Latest news with #Martin&OsaJohnsonGallery
Borneo Post
14-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Four Sandakan eco-tourism attractions to be upgraded
Liew at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre with founder Dr Wong Siew Te. SANDAKAN (May 14): Four key eco-tourism sites in Sandakan will undergo significant upgrades with a RM1.25 million allocation aimed at enhancing visitor experiences and supporting conservation efforts. The funding — comprising RM750,000 from the federal government and RM500,000 from the Sabah government — will benefit the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Agnes Keith House and the upcoming Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery. The development of the Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery at the PWD 2002 Building, Agnes Keith House, to be carried out this year, is a joint effort by the state government to highlight the history of the exploration of the husband-and-wife duo, Martin and Osa Johnson, in the Kinabatangan region during the 1930s. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew who visited the centres on Wednesday, said these projects form part of the State Government's initiative to ensure Sabah is fully prepared for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. The minister emphasized the Sabah government's commitment to ensuring that facilities provided for tourists, both domestic and international, are of the highest quality, safe, environmentally friendly, and of international standards. At the same time, she noted that these upgrades would enhance the visitor experience while preserving the ecological value of the area for the long term. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, one of the oldest orangutan rehabilitation centres in the world, has drawn visitors from across the globe since its establishment in 1964. It plays a vital role in wildlife conservation efforts and serves as an educational centre for younger generations and international tourists alike. Meanwhile, the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre remains the only sun bear conservation facility in the world. It provides sanctuary for this endangered species and serves as a hub for environmental education and scientific research. With infrastructure improvements, both centres are expected to attract more visitors and raise awareness about biodiversity conservation in Borneo. These efforts are aligned with Sabah's broader commitment to advancing sustainable ecotourism, where environmental preservation and economic development go hand in hand.
The Star
14-05-2025
- The Star
Sabah eco-tourism destinations get RM1.25mil boost for upgrades
Liew (right) with Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar at the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. KOTA KINABALU: Four eco-tourism attractions in Sandakan, Sabah will receive major upgrades with a RM1.25mil allocation. The funding covers the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Agnes Keith House and the upcoming Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery. This includes RM750,000 from the federal government and RM500,000 from the Sabah government. Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the upgrades are part of a broader strategy to showcase Sabah's rich biodiversity. "Sandakan is blessed with incredible wildlife and these upgrades will add value to the visitor experience while ensuring the long-term conservation of our natural heritage. "These are not just facilities for tourists but critical conservation sites. "The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, for example, has played a vital role in global wildlife conservation since it opened in 1964," she said during her visit to the centres on Wednesday (May 14). Liew said the Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre is the only one of its kind globally, which provides a sanctuary for the endangered species and is also a research and environmental education hub. The funding will also support the development of the Martin & Osa Johnson Gallery at the PWD 2002 Building in Sandakan. The gallery will showcase the exploration history of the husband-and-wife duo, Martin and Osa Johnson, who documented the wildlife and cultures of the Kinabatangan region in the 1930s. Liew said the gallery, which will complement the nearby Agnes Keith House, is expected to enhance the cultural tourism offerings in Sandakan, which already draws around 21,000 visitors annually. The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre are located in Sepilok, a forested area about 25km from Sandakan.
