Irrawaddy Dolphins in Sabah

SANDAKAN: Dolphins are in our rivers. Irrawaddy Dolphins, to be precise. They can be found in the Kinabatangan River in Sandakan, Cowie Bay in Tawau and along the coasts of Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei.

Irrawady Dolphins are facultative river dolphins, meaning they not only swim in coastal areas but also make their way into rivers.

Teoh Shu Woan, a Marine Conservation Masters student at UMS who is currently conducting research on Irrawaddy Dolphins, has identified 28 Irrawaddy Dolphins in Cowie Bay.

“My current estimate through photo-id mark-recapture method is 28 but I need to do some adjustments to get a less bias estimate, but there are definitely more,” said Shu Woan.

According to Shu Woan, when fishermen collect fish from their nets, the Irrawaddy Dolphins would be waiting nearby.

“The fishermen would pick some fish that were caught in the net and throw them to the dolphins,” she said.

Shu Woan said the dolphins would not disturb the fish caught in the net but instead wait for the fish to be thrown to them.

Like most species of dolphins, the Irrawaddy Dolphins are not aggressive. They are intelligent creatures that are also believed to have a mutualistic relationship of co-operative fishing with traditional fishers.

In Kinabatangan, they are viewed as something sacred.

“When they (Kinabatangan community) see the dolphins, they do not disturb them or call them names because they believe that doing so will cause a huge wave,” said Shu Woan.

However, the current fickle weather has forced these creatures to refrain from traveling upstream in the Kinabatangan River.

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Tanjung Datu earmarked to be Sarawak’s new tourism star

SEMATAN: The westernmost tip of Sarawak at Tanjung Datu has been earmarked as the state’s latest tourism star.

Dubbed as the ‘Landmark of Where Mystical Borneo Begins’, the area will be developed as part of an integrated promotion of the western part of Sarawak by the Ministry of Tourism.

“We have decided to place Tanjung Datu as a new tourism product because we feel that it is where Borneo Island begins.

“According to experts from Sarawak Forestry, the beginning of the island is also in a way proven by the migration pattern of the honey buzzards (a large bird of prey) which makes its first stop at the area,” said Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg during his working visit to the area from April 30 to May 1.

He added that landmarks that mark the tip and borders of a land had always been popular places for tourists.

“In Kudat they have the northernmost tip of Borneo which is very popular among tourists and we would like to do the same here for Tanjung Datu where we have the westernmost tip of Sarawak,” he said.

Abang Johari said more tourism infrastructure such as signage, trail steps and rest stops would be placed in the area in the next development programme for the project.

On Borneo Island, the minister is confident that it will be among the most popular large islands for tourists due to its warm tropical climate and large biodiversity.

“Right now we already have a landmark board there and we will include trail steps, rest stops and a window to view the sea.

This is a new creative product and my ministry will continue to promote this product and of course as a result, the people in nearby Telok Melano and Sematan will benefit from it,” he stated.

On Telok Melano, Abang Johari said the ministry would be working closely with the relevant authorities to build bridges across three rivers situated between the 30km trail from Sematan and Telok Melano.

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Kaamatan Harvest festival begins

IN THEIR ELEMENT: Sabahans display their commitment to preserving their rich culture and tradition

KUALA PENYU: STATE leaders were made to sweat as they took part in a ritual, displayed their dancing skills and obliged a chanting shaman to mark the launch of the month-long Pesta Kaamatan, or Harvest Festival, here yesterday.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman declared open the festival, which will move on to other districts across the state, before culminating at the Hongkod Koisaan Building in Penampang on May 30 and 31.

The elaborate launch came with a sombre ritual by a high priestess, Kinup Suram, to appease the rice spirits, leaders cutting stalks of rice before sharing a meal and dancing the sumazau on stage -- kicking off the state's biggest annual celebration.

Even the poor ventilation system, which got officials of the event apologising and scurrying to repair the air condition system at the main venue, the Datuk Shahbandar Hall, did not bother Musa who told them not to worry as he was an orang kampung (villager) like every other leader in his cabinet.

"I can take the heat so do not worry about me or about the other leaders.

"What is more important here is we celebrate and respect this meaningful festival together."

Present were deputy chief minister and paramount leader of the Kadazandusun and Murut community Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, who was also the organising chairman, and Kuala Penyu assemblyman John Teo.

"I see the people here taking every opportunity to be part of the celebration," Musa said and referred to the blanket of stalls on the sidewalks across the coastal town right to the main venue at the hall as a testament to this.

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Golf tour operators name Sabah as future hot spot

Malaysia’s most eastern state of Sabah has been pinpointed by a group of visiting golf tour operators as a future major attraction for golf tourism in South East Asia.

Sabah is strongly on the radar as an international golf tourism destination following a visit by 33 European, Chinese and Australian golf tour operators.

The visitors, who spent three days in Sabah immediately before last week’s Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) in Kuala Lumpur, came away highly enthusiastic about the East Malaysian state’s golf and broad tourism attractions.

“The golf is great, but what is also appealing about Sabah is the nature,” said German tour operator, Manfred Rauno. “Sabah isn’t known in Europe, but when people learn about the wonderful plants, animals and natural attractions – as well as the golf – I am sure they will want to come.”

Australian tour operator, Fred Sparksman, whose Golf and Gourmet tours combine golf with gourmet dining and other eclectic experiences, said Sabah compared more than favourably with other Asian golf destinations. He said it was ideal for six-night stay-and-play packages.

“I was especially impressed with the Shangri-la Rasa Ria and Sutera Harbour Resort,” he said. “The Ocean Wing at the Shangri-La is wonderful and combined with the orang-utan sanctuary, beach and dining, there’s a lot to attract visiting golfers.”

He said the Dalit Bay golf course was challenging, but playable for average golfers.

“The courses and resort facilities at Sutera Harbour are also impressive, and being so close to Kota Kinabalu is a definite plus,” he added.

Both Manfred Rauno and Fred Sparksman said they saw Sabah as an add-on destination for golf tourists visiting Singapore, the Malay peninsular and other South East Asian markets, rather than as a purely stand-alone option.

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Pocket shows, food and handicraft exhibition at Sabah Fest from May 3

KOTA KINABALU: A list of fringe events have been lined up to add to the excitement of Sabah Fest 2012 to be held from May 3 to 5 at the auditorium of Sabah Art and Cultural Department complex here.

Final preparations are being made to showcase the works of some of Sabah’s best traditional handicraft makers and local delicacies during the three-day festival.

The food and handicraft exhibition will highlight craft makers from all over the state who will be there demonstrating the production of handicrafts such as traditional tapestries by Sirungan binti Sulaiman from Kota Belud, bamboo musical instruments by George Nuli form Kota Belud and Philipus Jani from Tambunan, miniature lepa-lepa by Haji Alpaka Hamah from Semporna and bead accessories by Nonjiring Montoku from Kudat.

Established art and handicraft institutions, including Sabah Art Gallery, Kraftangan Malaysia, Kadaiku, Mayuri House of Art & Learning, RF Collections of Sabah Pearls, and Rafflesia House of Batik, will also be opening up exhibition booths to showcase their products.

Entrance to the food and handicraft exhibition is fee and members of the public are welcomed to the event which will be held from 10am to 10pm from May 3 to 5.

Pocket shows of traditional dances namely the Magunatip, Sumazau and Bertitik will be held from 5pm to 10pm throughout the Sabah Fest on the grounds outside the auditorium and of course, the highly anticipated musical stage performance, The Adventures of Ngarayang, will be held at 8.30pm (tickets applicable).

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