Support for Maliau heritage site proposal

Kota Kinabalu: The State Finance Ministry strongly supports the call by State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun for the Maliau Basin to achieve World Heritage Site status.

"It is very important for us to protect Maliau Basin and its rich biodiversity from any harm," said the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Datuk Yusoff Kassim, who led two excursions to the site in May, 2008 and in June this year.

Some 31 Ministry officers and staff participated in the yearly activity, as well as from the State Economic Planning Unit, State Treasury Department, State Railways Department and Malaysia Productivity Corporation.

If it materialised, the declaration of Maliau as a World Heritage site would be a double bonus for Sabah after Mount Kinabalu which acquired the status a decade ago.

A similar call in favour of Maliau was also made by former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad in 2003.

Masidi has directed his officers to do a thorough study on the world renowned Basin. "I hope to get this done in three months before bringing it up as a proposal to the Cabinet," said Masidi.

Maliau Basin, covering 588.4 sq km, also known as Sabah's Lost World, houses the many natural wonders in one of the most captivating and mysteriously beautiful protected areas in the world.

Maliau Basin's importance in terms of protecting a tremendous range of ecosystems with innumerable species of plants and animals, many of which are rare and endangered, has already become evident.

Continue reading at: Support for Maliau heritage site proposal
.
.

Sarawak to have its own cultural park

The Government plans to build a cultural park for Sarawak after the state election, said Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said the move was among steps planned to spread the 1Malaysia spirit through the cultures of Malaysia.

“It is the ministry’s policy for each state to have a park to display culture.

“It is vital that the parks in all the states carry the 1Malaysia spirit to strengthen the country through culture,” Rais said after visiting the Sabah Cultural Park here.

He said the parks, including the building facades, should be built according to the art and culture of each state.

Continue reading at: Sarawak to have its own cultural park
.
.

MAS introduces fourth weekly flight from Brunei to KL

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) yesterday announced its fourth addition to its flight service from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuala Lumpur.

Now, MAS operates four times weekly to KL (every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) on MAS Services and 11 times weekly to Kuala Lumpur on MH/BI code share services.

Mohamed Safri, the MAS Area Manager for Brunei, spoke about the increasing passenger demand for flights between Malaysia and Brunei.

He said the latest flight figures showed "an 80 per cent load factor for incoming flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bandar Seri Begawan".

Malaysia Airlines, which holds a lengthy record of service and best practices of excellence, has received more than 100 awards over the last 10 years.

The airline flies nearly 50,000 passengers every day to some 100 international destinations.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Sunday
.
.

Caution over heritage status for Maliau Basin

KOTA KINABALU: Maliau Basin’s bid to be listed as a World Heritage Site has received wide support, although many have cautioned that such a declaration would not necessarily mean total protection for the site.

“The World Heritage Site status does not guarantee complete protection from further human encroachment and abuses,” said Sabah Anglers Association (SAA) president Datuk Wilfred Lingham.

“Only our own legislation, rules and regulations can give the requisite protection,” he added.

On Dec 20, state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said he had asked officers to find out if Maliau Basin, known as “The Lost World” of Sabah, had what it takes to be a World Heritage Site.

The untouched rainforest is rich in flora and fauna, with at least 1,800 species of pitcher plants and about 80 types of orchids.

Masidi’s statement came amid concerns by environmentalists that coal would be mined in Maliau Basin if a proposed coal-fired power plant is built in the east coast of Lahad Datu.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Caution over heritage status for Maliau Basin
.
.

Photographer’s quest to climb Mt Kinabalu 111 times

KOTA KINABALU: A news photographer is embarking on a record-setting trek to reach the peak of Mount Kinabalu 111 times within 111 days to promote the 1Malaysia concept.

Mohd Noor Mat Amin of Utusan Malaysia began his hike up the mountain at precisely 10am yesterday after being seen off by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

Also on hand at the Kinabalu Park’s Timpohon Gate was Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon.

“I’m so thankful I have been given this opportunity to realise my dream,” said the 42-year-old Mohd Noor who has also climbed up the Kuala Lumpur Tower 111 times.

Mohd Noor said he intended to stick to his schedule of reaching the mountain’s highest point at Low’s Peak located at an altitude of 4,095m by 4pm and immediately turn around and reach Timpohon Gate four hours later.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Photographer’s quest to climb Mt Kinabalu 111 times
.
.