Sabah has the right tourism stuff
Published on: Sunday, April 03, 2022
By: Sherell Jeffrey
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Orang Utan, Pygmy elephant and Proboscis monkey: Among Sabah’s iconic wildlife.
He says Sabah has the ideal landscape, vast forest, Mount Kinabalu, the world’s top three dive sites, Sipadan, and other equally gorgeous and outstanding underwater destinations including Layang-Layang, Mantanani, Mabul, Mataking, and Lankayan.
Though widespread in other regions of Borneo Island, including Sabah, the orang utan, proboscis monkey, and Borneo pygmy elephant have been lifted to such a pedestal that they have become singularly symbolic to Sabah.
He also noted that Sabah community-based tourism, or rural tourism, is firming up its ground and continuing to redefine itself to really suit the segment, and that demand for it is growing as it fits the idea of getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life, departure from the crowd, and moving into a more serene and isolated space.
“Sabah has it all and has been able to attract visitors thanks to all of the natural products listed above. Sabah is particularly fortunate in that it is situated in an advantageous geographical location that allows direct flights from numerous North Asian countries in under five hours. This excellent location is a major aspect in making Sabah a world-class destination, according to him.
The following are some of the noteworthy international awards that Sabah tourism products have received:
- Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation centre which is the world’s first and oldest rehabilitation centre for orangutans, established in 1964.
- Selingan Turtle Island was gazetted in 1977 and to date, there are still daily sightings of turtles.
- The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) is the only sun bear conservation centre in the world. It was founded in Sabah, Malaysia in 2008
- Borneo Rainforest Lodge is perched on Danum Valley Conservation Area - Sabah’s largest Lowland Rainforest, surrounded with primary rainforests.
- Sukau Rainforest Lodge is part of the ecolodges selected in the world by the National Geographic Unique Lodges.
- Walai Penyu Conservation Park received the Asean Sustainable Tourism Standard award 2022
- Kadamaian Tourism Association (Kata), an association of 63 Rural and Community Based Tourism Product operators received the Asean Community Based Tourism Award 2019-2021.
- Misompuru Homestay Kudat received the Asean Homestay Award 2019-2021
Build, enhance, equip, and maintain, he said, are the major thrusts required to elevate Sabah to a world-class tourism destination.
“The basic raw materials are already in place, and have been upgraded and added high value to a considerable extent.
“However, there is significant room for improvement in all areas, including infrastructure development, form and design, toilet cleanliness, sea trash management and other types of waste management, charming layout design of rest and service areas (R&R), and enhancement of the forest area to make it more accessible to venture deeper into the forest with a more heart-warming and enticing starting point area.”
“In this regard, I must highlight that destination management is critical in order for us to rearrange our tourism products and also give better services and amenities to attract discerning travellers,” he said.
Because of the numerous nearby holiday islands scattered along Sabah’s coast, the state has been compared to Bali, a well-known tourism island that needs no introduction. This is certainly true, and it can be realised even more, but all of this would necessitate significant investment and ongoing commitment on the part of the state government.
He said that while 2025 is only three years away, it will take a longer time to transform Sabah holistically into a world-class tourism destination. With a consistent and phase-by-phase development plan, we will get closer to our goal each year.
It’s worth noting that Sabah already offers world-class natural tourist products, since Unesco has designated Kinabalu Park as a World Heritage Site and the Crocker Range Park as a Man and Biosphere Reserve; Kinabalu Park will be designated as a Unesco Global Geopark in the near future.
The rest of the interview:
Q: How much is the allocation for the Ministry this year and what was last years?
A: For the year 2022, my Ministry has been allocated a total of RM131.9 million. This is a slight increase compared to 2021 budget of RM130.36 million.
Q: How would it be spent, like which agency gets the highest and the least and for what programmes?
A: Out of the amount that we have been allocated, RM113.3 million is for Supply while RM18.58 million will be used for development purposes.
It’s not which agency get the highest and the least but rather the fund is allocated based their needs
Q: What are the Key Performance Index (KPI) set by the Ministry for this year?
A: For 2022, the Ministry will continue with the Pelan Inisiatif Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya as well as 12th Malaysia Plan (2021 - 2025).
Among the KPI that the Ministry aimed for this year are:
a. Increasing the Terrestrial Protected Area (TPAS) for the wildlife from 34,412 hectare to 100,000 hectare by 2023. (Sabah Wildlife Department)
b. Obtaining Unesco Global Geopark recognition on the Kinabalu National Geopark Area. (Sabah Parks)
c. Developing two environmental-related apps; “Misteri Penyu Mati” and “Desa Marina” for public use by 2022. (Environment Protection Department)
d. Upgrading and improving Galeri Etnik Kota Belud’s infrastructure to improve the tourist’s experience while visiting there. (Sabah Cultural Board)
e. Application of technology development (VR and Internet of Things) to produce latest promotional material and digital content by 2025. (Sabah Tourism Board)
f. Increasing the State Heritage collection materials to 2,147,000 by 2025. This is planned to be achieved by increasing the collection by 15,400 per year. (Sabah Museum)
Q: What was achieved last year despite pandemic?
A: Despite last year pandemic, we managed to achieved the followings:
Tourism Sector
- Conducting 40 high visibility activities including joint promotions and training for the Business Events industry players.
Cultural Sector
- Developing E-Culture platform to increase the promotion of arts and culture in Sabah internationally
- Upgrading the facilities and infrastructure for the Kota Belud Ethnic Gallery
Environmental Sector
- Enhancing the Efficiency of Decision Making of Normal EIA Report by Reducing its Processing Time.
- Organised four environmental education programmes in series under the Junior Parks Rangers Environmental Education Programme
- Organise Wildlife Conservation Campaigns during World Wildlife Day, World Turtle Day and World Elephant Day Program.
Digitalisation Effort
- Develop and use a web-based database for the management of Enforcement Operations and Wildlife Criminal Arrest Cases.
- Develop and use the “Modul Tempahan Penyelidik” system at the Museum Reference Center.
- Implementing a virtual tour apps for Sabah Art Gallery
- Developing Environmental Police Digital Game (POLAS), Database of Environmental Impact Assessment System (DEIAS), Environmental Financial Assistance System (EFAS)
Development
For Tourism Development, several tourism product upgrades were implemented last year which had positive impact to the local community.
Among them are:
- Upgrading Tourism Infrastructures such as Upgrading Kuala Penyu Information Centre area, Upgrading Agnes Keith House etc.
- Upgrading the Creative Path and Mural Painting of Sandakan Art Trail
* Upgrading of Mural Painting Bridge and the trails at Bukit Perahu at Tamparuli
Q: In addition to the recently approved 12 tourism-related projects costing less than RM250,000, what other plans are in the pipeline to support Sabah’s Rural Tourism Development Programme?
A: This year Ministry has been allocated another RM2.5M for this program and we are in the process of reviewing all applications submitted by respective districts.
Q: The 2022 State Budget also noted that the Lok Kawi Resort City project and the rebranding of 25 Budget 2022 Sabah Maju Jaya the Tanjung Aru Eco-Development Project (TAED) are among the early investment initiatives. What’s the progress so far?
A: Lok Kawi Resort City project - Terms of Reference (TOR) for the EIA study was approved by EPD on 10th January 2022 to enable the project proponent through its environmental consultant registered with EPD, to proceed with the EIA study, which is now in progress.
TAED - The EIA was approved on 30th October 2017. The Ministry is aware that TAED is working on details of the project prior to starting up. Our advice is for TAED to notify EPD on any changes of the project concept prior to commencement of any works.
Q: A total of RM 9.5 million was
allocated to Sabah Cultural Board and RM400,000 to cultural associations for cultural, arts and language activities. Sabah Cultural Development Plan will be formulated to elevate Sabah’s
heritage. In what ways would the funds help the Board achieve its objectives?
A: In 2022, the State Government has approved RM9.5 million annual grants for Sabah Cultural Board to cover the costs of emolument, assets expenditure and cultural program conducted by the organization.
The program includes cultural digitalization program (eCulture), cultural tourism, strengthening ethnic relation, promotion and publicity, documentation, workshop and training, cultural arts development, Karya Pilihan Tahunan Negeri Sabah (KPTNS) and various other expenses.
For the purpose of funding various cultural activities by cultural organizations in Sabah, an allocation of RM400,000.00 is placed under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah.
Under the 12MP, the government has approved an allocation of RM1 million to prepare for the Sabah Cultural Development Plan which will begin this year. Under this plan, there are 11 action plans to be developed including Sabah Indigenous Language, Traditional Clothing and Accessories, Customs and Taboos, Instruments, Musical Instruments and Dances, Traditional Food, Traditional Houses and Traditional Games, Traditional Knowledge, Oral Traditions, Cultural Festivals, Sabah Culture Overseas, Urban Development and Public Space as A Cultural Centre, Cultural and Arts Creative Industry and Intellectual Property Protection. The plans will be used as the main guidelines for developing culture and arts sector in Sabah.
Q: The State Government allocated RM12.35 million under supply expenditure and RM16.56 million under development expenditure for environmental preservation and conservation as well as green sustainability. It was noted that several management plans will be implemented in 2022, including the Sabah Endangered Wildlife Action Plan and Sabah Coastal Management Plan, Management Plan for Mabul Island, Pom-Pom Island and surrounding islands. What can the public expect to see in terms of environment conservation and sustainability?
A: Wildlife Department: The Endangered Species Action Plan for Bornean Elephant, Banteng, Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, Sunda Clouded Leopard, Bornean Sun Bear and Sea Turtle is to ensure that these species will not be extinct and remain in their natural habitat.
These action plan listing strategies to be implemented by all stakeholders. Under the Ministry implemented by Sabah Wildlife Department, we are expecting to see more habitat and wildlife corridor for terrestrial wildlife, more conservation education & awareness program, effective enforcement and prosecution on wildlife crime, more research to help in managing the endangered species, habitat enrichment and positive Protected Areas management interventions.
Datuk Jafry Ariffin
But these efforts must be supported by all stakeholders in order to achieve the goals of the Endangered Species Action Plan.
Department of Environmental Protection: Sabah Shoreline Management Plan - To ensure that the development planning along the shoreline is coordinated, taking into account environmental aspects towards sustainable development.
Management Plan for Mabul Island dan Pom-Pom Island - The management plan will be used for strategic planning on these islands to ensure any future development on these islands are sustainable, and enhance the socioeconomic development of the local communities from tourism, fisheries and agriculture activities
Q: The Sabah Environment Protection Department has developed an application, namely “Environmental Police”, which aims to increase environmental awareness on marine pollution issues based on the Sabah State Environmental Education Policy 2009. What is the progress towards addressing marine pollution issues in the State?
A: Addressing marine pollution issues in the State requires a collective effort by various groups/stakeholders, and not made in isolation. The Environmental Police game developed is one of the tools used by EPD to continuously create awareness to the public on the importance of protecting the marine environment.
Q: A total of RM9 million was allocated under development expenditure to the Department of Wildlife, Sabah Parks and the Department of Environmental Protection to protect flora and fauna species. At the same time there are reports that orang utan, pygmy elephants and banteng numbers are dwindling. Is the allocation greater than previous?
A: For the conservation of endangered species, the Sabah Wildlife Department recently received RM5 million under RMK12 to be used from 2021 until 2025 from the Sabah State Government.
The allocation for implementing the endangered wildlife action plan has been received including the funding from corporate sponsors. But the allocation alone cannot be sole resource in maintaining the species population. The issue is not on the amount of fund received.
The issue is to solve on the threats for the wildlife and the threats are many including those that we cannot control such as El-Nino or La-Nina, forest fire and the spread of diseases.
The effect on wildlife that we are seeing today is not from what we have done today or for two years past or so it has to be corroborated with research findings.
Therefore, in order to achieve that purpose to maintain the number of endangered populations in the future, again, the State Government need corporation from all stakeholders to have integrated conservation effort in all areas.
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