Sabah to penetrate tourism market in East America BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo |
- Sabah to penetrate tourism market in East America
- RM77 mln to develop Imbak Canyon Studies Centre
- Crackdown on pirate taxis and overloaded lorries
- East coast hotels report low occupancy level
- Cabotage Policy relatively liberal – Hiew
- 18 detained in reflexology raid
| Sabah to penetrate tourism market in East America Posted: 04 Jul 2014 12:59 PM PDT KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will explore new tourism markets in the eastern United States as part of an aggressive marketing strategy to increase tourist arrivals to the state. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the ministry through the relevant agencies will visit Portland, Oregon, U.S. To discuss joint ventures in various areas of tourism in September. "We are invited by the U.S. ambassador to do tourism marketing as well as sign an agreement whereby Kota Kinabalu and Portland in Oregon, will become sister cities," he told reporters after officiating the Sabah MATTA Fair at the Suria Sabah shopping centre here, yesterday. Masidi also said that the ministry would be intensifying tourism promotions in other neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Indonesia to attract more tourists to the state. — BERNAMA  We encourage commenting on our stories to give readers a chance to express their opinions; please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. While the comments here reflect the views of the readers, they are not necessarily that of Borneo Post Online. Borneo Post Online reserves the right not to publish or to remove comments that are offensive or volatile. Please read the Commenting Rules.  |
| RM77 mln to develop Imbak Canyon Studies Centre Posted: 04 Jul 2014 09:47 AM PDT by Murib Morpi. Posted on July 5, 2014, Saturday KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman expressed confidence the Imbak Canyon Studies Centre (ICSC), currently being developed in Ulu Kinabatangan, will grow into an internationally renowned centre of excellence for research, training and education environmental conservation. The project he officially launched here yesterday is scheduled for completion in 2016 and poised to become the central hub for research and studies on environment and biodiversity for Ulu Kinabatangan, where the world-famous Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA) is located. Speaking at the launching-cum-breaking of fast event, Musa expressed hope that programmes to be conducted at the ICSC would receive support from all parties, to ensure that all the facilities to be made available at the centre could be fully utilized. In this regard, he called for a long-term participation from the Malaysian Academy of Science to help develop suitable activities for ICSC, similar to The Royal Society United Kingdom which has been involved with research, training and educational activities at Lembah Danum since over 30 years ago. The chief Minister said the State Government was committed and proactive in conserving the State's natural resources, where priority would be given to any conservation projects regardless of their scale. However, he reminded that in ensuring a continuous and effective conservation programme is not an easy task and that strong support and participation from all stakeholders are vital for its success. "It requires expertise, experience, commitment and a huge funding. As such, I would like to take the opportunity to record appreciation and gratitude to Petronas for its contribution of funds amounting to RM77 million for developing the ICSC with Yayasan Sabah. "The State Government will continue to further strengthen its effort to ensure the success of this project in the hope that ICSC will open a new chapter in our endeavour to preserve our unique heritage for the future generations," he said. The ICSC is a project implemented under the second phase of Yayasan Sabah-Petronas Imbak Canyon Conservation Partnership, a collaboration formalized in 2010. Covering an area of 27 hectares, the centre once completed will house an office complex, laboratories, research stations, environmental education complex, accommodation facilities, a rainforest park, and a sport and recreational complex, among others. With the latest funding, Petronas has so far committed a total of RM83 million for the conservation of Imbak Canyon, a Class 1 (Protection) Forest Reserve gazetted since 2009. Petronas President and Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Shamsul Azhar Abbas said the ICCA partnership project was ready to move to the next stage after a successful five years of the first phase. He said apart from serving as the administration and research centre for the ICCA, the ICSC would also play a role in gene bank conservation and exploration of biotechnology and pharmaceutical potential. Meanwhile, Yayasan Sabah Director Datuk Sapawi Ahmad said the centre would strengthen the position of ICCA as a centre of learning in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. He added that the Yayasan Sabah-Petronas collaboration would also support effort to improve the water quality and ecosystem of Sungai Kinabatangan, which is the longest river in Sabah. Also present at the launching were Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Datuk Ronald Kiandee, assistant ministers, elected representatives, senior officials of Petronas and Yayasan Sabah as well as several community leaders from Kinabatangan. |
| Crackdown on pirate taxis and overloaded lorries Posted: 04 Jul 2014 09:47 AM PDT by Johan Aziz. Posted on July 5, 2014, Saturday KENINGAU: The traffic police division issued 123 summonses for various offences during Ops Cantas Khas Trafik near the Department of Veterinary and Livestock Sebrang, Sook Road here, on July 2–4. District police chief Deputy Superintendent Robert Salisip @ David told reporters at the location here yesterday that of the total, 16 'pirate' vehicles were detained for further investigation. He said the operation involved two police officers – traffic chief Inspector Ronaidi Jaafar and traffic investigating officer Inspector James Ding from the Keningau District police headquarters, and seven traffic policemen. "This operation was assisted by traffic enforcement from the Sabah police headquarters, namely Assistant Superintendent Parum ak Niot and three other personnel. "This operation focused on pirate taxi activities in this district where it is one of the activities that are illegal under Section 33 of the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987," he said. He said subject to this Act, no person shall use any motor vehicle or cause or permit a motor vehicle to be used as a public service vehicle unless the vehicle has a valid licence granted under the Act to allow the carrying of passengers. In other words, he said no one could use any motor vehicle to carry passengers without a valid permit. "If found guilty, the offender shall be fined not less than RM1, 000 and not more than RM10, 000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both." Robert advised road users in the area not to carry out activities that violated the law, and at the same time reminded the community to use the services of rental cars or licensed taxis. According to him, the operation this time was also for overloaded vehicles, especially timber lorries and trucks transporting oil palm fruits. He said as a result of the operation, 16 were arrested under Section 33 of the CVLB Act 1987, for carrying passengers without a permit, five illegal immigrants arrested under the Immigration Act involving four Indonesian men and a Filipino. "Four arrests under Section 45A (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for driving under the influence of alcohol and summonses were also issued during the operation for various traffic offenses. Robert said this operation would be continued from time to time to enlighten the public, especially road users, to always obey traffic laws to avoid any untoward incidents from happening. |
| East coast hotels report low occupancy level Posted: 04 Jul 2014 09:46 AM PDT by Amy Dangin. Posted on July 5, 2014, Saturday KOTA KINABALU: The level of occupancy in hotels rated four-star and below in the East Coast of Sabah is currently at a discouraging 40 per cent. President of the Sabah Hotel Association, Christopher Chan disclosed that the figure proves to be a low number compared to the normal 60 to 70 per cent level of occupancy. "Yes, the kidnapping incidents in the East Coast of Sabah have definitely affected the business of our member hotels in the area," said Chan when met after chairing the association's 'buka puasa' charity dinner for the children of Cheshire Home and Seri Mengasih Centre at Kinabalu Daya Hotel here yesterday. "It not only affects arrivals and checking in of tourists but also those who are business travellers, as well as government events," he said. Chan said that it was a bad blow for business and economic activities in the East Coast area. "It (kidnapping incidents) brought multiple effects to the economy in the area which affects the livelihood of the communities there also. "When no visitors come, it is not only the hotels' business that is affected but also the other enterprises, small and medium. "With the drop in number of visitors, it's a direct spin-off for the economic activities there," said Chan. |
| Cabotage Policy relatively liberal – Hiew Posted: 04 Jul 2014 09:46 AM PDT KOTA KINABALU: DAP Sabah chairman Jimmy Wong Sze Ping's challenge to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Luyang assemblyman Hiew King Cheu to abolish the Cabotage Policy demonstrates his ignorance and total misunderstanding of the policy, according to Hiew. "He, as a 'lawmaker', should do his homework first before making a comment and giving others an order," said Hiew. He thanked Jimmy, who is Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament, for looking so highly of him by giving him and the Transport Minister 'an order' to abolish the Cabotage Policy. Jimmy had said he supported the contention that the Cabotage Policy was the main cause of a 30 per cent rise in the prices of goods in Sabah, but Hiew reminds him that whatever it is, Jimmy should do his homework first before jumping into conclusion. Hiew said maybe Jimmy can explain further and elaborate on how the 30 per cent price hike of goods is derived from and since when. "Just to enlighten him, the Cabotage Policy is a shipping policy practised in Malaysia to provide better shipping control. It is just a policy and not an Act, and it serves to provide shipping guidance only," he said. Hiew said: "The Cabotage Policy is a policy that was established in 1980, and its sole purpose is to improve and develop the shipping business owned by Malaysians, including those from Sabah and Sarawak. "This policy is applicable to cargo transport and passengers and only limited to ships registered in Malaysia. "This policy is a relatively liberal policy, the same as in other countries like Japan and the United States of America which is enforced fully so that foreign registered ships are not allowed to operate. "In Malaysia, foreign ships are not allowed to operate in certain domestic routes except where local ships are unable to meet certain sector demand. "To emphasize more, the Cabotage Policy does not stop foreign ships to operate directly from a foreign port, bringing in cargo into any Malaysian port and return. This means the direct import and export can be operated at any port in Sabah without going through transshipment in Port Klang and Tanjung Pelepas Port. Under this policy, Sabah shipping companies can apply for the licenses and will be approved after it meets the requirements," Hiew said. Hiew argued that the shipping charges are high because of the trade imbalance between East and West Malaysia, where there is not enough volume on the 'backhaul cargo' from East to West Malaysia. Empty ships leaving Sabah will definitely charge higher freight charges. "Therefore, who would want to do business that will lose money? The end users will have to bear the cost for sure. "Sarawakians can have their own ships to freight their cargoes to China and come back with a full load of goods, and that shows the Cabotage Policy is an open policy in certain ways as explained. "Just for further information, the Cabotage Policy was discussed in the 'Malaysia Logistic Council' forum organized by the Industrial Development Authority Malaysia (MIDA). There are many more details on the Cabotage Policy which can be found from the government website and the library," said Hiew. |
| 18 detained in reflexology raid Posted: 04 Jul 2014 09:46 AM PDT by Azmie Lim. Posted on July 5, 2014, Saturday LAHAD DATU: The district police raided a reflexology centre at Lahad Datu town and detained 18 individuals on suspicion of vice-related activities. District police chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Shamsudin Mat in a press conference yesterday said among those arrested are four male workers and 14 female masseuses. Shamsudin said acting on a tip-off, a team of police from the Crime Investigation Department launched the operation, Ops Noda and raided the premise at about 11.27pm on Thursday night. "During the raid, we detained 18 individuals, including 14 foreign women from the Philippines and Thailand and four male workers aged between 20 and 30. We also seized massage equipment. "All those detained were brought to the Lahad Datu Police headquarters for further investigation under Section 372B of the Penal Code for soliciting for the purpose of prostitution, and Section 39(b) Immigration Regulations 1963 for abuse of social visit passes," he said. Shamsudin hoped that cooperation from the public in conveying information to the Police will continue in the future in order to prevent criminal activities in the district. He also thanked the public and guaranteed that police will take immediate action in addressing criminal activities through every information conveyed by the public. We encourage commenting on our stories to give readers a chance to express their opinions; please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. While the comments here reflect the views of the readers, they are not necessarily that of Borneo Post Online. Borneo Post Online reserves the right not to publish or to remove comments that are offensive or volatile. Please read the Commenting Rules. |
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