Indian leisure golfers flock to Sabah
Sabah is set to host over 800 Indian leisure golfers next month, a result of successful efforts by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) following a visit by Indian golfing experts in May. Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Sabah’s Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister, and STB chairman, expects an even larger turnout as golf enthusiasts bring their…
Hong Kong musician keen to perform in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: The Hong Kong International Musician Association expressed keenness to hold a music symposium in Sabah. Its chief executive officer Jye Lee mulled the idea to hold a Sabah Borneo International Music Festival that features competitions, forums and masterclasses, among others. Jye told this to Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai…
MATTA Fair Sabah 2023 May 19-21 at SICC
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is once again organising the 1st MATTA Fair Sabah for year 2023 at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here. This will be the biggest travel fair in Sabah which will be held for three consecutive days from May 19 to 21 May, said MATTA…
Turn nian gao available all year round
KOTA KINABALU: Nian gao or rice cake can be turned into an all year round product with innovative packaging instead of only make available during Chinese New Year. “In doing so, we can create job opportunities for the locals and income for our suppliers in Kudat,” said Tok Kelapa, Director Koh Kok Cheng who is…
900 guests treated to buffet brunch during CNY
KOTA KINABALU: The culinary of the various Chinese ethnicity in Sabah were showcased during the Chinese New Year celebration. Some 700 types of Chinese menus were dished out during the “Feast of Fortune” buffet brunch for 900 guests at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here during the third day of Chinese New Year celebration on…
KK among world’s top 10 popular destinations for 2023
KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu has been lined up alongside other world famous cities as among the top 10 most trending destinations for 2023. According to Booking.com report, it said that Kota Kinabalu is among the ultimate travel hotspots for travellers this year. The online booking agency which is one the world largest among others mentioned that…
Sabah to explore birding sites to incorporate with community-based tourism
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s rural areas hold great promise as a birding hotspot, opening up new educational and economic possibilities for the local community. Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said birdwatching is an excellent activity to integrate into the community-based tourism initiative that will attract new visitors to the countryside. He…
Sabah to diversify its market to Indian visitors
KOTA KINABALU/Dec 8: Since the Chinese visitors are not returning anytime soon, Sabah has decided to lure the Indian tourists which is now the fastest-growing outbound market. Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the state’s tourism industry was overly dependent on Chinese visitors before the pandemic and that it must now…
Jafry urges Motac to promote and market Sabah
KOTA KINABALU/8Dec: Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister (KePKAS) Datuk Jafry Ariffin paid a courtesy on newly appointed federal Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister (Motac) Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing at Putrajaya. During the meeting, various issues were discussed including the renewal of licences for tour buses and vehicles rental faced by operators in Sabah….
Shop for books as Christmas gift at Urban Tamu
KOTA KINABALU: With Christmas just around the corner, once again the Urban Tamu at Riverson was made available for gift hunters. Various vendors offering variety of gifts for shoppers to choose from including a book seller where its author Anna Vivienne was also present to meet the buyers and to autograph the books. “This was…
Matta Fair Sabah back due to strong demand
KOTA KINABALU/9 Dec: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Fair Sabah is different from others because it emphasizes more on promotions. Its Sabah and Labuan Chairman Lawrence Chin said the fair only allowed licensed agencies to participate and have always been a crowd puller for holiday packages. To further enhance visitors’ experience…
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Spring Vegetable Salad With Mint Pesto
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Borneo Safari to enliven Visit Sabah 2027
KOTA KINABALU: 2 November 2026
The 34th edition of the Borneo Safari International Offroad Challenge 2026 concluded on Nov 1 after eight days of offroad action through the rugged terrain of Ulu Tongod, Sabah.
Flagged off on Oct 25 from the Sabah Tourism Board building along Gaya Street here, the event attracted more than 650 modified 4×4 vehicles and over 1,700 participants from Malaysia and 15 other countries.
Participants faced muddy jungle tracks, steep inclines, V-gullies, landslides, river crossings and other obstacles.
The competition category saw 31 teams compete in 24 special stages (SS), testing their driving skills, vehicle capabilities, endurance and teamwork.
In the tag-on category, competitors faced equally demanding routes, with persistent rain adding to the challenges.
Aleshen Lo and co-driver Norlee Yap from Kota Kinabalu emerged as overall champions with 1,927 points from 24 SS.
The pair secured a 76-point lead over their closest competitors to claim the Borneo Safari Championship Trophy and RM135,472 worth of cash and prizes.
“I am so happy today. We practised hard to make sure we would be ready for this event and all the hard work paid off,” said Aleshen.
Alexander Chang and Anderson Abdullah from Kota Marudu finished as first runners-up, receiving a trophy and more than RM84,967 worth of cash and prizes.
Koo Foi Loong and Velerick Martin from Keningau finished second runners-up, taking home a trophy and more than RM57,758 worth of cash and prizes.
The Fred Leong Award for excellence in visual storytelling through social media went to Nazri Hashim of Offroad Paparazi Burger.
Sabah Four Wheel Drive Association (SFWDA) president and Borneo Safari event director Faez Nordin congratulated all participants on completing this year’s event.
He also thanked the sponsors, partners, government agencies and supporting organisations for their contributions.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, who officiated at the closing ceremony at Wisma Hakka, hoped Borneo Safari would continue next year as part of efforts to enliven Visit Sabah 2027 and boost the state’s tourism sector.
Jamawi also announced additional cash prizes for the winners.
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HATC development has necessary approvals
KOTA KINABALU: 1 November 2026 The construction activities recently highlighted on social media at Mount Kinabalu form part of the approved development of the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC). It is an initiative designed to enhance mountaineering facilities while maintaining the highest regard for environmental conservation and the cultural significance of the mountain. Tourism, Culture…
Hajiji: Help Sabah SMEs grow beyond
KOTA KINABALU: 31 October 2026 Government agencies must work with banks, industry and the private sector to help small and medium enterprises overcome business challenges. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said SMEs are vital to Sabah. They create jobs and sustain livelihoods in towns, districts and rural areas. “Many still struggle to access finance,…
Sabah plans direct KK-Sendai charter flight
KOTA KINABALU: 27 October 2026S Sabah will launch a direct charter flight between Kota Kinabalu and Sendai on 30 Dec 2026 to strengthen tourism ties with Japan and open access to its northern Tohoku region. The plan was discussed during a courtesy call on Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Dr Andi Md Shamsureezal Mohd…
Italy to promote VSY 2027
KOTA KINABALU: 26 October 2026 Italy offers to help promote Sabah ahead of Visit Sabah Year 2027 Sabah looks forward to stronger bilateral cooperation with Italy in investment opportunities covering oil and gas, tourism and higher education. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this after meeting Italy’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Raffaele Langella, at Menara…
Can Sabah build roads without losing forests?
KOTA KINABALU: 27 September 2026
How can Sabah build roads for growth without cutting off its wildlife?
That question drove a workshop in Kota Kinabalu, where government, scientists and civil society agreed environmental evidence must enter road planning before routes and budgets are locked.
The workshop, by Institute for Development Studies (Sabah) (IDS) and the Humans, Habitats and Highways (3H) Coalition of 10 civil society groups, gathered almost 60 participants.
The gap is critical. By the time biodiversity data reaches planners, alignments are often finalised.
Key agencies including State Economic Planning Unit, Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat, Environment Protection Department, Lands and Surveys Department and Sabah Forestry Department shared where the system allows or blocks early input.
Tawai Lessons for Next Highway
Efforts to keep the Pan Borneo Highway out of Tawai Forest Reserve ultimately failed, said chief executive facilitator of Forever Sabah Cynthia Ong.
We want our rigorous evidence to contribute during planning, not after budget and design are set, she said.
Scientists said Tawai offers lessons that can save the next stretch.
It is not too late for Kalabakan-Maliau for Phase 3, said professor of Cardiff University and director of Danau Girang Field Centre Prof Benoit Goossens. Alignment and budget are not finalised. There is still time to ensure the road respects nature and people.
A study by Seratu Aatai and Danau Girang Field Centre, supported by Yayasan Hasanah and Ministry of Finance, tracked elephants before and during Tawai construction.
Three elephants we monitored – one male, two females – moved out during early construction, said senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Sabah and director of Seratu Aatai Dr Nurzhafarina Othman. We found concentrated activity that overlaps directly with the highway.
The team has advised against guardrails at key crossings that would block calves. It is low-cost mitigation that only works if engineers get data in time.
Tools already exist, said senior officer of WWF-Malaysia Dr Cheryl Cheah, including the IUCN Handbook to Mitigate Impacts of Roads and Railways on Asian Elephants.
The workshop will produce practical recommendations on when, where and how science must be mandatory in Sabah road planning.
If Sabah wants greener development, we must bring development and biodiversity together from the start, said Dr Nurzhafarina Othman.-HS
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Tenom coffee to boost tourism
TENOM: 24 October 2026 Tenom will turn its coffee plantations into a tourism draw to create new income for growers, as Sabah pushes to make the district self-sufficient in coffee by 2030. Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industries Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said Tenom, home to four coffee factories, is targeting 50 per cent self-sufficiency in…
Cultural tourism can drive rural incomes
MATUNGGONG: 24 October 2026 Cultural tourism can generate income for rural communities, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said. He said Sabah’s diverse arts and cultures are assets that draw tourists. “The State Government is committed to promoting culture as a driver of local tourism, in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan,” he…
Alex, June, Markov won Climbathon race
KUNDASANG: 18 October 2026 Alex Oberbacher of Italy won the Men’s Elite title at the 33rd Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon in 3:20.54, while June Villaroel of Spain won the Women’s Elite title in 4:09.14. Markov Evegenii of Russia won the Men’s Veteran title in 3:29.11. The 24.5km race began at 6.30am, with Tourism, Culture and…
MATTA Sabah to stage two fairs in 2027
KOTA KINABALU: 21 October 2026 MATTA Sabah will expand beyond Kota Kinabalu next year with a second fair planned for Tawau, following the success of its September edition. Its chairman Alex Chong said the chapter will stage two fairs in 2027 — April in Kota Kinabalu at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) and June…
