Sabah Fest to showcase local legend ‘Supirak’ in May

KOTA KINABALU: “Supirak – The Legendary Stone Ark” a musical theatrical performance based on local legend will be showcased during this year’s Sabah Fest.

“Every May, we take the opportunity to be storytellers for the many Sabah folklores that need to be shared. This year we will showcase the story of Supirak,” said Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun during a press conference at his office yesterday.

He said the local folklore known by the Pitas folk, told about a young but poor man who left his home and his mother in search of a better future, and came back years later as the wealthy son-in-law of a king but refused to acknowledge that the old woman named “Supirak” was his mother out of shame and pride.

As a result, his mother cursed him and he was turned into a stone along with his bride and the entire crew members of his vessel (including his ship).

“The story is similar to that of another legend, the story of ‘Si Tanggang’,” said Masidi.

He added anyone wanting to see the legendary stone ark could visit Pitas to see the island rock formation that resembled a ship.

The main actors for the show are Lina Mohamed Lin who plays “Supirak” (the mother), Ebi Kornelius @ Firdaus Yamal who plays “Ragam” (the son), Rubisa Tiasin who plays “Si Indah” and Marlena Jaafar @ James who plays “Putli Sampang Mengayau”.

Tickets for the show are on sale now at Sri Pelancongan at RM50 per person and shows will be held on May 6, which is the premier showcase, and on May 7 at the National Department For Culture And Arts auditorium  near here.

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Tourism and fisheries set to change Pitas’ landscape

The Pitas district in Sabah is set to witness the transformation of its economic landscape and commercial activities through the integrated development of the tourism and fisheries sector.

The transformation is set to open more employment opportunities for the locals.

Pitas’ strategic location, lying in between Teluk Marudu and the open waters of Kudat, known for its marine resources and pristine nature, can be optimised for tourism activities.

Pitas’ local council member Rudy Awah noted that Pitas’ resources should be exploited in an integrated manner by the relevant agencies for developing the district.

The move to develop both sectors is important for improving the socio-economic status of the locals, who survive on subsistence farming and fishing.

“The beautiful beaches, when complemented by good infrastructure, can help woo tourists to the district and open up economic opportunities for the locals,” he said to Bernama after the 2012 Pitas Local Councilors oath-taking ceremony in Labuan recently.

“The same with the fisheries sector, many efforts can be made to develop the sector, including turning the district into a deep sea fishing hub along with marine resources-based downstream activities,” he added.

Rudy noted that many of the local and foreign tourists see Kudat as their destination and therefore, leisure activities in nearby Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in the Pitas district should be exploited.

“If the appropriate facilities and necessities are established, they will not only provide comfort for the visitors, but will make the place more interesting,” he said.

Rudy also mentioned the improving road networking system, especially the roads connecting Pitas to nearby districts.

“Previously, Pitas was known to be among the backwater districts, which depended on marine resources and agriculture, with the locals migrating to bigger towns to improve their livelihood. But not anymore.”

“Today, Pitas, located to the north of Sabah, near Kudat, with a population of almost 40,000 people, can be proud of the infrastructure development there,” he said.

The main ethnic groups in the district are made up of the Rungus and Sungai (including Tambanuo) people. Pitas was initially known as Tupak that literally means “crossing” in the local language. Tupak refers to the ancient homeland of the Momogun Tombonuvo and Momogun Rungus ethnic groups.

With an established township, complete with primary and secondary schools and downstream agriculture and fisheries activities, Pitas could compete with the other districts, when promoted strategically.

Rudy recalled that Pitas was once categorised among the poorest districts in Malaysia but is now fast developing like many other districts in the state.

Meanwhile, Pitas state assemblyman Datuk Bolkiah Haji Ismail noted that Pitas has been endowed with numerous natural resources that are yet to be exploited.

Bolkiah, who is also Sabah’s Assistant Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment, pointed out that the traditional activities and items of the locals could be utilised for tourism.

One of the items unique to the locals and which can be used to lure tourists is the Bagang, a traditional platform built on the sea to catch anchovies and it is widely used in Teluk Marudu in Pitas.

“We can take visitors to have a closer look at how the locals fish with Bagang,” he said.

Apart from this, Teluk Marudu is a safe fishing haven as the water is sheltered and calm.

Continue reading at: Tourism and fisheries set to change Pitas’ landscape

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Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa conserving dugongs at Tun Mustapha Park

KOTA KINABALU: Shangri-la's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa is working to conserve dugongs and their habitat through cooperation with the communities of the proposed Tun Mustapha Park in northern Sabah.

The initial cooperation is between the resort and the community at Berungus, Pitas. The cooperation was recognized this week at the Second Coral Triangle Initiative Regional Business Forum in Kuala Lumpur.

The cooperation supports fisheries management and dugong habitat conservation by the Berungus community residing within the boundaries of the proposed Tun Mustapha Park.

The proposed park area is home to Malaysia’s second largest concentration of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and endangered marine species, including turtles and dugongs.

Tun Mustapha Park is a key component of Malaysia’s action plan for the Coral Triangle Initiative.

Part of the resort’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative includes a dugong protection programme which supports the protection of dugongs and their habitat, and the implementation of sustainable fishing practices.

Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa has also adopted the dugong as its official mascot.

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Borneo jungle expedition unforgettable

Confrontations with tarantulas, leeches and gun-wielding tribesmen was the lifestyle for Picton lad Cameron Robertson during a three-week jungle expedition in Borneo.

The 17-year-old set off on a search for self-confidence and motivation in South East Asia last month.

He joined Operation Raleigh and was the only person from a country south of Malaysia on the expedition. The 77 other venturers came from Iceland, the United States and countries in Europe and Asia.

Operation Raleigh is a British-based youth development charity designed to help youth explore the world and discover their potential as leaders while working together to make a difference for poorer villages.

Cameron, who left Queen Charlotte College in November last year, aspires to be a helicopter pilot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, but first he wanted an adventure.

At first he was hesitant, but on reflection it was the "best thing I could have ever done".

"For me I need to feel comfortable when I choose to pursue something, but for once I just jumped straight into Operation Raleigh, and man, I don't regret it at all."

The troops were split up into groups of 10 to 14 and deployed in remote locations across Borneo.

His group were responsible for building a kindergarten in the Sonsogon Magandai village in the Pitas district, near Sabah.

"It was amazing. It was hard work in tough conditions, but seeing the end result was so worth the effort."

Cameron recalls coming face-to-face with what he thought was a head-hunter on his way back to base camp – an experience he will never forget.

"One of our group members said, `hey let's go back the river way, follow it round back to base', so yeah, we didn't think anything of it and away we went.

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Tombonuo dance enters Malaysia Book of Records

PITAS: For the first time in the history of the Tombonuo people here, they made it to the national level in their cultural activity by getting the Sumanggak dance into the Malaysia Book of Records.

The president of the Sabah Pitas Tombonuo People Association (PBTPS), Akian Ahkiew, said that this is a significant achievement for the Tombonuos who have all this while been excluded in major cultural events.

“It was a proud moment last month when the association’s dance group made it into the Malaysia Book of Records,” he said.

“Now we can look forward to more cultural activities and get our cultural heritage become an important part of Sabah’s and Malaysia’s cultural mosaic.”

He regretted that even at the state level, the Tombonuo dance has not been fully recognised unlike the dance of other ethnic groups.

“This is not entirely the fault of cultural organisers,” Akian admitted.

“It is also due to insufficient initiatives of the Tombonuo people themselves. But now, under the association’s new leadership, we are more aggressive in promoting the Tombonuo identity at the state and national level.”

The sumanggak dance was part of the marathon dance performance organised by the Malaysia Book of Records in Kota Marudu on May 21, 2011.

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Call to gazette Tun Mustapha marine park

KOTA KINABALU: A proposed one million hectare marine park in northern Sabah should be gazetted as soon as possible to pave the way for its protection and conservation.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said recent studies have shown that the Tun Mustapha Marine Park was ecologically more diverse than Australia’s famed Great Barrier Reef or the Carribean.

“It has been seven years since the intention to set up the park was announced.

“Any further delay will lead to the sensitive areas being further degraded,” he said, adding that gazetting the marine park would ensure sustainable development of the marine resources there.

The proposed marine park covers the coastal areas of Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas districts including 50 islands. It has also been identified by experts as a Priority Conservation Area.

When gazetted, the Tun Mustapha Marine Park would become the largest marine conservation area in Malaysia. An estimated 80,000 people live within its vicinity and depend on fishery resources for their livelihood.

The marine park encompasses Marudu Bay and Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) researchers recently completed a study to find ways to sustainably develop the area.

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Sabah Government backs tourism development in Pitas-Bengkoka

PITAS: The State government fully backs the efforts of the local authorities in Pitas and Bengkoka to promote local tourism which will create more local job opportunities and serve as a source of income for the people while giving impetus to development in the district.

“In this context the State government is fully behind the local authorities in their pioneering efforts to exploit the tourism potential in this locality for the purpose of generating revenue and raising income,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said at the launch of the Pesta Bengkoka 2010 here yesterday in conjunction with the Pitas District Level Harvest Festival.

His speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Food Industry Datuk Haji Yahya Hussin.

Musa said he appreciated efforts to develop Pitas as a new tourist destination as reflected in the theme of the celebration which was “Pitas the New Tourist Destination”.

“The beauty and uniqueness of its natural environment combined with the ethnic diversity, cultural variety and customs makes me confident that Pitas will emerge as a popular tourist destination,” he added.

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Sabah Tourism Upcoming Event: Pesta Bengkoka, Pitas

Date : 14 - 16 May 2010

Held in conjunction with the district level Harvest Festival celebrations, this colourful annual event showcases Pitas and its appeal through a unique Bagong boat display and cultural performances. Visitors can also witness the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau (Harvest Queen) and partake in various activities including sea sports.

Further Information:

Organiser : District Office of Pitas
Contact Person : Mr. Sapdin Ibrahim
Telephone : +6088 615760 / 615767
Fax : +6088 615521
Email Contact : Sapdin.Ibrahim@sabah.gov.my

Source: Sabah Tourism

NOTE: Photo Copyright to Sabah Tourism
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Pitas wants to become major tourist destination by next year

KOTA KINABALU: Pitas hopes to become a major tourist destination in Sabah by next year.

District Officer Sapdin Ibrahim said a newly formed tourism cooperation headed by his office is presently formulating strategies to market Pitas as a tourism destination.

He said Pitas, a district with an abundance of natural resources and wonders, is relatively ready for tourists.

However, there are several facilities that still need fine tuning, like upgrading accommodation in tourist attraction areas such as beaches and fishing spots.

“Seven villages have already signed up for the homestay programme, all of which have their own places of interest and things to see,” he said.

The villages, with a minimum of five homes each, have been listed for implementation in the programme.

Continue reading at: Pitas wants to become major tourist destination by next year
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