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Daily Express
17 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Over 6,000 came to Sabah during Kaamatan
Published on: Monday, June 02, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 02, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Tiong and Haryanty (fourth left and right) together with the state tourism association chairmen celebrate the Kaamatan Festival at KKIA. Kota Kinabalu: Travellers trickled into the state's capital to take advantage of the long holidays in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival celebration. Throughout the day, 27 flights arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), bringing visitors from Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and destinations across Malaysia. 'These included an estimated 930 international and 4,933 domestic travellers, all of whom were welcomed with festive cheer and cultural experiences upon arrival,' said Tourism Malaysia Sabah Director Haryanty Abu Bakar at KKIA here. 'Malaysia celebrates the long weekend, starting with the festival of Kaamatan, Gawai, and also the birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. 'We celebrate with the cultural diversity of Sabah, including the Magunatip dance performance and sampling of traditional cuisines for the guests,' said Haryanty. The arriving travellers were presented with goodie bags as part of the campaign to promote Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who was among those arriving, performed the beating of a gong and witnessed a symbolic winnowing of rice. The winnowing was performed by Haryanty, KKIA Senior Airport Manager Jefry Ramli, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Marketing Manager Bobby Alex, MATTA Sabah Deputy Chairman Alex Chong, Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah Chairman Vincent Sia, MyBHA Sabah Chairman Harold Chung, and Sabah Tourist Association (STA) Chairman Melanie Chu. Similar activities were held during Chinese New Year and Hari Raya, which also coincided with long holidays and contributed to the increase in arrivals during the holiday season, said Haryanty. She said Tourism Malaysia is collaborating with STB and the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment to encourage domestic tourism, not only focusing on Kota Kinabalu but also expanding to Kota Marudu, Kudat, and other attractive destinations. In addition, she said Sabah is also rich in cultural diversity, where festivals such as Kaamatan are also among the attractions to boost domestic tourism. She said the preparation for VMY 2026 is not only limited to physical tourism, but also on encouraging tourists to get to know the products and packages offered through online platforms. One of them is the cooperation between Tourism Malaysia and to offer special packages throughout the year to promote Malaysia digitally. The promotion campaign starts from April 2025 until February 2026 and will continue to enable tourists to access interesting packages via the digital platform, she said. According to statistics, she said the number of tourists will increase due to the rise in the number of flights. 'We hope that the number of international flights to Kota Kinabalu will increase,' she said. Malaysia's tourism sector continues to experience strong recovery and growth. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 38 million international visitors – a 31.1 per cent increase from 2023 and 8.3 per cent above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Visitor receipts also surged, generating RM106.78 billion, reflecting a substantial 43.7 per cent growth over 2023 and exceeding 2019 figures by 20 per cent. This positive trend has continued into early 2025, with the first four months recording 13.4 million visitor arrivals – a 21.0 per cent year-on-year increase. The top ten visitor-generating markets from January to April were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom. * 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
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Express
500 paddlers competing at State Championship
Published on: Friday, May 30, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 30, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: (Seated from second left) Edward, Roland and Chua together with the Kota Kinabalu team. Kota Kinabalu: About 500 paddlers representing 15 districts will compete at the Sabah state-level table tennis championship this weekend at Maksak Hall, Likas, here. The competition, running from May 30 to June 1, will be officiated by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin. The paddlers will compete in the men's and women's team events, as well as the Under-10, 13, 15 and 19 categories for both boys and girls, said Sabah Table Tennis Association president Edward Chua. 'This is a big event hosted by Kota Kinabalu, who have won for three consecutive years so far. We are calling all ping pong supporters to come and watch the games,' said Edward after the presentation of team uniforms to the Kota Kinabalu team at its clubhouse at Wisma Hakka, here. The ceremony was officiated by the Chief Minister's Political Secretary Datuk Dr Roland Chia. The uniforms were sponsored by Kota Kinabalu Table Tennis Association (KKTTA) Advisor Datuk Chua Soon Ping. The championship also serves as a platform to select state players for the national under-10, 12, 15 and 19 tournaments, said Edward. Advertisement 'Every year we have three events to compete in, including the National Hopes, Youth, and Open Championships,' he said, adding that the national championship will be held in Penang in September 2025. This state championship is also an opportunity to gauge the potential of players for next year's Sabah Games, he added. In addition, he said they will hold the Table Tennis Clubs Championship, featuring between 30 and 40 clubs from Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, which will offer prize money of RM10,000 to the winning clubs. On the development of table tennis, he said so far, so good, as Kota Kinabalu has about five training centres, which are enough to cater to training and development programmes. 'We run development programmes to produce coaches and umpires. Every year, we conduct a Level 1 coaching course recognised by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), while every two years we hold a Level 2 coaching course,' he said. To date, he said Sabah has produced one female national player who is based in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. 'We will try to select promising young players from the state championship, and we hope to get strong support from parents to let their children be based in Bukit Jalil. 'Once selected, the players will be relocated to study from Form 1 to 5 in Bukit Jalil, but parents won't let them go, that is our main challenge,' he said. * 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
Daily Express
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Labour costs, lack of skilled workers blow
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Luk (right) receives the appointment letter from Cheng. Newly-elected Sabah Builders Association (SBA) President Paul Luk Tzun Kee said contractors across Sabah are facing mounting challenges from multiple issues. These include rising labour costs and shortage of skilled workers. Advertisement He said the increasingly complex regulatory and permitting processes and limited infrastructure connectivity have further impacted the building industry. 'These issues pose real obstacles to progress, and it is imperative that we, as an association, voice our concerns effectively to the government and advocate for practical, long-term solutions,' said Luk, who will lead the association for the 2025–2027 term. He took over from Henry Tsen Nyuk Chen at the swearing-in ceremony witnessed by legal advisor Roland Cheng at the SBA premises. Luk urged more contractors to join SBA in strengthening its capacity to act with a stronger voice. 'Expanding our membership will allow us to pool resources, amplify our collective voice, and work towards our shared vision through the 1-Sabah Contractors initiative. 'Unity among industry players will be key to navigating current challenges and positioning ourselves for future opportunities,' he said. He said the Sabah Construction & Machinery Expo, which is their flagship event, will be continued. 'The event has provided a vital platform for stakeholders including government agencies like JKR and CIDB, as well as private sector bodies such as PAM, IEM, QSM, developers, and suppliers to network, collaborate, and explore innovation,' said Luk. He said more professional bodies and policymakers will be invited to the expo, which is a cornerstone for promoting local contractors and driving investment in the state's construction sector. Looking ahead, he said SBA's strategic focus will centre on two core pillars: professional upskilling and economic growth. 'We will prioritise training and capacity-building initiatives aimed at elevating the standards, professionalism, and capabilities of local contractors and workers. 'A strong, skilled workforce is vital to ensuring Sabah's construction industry is resilient and future-ready,' he said. Simultaneously, he said SBA will actively engage with government agencies, policymakers, and private stakeholders to advocate for inclusive development policies. 'Our aim is to ensure local builders are provided with equitable access to development opportunities that contribute meaningfully to Sabah's economic progress,' he said. He said SBA stands ready to serve as a platform for dialogue, partnership, and shared progress. 'We welcome the continued support of the State Government, media, and all relevant stakeholders as we strive to enhance the integrity, transparency, and competitiveness of the construction industry in Sabah,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
Daily Express
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Express
Van gift by Japanese Government
Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Yamashita (centre) in a symbolic gesture unveils the van as Saroja (second, right), Mitsuhiko (left) and others look on. Kota Kinabalu: The Government of Japan has provided RM157,733 under its grassroots grant aid to Caring for the Future Malaysia (CFFM) for the purchase of a van to safely transport children to school. Head of the Consular Office of Japan in Kota Kinabalu, Yamashita Yoshito, said the grant is part of an international aid scheme aimed at meeting basic human needs, particularly projects that are highly beneficial at the grassroots level and require timely support on humanitarian grounds. Advertisement 'To date, we have contributed about RM4 million to 38 projects in Sabah, including this one,' he said during the unveiling ceremony of the van at Kampung Lingan Baru here. He said they received the application from CFFM in March 2024 and, after considering various factors including its long-standing record of activities and sound management, they decided to support the application to purchase a van. 'This grant aid is financed by the taxpayers of Japan. Therefore, this special assistance is an expression of the friendship and goodwill of the Japanese people towards the people of Sabah. 'I sincerely hope this grant aid will further strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Malaysia, Sabah in particular and that this van will be effectively used for many years to come,' said Yamashita. CFFM President, Saroja Palaniappan, said the generosity demonstrated by the Government of Japan is a powerful reminder of what compassion, trust and international friendship can achieve when we work together. 'For us, it is more than just a vehicle; it is a gift of safety, dignity and hope for the children under our care,' she said. She also thanked the people of Japan for their generosity, which transcends borders and cultures, and has made a lasting impact on the lives of children in Sabah. CFFM is currently home to 15 boys aged between seven and 17. These children come from various rural and underprivileged areas in Sabah. Many are living in poverty, abandoned, neglected, or orphaned, and the centre serves as their primary home, a place of safety, support, and renewed hope. Also present were Vice Consul of Japan in Kota Kinabalu, Sugaya Kyohei; CFFM Director and Founder, Mitsuhiko Abe; Centre Manager, Mericia Majahas; and Social Welfare Advisor and Volunteer, Kaori Abe. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
Daily Express
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Chance for Sabah's bakers to go global in view of US-China trade war
Published on: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 14, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Chong, Foo and Ng (seated, from second left) inviting Sabah's baking industry to participate in MIMF 2025. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah confectionery and bakery operators were encouraged to seize the opportunity created by the trade war between China and the US. President of Malaysia Promas International Business Society (Promas) Dato' Chong Chong Tik said the changing international trade landscape, amid the crisis, Malaysia can attract Chinese enterprises through a cooperative partnership approach. 'China's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are struggling, the Chinese government strongly supports their 'go global' policy,' he said when announcing the 36th Malaysia International Machinery Fair (MIMF 2025) roadshow in Sabah at a restaurant here. The event will be held at the Malaysia Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur from July 10-12, 2025. Given this scenario, he said there will be a flood of Chinese enterprise expanding abroad and Malaysia's strongest competitive edge right now is the halal certification, which is highly valued in Muslim countries. He said Promas has been working closely with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to promote collaboration on how to bring Chinese food companies to produce in Malaysia and obtain halal certification. Given these favourable conditions, he said Promas is inviting the baking industry players in Sabah to participate in the upcoming exhibition as food processing, packaging, retail sectors, and baking will be among the highlights. He said halal baking will be one of the focuses as over 100 Chinese companies are expected to participate in exhibition, which is an opportunity for networking. 'Many Chinese companies under the go-global policy are looking for partners in Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries. By having Malaysian baking businesses at the exhibition, they are allowing them to connect directly with those looking for biscuit, cake, preserved foods, agricultural products and others, he said. He said the Sabah Confectionary and Bakery Association (SCBA) will be allocated with a booth under the Malaysia's pavilion to showcase their baking enterprises and networking at the exhibition. SCBA Deputy Chairman Lawrence Ng said participating in MIMF is something new to them and they are looking forward to explore the opportunity. 'We will convey this message to our over 100 members across Sabah as I think this is a good opportunity to showcase our products at international level,' he said. Also present was Malaysian Bakery and Sugar-Craft Association, President Foo Kim. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
