News
Miss World, City Hall unite in heritage and environment effort
The Miss World Organisation and Kota Kinabalu City Hall share a common belief that heritage and nature must be cared for, protected and passed on responsibly. Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah said this shared responsibility was reflected in the gathering at the Atkinson Clock Tower, one of the city’s oldest surviving landmarks, built in…
Jafry: Task force to ensure orderly development of Semporna tourism
The State Government will coordinate closely with the Ministry of Local Government and relevant authorities through a Special Task Force on Semporna Tourism Industry Monitoring to ensure proper governance, effective enforcement and orderly tourism development in Semporna. The State Government will also continue to work with the Federal Government, including the Ministry of Domestic Trade…
Sabah sets Asia and ASEAN records with 1,500-metre muhibbah kongsi raya yee sang
Sabah created history by setting both Asia Records and ASEAN Records for the longest muhibbah kongsi raya yee sang toss, measuring 1,500 metres, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). The record recognition plaques were received by Borneo Referral Group founder and chief executive officer Brandon Chin from ASEAN Records executive director Eldrik Koh. The…
Record-breaking ASEAN yee sang strengthens Sabah’s tourism, trade and investment appeal
Sabah’s reputation as a model of social harmony and regional cooperation was underscored with an attempt to set an ASEAN record for the longest Yee Sang, measuring 1,500 metres, at the Kongsi Raya Muhibbah Yee Sang event held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the event went…
Motac to enforce bank guarantee requirement for outbound, umrah operators
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) will require all outbound tourism and Umrah operators to provide a bank guarantee as a new licensing condition beginning May 15, 2026. The requirement applies to all licence holders and is part of Motac’s efforts to strengthen consumer protection and improve integrity within the tourism industry. The…
Six tour operators, a resort showcase offerings at OTM 2026
The Sabah North Borneo Cycling Paradise and other destination offerings were unveiled at the Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre here. The initiative is aimed at strengthening engagement with the Indian market at one of Asia’s leading travel trade events. The cycling product was launched at the Tourism Malaysia Pavilion…
Liew praises Sabah media for strong support of tourism ministry
The Sabah media has been strongly supportive of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS), said its former minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew. She said journalists, reporters and photographers had, through their reporting and creative writing, consistently highlighted the ministry’s policies, programmes and projects for public awareness during her tenure from 2018 to 2020…
Sabah to host Kongsi Raya carnival, attempt 1.5m long yee sang
Sabah will host Malaysia’s first Kongsi Raya Carnival from Feb 6 to 8, 2026, with organisers attempting to create an ASEAN record by producing a 1,500 metres long muhibbah yee sang at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). The event is expected to draw strong public participation, particularly during the muhibbah yee sang event on…
PAUHS raises concern over RM250,000 bank guarantee requirement for umrah agencies
The Sabah Umrah and Hajj Agencies Association (PAUHS) views seriously the implementation of a RM250,000 bank guarantee as a requirement for the renewal of umrah agency licences. “We respect the government’s intention to strengthen industry governance, enhance integrity, and ensure comprehensive protection for pilgrims. “We fully support firm action against any agency involved in fraud,…
Satta: Electricity tariff increase burdens tourism, SME sectors
The Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) expresses serious concern over the State Government’s recent announcement of an electricity tariff increase of about 15 per cent, effective February 1, 2026. The decision will have a significant and far-reaching impact on the tourism industry and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Sabah. At a…