Sabah More Than 50percent Forested

The State Forestry Department Director, Datuk Sam Mannan said that after the introduction of agriculture to counter the over-reliance on timber, Sabah is still about 60 percent forested.  Between 1970 and 2010, the percentage of deforestation was about 0.5 per cent a year. The height of deforestation happened between 1990 and 2000 during the booming of oil palm industry and this also saw the increase in the number of Orang Utans sent to the rehabilitation centre in Sepilok.  Speaking at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok, also during the time of Sultan Brunei's visit to Sandakan early...

Celebration of Catholic Mass at Mount Kinabalu

The summit of Mt. Kinabalu at over 4,095.2 metre has been a favorite backdrop for many record-setting events. Some 30 years after late bishop Datuk Simon Fung of the then Diocese of Sabah celebrated mass on the highest point in South East Asia, a similar attempt was accomplished last month as catholics worldwide entered the season of lent, a 40-day period of fasting, abstinence and alms giving before Easter. It culminated in a group of parishioners from the St John's Church of Tuaran celebrating mass near low's peak. Already, a group of seminarians and aspirants will do the...

Brunei's Sultan Visited Sandakan Festival

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was in Sandakan for a two-day visit on 3-4 March 2012. The Sultan and his 17-member entourage came by an exclusive airplane which landed down at Sandakan Airport at 9.25am.

The Governor state of Sabah, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Musa Aman and several state ministers were at the airport to welcome the Sultan of Brunei.

Musa described the visit by Sultan of Brunei Darussalam as a historic moment.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah officiated the Sandakan Festival at the Padang Bandaran on Saturday, 3 March 2012. Musa, in his speech, expressed confidence that the visit would further reinforce the ties between Brunei and Malaysia, especially the Sabah State government.

The Sandakan Festival was launched in 2000 with its main goal to push the economic growth for Sandakan district and Sabah, in general.

"It is demonstrated that by organizing various cultural, arts and tourism activities, not only it is packed with distinctive and pleasant tradition but also possessing its own status and interesting attractions," Musa said.

Apart from displaying the history, uniqueness and attractiveness of the district, the event had also increased co-operation amongst the people from a variety of sub-ethnic race groups, religions and culture.

Source- http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=80867

Lahad Datu: A Fast Developing Tourism Hub For Sabah

Lahad Datu is just a small town. Yet it takes on a significant role in the economic growth of Sabah, especially in the tourism industry.

Palm oil estates managed by sole proprietors and corporate and business leaders cover lengths and widths of the land, all set to fulfill the local and overseas customers' demand for palm oil. Other agriculture activities that can be seen here are the production of rubber, cocoa, and copra which is the dried kernel of coconut, to produce cooking oil. Its position close to the beach also promotes fishing activities. Other sea products here include tiger prawns, white prawns, mud crab and seaweed.

Some of the ethnicities in Lahad Datu are the Kadazan-Dusun, Dusun Subpan, Dusun Bagahak, Suluk, Bajau, Chinese, Kokos, Iranun, Bugis, Timor, Tidong, Jawa, Sungai, Idahan and Kagayan.

The title “Lahad Datu” began from the Bajau language. When interpreted into English, “Lahad” indicates “a place” and “Datu” is a name that was granted to dignitaries in historical times. The place was named so after the Datu clan migrated from the Suluk empire, headed by Datu Puti. The Sultan of Brunei passed over the land authority to the Suluk Sultan in 1879.

It is also claimed that the district’s name, was previously known as “Kerugau”. It probably originated from the visible spotted corals that can be seen around the beach from Kunak to Membatu, located in Tungku.

One can easily go to well-known destinations like Lembah Danum, the Tabin Wildlife Park, and the Batu Tulug Archaeological Museum, by road.

Lembah Danum, where the Ulu Segama Malua Forest Reserve is located is already enlisted by the state government as another potential world heritage site for Sabah. The Borneo Pygmy Elephant which is the smallest elephant in the world and categorized as a rare species can be found here. Other unique and distinct flora and fauna are the Borneo Sumateran Rhinoceros, Orang Utan, Tembedau, and numerous species of wild orchid can be discovered in large quantity in the forest.

With its distinctive and diverse flora and fauna, it is no wonder that the forest has been acknowledged as one of the world’s most elaborate ecosystems. Another such intriguing spot is the Tabin Wildlife Park, famous for its mud volcano, which is the source of minerals for the wildlife there. If tourists are lucky, they will be able to see fresh new footprints of its inhabitants.

The Lahad Datu district also has the Borneo Rhino Sanctuary that is home to three rhinoceroses. The sanctuary was created to help propagation of the species, which is presently on the brink of extinction.

After traveling to these places, visitors can go towards Sandakan, famous for its Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center in Sepilok, or to Semporna, the access to Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Mabul. Both islands are known for their stunning sceneries, and are much-loved by scuba-divers.

Lahad Datu’s ability to offer a total experience on land and under the sea can be its stepping-stone towards turning into a tourism centre.

The town, presently in the process of rapid growth, is the economic pulse of not only the people in Lahad Datu, but also those in adjoining areas, such as Silabukan, Silam and Kinabatangan. Foreigners from Philippines and Indonesia, who are mostly palm oil estate workers, get into the town in droves for numerous
dealings.

The local people try to benefit the situation by supplying various services. One of them is the “mini-buses”, a public transportation using vans that can sit about 14 passengers.

Lahad Datu may not be offering the most contemporary and superior kind of facilities, but the friendliness of its people is a significant lure of the town. The ever-cheerful locals are very helpful and would not think twice to stop and assist a stranger in need. There is still a big room for improvement to give visitors a cozier experience. The district office, with the support from the state government, can tap more of the town’s potential for the advantage of all parties.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/03/10/lahad-datu-a-top-tourism-centre-in-the-making-latest/#ixzz1pLviGfgp

Aussies Overwhelmed by Penampang Homestay Hospitality

Penampang Homestay, set up about four years ago, with the support from Tourism Malaysia especially Sabah Tourism Board, has played host to numerous travel related activities. Early this year, it had a busy time entertaining its first Australians who visited Sabah to have a taste of the homestay programme and do a study on Sabah's ethnicities and customs. Madam Evelyn Masudal, the coordinator of Penampang Homestay said that Sabahans are very delighted to welcome such guests who show deep interest in learning the day-to-day living of the locals here. The Australians comprised of a group of educators, one...

Trade Fair Scheme Unveiled to Promote Responsibility In Tourism Related Business

On January 12, 2012, Kota Kinabalu City Hall unveiled its 'Fair Trade Tourism Select- An Accredited Outlet' programme to give recognition to tourism related small business premises which put into practice aspects of accountability and fairness in their business. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun who launched the programme said, "This implies that business premises picked in this programme have been evaluated by City Hall to satisfy all of the terms and conditions to help them to be recognized as reliable businesses." "The Ministry is thrilled with this programme as it will increase benefit to the...

Welcome to Kota Kinabalu

If you are preparing a vacation to Malaysia, be sure to invest some precious time in this amazing tropical paradise over looking the South China Sea and its group of spectacular islands. Take a leisure walk along white soft sand beaches and feel the gentle wind unwinds your mind and take you to a time and spot in which history, culture and contemporary living have merged to ensure your holiday is an unforgettable one. Strolling around this city, you might find yourself wanting to relax for a while longer, to reflect and breathe in its distinctive and vibrant...