Sabah Fest brings North Borneo's culture to Singapore
Published on: Sat, Aug 16, 2025 Text Size: Joniston (standing, seventh right) with Azfar (standing, eighth right) and STTOS Managing Director Wendy Clare Stephen (standing, fifth left) at the launching of Sabah Fest Singapore Edition at the Marina Square, Singapore. SINGAPORE: The sights and sounds of Sabah came alive at Marina Square on Saturday as the Sabah Fest Singapore Edition 2025 showcased North Borneo's culture through music, dance, food, and heritage. Visitors enjoyed traditional performances, food products, and crafts that reflected the state's diverse ethnic traditions. For Sabahans living in Singapore, the event was a chance to reconnect with their roots, while Singaporeans were introduced to Sabah's cultural richness. Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Indera Azfar Mohd Mustafa jointly launched the celebration. Joniston, who is also chairman of Sabah Tourism Board, urged the Sabah community abroad to play their part in promoting the state internationally, highlighting Singapore's position as a regional hub with direct flight connections to Kota Kinabalu. He described Sabah Fest as an ideal introduction for first-time visitors, adding that it builds momentum for Visit Malaysia 2026 and complements the state's Explore Sabah campaign. The event also marked the launch of the 'Stamp and Feel Sabah' campaign, encouraging Singaporeans to explore destinations across the state, with both Joniston and Azfar praising the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore for spearheading the initiative with support from partners. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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