Latest news with #CultureandEnvironment
The Star
2 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Community-based tourism players urged to leverage growing wellness travel trend
Datuk Joniston Bangkuai for the cancer awareness campaign in Kiulu. KOTA KINABALU: Community-based tourism operators across Sabah have been urged to integrate wellness elements into their products to remain competitive and aligned with global tourism trends. Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said Sabah's natural beauty, clean air, and cultural richness provide the ideal foundation for eco-wellness tourism, which is on the rise. 'Villagers should start thinking beyond sightseeing by incorporating wellness into their packages through mindful activities, traditional healing, or healthy local meals. These are simple additions that can add meaningful value to rural tourism,' Bangkuai said during the Program Jejak Kanser at Pekan Kiulu on Tuesday (July 22). The Kiulu assemblyman stressed that wellness tourism is no longer a niche, and travellers today are seeking places that help them relax, recharge, and reconnect. He pointed to last month's Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference and Expo in Sabah as a strong signal that the state is ready to lead in this sector. Bangkuai said many rural communities already practice sustainable living and have access to nature-rich surroundings, making them well-positioned to offer genuine wellness experiences. 'In line with our efforts to transform Kiulu under the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda, which focuses on tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing, we also want to see Kiulu become a healthy and thriving rural community model. 'By hosting regular health screenings, nature-based therapy sessions, and awareness programmes, Kiulu can set a clear example that rural areas can advance healthy living,' he added. Bangkuai said establishing a wellness centre would support this vision, adding that integrating health elements into tourism can benefit both visitors and locals, and open up new economic and social opportunities.
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah receives the Most Outstanding State award
Datuk Masidi Manjun (centre), flanked by Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew (on his right) and Group Managing Director, The IBR Asia Group, Dato' Beatrice Nirmala, at the International Business Review (IBR) ASEAN Awards 2025 event held at the Sabah International Convention Centre on Saturday night. KOTA KINABALU (July 20): Sabah was conferred the Most Outstanding State in Malaysia for the Year 2024 award during the International Business Review (IBR) Asean Awards here on Saturday. The award is a recognition of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor's exemplary leadership, as the state has made marked improvements across the board through his comprehensive Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) roadmap. Positive and impactful changes have been made economically, in championing the state's and her people's rights, in infrastructural improvements, and so forth, under his administration. It was also under this administration that many historic firsts have been successfully achieved, as Sabah's landscape transforms for the better. State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Manjun who received the award, expressed gratitude from the state government. He described the prestigious conferment as a sign that Sabah has achieved a higher level that it could not reach before. Sabah was one of nine recipients for awards in various categories during the ceremony. Negeri Sembilan was awarded the Most Progressive State in Malaysia for 2024. It is a recognition of Menteri Besar Dato Seri Utama Aminuddin Harun for ensuring the ambituous Rancangan Struktur Negeri Sembulan (RSNS) 2045 roadmap remains futureproof. In reworking the Malaysia Vision Valley plan into its 2.0 iteratuon, he has set a clear path for Negeri Sembilan's rapid industrialisation and development. Another recipient was Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd, who was named the winner for the Corporate Excellence in the Logistics Sector for Port Management. Sabah Ports, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Suria Capital Holdings Berhad, manages Sabah's port operations. Through their eight ports, they provide berthing, handling and cargo facilities for port customers. In September 2024, they signed a partnership with DP World to manage Sepanggar Bay Container Port, with a goal of making it a key regional port for BIMP-EAGA. The other winners are National Heart Institute for the Corporate Excellence in the Healthcare Sector for Leadership in ESG Innovations category; Clean Kinetics Pte Ltd (Corporate Excellence in the Renewable Energy Sector for Sustainable Energy). Millenium Minerals Ltd (Corporate Excellence in the Mining Industry for Ethical Mining); AiRTS Pte Ltd (Innovative Technology in the Artificial Intelligence Sector for Enhancing Workplace Efficiency). Alpine Integrated Solution Sdn Bhd (Corporate Excellence in the Event Management Sector for Mega Government Projects); Education Malahsia Global Services (Corporate Excellence in the Education Sector for Strengthening Malaysia's Position as a Global Education Hub). Hosted by the state government and organised by IBR Asia Group, the IBR Business Review Asean Awards 2025 highlights significant achievements in various industries, also providing winners with comprehensive publicity.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China, Taiwan investors boost Sabah-MM2H applications
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) programme has seen a rise in applications from investors in China, Taiwan and other countries, said Datuk Seri Christina Liew ( pic ). Liew, who chairs the Sabah-MM2H programme, credits the increase to the efforts of registered agents since the programme's launch. 'We've received more applications from China, Taiwan and several other countries. We encourage you to continue promoting the programme overseas through roadshows and other platforms,' she told 25 registered agents during a meeting on Thursday. The state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said Sabah hopes to attract more foreign applicants to invest in property and make the state their second home. During the meeting, she informed the agents about several amendments to the programme criteria approved by the state Cabinet. Among the changes is the lowering of the minimum age for applicants from 30 to 25. Successful applicants can now also place the required fixed deposit in any of the 12 authorised commercial banks. They may withdraw up to 50% of the deposit after 12 months for education or medical expenses. Liew said agents responded positively to the changes, viewing them as more appealing to potential applicants. She also noted several concerns raised by agents, particularly regarding the classification of eligible properties for purchase. 'These matters will be discussed in our next monthly meeting,' she assured them. Liew added that the Sabah-MM2H Committee has been efficient in processing and approving overseas applications.
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
More Sabah-MM2H applications
Published on: Saturday, July 19, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 19, 2025 Text Size: Liew (seated left) stressing a point during the meeting of the Sabah-MM2H Committee and registered agents of the programme. Kota Kinabalu: Chairman of the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) programme, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, commended registered agents for the progress made thus far. 'We (Sabah-MM2H Committee) have received more applications from China, Taiwan and other countries. We encourage you to continue promoting the programme to potential clients overseas through roadshows or other platforms. Advertisement 'We look forward to more foreign applicants buying property here and considering Sabah as their second home,' she said during a meeting with 25 agents on Thursday. Liew, who is also State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, informed them of several amendments to the criteria for participation in the programme, as approved by the State Cabinet. The minimum age for one to apply has now been lowered to 25 as opposed to 30 previously. Secondly, a successful applicant may place his or her mandatory fixed deposit (as one of the requirements) in any of the 12 authorised commercial banks, and is allowed to withdraw 50pc of his or her fixed deposit after a period of 12 months for education purposes or medical treatment expenses. Generally, the agents were happy with the amendments, saying the amended criteria are favourable and more attractive to potential applicants. Liew also took note of several concerns and issues raised by the agents, relating to the classification of buildings that can be purchased, among other aspects. 'We will discuss and evaluate these in our next monthly meeting, and keep you posted,' she assured them, adding that the Sabah-MM2H Committee has been efficient in processing and approving applications from overseas applicants for participating in the Sabah-MM2H programme. Also present were the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai and members of the Sabah-MM2H Committee. * 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
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah-MM2H programme sees rising interest after criteria relaxed
Liew (seated left) responding to questions from the agents. KOTA KINABALU (July 18): The State Cabinet has approved several key amendments to the participation criteria of the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) Programme. The minimum age requirement has been lowered from 30 to 25. Additionally, successful applicants may now place their mandatory fixed deposit in any of the 12 authorised commercial banks. They are also permitted to withdraw 50% of the deposit after 12 months for education or medical treatment purposes. Chairman of the Sabah-Malaysia My Second Home (Sabah-MM2H) Programme, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, announced this at a meeting with the registered agents who welcomed the amendments, describing them as favourable and likely to attract more applicants. Liew who is also the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, commended the registered agents for their contributions to the growing success of the initiative. 'We (State Sabah-MM2H Committee) have received an increasing number of applications from China, Taiwan, and other countries,' she said. 'We encourage you to continue promoting the programme to potential clients overseas through roadshows or other platforms. We look forward to more foreign applicants purchasing property here and considering Sabah as their second home,' she said. Liew also addressed concerns raised by agents, particularly regarding the classification of buildings eligible for purchase. 'We will discuss and evaluate these issues in our next monthly meeting and keep you updated,' she assured them, adding that the Sabah-MM2H Committee has been efficient in processing and approving applications from overseas. Also present at the meeting were the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Datuk Josie Lai, and members of the State Sabah-MM2H Committee.
