Visit Tambunan Year drew 66,000 visitors

TAMBUNAN: About 66,000 people have visited this district in between January-September this year in conjunction with Visit Tambunan Year.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said of the total 66,073, 58,050 were local tourists with the rest comprising Malaysians from other states and foreign nationals.

He said the number was compiled from records taken at tourist attractions where visitors were required to register such as the Sabah Parks, Gunung Trusmadi and a few other places in Tambunan.

“This total does not include visitors to open places such as the tamu or those visiting celebratory events organised in the Tambunan District.”

Pairin was speaking at the opening of the Music Festival and Ecotourism Tambunan 2017 at the Pisompuruan Square here, on Saturday.

Continue reading at: Visit Tambunan Year drew 66,000 visitors

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Visit Tambunan Year draws 66,000 tourists

TAMBUNAN: A total of 66,000 tourists , both domestic and foreign, have visited the district during Visit Tambunan Year (VTBN2017) until September this year, Tambunan Community Development Leader Silverius Bruno said.

He said the organizers had emphasized total or inclusive participation from all parties and communities in this area.

“The positive impact of the economy has begun to be seen and this is the result of  total concern, cooperation and involvement from all societies,” he said when officiating at the state-level Single Mothers Program in conjunction with the Welfare Month held at Pisompuruan Square here yesterday.

He said this area, with a population of about 40,000 people, had 15 places that could attract visitors to this area.

Apart from that, he said there were many more potentials that could generate economic income through homestay.

“We are actually still lacking in accommodation, but with homestary it can overcome the problem.

Continue reading at: Visit Tambunan Year draws 66,000 tourists

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Promoting rural tourism in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is optimistic that rural tourism will gain popularity and benefit locals in the long run.

Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the recent Rural Tourism roadshow held at a shopping mall was a success.

"The two-day inaugural roadshow attracted 10,000 visitors and the number of people visting the four promoted places - Tambunan, Kiulu, Ranau, Kadamaian-is also increasing.

"Most districts in the state have also activated their committees to develop rural tourism at their places," he said during a press conference on Universiti Malaysia Sabah's (UMS) Mulberry project with the people of Kampung Tudan.

Joniston added rural tourism products would not only benefit the industry but also help to generate income among villagers.

On the mulberry project at Kampung Tudan, which is about 50 kilometers from here, he said the villagers should consider setting up homestays.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Promoting rural tourism in Sabah

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Tambunan to host world bike race

TAMBUNAN: Three scenic spots in Tambunan will play host to the Asia Mountain Bike World Series 2017 on Aug 5-6.

Tambunan district officer Thomas Logijin said the races will be held at the Tandarason Resort & Country Club, Pisompuruan Square and Sinurambi Tambunan from 8am to 6pm on both days.

The races are divided into Downhill, Cross Country Eliminator, Cross Country Olympics and King of the Mountains and will be participated by bikers from Malaysia and foreign countries.

The countries which have confirmed their participation are Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and Timor Leste.

Malaysian states which are also sending participants are from Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Pahang, Perak, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu and hosts Sabah.

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Tambunan – the Switzerland in our midst

TAMBUNAN: Tambunan these days is synonymous with deputy chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and the stop-over for motorists plying the old Kota Kinabalu-Keningau Road.

To some, Tambunan is associated with the tales of Mat Salleh, the man who fought the British colonialists. Photographers can never get enough of the rustic panoramic view of paddy fields when viewed from a vantage point as one approaches Tambunan from Kota Kinabalu.

But there are actually 15 good reasons why visitors should make Tambunan their next getaway, according to the Tambunan District Office which has been promoting Visit Tambunan Year 2017. It even dubbed the land-locked district 80 km from Kota Kinabalu as ‘Switzerland of the East’.

In1985, Tambunan was thrust into the political limelight when its famous son and now deputy chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan was sacked from the then ruling Berjaya party and the district was ostracized, abrogated and isolated. What happened next has been described as the emergence of Kadazandusun nationalism driven by the so-called ‘Tambunan Spirit’, concluding with the shocking defeat of Berjaya. The rest, as they say, is history.

It’s more than three decades since Tambunan became famous but the district of about 25,000 people retains its easy, rustic village ambience with no major industry to speak of. There have been some attempts at developing industries using the bamboo found widely in Tambunan. But with no commercial planting, an ambitious chopsticks factory quickly ran out of supply. There was also an attempt at producing tapai (a homemade alcoholic brew made from rice) but that too fizzled out though Tambunan remains an important paddy growing district.

It is no surprise therefore that when it comes to attracting visitors, the district covering 134,540 hectares (almost twice the size of Singapore at 71,910 ha) is counting on most things natural.

Under the Visit Tambunan 2017 initiative launched by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman in November 2016, the Tambunan District’s tourism action council identified 15 attractions.

Located in a valley west of the Crocker Range and with most economic activities being agricultural, words such as ‘emerald’, ‘green haven’, and ‘sanctuary’ have been used to describe Tambunan. A 90-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu on the old winding road with numerous severe bends is a daunting challenge to faint-hearted drivers, what with the many heavy duty trucks that once plied the route. Many trucks have since chosen the straighter though no less hilly Kimanis Road to transport goods to and from Keningau.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Tambunan – the Switzerland in our midst
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Climbing trail to peak of Tambunan mountain

TAMBUNAN: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said a climbing trail would be built to the summit of the 2,050-meter Mount Minduk Sirung in the district.

“I was informed that last year, 698 people climbed Mount Minduk Sirung,” he said when launching the third anniversary of the Crocker Range Park as a Human and Biosphere Reserve (MAB) at the Mahua sub-station here, yesterday.

He believed the opening of the Mount Minduk Sirung climbing trail and efforts to promote it could benefit the local community around Mahua.

Pairin, who is also the Infrastructure Development Minister, said the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (Unesco) recognition of the Crocker Range Park as an MAB Reserve on 12 June 2014 was another step forward taken by Sabah Parks towards the protection of the park and at the same time enhancing the local community’s sustainable use of forest resources.

According to him, the listing of Crocker Range Park and its surrounding areas as an MAB will provide opportunities for international cooperation to enhance the management of natural resources and the environment based on three things as follows:

“Minimizing the loss of biodiversity; increase the level of community awareness on how culture and biological diversity will affect life; and promoting environmental continuity through international relationship network as an MAB Reserve,” he said.

Pairin, who is also the member of parliament for Keningau said for this purpose, Sabah Parks, through the cooperation of the  government departments or agencies, together with the community around the Crocker Range Park  had been carrying out various activities since being listed as an MAB in 2014.

Continue reading at: Climbing trail to peak of Tambunan mountain

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Travel Bosing - Kirongulad Water Fall Tambunan, Sabah

Have you been to Mahua Waterfall in Tambunan? It is beautiful right?

Would you like to see more about Tambunan? Have you heard about Kirongulad Waterwall? No right!

It is a hidden gem located ar Kg Tikolod Tambunan.

Yes, Kg Tikolod is famous with Ginger and Traditional Music but recently we have discovered this beautiful waterfall, nearly 30 Metres.

Believe or not? Time for you to discover by your self.

It is not far from the town, around 20km?

I would like to recommend this beautiful waterfall for adventure seekers out there.

To go there, you need to drive 1.5 hours from Kota Kinabalu to Tambunan town.

And another 15 minutes to Kg Tikolod Tambunan (Jalan Keningau).

Well, the road is paved but going to the waterfall starting point, you need a 4 wheel drive.

But don’t worry, you can park your car at the kampung area and the villagers can send you using ‘Pikap’ car.

It is 4-wheel drive car (RM5 per person).

Please  drive slowly and keep an eye on the roaming dogs, buffaloes, chickens and duck, belongs to the villagers.

They don’t even bother about approaching cars.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: TravelBosing - Kirongulad Water Fall Tambunan, Sabah

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Month-long Sabah harvest festival begins

KOTA KINABALU: The chanting by bobohizan (Kadazandusun priestesses) during a thanksgiving ceremony in Tambunan district marked the launch of Sabah’s month-long Kaama­tan celebrations.

The event was held at Pisom­puruan Square in Tambunan, which is surrounded by padi fields and nestled in a valley in the Crocker Range.

The thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest was witnessed by Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Juhar Mahi­rud­din and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Also present was Huguan Siou or Kadazandusun paramount chief Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also Deputy Chief Minister.

In a symbolic gesture, Juhar harvested seven padi stalks and beat a gong seven times to mark the launch.

This was followed by cultural performances and a choir presentation of songs such as Tadau Do Kaamatan and Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan.

The crowd was also entertained with the sumazau dance of the Kadazan­dusun, as well as the monggigol sumandai dance of the Rungus and the magunatip of the Murut communities.

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Kaamatan Carnival in Tambunan April 25-30

TAMBUNAN: The Kaamatan Carnival will be held from April 25-30 at Pisompuruan Square here in conjunction with the launch of the State-level Kaamatan Festival.

District Officer Thomas Logijin on Wednesday said the carnival was decided and agreed upon by all  the coordinating committee members during a meeting held at the District Office recently.

“The carnival activities will begin on April 25 with the Traditional Food and Cookery Festival and Sepakat Negaraku 1Malaysia Community Program in the evening.

“On April 26 is the Traditional Sports and Piboian Moboros do KadazanDusun competition followed by the tug of war, Sugandoi final competition and Huminodunn night on April 27,” he said.

Thomas, who is also co-chairman of the coordinating committee of the launching of the State-level Kaamatan Festival, said the Tambunan Volleyball final competition and Tambunan sepak takraw final competition will be held on April 28.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Kaamatan Carnival in Tambunan April 25-30

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Tambunan to kick off this year's Kaamatan

Kota Kinabalu: Tambunan's Pisompuruan Square has been chosen to launch the State-level Harvest Festival on May 1.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the district about 80km from the city was selected in conjunction with the Visit Tambunan Year 2017.

He said Head of State Tun Dr Juhar Mahiruddin is expected to officiate the annual auspicious occasion of the festival celebrated by the Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) community.

"The committee has chosen a theme 'Kaamatan Asas Perpaduan' (Kaamatan Basic Unity) or 'Kaamatan Impowon Pisompuruan' for the festival this year which is seen as suitable with the role of festival and celebrations as a channel to instil unity among the multiracial society in Sabah.

"The climax of the celebration will be at Hongkod Koisaan KDCA in Penampang on May 30 and 31 with various programmes including performances of Kadazandusun," he said, adding that 14 committees, including sub-committees, have been formed to prepare for the celebration.

Continue reading at: Tambunan to kick off this year's Kaamatan

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Viewing tower opens for Visit Tambunan Year 2017

TAMBUNAN: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan yesterday opened the Tambunan Viewing Tower (or Pogimpaan Nuluhon Dandab costing RM500,000 in conjunction with the Visit Tambunan Year 2017.

The phase one and two of the tower were completed in December last year which enables the public especially tourists to see the beauty of Tambunan which is also known as ‘Switzerland of the east’.

The tower, designed in 2015, is the brainchild of Pairin who is also Infrastructure Development Minister, said Tambunan District Officer Thomas Logijin in an interview with the Borneo Post here yesterday.

He said the main objective of building the tower was to erect a landmark to promote Tambunan district as a tourist attraction in line with the Visit Tambunan Year 2017 (VTBN2017).

“It also aims to ensure that visitors could view 80 per cent of Tambunan Valley apart from enjoying the beauty of rice fields in this district.

“In addition to the comfort of clean and fresh air breeze from the Crocker Range and Mount Trus Madi we also see clearly the majestic Mount Kinabalu,” he said.

“The tower is also a leisurely recreation centre to visitors coming to this area.”

It took four months – August to December last year – to put up the tower which is sited on Trig hill at Kampung Dalungan here under the full supervision of the Tambunan District Office, he said

“The architect’s Impression Plan was originally issued by the Public Works Department in Kota Kinabalu but was redesigned by the Engineering Unit of Tambunan District Office.

“The architectural concept of the tower is based on the ‘Wakid’ and ‘Sigar’ as the roof of the tower (phase two). Materials used are iron and aluminum paint with golden colors such as green, yellow, gold and brown which reflects the bamboo color that Tambunan is famous for,” he said.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Viewing tower opens for Visit Tambunan Year 2017

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Jipp's World: The Salt Trail - Into The Depths of Crocker Range

The Salt Trail – I grew up listening to my mother talking about it. Her story of how she as a child had to tag along behind her parents and a group of others to walk for days from her remote village in the far corner of Tambunan all the way to Tamparuli on the West coast of Sabah just to buy salt. It never failed to fascinate me every time.

She told me how she would usually be assigned to carry some of the food supply. She’d cry because it felt so heavy on her back and sometimes she’d get bitten by ants and all kind of insects along the way. They had to walk across mountains and hills and deep valleys through thick and dense forest. They’d stop whenever they felt like stopping usually when it was too dark to continue walking. They’d set up their temporary tents, usually by stacking banana leaves on tree branches under which they would take a nap before continuing walking the next day. I never get bored of listening to her stories about the Salt Trail as it is now known.

The idea of doing the salt trail had always been in my wish list for such a long time but it only got materialized when my application for 2-weeks Christmas and New Year holidays was surprisingly approved by my management. I hastily contacted my friend Frankie to ask if he could get a few more others to join. The rest as they say – is history. Heh.

We started our trek from the starting point in Tikolod on the Tambunan side, and walked all the way to a place called Kionob on the Penampang side where we stayed overnight before trekking on to a village called Terian – but not before crossing through a beautiful village called Buayan – to spend another night before continuing on to our last stop at Inobong Sub-station.

The trek between Tikolod and Kionob was quite a tough one for us especially for the fact that we didn’t hire any porter so we had to carry ourselves all the necessities to survive through 2 nights in the deep forest.  The forest really is so beautiful. It is so lush and green and mystical and mysterious that it quickly made me realize how blessed this land called Sabah is and that most of its beauty lies deep in its pristine forests. After all the forest that we trekked across is part of the Crocker Range which is a declared National Park.

I like to believe that it is a secondary forest though – a leftover of extensive logging activities in the past, just like most other forests in Sabah so it was a no surprise then that we didn’t even come across any wild animals. The only wildlife that we came across was a snake – probably a cobra, a very poisonous one according to the guide – and I almost freaked out when I spotted it because it was so close to being stepped on by one of my trekking buddies. Seriously, it could have been fatal. Phew.

But of course, the very first challenge that we came upon was the existence of so many leeches along the way. They’d crawl all over and they were almost impossible to avoid. We’d stop every now and then to take them out because who knows how much of our blood would be sucked out of our system if we let them suck for too long. The thing is, they tend to be very itchy and they’d bleed so profusely, leaving my skin with ugly scars that would stay there for weeks if not months (I’ve still got them now!).

One of my favorite things while trekking the Salt Trail was the food. I mean, we all know that food is tastier in a jungle but even more so if it is the right food that you eat. My trekking buddy Din really looked into that by bringing those kinds of food that really boost the appetite when eaten in the deep forest. The likes of fried salted fish, grilled wild boar meat, those foods that really really open the gate of appetite especially when eating in a jungle.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Jipp's World: The Salt Trail - Into The Depths of Crocker Range

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Visit Tambunan Year 2017: Amazing experience -The Switzerland of the East

TAMBUNAN: It is an amazing experience when visiting Tambunan, the Switzerland of the East, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman.

He said a visit to this area would be interesting because the area is also rich in the various customs and culture of the Dusun community who live in harmony with people of various ethnic groups, religions and cultures.

“All this in itself has explained the theme of Visit Tambunan Year 2017 (VTBN2017),” he said in his speech when launching VTBN2017 at Pisompuruan Square here on Wednesday night.

He said the launch of VTBN2017 was timely as this area was not only progressing rapidly but also very famous for its beauty and its own uniqueness.

According to Musa, this district, located in the interior, has priceless natural treasures such as the tropical rainforests and its many attractions such as Mount Trus Madi, Mahua Waterfall as well as a variety of flora and fauna.

He said tourism and culture continued to grow rapidly in this state and it included health, education tourism and so on.

However, the major tourist attractions are the charming and historic destinations as well as the customs and culture of the people, he said.

“Because of that the state government remains committed to intensify and promote the tourism sector as a catalyst for the state’s economy.

“Through the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), for example, we have been focusing on key sectors, including the tourism sector to achieve economic growth that is strong and sustainable,” he said.

For that, he said it was important that all parties continued the efforts and energy to drive and promote the Sabah tourism sector at regional and international levels.

“In addition to the duties and responsibilities of government departments and agencies related to regulating tourist places, we are also responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and beauty of tourist attractions to maintain the good image of the our state and country that is known as a ‘tourism paradise’.

“I would also like to emphasize, in particular the industry players, to adopt a balanced development on tourism. Do not only be concerned with tourism business activities and profits without taking into consideration the balance between tourism development and environmental quality,” he said.

More than 5,000 people including Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Mohd Noor, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Minister of Rural Development Datuk Seri Panglima Radin Malleh, Minister of Community Services and Consumer Affairs Datuk Hajah Jainab Ahmad Ayid, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology Datuk Siringan Gubat, State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman and District Officer Thomas Logijin attended the event.

A total of 15 tourism products were introduced in conjunction with the launch of Visit Tambunan 2017, among which were the Rafflesia Park, the Mahua Waterfall, Mount Wakid, Mount Trus Madi, the Tambunan Golf Club, the ginger plants and the manufacture of bamboo musical instruments at Kampung Tikolod, the Batu Gong, the traditional food and several other historic places here.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Visit Tambunan Year 2017: Amazing experience -The Switzerland of the East

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MySabah: Climbing Mount Wakid (Gunung Wakid)

If you want to feel on top of the world and enjoy some breathtaking view, climb a mountain! For hikers who only want a day trip to conquer a mountain that is not too high to be overwhelming, but also not too low to be unexciting, Mount Wakid (Gunung Wakid in Malay language) in Tambunan is for you then.

Even if you live in Kota Kinabalu City (KK), which is 80 KM away from Tambunan, you can finish the climb and back home on the same day.

Sabah is mountainous with over half of its land above 1,000 Meters above sea level, and Mt. Kinabalu is not the only beautiful mountain.

No two mountains look the same. Standing at 1,372 Meters (4,501 Feet), Mount Wakid is distinctly different from other Sabah mountains that I climbed before.

It’s also about the same height as Ben Nevis (1,346 Meters), the highest mountain on island of Great Britain and a popular destination that attracts about 100,000 ascents annually.

According to locals, in the past, an Odu-Odu (grandma) went to Mount Wakid to harvest some forest produces. She disappeared, so every villagers were searching for her on the mountain. 

However, villagers couldn’t find her except her wakid (a bamboo basket used by native to collect fruit and vegetables). That’s how Mount Wakid got its name.

When you head to Tambunan town from KK, about 10 KM before the town, you could see Mount Wakid prominently at the left of the road. Its long and crooked crest running parallel to the hilly road, like the spine of a dragon. No wonder the locals believe a Tombuokar (dragon) is living in this mountain.

Every time I looked at this “crouching dragon”, it was like calling me to have a ride on its back. The most unique characteristics of Mount Wakid is – it is chartreuse in color.

Climbing Mt. Wakid (Gunung Wakid)

Mount Wakid is located in the state land of Kampung Sunsuron (Sunsuron Village). Its hill forest is kept intact to protect this mountain as a water catchment area.

The villagers see Mount Wakid as an important source of water to irrigate their crops. It is only in Nov 2015 that they started promoting their “backyard” mountain as an attraction.

Yes, 1,372-Meter is quite an enormous height for a day climb. But no worry, we started our climb from Sunsuron Village, which is located at 780 Meter above sea level, so we only need to ascend less than 600 Meters (1,969 feet) to reach the top.

Sound easy but remember three rules of mountaineering, which state, “It’s always further than it looks. It’s always taller than it looks. And it’s always harder than it looks.”

Here is the summary of the climb. The total distance of return trip is 9.75 KM. We hiked 5 KM via the new Jinkung Trail to the summit (GPS of the Highest Peak: 5.770667, 116.369209), then descend via the 4.75-KM Standard Trail back to Sunsuron Village.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: MySabah: Climbing Mount Wakid (Gunung Wakid)

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Spruce up town for Visit Tambunan Year

TAMBUNAN: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan hoped that all works to beautify the surroundings of the town and places of interest to become attractions for tourists are proceeding smoothly before the Visit Tambunan Year in 2017.

He believes that with the cooperation of all parties here, all efforts to beautify Tambunan town will be carried out smoothly.

“I have visited some areas of this town recently and I see there are some changes in giving the town a facelift before the Visit Tambunan Year next year,” he said.

Pairin, who is also Infrastructure Development Minister, praised the efforts of the district management headed by district officer Thomas Lojigin, in planning to develop the town into a beautiful and clean town in conjunction with Visit Tambunan Year.

He also urged for places that have become tourist attractions to preserve their beauty by maintaining the natural surroundings.

He also called on the residents here to take the opportunity to increase their revenue through arts, culture and agricultural products by offering them to the tourists when they visit this area.

“Many arts and culture as well as agricultural products of the community here that can be highlighted, including traditional food, dances, traditional dress, handicrafts, traditional musical instruments, ginger products and many others that can generate income for the population.

Continue reading at: Spruce up town for Visit Tambunan Year

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Month-long harvest festival kicks off in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A symbolic harvest marked the launch of Sabah’s month-long Kaamatan (harvest) festival in the scenic Tambunan valley.

Amid the beating of gongs, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman sliced several padi stalks as Huguon Siou (Kadazandusun paramount leader) Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also the deputy chief minister, looked on.

The harvest festival will now be held in various districts throughout the month before culminating on May 31.

While launching the festival – marked with indigenous music and dances at the Pisompuruan Square in the district – Musa said the event was a unifying factor for the multi-racial Sabahans.

“Although Kaamaatan is synonymous with the native Kadazandusun and Murut people, citizens of other race and religions come together to celebrate the season,” he said.

He added that it was also one of the events that brought tourists to the state.

Musa was also touched by the warm welcome from some 3,000 locals in the area, saying that it showed how peaceful Sabahans were.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Month-long harvest festival kicks off in Sabah

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Bamboo fence contest an attraction at Kaamatan Festival

TAMBUNAN: A bamboo fence competition, in conjunction the State-Level Kaamatan Festival on May 1, will be one of the attractions for visitors using the Kota Kinabalu-Tambunan road on that day.

Organizing chairman of the festival, Thomas Logijin, said yesterday that the uniqueness of the competition would be on the fences, built using local resources such as bamboo and rattan.

“And for the first time, this bamboo fence competition will be the longest stretch ever undertaken by the residents living along the road leading to the town,” he said.

Thomas said the bamboo fence would be 11 kilometres long, and the competition, involving 26 villages, would certainly be an attraction for visitors during the festival.

He said the construction of fence started from Kampung Sunsuron Ulu and Sunsuron Bawah right up to Kampung Dabata.

“The villages involved are Kg Sunsuron Ulu, Kg Sunsuron Bawah, Kg Pantai, Kg Kapayan Baru, Kg Tombotuon, Kg Kapayan Lama, Kg Mangi-Pangi, Kg Tangaban, Kg Lumondou, Kg Tinompok, Kg Tibabar, Kg Maras Karas, Kg Toboh, Kg Minodung, Kg Gagaraon, Kg Botung, Kg Piasau, Kg Nouduh, Kg Karanaan, Kg Mogong, Kg Sandapak, Kg Lintuhun, Kg Dalungan, Kg Kampung Baru and Kg Dabata.

He said the fence would beautify the roadside for visitors who use the Kota Kinabalu-Tambunan road as a symbol of wealth with the abundance of bamboo trees growing wild in the district.

Thomas, who is also the Tambunan district officer, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman would launch the state-level Kaamatan Festival at the Pisompuruan Square here on May 1.

As the host, he said the district would be preparing to make this the grandest launching ceremony of the Kaamatan Festival.

“The grand launch will be attended by about 35 representatives of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,”he said.

Continue reading at: Bamboo fence contest an attraction at Kaamatan Festival

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State Kaamatan Festival opening ceremony will return to Tambunan

KOTA KINABALU: The hosting of the State Kaamatan Festival opening ceremony will return to Tambunan this year with the organizer expecting at least 30,000 Malaysians and tourists to throng the district for the much anticipated annual event held officially since the 1960s.

Deputy Chief Minister cum State-level Kaamatan Main Organizing Committee chairman Datuk Seri Pairin Kitingan in informing this yesterday, said the decision had been approved by the State Cabinet and preparations were already underway to ensure a smooth festive celebration.

“I have directed the District Officer to make the necessary preparations, including for side event to be held for the celebration, which is the Tambunan Kaamatan Charity Run that will be held on April 25,” he told reporters after chairing the committee’s first meeting at the Public Works Department building in Sembulan yesterday.

Over 100 runners are expected to take part in the charity run, which will have two categories, namely Veteran and Special.

Pairin, who is also the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) huguan siou (paramount leader), said the theme chosen for the Kaamatan celebration this year is ‘Peace and Unity Through Culture’, in line with the emphasis placed by the government on strengthening inter-racial understanding and tolerance among the people.

“In today’s world, we need to stress on peace and unity and Kaamatan as one of the major festivals in the country, indeed plays an important role in bringing the people from different background together,” he said.

Pairin said the hosting of the celebration would promote Tambunan as a travel destination to locals and foreigners, especially those attending the opening.

The event, he said, has long served as catalyst for tourism-related activities, especially traditional clothing and handicrafts, food and beverage, and cultural and arts performances.

Continue reading at: State Kaamatan Festival opening ceremony will return to Tambunan

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Tambunan to host State-level Harvest Festival launch

TAMBUNAN: Tambunan will host the launch of the State-level Harvest (Kaamatan) Festival on May 1 this year, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said here yesterday.

He said this would give the State Legislative Assembly an opportunity to play host to about 500 delegates from Commonwealth countries.

“I ask the people of this region, including the Interior to participatein the event by stepping up efforts in putting up an exhibition about the background, history and culture in this state,” he said in his message to the heads of state and federal departments at a meeting held at the District Office Operation room here.

To prepare early for the festival, Pairin, who is alsoTambunan Assemblyman, advised people from the Interior to take an active role to ensure the success of the launching ceremony held at Pisompuruan Plain here.

He said all the programmes would be held this year, organized by the Districtl Office, including improving the quality of work of government departments and staff to be more responsible.

“As a leader in this area, I ask all parties, including heads of government departments in this area to do their best for this year in an effort to improve the quality of this area in the eyes of tourists.

“We also hope that the government departments would improve performance, especially in the tourism, agriculture, manufacturing sectors in conjunction with the launching of this festival,” he said.

Pairin, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development, said Tambunan District had been given the opportunity to launch a state-level Kaamatan Festival as required by the State Assembly to faciliate the participation of about 500 representatives of Commonwealth countries.

“I ask the people in this area to take this opportunity to make this area to be recognized by the international community.”

He said the presence of representatives of Commonwealth countries is historical and the was a need to intensify something unique to be put forward in conjunction with the launch of the festival on May 1.

He said, as a district famous for bamboo, the people here have shown also need bamboo because there was still need the tools around them than they are easily available.

“The bamboo can be used as a tool to beautify by having a bambo fence competition along the road from Kampung Tangaban to Kampung Pupulutan.

Continue reading at: Tambunan to host State-level Harvest Festival launch

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Tambunan rice wine has great tourism potential

TAMBUNAN: ‘Lihing’, the KadazanDusun version of rice wine, has great tourism potential in the open market.

Tambunan lihing producer David Francis, the owner of Lihing No. 1 at the Tapai Factory Tambunan Village Resort Centre (TVRC), did not waste time to introduce the local alcoholic drink to members of the Innovation Walk delegation to the Tambunan district recently.

The delegation was led by deputy secretary general (policy and innovation), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Dato’ Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad during the visit and explore innovation at the factory.

“Previously and until the present day, lihing is a tonic (good health drink) to a mother who has just given birth to a new baby and those who lack blood can cook chicken with lihing to make chicken soup,” said David during his briefing to the delegation.

David said his rice wine factory has been in existence for 30 years ago, but he took over the factory about 10 years ago.

He said the ingredients for making lihing are cooked glutinous rice and yeast.

David also explained in detail the lihing-making process.

He said his factory could produce about 2,000 bottles per month with a market price of RM6.50 per bottle.

Continue reading at: Tambunan rice wine has great tourism potential
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