Malaysia launches campaign first in Australia

Malaysia Tourism has chosen to kickstart its new campaign in Australia, calling it key despite being the eighth inbound market.

The campaign, Visit Malysia Year 2014, aims to increase Australian arrival figures by 25% from 2012 figures, which amounts to 620,000 Australians.

"Australia is a key market for Malaysia, with visitor arrivals from Australia to Malaysia growing year-on-year," Malaysia tourism minister Dato Seri Mohamed Nazri Bin Tan Sri Abdul Aziz said. Australian short term visitors to Malaysia are up 6% compared to the same period for 2012.

"I feel there is great potential to increase this further," the minister said. The tourism minister will reach out to wholesalers, media, retailers, airlines and the MICE industry.

Visit Malaysia Year 2014 is a global campaign aiming to bring 28 million tourists to the country next year.

-www.travelweekly.com.au

Langkawi gears up for international powerboat races

The Langkawi International Powerboat Challenge 2013 F1 Nations Cup will be splashing down in Pekan Rabu, Kuah, Langkawi from August 27 to 29.

To be held for the first time in Malaysia, the event is the first leg of the F1 Nations Cup circuit, which will continue in Doha from November 20 to 22, and in Abu Dhabi from November 29 to December 1.

The three-day sporting highlight is organised by Associate Mediacom and hosted by the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), sanctioned by the Monaco-based international governing body of power boating, Union Internationale Motoautique, and the Motorised Water Sports Association Malaysia.

LADA CEO, Khalid Ramli, said 10 powerboat teams from Hungary, South Africa, Finland, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brunei, Singapore and two teams from Malaysia were expected to participate in the Powerboat Challenge.

Khalid anticipated a crowd of 200,000 visitors over the course of the event, with races held daily and Pekan Rabu town transformed into an F1 Powerboat Village where other activities such as a public carnival and a night concert with local and international artistes would be staged.

Zarina Jaafar, event director, Associate Mediacom, said her company had signed an event promotion agreement with Union Internationale Motonautique to hold this event in Langkawi over three consecutive years, starting from 2013.

“It is hoped that the agreement will be renewed and this will be an annual event in Langkawi,” said Zarina.

-TTG Asia.

Kuala Lumpur Ranks Top 10 Out Of 132 Countries For Global Destination Cities Index

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 JUNE 2013 – Kuala Lumpur has ranked eighth among 132 destination cities in the world based on total international overnight visitor arrivals, according to MasterCard’s third annual Global Destination Cities Index.
  
The MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, launched in 2010, ranks cities in terms of the number of total international visitor arrivals, and the cross-border spending in the respective destination cities.

Among countries in Asia, Kuala Lumpur ranked third, outranking developed cities such as Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Tokyo, Taipei, Beijing, and Guangzhou. The index also listed Kuala Lumpur’s five most important feeder cities, which are Singapore, Jakarta, Bangkok, Melbourne and Manila. 
  
This year, the total international overnight visitor spending for Kuala Lumpur is forecast to be US$7.8bil (RM24bil), an increase of 18% from US$6.4bil (RM19bil) last year, putting Kuala Lumpur in 13th place relative to other global destination cities, and also placing it in seventh place within Asia Pacific.

MasterCard global economic adviser, Dr. Yuwa Hedrick-Wong said that the city could further boost and promote investment through public and private partnership.

“The public sector has to increase investments in public infrastructure, facilities and local transport system to ensure traffic jam is reduced and the environment is protected. However, private businesses have their roles to play too, by investing in better restaurants and hotels, among other things.

“When this partnership is sustained, we can have a virtual circle, which sees an improvement in the quality of life contributing towards more visitor arrivals,” he said.

This ranking is an indication of Malaysia’s healthy tourism industry, which has become more robust as it moves closer towards the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) campaign, which is scheduled to happen next year.

VMY 2014 is estimated to attract 28 million tourists to Malaysia, and RM 76 billion in tourist receipts, an increase of 7.2% and 14.5% respectively from the projected tourist arrivals and receipts for 2013.

Malaysia recorded an overall growth of 15.9% with 6,449,398 tourists in the first quarter of 2013, as compared to 5,562,538 tourists in the same period in 2012.

-Tourism Malaysia.

www.tourism.gov.my

Malaysia Airlines Honoured 5-Star Airline Certification At SKYTRAX Awards

Malaysia Airlines Group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya with the award plaques as Malaysia Airlines took home two honours at the annual SKYTRAX 2013 World Airline Awards during the Paris Air Show this week in Le Bourget, France. The national carrier was awarded 5-star status and won Best Signature Dish.

Malaysia Airlines Group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya receiving the 5-Star Awards at the annual SKYTRAX 2013 World Airline Awards from SKYTRAX CEO, Edward Plaisted.

Subang, 19 June 2013 : Malaysia Airlines received its 5-star Airline Certification at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards™ 2013, joining an elite group of airlines for their truly consistent and high quality of product and service.

Announced yesterday at a ceremony held at the world-renowned Paris Air Show 2013 in Le Bourget, France, Malaysia Airlines also received the prestigious accolade of ‘Best Airline Signature Dish’ for its Satay, a traditional Malay dish, served in the First and Business Class cabins. This is the airlines’ second year running to win this award.

The World Airline Awards™ are the global benchmark for airline excellence, with travellers from over 160 countries and more than 100 nationalities taking part each year in the world’s largest independent passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners.

These awards are significant achievements for Malaysia Airlines as it recognizes the essence of Malaysian hospitality and is integral to the Malaysia Airlines’ experience.

Malaysia Airlines’ on-board dining was also selected as the best in the skies, with the signature Satay, Malaysian grilled chicken and beef skewers in spicy peanut sauce, given the accolade of best signature dish on-board any airline.

Receiving the awards at the ceremony, Malaysia Airlines’ Group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya thanked his team for their commitment in providing true Malaysian Hospitality. "With so much competition, even within our niche of premium full service carriers, it is an honour that Malaysia Airlines is once again recognised for its high service delivery levels and products”

“This is led by our flagship A380 fleet. We are also excited about the arrival of more new aircraft in 2013 and beyond, making our fleet one of the youngest in the region by the end of this year. This will enable us to offer an improved level of guest experience as part of Malaysia Airlines' vision to become the preferred premium carrier,” he added.

Malaysia Airlines’ wishes to provide seamless service to passengers both on-ground and in-flight with its latest developments including the introduction of new checked baggage allowance of 50, 40 and 30 kg for First, Business and Economy Class respectively and collaborating with guest Chefs in developing special menus for its passengers. 

The national carrier marked the entry of its first A380 into its fleet by having its Five-Star Airline status renewed by Skytrax last year– as the airline embarked on a series of improvements to reposition it as a premium carrier.

Earlier this year, Malaysia Airlines joined oneworld alliance which has been named ‘World’s Best Airline Alliance’ at the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards™ 2013— as it strengthens its competitiveness, enabling it to offer customers an unrivalled alliance global network served by partners including some of the best and biggest airlines in the world.

-Malaysia Airlines.
www.malaysiaairlines.com

Tune to open more hotels in Melbourne

KUALA LUMPUR: Tune Hotels plans to open three to four more hotels in Melbourne at a cost of AU$50mil to AU$60mil each.

This was after the company celebrated the pre-opening sale of its maiden Australian property in Melbourne. The city will serve as its operational headquarters for the Australia and New Zealand region. Tune Group Hotels CEO Mark Lankester said that besides Melbourne, the company also aims to open a Tune Hotel branch in Sydney.

“This hotel in Melbourne is our 30th hotel globally that also marks our presence in the seventh country. “We plan to have 100 hotels strategically located in major cities of the world in 2016,” he told reporters after the pre-sale ceremony of its Melbourne property with a launch rate of AU$49 or RM157 per night that is due to open in Melbourne.

Also present was AirAsia Bhd group CEO Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, who said the group's long-haul carrier AirAsia X had served the Melbourne route for more than four years now, becoming one of its best-selling routes.

“We are sure the Australian market will welcome and embrace Tune Hotels as they did AirAsia X,” he said.

-thestar online.

www.tunehotels.com

Visit Malaysia gala evening

A delegation from Malaysia took travel professionals on a visual and cultural experience at The Langham in Auckland last night. The visitors are on a mission to promote 'Visit Malaysia Year 2014', and the evening included seminars and updates from Malaysian exhibitors, cultural performances from a 25 strong dance troupe direct from Malaysia, prize draws, a gala dinner in the Langham's Great Room and a welcome by Malaysia's Minister of Tourism and Culture, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Malaysian dance performer, Mylda, strikes a pose with Emma Reid and Caryn Young, Adventure World and Sue Hamilton, Intrepid (far right)

In front of the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 ice sculpture is the Adventure World team of Caryn Young and Emma Reid	Cindy Kapea, Infinity Holidays gets the latest from Legoland Malaysia's Owen Tan	Nirmala Patel and Anna Wilson from Our Asia are looking forward to the update on Malaysia
Hayley Willis and Samantha McQueen, STA Auckland catch up with Ray Aucott, Pack ya Bags	All in a row from Flight Centre - Cindy Kapea, Infinity Holidays; Karen Nieuenhof, FC Royal Oak; Albert Chan, FC Lynnmall and Rowena McCarron, Infinity Holidays	Susan Chand, Tanya Scobie and Shona Bray HOT Product
During a break in proceedings, Tourism Malaysia arranged massages, henna decorations and Chinese calligraphy for the attendees to sample a few of the many options available in Malaysia. Henna artist, Mira Moha does an intricate design on Caryn Young Adventure World...	...And Susan Chand, HOT Product	While Karen Nieuenhof, Flight Centre Royal Oak opts for the massage from Hazman Syamil
	left - And Pamela Shaw, Flight Centre Lynnmall shows off her name written in Chinese calligraphy Right - 'Taking 5' before the official proceedings are Gordon Collins and Ganna Kovalska, Flight Centre Broadway
'Let's get started' says Sabrina McLeod, Tourism Malaysia and David Manners, MH	Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, welcomes the travel industry representatives to the gala evening	Daman Harum, Optimedia with guest MC from George FM, Nick Dwyer
	Winners on the night were Ray Aucott, Pack ya Bags with his  proboscis monkey and Rob Beecher, Stella with his iPad mini - nice one guys Noredah Othman, Sabah Tourism presents Rohini Jagmohan, Travel Design with her prize orangutan

The evening ended with the dancers inviting all the guests onto the dance floor -www.travelinc.co.nz	And everybody got down

AirAsia bags prestigious awards again

PARIS: Budget airlines AirAsia bagged the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline and Asia’s Best Low-Cost Airline titles at the 2013 World Airline Awards here. AirAsia’s low-cost long haul affiliate carrier AirAsia X also received the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline – Premium Class and World’s Best Low-Cost Airline – Premium Class Seat titles.

The titles were awarded at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget near here.
This the fifth consecutive year AirAsia has won both the awards – a global benchmark for airline excellence. All four awards are also some of the most prestigious titles in the global airline industry.

Two hundred airlines from over 160 countries took part in the ranking quality standards across more than 40 areas of airline front-line products and services to bag the titles. The awards were received by AirAsia deputy group chief executive officer and AirAsia X co-founder and director Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and AirAsia Berhad chairman Datuk Aziz Bakar.

In a statement released at the air show, AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said it was a proud moment for both airlines. “It is a testament of our continuous effort to deliver one of the best in-flight comforts. We are consistently seeking ways to improve our service in providing world class flying experience to our guests,” said Fernandes.

“We started over 11 years ago with RM40mil in debt and today we are valued at RM9bil in terms of market capital. “We have flown over 190 million guests to date and we look forward to welcome our 200th million guest on board soon,” he added.
-thestar online.

Malaysia's one-to-one target

 

Tourism Malaysia’s global campaign ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2014’, is set to drive 28 million tourists to the country next year, representing a one-to-one ratio in terms of the country’s population and targeted visitor arrivals.
 

Of that 28 million, the campaign hopes to target ‘at least 80,000 to 90,000 Kiwis’, a 30% increase on 2012, according to Malaysia’s new Minister of Tourism and Culture, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who is in Auckland as part of an Australasian roadshow this week.
 

Malaysia’s visitor arrivals from New Zealand in 2012 dropped 19.2% on 2011 figures, to 65,726, and Aziz cites Air Asia’s ceased service from Christchurch last year as a reason for the decrease.
 

‘Now we hope New Zealanders will travel to Kuala Lumpur through our national airline Malaysia Airlines, which flies direct to KL from New Zealand six times a week,’ says Aziz. Singapore Airlines and Jetstar fly via Singapore, with connections to all main Malaysian centres.
 

Culture and tourism

The VMY 2014 campaign is pushing Malaysia’s culture and tourism as ‘the perfect marriage’ with more than 100 special events in 2014 underpinning the attraction of the campaign.
 

Events include the Petronas Formula 1 Grand Prix in March (a highlight on Malaysia’s sporting calendar), the International Shoe Festival in April (Malaysian Jimmy Choo is one of the world’s most famous shoe designers) and the Mega Sale Carnival.

‘Whereas Auckland is the City of Sails, Kuala Lumpur is the City of Sales,’ quipped Aziz.

Culture, such as traditional Malaysian dance, is being pushed through the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 campaign

Dato' Mirza Mohamed Taiyab and Hon Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Tourism Malaysia are in Auckland as part of a global roadshow promoting the roadshow

Business tourism - Asia-Pac aim

MyCEB (Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau) is pleased with the rate of business events secured in Malaysia since the bureau’s inception three years ago. ‘We have gone in very aggressively,’ says Tony Nagamaiah, general manager Malaysia Major Events.

‘Our goal by 2020 is to be in the top five of the Asia Pacific ranking by International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), we’re currently number nine.’

- www.travelinc.co.nz  

‘Citarasa Kampung’ Buffet For Ramadhan Buka Puasa @ Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Hungry and looking for the ultimate Buka Puasa treat this Ramadan? Head over to ‘Citarasa Kampung’ at Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur for one of the finest and biggest buffet spreads in town. It also provide comfort and convenience for you especially with its strategic lovation and ample parking space.

’Citarasa Kampung’ at Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur offers a wide variety menu featuring over 500 different dishes every day. Chef de Cuisine Chef Saad Bin Othman and his team will give a touch of creativity to every menu served during the holy month. Traditional cuisines such as Pucuk Ubi Rebus, Daging Dendeng, Nasi Beriyani GAM are some of the Malay “must try” dishes at Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

photo: PelanconganKini

The buffet also consist of action stalls manned by the wonderful team of Seri Pacific Hotel’s chefs. Highlights of the buffet are Sup Gear Box ‘Power’, Sup Ekor Bakar, Roasted Marinated Whole Lamb, Kari Kepala Ikan, Ikan Bakar and Lok-Lok to name a few. For those who are concerned with nutrition and diet, choices of Ulam-Ulam Kampung from a variety of salads are available.

photo: PelanconganKini

A variety of desserts to choose from such as Air Batu Campur (ABC), assorted pastries and lots of local seasonal fruits including Durians. Another break fast ‘must have’ is Bubur Lambuk; a famous and traditional Malaysian-styled porridge, which will be prepared in its original recipe. Cold and hot beverages to quench the thirst such as Air Kelapa, Bandung Syrup, Nescafe Tarik and Teh Tarik at “Latar Kijang Beverage Station”.

Besides great food and a nice ambience, diners are able to enjoy their breaking of fast in a cool and cozy atmosphere while being serenade by live musicians known as 'LOS LABAMBA’, a 4-piece band all the way from Indonesia.

Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur also provides surau to enable visitors to perform Maghrib and Isha’ prayers without leaving the hotel. The hotel is also involved in their “Sentuhan Kasih Ramadhan” whereby every RM1 of Ramadan Buffet sold will be given to Tabung Kebajikan Islamic Aid Malaysia (IAM) and Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA).

Mohamed Halim Merican the General Manager of Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur, said that this contribution is in line with Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur commitment to bring cheer to the less fortunate, especially during festive seasons. "We hope this small contribution will ensure that children who are less fortunate can enjoy and celebrate this holy month just as everyone else," he said.

Ramadhan Buffet at Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur

The Ramadhan buffet served from 14 July till 3 August 2013 at Pacific Ballroom priced from RM80.00nett per adult, offers a wide spread of delicious exclusive range of dishes that will definitely satisfy your hunger pangs. For those who prefer the ambience of a coffee house, Zende Restaurant is offering the buffet dinner at RM50nett per adult with a slightly different menu.

If you prefer to have the ‘Rumah Terbuka’ tradtion to come to you, enjoy their ‘Hari Raya Open House’ function or outside catering starting from RM80 nett per person. For reservations, please contact 03-4049 4302 or email asha@seripacific.com or visit their website at www.seripacifichotel.com

-Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

‘Arigato’ for Japan’s decision on visas

KUALA LUMPUR: Tour and travel companies have responded with a big arigato gozaimasu (thank you) to Japan's decision to abolish visas for Malaysian tourists, with some expecting their bookings to double.

Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) deputy president John Tan Chai Keong said its 2,800 tour agents expected a big boost in Malaysian travellers to Japan. “As the travel business community, we are elated with the decision made by the Japanese government as it will make it much easier for Malaysians to fly to Japan,” he said yesterday.

Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) president Paul Pawalso gave the decision the thumbs-up, saying the “bureaucratic process” in obtaining Japanese visas had put off some travellers. “We expect a hike in Malaysian tourists to Japan. Last year, we handled about 140,000 Malaysian travellers and expect the numbers to double during the cherry blossom season and peak snow season,” he said.

Malaysia Harmony Tours & Travel CEO Cooper Huang Lye said more of the young would want to visit Japan with the hassle of applying for visas to be removed. “Previously, travellers had to provide a lot of documents for us to apply visas for them.''

The Japanese Embassy here, in a web posting yesterday, confirmed that Japan had made a decision on June 11 to abolish visas for short-term Malaysian visitors, adding that the date for implementation would be announced soon.

“The Ministerial Council on the Promotion of Japan as a tourism-oriented country has decided to ease conditions for the granting of visas to Japan. It is also to mark the 40th anniversary of Asean-Japan friendship and cooperation in 2013,” the posting said.

Engineer Mohd Fadhli Afiq Noranizar, 23, said the move was good as travellers would save on visa fees and also need not pay service fees to travel agents.

-thestar online.

Malaysia’s Tourism Highlights – AUGUST 2013

PUTRAJAYA, 14 June 2013 – August is an important month for Malaysia as the National Day falls on the 31st of this month. Besides this special event, the month is also filled with other interesting programmes from art to sports. Some of the major tourism highlights in August include:

1MALAYSIA CONTEMPORARY ART TOURISM FESTIVAL (1MCAT)
The 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival (1MCAT) continues on in August after an exciting month of art exhibitions in July. More events are scheduled this entire month of August, with art exhibitions, seminars and unique displays in art galleries around the country.

The event acts as a platform for art enthusiasts from artists to gallery owners to forge business alliances, as well as to share their ideas and information about the new contemporary art of Malaysia.

Organiser:    Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Malaysia
Date:        1 July – September 2013
Venue:        Throughout Malaysia
Contact:    +6 03 8891 7519

HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI 2013
After fasting from dawn to dusk for a month, this is the time to celebrate! Hari Raya Aidilfitri marks the end of the Ramadan month (fasting season) and every year this festive occasion is celebrated in a grand scale in Malaysia. 

The highlight of this joyous occasion is the open house where the Muslims will invite their friends from various ethnics and cultures to their house to join in the merrymaking and enjoy traditional Malay favourites such as ketupat, rendang and satay!

Date:        8 – 9 August 2013
Venue:        Nationwide

SANDAKAN MEMORIAL DAY 2013
Sabah Memorial Day 2013 is held annually to commemorate the 2400 fallen heroes who perished on three separate torturous 240-km marches from Sandakan to Ranau, known today as the infamous Death March.

Every year, visitors will travel to the Sandakan Memorial Park, which was once the site of the Prisoners of War Camp, to commemorate these brave souls with a memorial service in their honour, ‘Lest we forget’. 

Organiser:    Sandakan Municipal Council
Date:        15 August 2013
Venue:        Sandakan Memorial Park, Sandakan, Sabah
Contact:    +6 089 273 753
Website:    www.sabahtourism.com 

MELAKA MITS MATTA FAIR 2013
MATTA Fair is coming to Melaka town! The Melaka MITS MATTA Fair 2013 offers visitors a great selection of exciting tour packages and fares that suit their travel needs.

Besides that, visitors and consumers will also be able to find many attractive bargains and great discounts for various tourism-related products. It’s time to make plans for your holiday. Come, compare, and purchase!

Organiser:    MATTA Melaka Chapter & Melaka Tourism Promotion Division 
Date:        23 – 25 August 2013
Venue:        Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), Melaka
Contact:    +6 06 286 9668/ +6 016 630 6971 (Cik Hanitah)

RACE FOR 12 HOURS!
The biggest motorsports endurance race in Asia, the Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race (MMER) 2013, will be back for the 14th edition!

Each team will have three drivers who will race for at least 70 minutes before being allowed to switch. Young motorsports enthusiasts will have a new way and new place to celebrate Malaysia’s Independence Day.

Organiser:    Sepang International Circuit (SIC)
Date:        29 – 31 August 2013 
Venue:        Sepang International Circuit (SIC), Selangor
Contact:    +6 03 8778 2200
Website:    www.sepangcircuit.com.my 

HARI KEMERDEKAAN (INDEPENDENCE DAY) MALAYSIA 2013
“Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!” Hari Kemerdekaan is a national holiday which is celebrated on 31 August every year to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957.

Traditionally, a grand and colourful parade will be held in the morning at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur for everyone to attend and celebrate this important occasion together. Similar parades will also be held in every state simultaneously. This year’s celebration marks the 56th anniversary of Malaysia’s independence.

Date:        31 August 2013
Venue:        Nationwide / Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur.

All information is correct at time of publication. Visitors are advised to contact the event organiser for the latest updates.
-Tourism Malaysia.

Sabah sees RM5.42bil in tourism revenue

Showing solidarity: Chief Minister Musa Aman (right) holding hands with his deputies (from left) Datuk Raymond Tan, Datuk Yahya Hussin and Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan during the first state assembly.

KOTA KINABALU: The tourism sector is expected to contribute RM5.42bil to the Sabah economy this year.

Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin said that the industry appeared to have rebounded from the bitter episode of the Sulu gunmen intrusion in Lahad Datu in February with visitor arrivals improving.

Delivering his policy address at the opening of the State Legislative Assembly here yesterday, he said that 967,183 tourists came to Sabah between January and April, a 6.6% increase over the same period last year.

He said that the state government would do everything possible to ensure increasing tourist arrivals, adding that this would include consulting countries which had imposed travel advisories on Sabah.

Juhar said that concerted efforts by state officials in meeting US and British diplomats had paid off following a decision by the two foreign governments to rescind their travel advisories on the state. He said as such, the Sabah government remained optimistic that its target of attracting three million tourists this year was within reach.

Juhar also said that oil and gas activities would be the main driver of Sabah’s industrial activities, which were set to attract RM5.44bil in investments this year. Of this, RM2.5bil would be in the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park, RM1bil in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park and RM415mil and RM328mil in the Lahad Datu and Sandakan palm oil industrial clusters.

Earlier, Juhar inspected a guard-of-honour outside the assembly building. The debate on the policy speech will be held until Thursday.

-thestar online.

www.sabahtourism.com