will be managed by Kinabalu Park itself, the cost can be reduced," he said during a luncheon with the Kinabalu Park following their success in winning the BrandLaureate Country Branding Award 2013-2014 during the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation event in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Speaking to reporters later, Masidi said that not many Sabahans are aware of the package offered by Kinabalu Park for locals who want to climb Mount Kinabalu.

"The package for Sabahans cost about RM130 only, inclusive of everything, including one-night accommodation on the mountain. However, maybe Sabahans are not aware of this package as it is hardly utilized during the weekdays. Out of the 192 slots available daily to climb the mountain, 25 are reserved for Sabahans under this package," he said.

Masidi pointed out that what made the package expensive was the requirement for climbers to stay in Kinabalu Park the night before they start their ascend.

"Now you can stay in accommodations available outside Kinabalu Park and only need to stay at Laban Rata to rest before you head up to the summit the next day … there are many other accommodations available in Kundasang," he said.

On whether Kinabalu Park can consider setting a special time annually for fifth formers who have completed their SPM examination to climb Mount Kinabalu, Masidi said the matter can be looked into but the practicality of the issue had to be considered as the number of students may be too many.

"There are so many fifth formers so how long will it take to make sure that all get the opportunity to climb the mountain. So we will have to consider the practicality of the suggestion," he added.

Meanwhile, on Kinabalu Park's achievement of being awarded the BrandLaureate Country Branding Award 2013-2014, Masidi opined that the park, which is a World Heritage site, deserved the recognition.

It has the highest number of plant species per unit area in the world, namely 5,500 species in a 30 to 40 kilometres area and is also home to 866 orchids, 609 ferns, 63 oaks and chestnuts, 14 pitcher plants, 450 mosses and liverworts, 326 birds, 625 butterflies, 90 lowland and 22 montane mammals, 67 snakes, 61 frogs and toads and 40 fishes," he said.

"You can also experience spring, summer, autumn and winter in a single day climb so with all this, Kinabalu Park is deserving of the award," he said.

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Dragon Boat Race a boost for tourism

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 09:32 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: The first Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2014 is a good platform for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government departments and agencies to work hand in hand not only to promote Chinese cultural events like the Duan Wu Jie, or Dragon Boat Festival, but also to boost our local tourism industry.

Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Dato' Sri TC Goh said the event was one of the ways to spur local economy, especially with the arrival of international participants for this event in efforts to boost the low tourism season in Sabah currently.

In fact, there are Australian teams who have decided to stay on for a week here despite the dragon boat race being held only for two days.

"We do appreciate the participation of the Australians in this dragon boat race as they have to transit in Kuala Lumpur or Brunei in order to get here.

"I believe through their participation and spending in Kota Kinabalu, we foresee it as one way to boost local tourism," he said in a press conference here yesterday.

Also present were the organizing chairperson of the race, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, race coordinator cum FCAS assistant secretary general Robin Tay Kee Hiong and FCAS Youth chief Dennis Gan.

The dragon boat race will be held at Likas Bay on June 7-8.

In addition, Goh said the federation had used private contribution in completing the mission, that is in organizing the dragon boat race.

"I am confident that after the state government sees the result (of the race), they will be happy to assist us and ensure that the race can be continued every year with their funding and assistance."

He added that the Chinese communities had received the full support and assistance from government agencies in the race; the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and police force each has sent a team to compete in the event.

On the other hand, Goh informed that members of the public who wanted to go to the dragon boat race could park at Likas Sports Complex and take the free City Bus to the venue to ease traffic congestion at Likas Bay.

Goh said the organizing committee had engaged RELA to ensure security of vehicles at the sports complex.

"There will be three City Bus vehicles travelling between Likas Sports Complex and Likas Bay from 6am to noon on June 7, and 6am to 2pm on June 8."

The 1st Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2014 will kick off with the sportsmen's oath taking ceremony at Likas Bay on Saturday, June 7, 7.30am, followed by heats for the various categories.

The highlight on June 7 will be the FCAS Trophy for local Chinese communities association mix teams final race at 9am.

On Saturday evening, there will be a welcoming dinner for all participants starting at 6am. The event will be graced by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun.

The programme for Sunday, June 8 starts at 8am with the final race for Kinabalu Dragon Trophy Men Open, Kinabalu Dragon Trophy Mix team, FCAS Trophy for Chinese Mix teams, Sabah Dragon Trophy for International and Malaysian Mix teams and Kinabalu Dragon Trophy for Junior Boys under 20.

Juhar and his spouse Toh Puan Hajah Norlidah Datuk R.M. Jasni are expected to arrive at 10.15am, after the arrival of Masidi and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman.

There will be 24 Chinese drum performances and zong zi (rice dumpling) offering ceremony to open the event, after which the race continues with Breast Cancer Survivor Trophy, FCAS Trophy for Chinese Men teams, Chief Minister Trophy for Malaysian Men teams and Sabah Head of State Trophy for International and Malaysian Top teams.

The prize presentation ceremony for the winners is expected to commence at noon.

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Int’l Dragon Boat Race attracts more Chinese

Posted: 04 Jun 2014 09:31 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: About 20 per cent of the 112 participating teams in the first Sabah Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) International Dragon Boat Race 2014 are Chinese participants.

Organizing chairperson of the event, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, said there were 24 Chinese teams participating in the race under three categories, namely the FCAS Trophy (800m Local KK Chinese Communities Association Mix) – seven teams, FCAS Trophy (800m Local Chinese Men) – 10 teams and FCAS Trophy (800m Local Chinese Mix) – seven teams.

Most Chinese youth who signed up for the race are first timers.

"We consider this a good response from the Chinese community.

"We hope we can attract more Chinese to like this sport in efforts to boost their participation in the dragon boat race next year," she said in a press conference here yesterday.

The race will be held at Likas Bay on June 7-8.

Also present were Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Dato' Sri TC Goh, race coordinator cum FCAS assistant secretary general Robin Tay Kee Hiong and FCAS Youth chief Dennis Gan.

Wong also announced that the dragon boat race for the Breast Cancer Survivor category has been struck off due to lack of participation.

"There must be three teams or more competing in a category. Unfortunately some international teams could not come in the last minute due to other commitments."

Nonetheless, Wong said the federation would start inviting foreign teams to participate in next year's dragon boat race, including teams from China, after this year's event.

On another note, Wong said safety was a top priority in the dragon boat race.

She said the organizing committee had engaged the marine police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Department (JPAM) and Marine Department to ensure the participants' safety.

"On land, there will be two Red Crescent ambulances and a JPAM ambulance on standby.

"We also have Dr Wong Hock Khiam and Dr Wah Hai Sit in charge of the first aid centre, and doctors from the State Health Department for VVIPs," Wong said.

The organizing committee assured that they do not foresee any incidents during the race, and that putting the rescue teams and medical personnel on standby was just a matter of precaution.

Wong admitted that both she and Goh, being businesswoman and businessman, were new in organizing the event.

However, she said the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) had assisted the organizing committee tremendously in terms of providing manpower in the heats and finals.

"From the experience, we have learned how to determine tide level," she said.

Wong added the dragon boat race not only promoted Chinese culture but also would boost the tourism industry, and advocated the activity as a healthy sport.

"Apart from the 20 per cent Chinese participants, we have Malays, Kadazans and other races taking part in this Chinese cultural event.

"So to us, the first Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2014 is indeed meaningful, and we hope the state government could support us financially so that the dragon boat race can be a yearly event."

Earlier on Tuesday, the organizing committee led by Goh paid a courtesy call on Sabah Fire and Rescue Departmetn director Nordin Pauzi at his office.

Wong said Nordin had explained to the committee on the department's sea rescue, adding that the latter had agreed to assist in case of emergency.

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