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Borneo Post
11-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Marybrown eyes rapid expansion in Sabah with new outlets, local economic boost
Chan (fifth left), Haryanty (eighth left) cutting a ribbon as a symbolic launch of Marybrown at Centre Point. KOTA KINABALU (July 11): Malaysian halal fast food chain Marybrown has announced plans to aggressively expand its presence in Sabah, aiming to open up to 40 outlets across the state within the next two to three years. With 15 outlets already operating in Sabah, the brand is eyeing further growth in key districts, including Tawau, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Kota Marudu and Beaufort. 'We are targeting another 20 to 30 outlets in the near future, with a long-term goal of opening 40 in total across Sabah,' said its Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Chan Lek Seong during the launch of its Centre Point branch on Friday. 'Each outlet will employ about 30 staff, creating hundreds of job opportunities for locals,' he added. Beyond employment, the expansion is also expected to stimulate Sabah's economy. 'We are a Malaysian brand and our commitment is not just business growth. We want to empower local communities by sourcing ingredients and hiring talent from within Sabah,' he said. Marybrown prides itself on using locally sourced produce and poultry to support the domestic supply chain. 'Almost everything is sourced locally. Our vegetables, chicken and even our workforce. Only a few ingredients, like flour, come from the peninsular,' said Chan. The brand, founded in Johor, has been operating for over 43 years and is now present in 16 countries, including Australia, the UAE, China, Myanmar and soon Qatar and Cambodia. Its presence in Australia has grown to 15 outlets within three years. Marybrown's menu includes more than the standard fried chicken. It also features local favourites such as nasi lemak, nasi kandar and nasi beriani, a nod to the chain's commitment to offering something for every generation. 'Our concept is for the whole family, from grandparents to young children. The food is designed to suit all tastes, with both Western and local flavours,' he said. The brand also promotes entrepreneurship through its franchise system, providing Malaysians with the opportunity to become business owners under the Marybrown umbrella. In an effort to create a unique dining experience, Marybrown outlets feature nostalgic elements such as swing chairs, a design inspired by the founder's childhood. 'The founder always believed restaurants should feel friendly and welcoming. These swing chairs are very popular and remind many of their youth, especially in Sabah,' he further explained. Although Marybrown has expanded internationally, the company maintains strong Malaysian roots. 'We are one of the largest halal fast food chains in Malaysia. Wherever we go whether it's Australia, Myanmar or the UAE, we make sure the food is halal and the brand reflects our Malaysian identity,' he said. With Sabah's economy on an upward trajectory, Marybrown sees the state as a promising market for growth. 'Sabah is no longer just about Kota Kinabalu. Development is spreading to other parts of the state, and this is the right time for us to grow alongside Sabahans,' he concluded. Also present during the launching ceremony was Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu Bakar. Centre Point Sabah marrybrown sabah
Daily Express
11-07-2025
- Daily Express
Fam trip promotes northern Sabah ahead of VMY
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Haryanty and the participants at the Aura Montoria hiking trail. Kota Kinabalu: Tourism Malaysia (TM) Sabah embarked on a familiarisation trip promoting northern Sabah ahead of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026. Themed 'Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure and Nature', the July 4-8 initiative also supported the ongoing Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign to explore hidden gems, natural treasures and the unique cultural heritage of the destinations. TM Sabah Director Haryanty Abu Bakar said the programme also incorporated rural tourism development initiatives focusing on community involvement and nature conservation, driven by local industry players. This aligns with Tourism Malaysia's efforts to broaden the promotion of Sabah's tourism offerings, especially in lesser-known areas, she added. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
10-07-2025
- The Star
Visit Malaysia 2026: Fam trip brings journalists, influencers to see less-explored sides of Sabah
Participants learning weaving. KOTA KINABALU: A familiarisation trip filled with cultural discoveries, coupled with immersive nature experiences, was part of a tourism campaign to uncover more of Sabah's hidden gems. Themed 'Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure & Nature', this five-day tour from last Friday (July 4) to Tuesday, saw nine media personnel and social influencers from Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak and Brunei taking part. Participants learning traditional dances. It was part of the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia and Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, focusing on districts such as Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat that are less known to tourists. Mansau-ansau is a Kadazan Dusun word which means going somewhere. During this excursion, participants were brought to Sabah's Tip of Borneo in Kudat and the Floating Coral Bar in Pitas. A Tourism Malaysia official taking a group photo before cycling. They were introduced to local cultures at the Walai Tobilung (Tombilung ethnic house), such as bobolian (spiritual healer) ritual, with hands-on experiences with traditional musical instruments, traditional dances, and preparing heritage dishes such as the kuih panjaram. They learnt basics in motif embroidery in Kudat, corn husk crafts in Kota Marudu, as well as cultural embroidery and parang making in Kota Belud. Aerial view of the floating coral. For physical activities and adventure in Kota Belud, these visitors had fun trekking the Aura Montaria hill, known to some as one of the best hiking trails in Sabah and cycling in the mist of a paddy field in Kg Sangkir. As they moved nearer back to the city, they took a stop in Tuaran to enjoy the Tembara River Cruise, where they saw fireflies, watched the sunset by the river in an immersive appreciation of nature. A demonstration to panjaram making. According to Tourism Malaysia director for Sabah Haryanty Abu Bakar, this programme was in line with their effort to promote Sabah's lesser-explored destinations. She said by bringing in the media and content creators to introduce Sabah's hidden gem digitally, they hope to be able to engage more visitors and bring in more people here with the power of storytelling from these individuals. A group photo before hiking on Aura Montaria. 'The power of storytelling, digital media and content creation has a huge impact on tourism growth in Sabah and Malaysia as a whole,' she said. 'Tourism Malaysia values all forms of collaboration and support in introducing Sabah's unique tourism portfolio and will continue to strengthen strategic partnerships for the success of the VM2026,' Haryanty added.
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Borneo Post
'Mansau-Ansau' Trail showcases hidden treasures of North Borneo
Participants of the Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail fam trip from Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Brunei with Haryanty (front row, fifth from left). KOTA KINABALU (July 9): A five-day familiarisation trip themed 'Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure & Nature' has shed light on Sabah's lesser-known northern corridor, unveiling its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage to a select group of media and tourism players. Organised by Tourism Malaysia Sabah from July 4 to 8, the initiative aimed to spotlight Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat as untapped gems within the state's rural tourism landscape. Derived from the Kadazan Dusun language, 'Mansau Ansau' simply means 'jalan-jalan' or to stroll. True to its name, the programme took participants on an immersive journey that blends nature, culture and off-the-beaten-path adventure, offering experiences often overlooked by mainstream tourists. The initiative supports the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign and Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM2026), targeting increased footfall to rural destinations while promoting community-led tourism. A total of nine participants, including local media, social media influencers and tourism industry partners from Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Brunei joined the trail. Among the highlights were visits to iconic attractions such as the Tip of Borneo in Kudat and the stunning Floating Coral Bar in Pitas. The group also had the rare opportunity to experience traditional rituals at Walai Tobilung, including a bobolian ceremony, cultural dance performances, local musical instruments and ancestral dishes cooked with native techniques. Handcrafted excellence took centre stage in visits to community-based craft hubs: Sulaman Pis in Kudat, Corn Husk Crafts in Kota Marudu and Sulaman Serdang as well as traditional parang forging in Kota Belud, all showcasing the exceptional creativity and skills of local artisans. One of the trip's standout moments was the hike up Aura Montoria in Kota Belud, hailed as one of Sabah's premier trekking routes for its scenic but challenging trail. Meanwhile, a village cycling tour in Kg Sangkir, Kota Belud allowed participants to soak in the serenity of lush paddy fields, offering a taste of kampung life. At Tembara River Cruise in Tuaran, they cruised through mangrove-fringed waterways, catching glimpses of mesmerising fireflies under the twilight sky, an enchanting end to the day's adventure. Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu Bakar said the programme supports Tourism Malaysia's broader mission to diversify Sabah's tourism portfolio by promoting lesser-explored destinations. 'This initiative also aligns with our digital engagement strategies. Through travel storytelling, the media plays a vital role in capturing and conveying authentic experiences that resonate deeply with today's audience,' she said. She added that community engagement and environmental conservation remain at the heart of rural tourism development, key components being driven by Sabah's own tourism operators. Tourism Malaysia expressed its appreciation to all partners involved and reiterated its commitment to strengthening strategic collaborations in anticipation of a successful Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.
Daily Express
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Tourism Malaysia launches ‘Explore Sabah' campaign
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Haryanty (fourth from left) with tourism stakeholders launching the 'Explore Sabah' promotional campaign. Kota Kinabalu: Tourism Malaysia Sabah is leveraging on digital marketing to further boost the strong recovery of the tourism sector. Its Director Haryanty Abu Bakar said they are embracing digitalisation and innovative marketing strategies in advancing the goals of Visit Malaysia 2026. 'We are confident in driving greater visibility for Sabah and Labuan through an e-commerce travel platform,' she said at the launch of 'Explore Sabah' promotional campaign here. The campaign, aimed at positioning Sabah as a premier travel destination in Malaysia, will be carried out in partnership with to promote over 400 curated travel experiences across the State to both domestic and international markets. Tourism Malaysia Sabah Marketing Director Poh Khay Inn said this collaboration underscores its commitment to connecting Sabah and Labuan with global travellers through instant bookings and engaging digital content. 'We are proud to work alongside Tourism Malaysia to showcase Sabah's lush rainforests, rich heritage and captivating travel experiences,' she said. Highlights include island hopping and diving in Semporna, wildlife and river safaris in Kinabatangan, the Mount Kinabalu expedition, cultural village and heritage tours, as well as eco-retreats such as hilltop resorts and rainforest escapes. Additionally, the campaign extends to Labuan, promoting activities such as sunset cruises and yacht charters, beachside retreats and snorkelling spots, WWII historical trails and memorial tours, and cultural attractions like the Labuan Museum and Chimney Tower. Running from April 2025 to February 2026, the campaign offers up to 30 per cent discounts for bookings made through the online platform using the promo code XPLORE5. From January to April 2025, Malaysia recorded 13.4 million international visitor arrivals, marking a 21 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. China has emerged as the third largest source market, followed by Singapore and Indonesia, and ahead of Thailand and India. With 1.4 million Chinese visitors recorded in the first four months of 2025 (a 37.8 per cent increase from the previous year), Malaysia is progressing well towards achieving its target of 43 million international visitor arrivals and generating RM283.8 billion in tourism receipts by the end of the year. Tourism Malaysia is also distributing official Visit Malaysia 2026 promotional vehicle stickers to licensed tour operators across Sabah. * 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
