Latest news with #SabahFestSingaporeEdition2025
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Sabah Fest Singapore showcases North Borneo culture at Marina Square
KOTA KINABALU: The sights and sounds of Sabah took centre stage at Marina Square on Saturday, as the Sabah Fest Singapore Edition 2025 brought North Borneo's culture to life through music, dance, food, and heritage. Visitors were treated to traditional performances, food products, and craft showcases that highlighted Sabah's diverse ethnic traditions. For Sabahans living in Singapore, it was a moment to reconnect with their roots while Singaporeans had the opportunity to discover the state's cultural richness for the first time. Sabah Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Azfar Mohd Mustafa jointly launched the event. In his speech, Bangkuai called on the Sabah community abroad to play a role in promoting the state as a preferred travel destination and strengthening its visibility internationally. He said Singapore's position as a regional hub, the most important gateway for international travellers, offered Sabah a strong advantage. 'With direct flights between Singapore and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah is more accessible than ever, and we want to leverage this connectivity to attract more visitors to explore Sabah," he said, adding that more than 13,000 Singaporeans visited Sabah between January and May this year. The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman then said the event was a perfect introduction for first-time visitors as Sabah prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026 with its own Explore Sabah campaign. Bangkuai then invited both Singaporeans and international travellers to experience Sabah first-hand by visiting Sabah Fest 2025 in Kota Kinabalu next month (Aug 30 - Sept 30). "For those who discover Sabah through Sabah Fest, we hope it will inspire future trips, because beyond Mount Kinabalu and Sipadan, Sabah also offers unique experiences in its small towns, villages, gastronomy, and communities," he said. Both Bangkuai and Azfar commended the Sabah Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STTOS) for spearheading Sabah Fest Singapore Edition, with support from Tourism Malaysia Singapore, Matrade, DESA, Jetsin, and travel partners. "With strong partnerships, strategic connectivity, and the pride of Sabahans worldwide, we are well prepared to welcome more visitors and ensure Sabah shines during Visit Malaysia 2026," he said. Meanwhile, Azfar said the High Commission of Malaysia to Singapore is proud to support Sabah Fest 2025 as it aligns with its mission to foster bilateral ties through cultural exchange, tourism promotion, and economic collaboration. The event on Saturday also marked the introduction of the "Stamp and Feel Sabah" campaign, a stamp rally programme encouraging Singaporean tourists to explore various destinations across Sabah. Also present were STTOS Managing Director Wendy Clare Stephen and senior officers from Tourism Malaysia and Matrade.
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Sabah Fest brings North Borneo's culture to Singapore
Published on: Saturday, August 16, 2025 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. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
