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The Star
10-07-2025
- The Star
Visit Malaysia 2026: Fam trip brings journalists, influencers to see less-explored sides of Sabah
Participants learning weaving. KOTA KINABALU: A familiarisation trip filled with cultural discoveries, coupled with immersive nature experiences, was part of a tourism campaign to uncover more of Sabah's hidden gems. Themed 'Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure & Nature', this five-day tour from last Friday (July 4) to Tuesday, saw nine media personnel and social influencers from Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak and Brunei taking part. Participants learning traditional dances. It was part of the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia and Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, focusing on districts such as Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat that are less known to tourists. Mansau-ansau is a Kadazan Dusun word which means going somewhere. During this excursion, participants were brought to Sabah's Tip of Borneo in Kudat and the Floating Coral Bar in Pitas. A Tourism Malaysia official taking a group photo before cycling. They were introduced to local cultures at the Walai Tobilung (Tombilung ethnic house), such as bobolian (spiritual healer) ritual, with hands-on experiences with traditional musical instruments, traditional dances, and preparing heritage dishes such as the kuih panjaram. They learnt basics in motif embroidery in Kudat, corn husk crafts in Kota Marudu, as well as cultural embroidery and parang making in Kota Belud. Aerial view of the floating coral. For physical activities and adventure in Kota Belud, these visitors had fun trekking the Aura Montaria hill, known to some as one of the best hiking trails in Sabah and cycling in the mist of a paddy field in Kg Sangkir. As they moved nearer back to the city, they took a stop in Tuaran to enjoy the Tembara River Cruise, where they saw fireflies, watched the sunset by the river in an immersive appreciation of nature. A demonstration to panjaram making. According to Tourism Malaysia director for Sabah Haryanty Abu Bakar, this programme was in line with their effort to promote Sabah's lesser-explored destinations. She said by bringing in the media and content creators to introduce Sabah's hidden gem digitally, they hope to be able to engage more visitors and bring in more people here with the power of storytelling from these individuals. A group photo before hiking on Aura Montaria. 'The power of storytelling, digital media and content creation has a huge impact on tourism growth in Sabah and Malaysia as a whole,' she said. 'Tourism Malaysia values all forms of collaboration and support in introducing Sabah's unique tourism portfolio and will continue to strengthen strategic partnerships for the success of the VM2026,' Haryanty added.
Borneo Post
09-07-2025
- Borneo Post
'Mansau-Ansau' Trail showcases hidden treasures of North Borneo
Participants of the Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail fam trip from Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Brunei with Haryanty (front row, fifth from left). KOTA KINABALU (July 9): A five-day familiarisation trip themed 'Mansau-Ansau North Borneo Trail: Culture, Adventure & Nature' has shed light on Sabah's lesser-known northern corridor, unveiling its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage to a select group of media and tourism players. Organised by Tourism Malaysia Sabah from July 4 to 8, the initiative aimed to spotlight Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Kudat as untapped gems within the state's rural tourism landscape. Derived from the Kadazan Dusun language, 'Mansau Ansau' simply means 'jalan-jalan' or to stroll. True to its name, the programme took participants on an immersive journey that blends nature, culture and off-the-beaten-path adventure, offering experiences often overlooked by mainstream tourists. The initiative supports the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaign and Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM2026), targeting increased footfall to rural destinations while promoting community-led tourism. A total of nine participants, including local media, social media influencers and tourism industry partners from Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak and Brunei joined the trail. Among the highlights were visits to iconic attractions such as the Tip of Borneo in Kudat and the stunning Floating Coral Bar in Pitas. The group also had the rare opportunity to experience traditional rituals at Walai Tobilung, including a bobolian ceremony, cultural dance performances, local musical instruments and ancestral dishes cooked with native techniques. Handcrafted excellence took centre stage in visits to community-based craft hubs: Sulaman Pis in Kudat, Corn Husk Crafts in Kota Marudu and Sulaman Serdang as well as traditional parang forging in Kota Belud, all showcasing the exceptional creativity and skills of local artisans. One of the trip's standout moments was the hike up Aura Montoria in Kota Belud, hailed as one of Sabah's premier trekking routes for its scenic but challenging trail. Meanwhile, a village cycling tour in Kg Sangkir, Kota Belud allowed participants to soak in the serenity of lush paddy fields, offering a taste of kampung life. At Tembara River Cruise in Tuaran, they cruised through mangrove-fringed waterways, catching glimpses of mesmerising fireflies under the twilight sky, an enchanting end to the day's adventure. Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu Bakar said the programme supports Tourism Malaysia's broader mission to diversify Sabah's tourism portfolio by promoting lesser-explored destinations. 'This initiative also aligns with our digital engagement strategies. Through travel storytelling, the media plays a vital role in capturing and conveying authentic experiences that resonate deeply with today's audience,' she said. She added that community engagement and environmental conservation remain at the heart of rural tourism development, key components being driven by Sabah's own tourism operators. Tourism Malaysia expressed its appreciation to all partners involved and reiterated its commitment to strengthening strategic collaborations in anticipation of a successful Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.
Daily Express
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Urgent need for a clear definition of native: Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri
Published on: Monday, June 09, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 09, 2025 By: Jinni Juanis Text Size: According to Henrynus, thousands of acres have been allegedly granted to 'dubious natives' (those with questionable native status) in several districts in Sabah. Kota Kinabalu: Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (PKAN) has called for a clearer definition of 'Sabah native' similar to Sarawak so as to bring clarity and remove any doubt and ambiguity about the word 'native'. Its President, Datuk Henrynus @ Rinus Amin, also wants an added clause that no native certificates be valid without an 'appropriate declaration by the Sabah Native Court.' Advertisement 'We want a clause that specifically states if evidence emerges that a citizenship or a native certificate was obtained fraudulently, the issuing authority, the Native Court in Sabah, has the legal right to revoke it, and those involved in the fraud face legal repercussions. 'There's an urgent need to resolve this issue because foreigners posing as Malaysian citizens and natives with fraudulently obtained identity cards are illegally occupying native or customary land across Sabah. 'We're getting troubling reports about native land being occupied by newcomers with dubious identity in Ranau, Keningau, Sook, Nabawan, Tongod, Beluran, Pitas, Sipitang, Lahad Datu, and Kalabakan,' he said. He alleged that these newcomers with questionable citizenship are purchasing or occupying these lands and creating new settlements and shifting demographics. Advertisement According to Henrynus, thousands of acres have been allegedly granted to 'dubious natives' (those with questionable native status) in several districts in Sabah. He did not say under which administration this happened but that hese individuals then register as voters, fundamentally altering the political demographics of these areas. He said as many as 500,000 individuals in Sabah may have obtained Malaysian identity cards (MyKad) through questionable means. Currently, the Kadazan Dusun population now stands at only 19 per cent in total. In contrast, another ethnic group has reportedly surged and this raised question of their origin. He said if they are not from Peninsular Malaysia, the conclusion is that they must be foreigners masquerading as bumis to obtain identity cards and subsequently claim rights to Sabah native land. 'The party is also concerned about coastal squatter settlements near major towns, which are populated by individuals of questionable citizenship claiming native status and seeking state recognition for their villages.' He said in Sabah, the primary enactment that defines 'natives of Sabah' is the Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance 1952 (Sabah Cap 64). Unlike Sarawak, which lists specific indigenous races, he said the Federal Constitution for Sabah refers to 'a person of a race indigenous to Sabah,' again deferring to the Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance 1952. He said the status of Kadazan Dusun, Murut and Sungai or collectively Momogun is not clearly defined in Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance 1952. 'This lack of a precise list casts doubt on the validity and relevance of the existing definition,' he said. Henrynus said amendment to the definition of 'native' in Sabah has been a long-standing and complex issue which no state government was willing to take on. He is not sure what is being done by the State Government, but questioned why Kadazan Dusun assemblymen from Star, PBS and Upko who were outspoken on the issue during election, remain muted after the election. He said Parti Anak Negeri will push for the clause to be amended to clarify and establish the status of new migrants from Malaya, the Philippines and Indonesia as non-native. 'The vague definitions and the reliance on native court declarations have allegedly led to instances where individuals without genuine indigenous lineage have obtained native status.' * 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
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
‘Langadon Zone' plots still available and affordable
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Leon (left) with winners of the Little Precious 2025 children's pageant competition and event organising chairperson Mimi Chan (right), as well as Nirvana's staff and judges. PENAMPANG: The Asia's largest integrated bereavement care provider, Nirvana Memorial Park Sabah in Tuaran which launched its first product 'Langadon Zone' in 2023–burial plots for non-Muslim Bumiputra communities, is still available and affordable. Its Sales and Marketing Manager Leon Pui Shan Khen said the company allocated 112 burial plots for the Langadon Zone and 49 burial plots have been taken up, so far, which left with 63 plots. He said the company has chosen a beautiful area of burial plots for the non-Muslim Bumiputra under Langadon Zone, in the Nirvana Memorial Park. 'Nirvana has introduced a dedicated burial zone called Langadon, a Kadazan Dusun word meaning 'I Miss You' (La nga don oku dika) and more meaningful to remember beautiful memories of the ancestors and beloved family members. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Cultural welcome at KKIA marks Kaamatan Festival and gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026
Tourists arriving at KKIA receiving goodie bags from Tourism Malaysia. KOTA KINABALU (May 30): In celebration of Sabah's iconic Kaamatan Festival and in anticipation of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, Tourism Malaysia Sabah hosted a special welcoming event at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), showcasing the richness of local culture and tradition to arriving travellers. Throughout the day, 27 flights touched down during the event period, bringing in visitors from Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and across Malaysia. An estimated 930 international and 4,933 domestic passengers were greeted with festive cheer and immersive cultural experiences. Arriving guests were treated to traditional Magunatip (bamboo dance) and KadazanDusun performances, alongside tastings of local delicacies such as tapai (fermented glutinous rice), offering them an authentic slice of Sabah's heritage. The event was officially launched with a symbolic gong-beating ceremony by Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. The celebration also featured a traditional winnowing of rice by distinguished guests and a Kulintangan music performance, encapsulating the spirit of the Kaamatan Festival. Among the dignitaries present were Haryanty Abu Bakar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah; Jefry Ramli, Senior Airport Manager of KKIA; Bobby Alex @ William, Marketing Manager of Sabah Tourism Board; Alex Chong, Deputy Chairman of MATTA Sabah Chapter; Vincent Sia, Chairman of the Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah Chapter; and Melanie Chu, Chairman of the Sabah Tourist Association (STA), along with representatives from various airlines. Celebrated annually in May, the Kaamatan Festival honours the rice spirit Bambaazon and is a time for thanksgiving, unity and cultural pride among Sabah's indigenous communities. This initiative aligns with Tourism Malaysia's mission to enhance cultural tourism and elevate visitor experiences ahead of VM2026. Malaysia's tourism industry continues to show robust recovery and growth. In 2024, the country welcomed 38 million international visitors — a 31.1 per cent increase from 2023 and 8.3 per cent above pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Visitor receipts surged to RM106.78 billion, marking a 43.7 per cent rise from 2023 and a 20 per cent increase over 2019. The positive momentum has carried into 2025, with 13.4 million tourist arrivals recorded in the first four months — a 21 per cent year-on-year growth. The top ten visitor markets from January to April were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
