Crocker Range Festival set to return June 26
Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 Text Size: Festival organising chairman Rafie Robert said the initiative aims to provide a free and inclusive experience for all visitors, strengthening intergenerational ties and community spirit. KENINGAU: The Crocker Range Festival (TCRF) is set to return for its 8th season with a vibrant four-day celebration from June 26 to 29 at Dataran Keningau, featuring a dynamic mix of cultural showcases and community programmes. The event is expected to draw both local and national attention, especially from tourists and culture enthusiasts, with its focus on celebrating the rich ethnic heritage of Sabah's interior.
Advertisement This year's festival will include traditional performances, craft competitions, ethnic sports, and highlight programmes such as the popular Miss & Mister Crocker Range pageant and an exhibition of local products. New to this year's edition are three added components – the Sabah Cultural Fiesta, Keningau Youth Fiesta, and Kids Fiesta. Festival organising chairman Rafie Robert said the initiative aims to provide a free and inclusive experience for all visitors, strengthening intergenerational ties and community spirit. 'An exclusive performance by two acclaimed local ethnic artistes, Alena Murang and Belle Sisoski, is set to be one of the main highlights of the event, with both expected to captivate the audience through traditional music that celebrates and elevates Borneo's rich cultural heritage. 'We are excited to carry forward the legacy of TCRF as a platform to celebrate our culture and foster community unity. Having incredible talents like Alena and Belle join us will add depth to the cultural experience,' Rafie said. He added that the festival also offers a meaningful opportunity for local entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products directly to the public, contributing to rural economic growth. TCRF 2025, he said, is more than a cultural celebration – it is aligned with the State Government's vision of strengthening tourism as a key driver of economic development under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan. 'This is a holistic effort to enhance tourism, preserve cultural identity and boost the local economy,' he said. The public is encouraged to attend and experience the vibrant cultural diversity of Sabah during the event. For more information, visit the festival's official Facebook page at facebook.com/TCRF.Keningau or contact the organising secretariat at 019-8523303. * 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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'At that time, the OCDN press was no grand concrete complex, but merely a single storey but fairly large wooden structure adjacent a bush, which housed the editorial office, proof reading section, paging section and the printing press as well. 'Mr Yeh assigned my role as a wire service reporter, located in a small room at the rear end, with a bed meant for rest. To the right of the door was radio reception spot. 'Facing that radio, I felt like a rat pulling a turtle, I didn't know where to sink my hands into. Sitting beside me, Yeh was unruffled, absolutely concentrating on listening to the radio news broadcast, scribbling symbols for words and phrases at phenomenal speed and then write them into news reports. 'To cover news in those hey days, reporters had no multipurpose smartphones, no way you can tape interviews, you rely on how quick you can jot down a conversation, or remember as much as you can, then file your news reports. 'For speed, you need training. 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'Those days Chinese papers in Sabah did not subscribe to international news agencies like Reuters, AFP, Associated Press, but even if they did, only Pan Asia or Central News Agency Taiwan because they provided reports in Chinese which spared the need to translate. 'So apart from English papers, all Chinese papers depended on radio to obtain international news, especially the Voice of America, the most popular station because of its strong transmission, little or no interference, clear and easy to listen to, unless the weather was very bad. 'After the reports were filed, Yeh would edit and give the heading but gradually, he asked me to write the headings for him to edit. Finally, he let me take charge of international news altogether, headings and all, which gave me an opportunity to demonstrate my talent and that really marked the beginning of my decision to choose journalism as my lifelong career. 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