Monday, July 10, 2006

Added boost for Rumbia fest in Sabah

EFFORTS to promote Pesta Rumbia was given a boost this year when it was included as part of the activities under the Bulan Citrarasa Malaysia (previously known as Bulan Fiesta Makanan dan Buah-Buahan) 2006.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat, said Bulan Citrarasa Malaysia is part of the Government's efforts to increase domestic and international tourism promotional activities.

Organised jointly by the Federal Tourism Ministry and Sabah State Government, he said the objectives of Bulan Citrarasa Malaysia are among others to diversify the domestic tourism products and increase domestic tourism activities.

Besides promoting the variety types of foods of the Malaysian community and local fruits it increases social interaction and unity among the local community through the culture of "keluar makan-makan (go out and eat)"; strengthen the relationship between the national leaders and rakyat; as well as increase the quality of local food products to an international standard. Chong said this in his speech delivered by his Assistant Karim.

The three-day event since Friday was organised by Sabah Tourism Board in collaboration with the Kuala Penyu District Office. Also present were Kuala Penyu Assemblyman, Datuk John Ghani, former Deputy Chief Minister Wences Angang, Kuala Penyu PKR, Monih Epin, Advisor of Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd, Balwant Singh Kler, Kuala Penyu District Officer, Hasbi Abdul Ghaffar, as well as other heads of Federal and State government departments.

Saying Bulan Citrarasa Malaysia 2006 is an important element in making a success of the next year's Visit Malaysia Year 2007, Chong said the Government at Federal and State levels have concentrated efforts on further increasing tourism activities to generate more revenue for the tourism sector as well as food and fruit industries, towards boosting the national economy and increase the number of tourists.

He hoped Kuala Penyu dwellers would take full benefit of the Citrarasa Malaysia programme besides giving their full support to all its activities.

Source: Daily Express

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