Sandakan [Archive] - SkyscraperCity

Nissan_FUGA

April 11th, 2006, 07:41 AM

SANDAKAN, Sabah – The Sandakan Municipal Council gathered today to review the strategy to develop Sandakan's first shopping centre, the Sandakan Harbour Mall. With an anchor position in the new Sandakan Harbour Square complex, it has a Nett Lettable Area of 204,000 square feet across 4 retail floors and is set to be Sandakan's new landmark.

Presenting the strategy was Christopher Mears, Executive Vice President (Asset Management) of the Hektar Group. Hektar Group is a property group that focuses on the ownership, management and development of shopping centres.

Appointed earlier this year, Hektar Group's team of consultants have been working with the architects and other project consultants on the design and conceptualization of the Harbour Mall. Hektar consultants will also provide a full centre feasibility analysis on the Harbour Mall.

Mr. Mears highlighted two key factors that would make the RM150 million investment a success – control over the tenancy mix and benchmarking to international standards.

Elaborating, he shared that Hektar's recommendation was to not sell any shop lots, but offer leases. “There is an opportunity to create an exciting tenancy mix, with over 70 specialty shops. Through the leasing process, the owner of the shopping centre will be able to control both the location and composition of the tenants, ensuring a relevant mix of services, products and brands that will appeal to both locals and tourists,” he said.

“Careful reviews over time will mean that the Mall continues to meet the needs of residents and tourists. A shopping centre with solid lots would not be able to exert this level of control,” he continued. Mr. Mears then proceeded to outline Hektar Group's proposed tenancy mix.

“The second important factor is to ensure that the centre conforms to international standards in terms of management, facilities and services. The Harbour Mall can be assured of long term competitive viability if it operates on par with shopping centres found in cities such as KL, Singapore and Hong Kong.”

Mr. Mears was confident that the Harbour Mall would become a centre for the Sandakan community as well as being a shopping centre. The Hektar Group recommended an aggressive marketing and promotions strategy, targeting national holidays and events such as the F1, with exciting promotions and events.

“What this would achieve for Sandakan in an inner-city buzz. This means that people would want to come into the town centre in the evening, to have dinner and enjoy themselves.

The Harbour Mall's success would have a catalytic effect on Sandakan, creating jobs as well as accelerating the modernisation of the town centre. With international retailers setting up shop in the new Harbour Mall, a skills transfer process will take place as they train their staff.

Applauding the presentation, the President of the Municipal Council, Mr. Yeo Boon Hai, thanked Mr. Mears on behalf of the Council for sharing his insights. He observed that the Sandakan Harbour Square project was taking shape rapidly and he was looking forward to seeing the final result.

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/events5.html

AFL

April 11th, 2006, 08:40 AM

Sandakan used to have the biggest concentration of millionaires in the world...whether it is true or not, Sandakan certainly used to be a wealthy valuable timber export centre...it was also nicknamed Hong Kong of Borneo...

Nissan_FUGA

April 11th, 2006, 01:01 PM

Sandakan: Sandakan must shed its dependence on the timber industry and look in new directions to sustain and develop its economy.

It has much economic potential to grow and contribute significantly to the State’s overall development and progress, being a major port and important communication link within the Bimp-Eaga region.

Finance Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman said this here Thursday when he launched the Sandakan harbour square development project which is being jointly undertaken by Ireka Chiang Sheng Development Sdn Bhd and the Sandakan Municipal Council. The project is scheduled for completion in five years.

Located in front of the Sandakan Central Market, the project covers 12 acres, nine of which consist of reclaimed land. It will incorporate a five-star hotel, convention centre, commercial offices and shophouses and a multi-storey car park.

Sandakan Municipal Council President Datuk Adeline Leong and Ireka Corporation Bhd Chairman Lai Siew Wah were among those present.

According to Musa, Sandakan in its timber heydays was known as 'Little Hong Kong' because of its trade and busy port.

"Those days are gone but Sandakan is by no means a dead town even today as it is still growing, and has tremendous potential in fisheries and other marine industries.

"The rich hinterland of tropical rainforest and mangrove swamps, rich in flora and fauna, makes it a very attractive place for the development of eco-tourism with considerable population and size, making the area a good place for trading and doing business.”"

Musa said the Barisan Nasional (BN) Government knew Sandakan had great potential for development and would do its best to ensure the town continued to thrive economically.

"The Government has invested a lot of money to ensure the orderly development of an industrial park in Sandakan, and more is being spent to upgrade other facilities like water and electricity supply. That shows the Government will not neglect the development of Sandakan," he said.

He said the people’s purchasing power would improve only if more economic and development activities took place.

"Therefore, we should be looking towards more projects and activities of this sort to sustain economic growth, not just here in Sandakan but also in other towns of Sabah," he added.

Nissan_FUGA

April 11th, 2006, 01:05 PM

Sandakan: The Federal Government has no immediate plans to upgrade the airport here to international standard as the number of domestic and international passengers handled is still low.

Apart from that, no foreign airlines have indicated willingness to operate in the district permanently.

MP Chong Hon Min said this was stated by the Transport Ministry in responding to issues raised in the Parliament sitting on Monday.

However, Chong believed it was timely that Sandakan Airport is upgraded to international stature in line with the huge allocations to develop infrastructure in the district.

He cited about RM600 million allocated to develop and upgrade the road system, RM450 million for water supply and development of the small and medium-sized industries as well as tourism here.

Based on its status as a Nature City, it is only relevant that the district gets an international airport too, he said.

Nonetheless, he was told that the Sandakan Airport underwent comprehensive upgrading works in 1994 that enabled it to accommodate an Airbus A330, the largest aircraft it can handle.

Chong stressed that the number of passengers handled by the airport had shown tremendous increase since 2000.

In 2000, domestic passengers handled by the airport were 452,763 and 61 internationals, but this rose to 573,952 and 261 in 2004.

Nissan_FUGA

April 11th, 2006, 04:40 PM

Power for Sabah’s east

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 29:Sabah’s east coast will receive an additional 40 megawatts of power supply by the middle of next month, temporarily solving critical power shortages in several towns.

Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) today shipped its barge-mounted power station docked in Sepanggar Bay, about 30 kilometres from here, to Sandakan.

The 3,000-tonne power station was, for nearly 10 years, used to supplement power supply in the city and its surrounding areas, before a decision was made to send it to the east coast.

Towed by tug-boat Marlin, the barge is scheduled to arrive in Sandakan in 48 hours and is expected to be operational by the second week of January.

SESB corporate planning senior general manager Peter Lajumin said current demand on the east coast was 180 megawatts and available supply was 200 megawatts. More than half is being supplied by three independent power plants in Sandakan and Tawau.

"However, when there is a breakdown, we have to conduct load shedding. This is when there is insufficient power supply for towns on the east coast.

"Electricity from this barge-mounted power station is expected to help ease the problem until the Sabah Grid is completed. We are expecting the East-West Coast grid (part of the Sabah Grid) to be ready by June next year and, until then, we can rely on additional supply from this power station," he said.

Lajumin was speaking on board the barge before it set sail. The floating power station was commissioned in September 1996.

Residents on the east coast, especially in Sandakan, have in recent months voiced their concerns that business activities were affected by constant power cuts.

Several elected representatives also spoke on the issue, calling on SESB to solve the problem so that people in Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna can enjoy reliable power supply.

Lajumin said it cost SESB RM5 million to construct a jetty in Sandakan, put in other infrastructure to accommodate the barge and to ship the power station.

"It will cost another RM5 million a month to run the power station ," he added.

Nissan_FUGA

April 11th, 2006, 04:42 PM

EPF buying Giant retail properties

BY GOH EE KOON

THE Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is buying all the shares in Giant TMC Bhd's property holding subsidiary Hartanah Progresif Sdn Bhd for RM382mil. The acquisition will lead to EPF gaining ownership of all of Giant's retail properties in Malaysia.

Hartanah Progresif will be bought from Giant TMC, which is owned by Hong Kong's Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd. The acquisition comes with a guaranteed profit of RM32mil a year.

That translates to a gross yield of 8.3% for EPF. There will, of course, be expenses and EPF's general manager for property investment Mohamad Lotfy Mohamad Noh told the press yesterday that the net yield would be 7.5% a year.

On completion of the sale, targeted for Dec 16, Giant will enter into a long-term lease of 10 to 15 years for the properties.

Hartanah Progresif holds all of Giant's properties, namely four hypermarkets, four supermarkets, 42 small shoplots and hostels, and three pieces of vacant land.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal, who witnessed the agreement signing, said that Dairy Farms had been in talks with several potential buyers, and successfully reached an agreement with EPF.

Shafie said he was confident the sale would be beneficial to EPF shareholders, as Giant's sales were expected to increase.

With the guaranteed profit, EPF was assured of investment returns, he added.

Shafie also believes that Giant, with an annual turnover of RM3bil, will not have any difficulty in fulfilling the RM32mil guarantee to EPF.

On the part of EPF, Lotfy said it “plans to grow its amount of property investments. As far as we are concerned, we intend to look at properties that give good yield. As long as the returns are good, we will explore all the options further.”

The latest deal will take EPF's investments in real estate to RM1.78bil, or 0.7% of its RM253.65bil funds. Property takes the smallest share of EPF investments. Other sectors that it has invested in are Malaysian securities (38.67%), Malaysian loans and bonds (33.82%), equities (18.91%) and money market instruments (7.9%).

Lotfy also believes the Hartanah Progresif purchase will help EPF make its annual dividend payout. “It is an income-yielding investment, surpassing returns even of real estate investment trusts,” he said.

However, he declined to say if EPF would decrease or increase dividends this year. It paid 4.5% dividend in 2003 and 4.75% in 2004.

Dairy Farm chief executive officer John Coyle said part of the RM382mil payment would be used to develop four other hypermarkets in Sungai Petani, Sandakan, Malacca and in the Klang Valley.

SEED

April 11th, 2006, 08:38 PM

^^ i belive if the gov carefully develope Sandakan.. it can be one ofda best not onli tourist destanation in malaysia.. maybe one ofda best city too.. thx for sharin those beautiful pics and information Nissan_FUGA! :okay:

Nissan_FUGA

April 12th, 2006, 08:55 AM

well, in the 1990's, sandakan was neglected, the activities in the town centre died out, and the suburbs began to be the heart of sandakan.......it was only in 2003, our PBT launched a plan to revive the town centre...

SEED

April 12th, 2006, 10:25 AM

^^ well.. its never too late! :okay: i hope Sandakan will turn into a beautiful and well develope town or city inda future! :cool: its a very good tourist spot actually! :cool:

Nissan_FUGA

April 14th, 2006, 03:43 AM

SANDAKAN, Sabah – At the initiative of the Sabah State Cabinet, a high-level steering committee, was set up consisting of Head of Departments from Sabah Government's Ministries.

Chaired by Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Sabah, Permanent Secretary, YBhg Datuk Haji Ujang Haji Sulani, the committee was formed with the mandate to fast track the required government approvals for the project, thereby ensuring a smooth implementation of Sandakan Harbour Square (SHS).

The committee was also tasked to ensure that the terms and conditions of the Joint Land Agreement are fully adhered to.

Also present at the meeting was the President and Councillors from Sandakan Municipal Council.

Later visiting the work site, Datuk Haji Ujang was briefed on the progress of construction. He noted the importance of the project to Sandakan and reaffirmed the State government's support for the project.

Nissan_FUGA

April 14th, 2006, 10:51 AM

Sandakan population:

1980: 110,000 (Estimation)
1991: 223,000
2000: 367,000
2005: 550,000
Projections......

2010: 646,000
2020: 1,130,000

White_soX

April 14th, 2006, 09:20 PM

Sandakan Hotels
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5421/shs1h2wo.jpg

That is so dense, the hotel need some space in between, spread out a little bit......give the tourist some place to view everything and relax.

AFL

April 15th, 2006, 06:51 AM

Sabahan cities have one thing in common...they were built by reclaiming the sea...my house was used to be a mangrove forest until it was cleared two decades ago...ten years later it was still much the sea until the sea further reclaimed because rising housing demand...

Nissan_FUGA

April 15th, 2006, 10:52 AM

well, sandakan has the smallest town centre among the major town in sabah, this is because sandakan town centre is sandwiched between the sea and the escarpment......the distance from sea and escarpment is about 600 metres only

Nissan_FUGA

April 15th, 2006, 11:46 AM

Sandakan airport

http://www.malaysiaairports.com.my/view.php?dbIndex=0&website_id=1&id=49

For people living and working in the immediate area of Sandakan, the airport provides a fast access to the rest of the country. The airport is also a major tourism gateway for visitors wishing to experience 'turtle watching' during peak seasons in July and September.

The terminal, which covers 8,645sqm floor space, has the capacity to handle 1.5 million annual passengers. In 2005, the airport handled 621,513 passengers with 10,876 flights.

http://www.malaysiaairports.com.my/index.php?ch=17&pg=55&ac=186

TYW

April 15th, 2006, 02:50 PM

Nissan_FUGA

April 15th, 2006, 05:21 PM

i heard the reclamation in Sabah affected the corals in the sea. :(

that is a bit true...but it is a necessity

AFL

April 15th, 2006, 05:52 PM

that is a bit true...but it is a necessity

I hope its impact only minimal...now KKIA is going to be expanded the sea has to be reclaimed more to extend the runway...

Nissan_FUGA

April 15th, 2006, 06:01 PM

believe it or not...........here in sandakan, one company try to build a hypermarket in just 4 months!

White_soX

April 15th, 2006, 09:55 PM

AFL

April 16th, 2006, 03:13 AM

An Europe airline expected to be at Sandakan for a charter flight of MyTravel to celebrate their 50th annivessary......the A333, a widebody, expected to be at Sandakan enroute from Sydney(first SYD-Sandakan flight) then to Kota Kinabalu. Many charter airlines land at Sabah lately with Korean air sending three of their beast(747,777,330) and now European airline!

Emirates is planning to fly to Kota Kinabalu in five years time...but i dont think it will materialise because what KK can offers to the Middle Easterners anyway?

White_soX

April 16th, 2006, 06:14 AM

^^^Middle east is not goijng to wear bikini anyway....lol

Nissan_FUGA

April 16th, 2006, 10:57 AM

haha, but middle easterners loves to shop! infact, asian tourist spends more than western tourist probably in terms of shopping

musang

April 16th, 2006, 05:47 PM

^^^Middle east is not goijng to wear bikini anyway....lol
dats bcos u never seen one... muahahahahaha..

musang

April 16th, 2006, 05:48 PM

is dat rite? i thot Langkawi & Penang top their next 'landing' places in M'sia.

nazrey

April 17th, 2006, 05:52 AM

Landmark back in sight
Monday April 17, 2006

SANDAKAN: Rapid development in Sandakan district seems to have “swallowed” one of its precious landmarks, the Batu Sapi atoll.

The atoll, 12km from here, a giant rock resembling a cow with a crocodile at its feet and clearly visible from the coast, had awed visitors for generations.

But with buildings and factories lining up on the coastline, Batu Sapi is no longer in the line of sight and first time visitors will definitely miss the unique atoll with its mystical background.

However, realising the big loss, efforts are being made to bring the atoll back to sight in stages with an archway with the inscription “Batu Sapi Heritage Park” being set up on the road leading to the coast.

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/4/17/southneast/ms_pg05sapi.jpg

Visitors viewing Batu Sapi from a platform built on
the coast in Sandakan recently.

It was a conservation effort by a private company Victorise Resort Sdn Bhd.

The company’s development projects and real estate executive Daniel Shim said in an interview that the first phase costing RM1mil started in 2002.

Shim said the second phase involving the construction of a three-storey building to house facilities for tourists and provide an excellent view of the site are awaiting approval from Sandakan Municipal Council.

The area would be fenced and guards stationed there to ensure safety of visitors as there had been reports of intrusions by illegal immigrants.

Shim said, since the efforts were taken to promote the site, the number of visitors was on the rise with at least 200 visitors coming on weekends

The numbers are even bigger during school holidays when more come in cars from Sarawak and Brunei.

A community leader in the Sekong state constituency, Asbolah Amat, said a visit to Sandakan was incomplete without going to see Batu Sapi.

Asbolah also narrated the mystical belief surrounding the rock formation that was believed to be situated in a fishing village.

He said that, once upon a time, a giant crocodile swam towards the village while the villagers were at home for Maghrib prayers.

However a bull that spotted the crocodile jumped into the sea to fight off the crocodile and the commotion attracted the villagers.

He said, during the fierce fight, both animals were struck by lightning and transformed into a stone of the shape as seen today.

Asbolah said that preserving the rock was vital as it was a landmark of Sandakan. – Bernama

Nissan_FUGA

April 18th, 2006, 11:31 AM

RM450m treatment plants for Sandakan

Sandakan: Chief Minister Datuk Musa Haji Aman said water treatment plants costing RM450 million will be built in the Sandakan area under the 9th Malaysia Plan towards meeting increasing demand.

He was optimistic that the facilities would eventually help overcome the perennial water shortage problem in the district.

Musa, who is also Finance Minister, said this while opening a seminar organised by the Umno Libaran information bureau, here Thursday.

On another note, he said the Libaran by-pass project would soon commence from Mile 32 to the town centre to resolve the congestion problem in the area .

Nissan_FUGA

April 23rd, 2006, 02:11 PM

S'kan Eagles in semi-finals
Kota Kinabalu: SRU Sandakan Eagles have made it to the semi-finals of the 2006 National Inter-Club Rugby Championship (NICC) on Sunday.

After beating four-time champion Selangor Cobra 23-13 points in the preliminary round earlier this month, the State team went on to thrash Kuktem Sharks of Pahang 106-07 points in the quarter-finals.

Team manager K.H Tan said in the semi-finals, which will be played here, they would be competing against the country's top club RMAF Blackhawk at the UiTM field on April 23.

"We are the underdogs in the championship," he said, adding, however that other teams have labelled them as the tournament favourite.

"I don't want the ruggers to be over-confident just after winning two matches in the championship," he said during a training session here. Commenting on the two matches they played last week, Tan said the victories were an eye opener.

"The wins helped our ruggers build their confidence and also their spirit," he said, adding, "the meet is also excellent exposure for the ruggers."

"Everyone played according to game plan, they focused on their game.

They did not make a single mistake. They all fought hard and worked as a unit," he pointed out.

So our next target is to win the overall title and show that we Sabahans can excel well in any sports, he added.

Asked about the ruggers preparation for the semi-finals on Sunday, Tan said the team would be training twice a day and that Saturday will be more for mental preparation and game plan.

"But Thursday and Friday will be for game training and fine-tuning any minor problems," he said.

For the semi-final match, all the ruggers are ready, he said, adding, the players are happy that they would have homeground advantage.

"We have requested to the Malaysian Rugby Union that the semi-final round be played in Sabah and they agreed," he said.

"Everything should be okay as long as the players play according to game plan and stay focussed and play as a unit," he added.

The finals will be played in Melaka on April 29.

SEED

April 23rd, 2006, 04:12 PM

Emirates is planning to fly to Kota Kinabalu in five years time...but i dont think it will materialise because what KK can offers to the Middle Easterners anyway?

I think Sabah should try to attract more western tourist to go there.. becos weterners like adventures, diving and the sea! i think theres some or lots nice place to dive and nice beaches in Sabah! :cool:

White_soX

April 23rd, 2006, 04:32 PM

Sandakan looks like undergo huge expansion! I hope one day it will be like little putrajaya, green, clea, modern bla bla bla

Nissan_FUGA

April 24th, 2006, 03:12 PM

Sandakan looks like undergo huge expansion! I hope one day it will be like little putrajaya, green, clea, modern bla bla bla

well, there are some sandakanites thankful to IJM

raksasa sundek

April 24th, 2006, 04:11 PM

cool pics of sandakan :okay:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Sandakan2.jpg/450px-Sandakan2.jpg

this one looks really like KK, segama-sinsuran area :)

salem

April 25th, 2006, 01:24 AM

[QUOTE=Nissan_FUGA]Town Centre

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Sandakan2.jpg/450px-Sandakan2.jpg

nice area and panoramic since most of sabahan cities at coastal area, but the building is so ugly with grey color.maybe repainting the building will be beter

Nissan_FUGA

April 25th, 2006, 11:58 AM

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/jan_04.jpg

part of Sandakan Harbour Square, this shoplots costs RM 1 million each and is only specialised for F&B outlet (rumoured)

Nissan_FUGA

April 25th, 2006, 12:11 PM

View of town centre from Observation pavillion
http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/4472/cimg48973bz.jpg

one of sandakan's many roundabout.....this one is donated and built by IJM
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7241/cimg48965ex.jpg

sandakan high court, completed in 2002, at around RM 15 million
http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/7578/cimg48947cn.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

April 25th, 2006, 12:19 PM

Sandakan's economy:

taken from www.sandakanharboursquare.com which in turn its
information are taken from Sandakan Nature City Commemorative Book

1)Palm Oil

The history of the palm oil industry in Malaysia's economy dates back long time ago. Although oil palm ( Elais guineensis ) had already been planted at the Bogor Botanical Garden, Java in 1848, the first palms were planted in Malaya only in 1911 as ornamental plants.

In Sabah, oil palm planting started in the late fifties and early sixties. Its early developments were slow but it then boomed within the 80's and 90's which was phenomenal. Today, with such a crop produce, Sabah can boast of being the largest oil palm state in Malaysia. Of these, approximately 530,000 hectares are in Sandakan itself.

This industry has certainly taken over the timber and has emerged as the leading agricultural force and an important contributor to both the State's and Sandakan's GDP. It is now one of the present pillars of strength of the state as well as the district.

2)Fishery

Traditionally the sea is an important source of income for many people in Sandakan, as it is surrounded by deep sea water, rich with marine life. Till today, fishing is a livelihood for many local residents.

From the wet market to companies specializing in exporting seafood, it is common knowledge that seafood from Sandakan is one of the best in the region. Many people come to Sandakan to savor its fresh seafood and the many varieties it offers.

Although deep sea fishing is the core activity here in Sandakan, marine fish breeding and hatchery is also suitable within the Sandakan bay as it is sheltered from strong winds.

3)Forestry

The forest industry in Sabah has changed significantly in the past few years. From an exploitative practice in the past, current forestry practices have now been reinvented towards a sustainable forest management. The need to give equal emphasis to economic, environmental and social needs in the pursuance of development, it has been widely accepted as a guide for sustainable development in all sectors worldwide, including forestry.

The history of the wood-base industry started as early as 1888 with the saw milling activities in Sandakan. By mid 1960's the number of sawmill establishments has showed the further acceleration in the expansion of wood base industries, following the governments liberal industrialization policy and the strict enforcement of log export quota in the late 1980's.

Sabah Forestry Department was formed in 1914 by the British North Borneo Chartered Company. Since 1916, Sandakan has become the headquarters of the Sabah Forestry Department.

4)Tourism

Tourism is one of the fastest growing economic activities in the world. The United Nations and the World Trade Organization predicted it will become the world's biggest industry.

Sandakan is blessed with its natural beauty and is home to an enormous variety of wildlife, reptiles, birds, fishes and insects which is why Sandakan is also called the gateway to Borneo's wildlife. Therefore it is no surprise that Sandakan has been declared a Nature City to further promote its potential as an eco-tourism destination of Malaysian Borneo.

“Sandakan – The Nature City” was launched in 2003 and was promoted as a historical tourism destination, being one of the oldest towns in Sabah with a rich heritage background.

Nissan_FUGA

April 25th, 2006, 12:45 PM

Big Three main growth areas

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah's three main urban centres - Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau - will remain the major growth areas by 2020, Town and Regional Planning Department Director, Dr Adrian S. C. Chong, said.

He said the three urban centres would continue to accommodate vast housing and industrial development supported by adequate infrastructure development.

“While urban development is going on, equal emphasis will be given to the protection and conservation of sensitive areas to ensure sustainable development as Sabah progresses towards 2020,” he said.

“These areas include mangrove swamps, wetlands, beaches, coastal islands, coral reefs, mountains, natural forests and water catchments,” he added.

He said this while briefing Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah during a courtesy call on the latter at the Istana Negeri here Wednesday morning.

Dr Chong said Sabah’s other towns, such as Lahad Datu, Semporna, Keningau, Kudat and Kota Belud, would remain as medium size towns serving their respective districts, whereas small village towns would continue to play an important role in providing necessary facilities and services to the local villages.

He also said the results of town planning over the years had been impressive despite the economic slowdown.

“This is particularly so in housing development, which is directly influenced by continuous population growth,” he said, adding huge investment did not stop flowing into big development projects implemented by developers.

“We need all these developers and investors to participate in the development of Sabah as we progress towards 2020,” said Dr Chong.

Among other matters discussed during the meeting were the status of urban and countryside environment as well as the State’s current and projected population growth by 2020.

Nissan_FUGA

April 26th, 2006, 01:24 PM

Signing Ceremony with CTI Biofuels Malaysia, LLC of United States of America ("USA") to build, own and operate a biodiesel plant in Sandakan, Sabah on March 23, 2006

http://www.ijm.com/images/arc_photo_gallery_ctibiofuel_4_l.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

April 28th, 2006, 07:18 AM

More MRSM, Giat Centres for Sabah

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah will have better educational and skills training facilities when more Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) and Giat Mara Centres are set up under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

Assuring this, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) Chairman, Brig Jen. (B) Dato' Seri Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Zainal Abidin said two MRSM and two Giat Mara facilities will be constructed in the East Coast of Sabah within the five-year plan.

"The Federal government has increased the allocation for Mara from RM2.74 billion in 8MP to RM3.6 billion in the 9MP as it sees that the organisation plays an important role in developing human capital.

"We will utilise the funds for our two core businesses - education and entrepreneurship-to better develop the human capital sector," he said.

Hamid said this at a press conference after launching a seminar especially for its staff at the Tabung Haji Complex here on Wednesday.

A total of 300 staff from Mara Negeri, MRSM, Giat Mara Centres and Institute Kemahiran Mara (IKM) attended the seminar.

Also present were Mara Council Secretary, and Mansor Puteh and Sabah Mara Director Muhammad Nasir B. Hasan.

Hamid said they would construct two MRSM schools, each costing about RM45 million, in Tawau and Libaran, Sandakan.

"Presently, we have 32 operational MRSM in the whole country. With the given allocation, we plan to build another new eight MRSM under the 9MP.

"So, out of the eight forthcoming MRSM schools, two will be put up in Sabah particularly in Tawau and Libaran, Sandakan. When both are completed, there will be three MRSM schools in Sabah, which will benefit the young generation," he said.

Apart from these, he revealed that they also plan to build 30 new Giat Mara centres in the country to produce more skillful youths to augment the nation's workforce.

"There are 176 Giat Mara centres in the country that offer 32 vocational courses for dropout youths and those who did not excel in their national exams.

"So to ensure more local youths enjoy the same opportunity, we are also planning to open up two more such centres in Batu Sapi, Sandakan and Kalabakan in Tawau," he said.

Towards this end he said Sabah has the highest number of Giat Mara centres with 21 in operation compared to other states.

On Mara's efforts to increase the number of bumiputera entrepreneurs, Hamid said they would be spending RM300,000 to train about 60,000 bumiputeras to be successful entrepreneurs under the 9MP.

He said they would apply new strategies to guide and help entrepreneurs especially the small-time ones and street traders.

"We will seek cooperation from local authorities here who often carry out enforcement action on small traders who have no licence or proper premises to run their businesses.

"Once these traders are identified and refered to us, we will offer financial assistance, guidance and some business skills that will enable them to operate their businesses properly and legally," he said.

In addition, he said, they will appoint business consultants for small and medium entrepreneurs to monitor their businesses.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=41709

Nissan_FUGA

April 29th, 2006, 04:33 AM

Handling rate of containers at Sandakan port 'to improve'

Sandakan: The handling rate of containers at the port here will be further improved with the operational of its new shuttle carrier.

Suria Capital Holding Berhad Group Managing Director, Datuk Abu Bakar Haji Abas, expressed his confidence while launching the Kalmar shuttle carrier meant for the Sabah Port Authority (SPA) in Karamunting, Wednesday.

He said the shuttle carrier is part of the RM70 million Sabah Port Sdn Bhd (SPSB) has invested in port machinery in an effort to beef up the port services in Sabah.

Five of the seven units purchased from Finland have been allocated for the Kota Kinabalu port while the rest goes to Sandakan and Tawau, he added. Each of these machines cost RM3 million.

"The container handling rate in K.K. has risen to 15 boxes an hour, as of April 17 this year, and thus surpassing the target rate of 12 boxes per hour and is in contrast to the handling rate of 7.5 boxes per hour for the whole of last year, since these new machines started operation," said Abu Bakar.

While in Sandakan, he said, the efficiency rate has improved to 10 boxes per hour from an average rate of seven boxes per hour in 2005.

Thirteen staff have been trained to handle these modern machinery, he said, adding that with the current going rate it is impossible for them even to surpass their targeted efficiency rate of 12 boxes an hour for this year.

Abu Bakar hope this would also be an impetus to stimulate further business among port users so as to enhance the business environment not only for Sandakan but also for the rest of the state.

"Hopefully, with our active role towards an efficient service provider, Sabah can be turned into a strategic avenue for new investments in the country," he said.

He said to date, SPSB have taken delivery of two mobile harbour cranes, seven empty stackers, four reach stackers and 26 prime movers which are being distributed to the KK, Sandakan and Tawau ports.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=41740

Nissan_FUGA

April 29th, 2006, 12:51 PM

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/6215/cimg20227ap.jpg

one of Sandakan's many sub-centres

Nissan_FUGA

April 30th, 2006, 05:18 AM

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/15/cimg20266is.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

May 1st, 2006, 09:06 AM

Sandakan suburbs,part of it

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7128/cimg51790ru.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/4878/cimg51803re.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/9458/cimg51812di.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/256/cimg51821zs.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/111/cimg51833hy.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/8621/cimg51854pp.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/8800/cimg51873fv.jpg

AFL

May 2nd, 2006, 01:11 PM

The suburbs are much like in Luyang in KK eh? :)

AFL

May 4th, 2006, 01:39 PM

http://www.cuti.com.my/Sub/Sabah/sandakan/sandakan.jpg

aBe

May 4th, 2006, 05:03 PM

Sandakan from Bukit Merdeka

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/abeziel/10d6d774.jpg

Street Level
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/abeziel/0bf642a7.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b315/abeziel/IMGP0838.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

May 4th, 2006, 06:40 PM

http://img436.imageshack.us/img436/6019/1untitled35om.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

May 11th, 2006, 09:10 AM

Another 15-year agreement signed
Sandakan: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia, Asiatic Development Berhad (ADB) and the Sabah Wildlife Department on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continue their conservation partnership in the Kinabatangan for another 15 years.

Under the arrangement, the three parties agreed to achieve a reforestation riverine and wetland habitat through natural regeneration and rehabilitation to enhance the values of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary and Forest Reserves in the lower Kinabatangan area.

The area is now designated to be the site for tree-planing and mixed planting with the existing oil palm trees.

It is hoped the partnership will contribute to the realisation of the Corridor of Life in Kinabatangan and the viability of restoring forest vegetation cover in deforested land will contribute as a model site for rehabilitation work in Sabah, said Dr Rahimatsah Amat, Chief Technical Officer for WWF-Malaysia, Borneo Programme.

According to him, ADB, being one of the pioneer partners in conserving Kinabatangan, was the first oil palm company to set aside about 25 hectares in the Asiatic Layang Estate 1999. This previous agreement allowed WWF-Malaysia to do conservation work under their "Partners for Wetlands (PfW) programme.

"Under this new MoU, ADB has agreed to reserve another 62ha, extending the previous area allowing not only WWF-Malaysia but also the Sabah Wildlife Department to carry out their respective programmes.

"The Sabah Wildlife Department's role, as the State agency authorised to manage the recently gazetted Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, will oversee the management and protection of wildlife in and around the conservation area. All parties will seek to gazette it as a wildlife conservation area led by the department," he said.

WWF-Malaysia also lauded the new partnership and commitment in wildlife conservation in the area, which would serve as a corridor for wildlife movement from the upper part of the main river by giving more space for the species, and also help reduce human-wildlife conflict in the area.

The Lower Kinabatangan is currently the habitat for Sabah flagship species, such as the pygmy elephant, orang-utan and proboscis monkey. The MoU also paves the way for the local community to venture into the tourism industry, he said.

Furthermore, WWF-Malaysia encourages other plantation companies, especially from Sabah, to come forward and voluntarily set aside their area for conservation to make the Corridor of Life and for sustainable development in oil palm industries, he said.

In 2002, the State Government launched the Corridor of Life vision for the Kinabatangan, a forest corridor along both sides of the Kinabatangan River, connecting isolated forest reserves, private plantation lands and the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, from the coastal mangrove swamps to the upland forests.

Such perception would enable wildlife, local communities and economic development thrive and support one another.

SEAfan

May 11th, 2006, 07:58 PM

You are full of news, Nissan Fuga! :)

I absolutely adore the fish market project ... it's beautiful! :banana:

And the story about wetlanst restoration and reforestation fills my heart with joy. :)

Vince

May 12th, 2006, 03:43 AM

Look how clear and clean the air is in Sandakan. Sadly cities like KL or Penang are never like that anymore. Even on clear days, big cities in Malaysia are still hazy, which makes it hard to capture nice pictures. However, with good environmental control and protection, Singapore can still achieve haze-free conditions, and that is more remarkable considering the fact that the city is denser with a bigger population.

Nissan_FUGA

May 14th, 2006, 12:56 PM

Duchess of Kent Hospital, new extension

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6204/cimg46342ou.jpg

95% completed for now

Nissan_FUGA

May 14th, 2006, 06:42 PM

http://img434.imageshack.us/img434/985/sdkpopulation3ig.gif

Nissan_FUGA

May 14th, 2006, 07:11 PM

Sandakan Local Plan:

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5909/sdkplan16og.gif

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/961/sdkroad4he.gif

Nissan_FUGA

May 15th, 2006, 06:42 AM

Sandakan historical photos:

Early 1900's
http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/5171/untitled29ro.gif

1962:
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/7814/sdk19623aw.gif

1990:
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3619/sdk19902sq.gif

2003 (during planning for new urban renewal project):
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1500/shsx4th.gif

baqthier

May 15th, 2006, 10:46 AM

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3619/sdk19902sq.gif

love this view :cool:

Nissan_FUGA

May 15th, 2006, 10:56 AM

love this view :cool:

that photo, 16 years already......hehe, well, for now, u can see there is a 12 acre reclaimed land for development and road linkage has been changed

Nissan_FUGA

May 15th, 2006, 10:59 AM

1950 Sandakan Local Plan
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4867/sdk19506uh.gif

Nissan_FUGA

May 15th, 2006, 11:04 AM

Sandakan couple and son killed by lightning

Sandakan: A couple and their seven-year-old son were killed after being hit by lightning while walking towards the seashore at Kampung Tinusa, off Airport Road, here, Wednesday.

The couple, in their 40s and were residing in the area, were said to have gone fishing when the incident occurred at about 1pm.

It was learnt that a neighbour spotted them floating in the water and alerted the police.

The trio were rushed to the Duchess of Kent Hospital by an ambulance but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Nissan_FUGA

May 15th, 2006, 11:05 AM

RM2.7m for 15 projects in Sandakan
12 May, 2006
Kota Kinabalu: The Rural and Regional Development Ministry has so far allocated at total of RM2.775,175 for 15 development projects in the Sandakan municipality.

These included Program Pembangunan Minda Insan (RM95,000), Program Bantuan Rumah (RM111,440), Program Pembangunan Masyarkat Setempat (RM60,000) and Medan Info Desa (RM380,000).

Its Minister Dato Abdul Aziz Shamsudin told Parliament during Wednesday's sitting in response to a question by Sandakan MP Chong Hon Min.

In 2005, the Ministry allocated RM10,063,550.11 for the implementation of 30 projects in the municipality, of which 27 had been completed with the remainders still being implemented.

The projects included village road projects (RM400,000), rural water supply project (RM1,832,573.19), rural power supply project (RM5,630,750.92), Program Pembangunan Minda Insan (RM45,000), Program Peningkatan Pendapatan (RM76,400), Program Bantuan Rumah (RM139,300), Program Taska (RM279,452), Program Latihan dan Khidmat Nasihat (RM36,444), Program Kemas (RM370,000) and Program Felcra Berhad (RM766,000).

These projects were implemented through the various agencies like JPPS, Sabah PWD, Kemas and Felcra Bhd.

Nissan_FUGA

May 15th, 2006, 11:15 AM

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/5462/untitled35uy.gif

The view of Sandakan town centre from air

Nissan_FUGA

May 27th, 2006, 04:23 AM

Five Sandakan NGOs back MP's bid to join Barisan
23 May, 2006

Sandakan: Several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) here have come out in support of Independent Member of Parliament, Chong Hon Min's application to join the Barisan Nasional (BN) through the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

The NGOs are the Kinabatangan (Memiang) Agricultural Producers Association, Sandakan Hawkers Association, Sabah Widows Welfare Association, Sandakan Rural Agricultural Producers Association and Sandakan Fishing Association.

In a joint statement issued by their respective office bearers here, Monday, they called on the BN leadership to consider his application, adding they were convinced his joining BN would benefit the people of Sandakan at large and boost the people's confidence in BN.

They also noted that Hon Min's application to join BN is mainly to fulfill his election pledge made to the voters during his election campaign, so as to secure more development for his constituency.

"For that we will render our fullest support to Hon Min for he had all this while remained steadfast to his principle and decision to serve his constituents through the BN, which deserves our utmost respect," they said.

"Furthermore, he has always been in good terms with BN leaders."

They also reckoned that Hon Min is an earnest and dedicated politician who never failed to voice out the needs and plight of the people in his constituency, including on issues like the illegal immigrants, constant power and water supply disruption and lack of infrastructure.

Chong's application to join BN through SAPP has become a hotly-debated issue, after it received strong objection from another BN component party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Many political observers in the State noted that such a strong reaction and objection from the LDP was understandable, as their candidate in the last election, Datuk Lau Ngan Siew, was defeated by Hon Min.

LDP has cited BN's policy of not accepting an Independent candidate who stood against a BN candidate in the last election, as their basis for objecting.

Recently, LDP president, Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat stated that even if SAPP is to accept Chong, the Sandakan seat would remain with LDP in the next election as there has been a clear precedent in the past, citing the case of Kudat where after Datuk Kong Hong Ming left LDP for Gerakan, the Kudat seat remained with LDP.

Likewise, when Datuk Michael Lim left PBS for SAPP, his seat did not go to SAPP in the subsequent election.

Sabahkid

May 27th, 2006, 09:11 AM

Hi all,

Thank you Nissan_FUGA for taking the initiative to start this thread to update us on the current scenes & sights in Sandakan! & all u guys who has shared your nice pics & updates abt Sandakan.

As a "die-hard" Sandakanite, will try my best to post some updates to share with u all.

cheers

Sabahkid

May 27th, 2006, 09:26 AM

Near to 1000 participants will take part in the 6th edition of the event to be held first time in East Malaysia.

Malaysia Hash Link (http://www.malaysiannashhash2006.com/index.php)

anyone out there joining the crowds? Heard that almost all hotel rooms in Sandakan are fully booked for these 2 days for the event..... some people r complaining that we do not hav enough hotel.....

cheers

TYW

May 27th, 2006, 11:45 AM

WELCOME TO THE FORUM, SABAHKID !!

Sabahkid

May 27th, 2006, 02:15 PM

here r an article from The Star as well as some photos on this lovely restaurant on top of the hill overlooking downtown Sandakan....

gem on a hillock (http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2005/10/15/lifetravel/12324154&sec=lifetravel)

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/4927/813ju.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/4278/830zg.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

May 27th, 2006, 04:56 PM

Sabahkid

May 28th, 2006, 10:18 AM

that was reported in borneo post before, quite true...but then, this year, i think got one new hotel will be opened in Bandar Indah soon

Just wonder what happen to the plan of building a shopping centre at Indah jaya, at the field when the uk fun fair was held earlier.

Sabahkid

May 28th, 2006, 10:23 AM

this photo was taken 2 yrs back, when reclaimation was still in progress at the area where the new market sits now.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5848/f8353b3a0rm.jpg

Sabahkid

May 29th, 2006, 07:17 AM

The Sydney Morning Herald Lynette Silver is an extraordinary woman. She researched for five years how the Imperial Japanese Army murdered 1787 Australian and 641 British prisoners of war in what was then British North Borneo - now the Malaysian state of Sabah - in 1942-45. Then she wrote a book, Sandakan: A Conspiracy of Silence. It was published in 1998 and reprinted four times. Silver first rang me in August 2003. I first met her, and her husband, Neil, at Sandakan airport a week ago. In between, more than 700 Herald readers donated almost $100,000 to a trust fund for their "windows from the heart" stained-glass memorial in Sandakan's 1890s Anglican stone church.

The reason why the church, is simple.

The first group of Australian 8th Division POWs - numbering 1496,including 145 officers - sent to Sandakan after Singapore's infamous surrender, were shipped from Changi camp on July 8, 1942. They arrived on Borneo's north coast on July 18 and, so popular story says, marched up the hill overlooking the port, singing Waltzing Matilda, and they spent their first night in and around St Michael's Church. Next day they marched to what was called the eight-mile, now to become the infamous Sandakan camp.

Two further POW groups, including 750 Brits and 500 Australians, arrived in April and June, 1943. All were put to work building a nearby military airstrip. The cemetery where dead POWs were buried was on the edge of the airfield, 500 metres from the camp. There is a housing estate being built over it today. So, too, medium-density housing has buried the site of all the Australian POW huts in the camp. And just down the road is the Sandakan Golf and Country Club.

All the dead Australians - more than 1000 were buried at Sandakan - were retrieved, many unidentified, and reburied at Labuan War Cemetery in the late 1940s. The others died during a series of death marches from Sandakan to Ranau, in Borneo's interior, in January-February and May-June, 1945.

The Japanese executed the last prisoners - "only 32 were then alive, six of them unconscious", record the official war histories - 12 days after the war ended on August 15 that year. The Japanese High Command ordered their deaths to cover up the Sandakan atrocities.

Only six of Sandakan's 2434 POWs survived. All six were Australians. All six escaped in the early months of 1945. None is alive today.

Keith Botterill, a Katoomba textile worker when he enlisted, aged 19, in August 1941, was one of them. At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra you'll find a sombre, black-walled room in the building's basement. One wall is spotlit. It is this wall that is covered in row after row after row of small military photos of all 1787 Australian troops who died at Sandakan. It is just the most dramatic, wrenching presentation.

Botterill died of emphysema in January, 1997. In front of the War Memorial's Sandakan wall is a black couch on which you sit, in the quiet gloom, and think of all those dead men and what they went through. A Roll of Honour carrying every name is alongside on the couch. And behind you, suddenly, Keith Botterill's voice will be heard, telling you the terrible stories of what happened in Sandakan 60 years ago.

You leave the room shaking.

Sandakan is one of the least known - and commemorated - wartime atrocities. Politicians never go there. The former colonial coastal town, now a small city of 300,000 people, is in the middle of nowhere. So is the POW Memorial Park that embraces only a sliver of what was the infamous Sandakan camp.

There were 69 of us there this Anzac Day from various parts of Australia, and some even from Britain. They came for the dedication of the remembrance windows on the Sunday and the private Anzac Day service on Monday. There wasn't a politician anywhere. What bliss! Only family of 36 of the dead POWs, including three Brits, plus pilgrims and family friends commemorating them all.

At the church on the hill, too, is a leather-bound honour roll of the names and units of all 2428 Sandakan dead, as well as an honour roll of the names of the 700-plus donors to Lynette Silver's windows appeal. Not a cent of public money went into it. Not a politician's name attaches to it. All of it from the heart of family and friends and old diggers, and a couple of generous corporate sponsors.

What we did get was an honour guard of five Australian soldiers who came from Darwin. The Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur organised their presence, heads bowed, at the Sandakan Park's stark, black granite memorial plinth, three metres tall, with its only inscription: "In remembrance of all those who suffered and died here, on the death marches and at Ranau." It is a very moving memorial. It's beauty is enhanced because no politician's plaque sullies it.

We put wreaths and cards and flowers at its base. We burnt gum leaves - because that's what the Australian POWs apparently did to remind them of home. We honoured the roll call of family members who came forward, one by one, in their 60s, 70s and 80s, to get their Rising Sun army badge in memory of their dead loved one. And we listened to Lynette Silver make a speech to leave any politician, John Howard most of all, discomfited and embarrassed.

I have edited what she said. Read it and you'll understand why her words should reach more than just our small Anzac Day gathering so far off in the stifling jungle green of that hallowed yet terrible place:

"I am honoured to join you at this very special Anzac commemoration. Nothing has ever stopped Australians remembering our country's young men who gave their lives for the rest of us, not even war itself. Throughout capitivity in Sandakan, our POWs kept up the tradition, begun in 1916 on the battlefields of France, by holding their Anzac services beneath the Big Tree, right here, on the very spot where we are now standing.

"Traditionally on Anzac Day we focus on gallantry and sacrifice. The heroism I want to talk about does not earn medals. It is not glorious. It does not inspire poets. It does inspire me. It is long-term heroism - relentless, unflinching, and unyielding. The kind exhibited by those we honour today - your fathers and grandfathers, your brothers, uncles, cousins and friends. The kind of heroism which sustained POWs through years of unspeakable depravity and deprivation.

"The 'don't-let-the-bastards-grind-us-down' kind of heroism. The heroism which enabled emaciated, starving men to march 250 kilometres across some of the most inhospitable terrain anywhere. The heroism which saw those who could not keep up shake hands with their mates, knowing the killing squad was on its way. The heroism which sustained those still at Sandakan, and those in the Ranau jungle camps, until the very last of them faced, with great valour, their executions 12 days after the war had ended.

"It is hard for us, in the year 2005, to imagine what it must have been like 60 years ago for those men forced to endure circumstances so dreadful as to defy the scope of normal human experience. This simple, granite memorial, close to where the Big Tree stood, is like the men it commemorates - unpretentious and undeniably tough. The words inscribed on it are minimal. They remind those who seek self-glorification that memorials celebrate the dead, not immortalise the living.

"Yet we do not need a memorial to remind us of our loss.

"For many, today may be your first chance to really express your grief; the memorial service you never held, the funeral you never attended, the personal act of remembrance you never took part in. You may have come here with heavy hearts, but do not let sorrow overwhelm you. Be inspired by their gallantry and determination. Remember, all of you, these men never gave up. They may have been forced to surrender their bodies, but never their will, never their indomitable spirit. All were heroes. Honour them with pride. They deserve no less."

Knocks you over, doesn't it?

It did me.

I'll tell you something else that knocked me over. Perhaps 100 metres inside the Sandakan Memorial Park - no bigger than two hectares, at most - is a quite ugly little memorial a metre tall with inscriptions on all four sides. Every political and RSL Tom, Dick and Harry seems to have his name on it. Nothing, to this eye, was more obscene than the large brass plaque on one side, that began, under a dominating RSL logo:

"The concept of the Sandakan War Memorial Park/was the idea of/BRUCE C. RUXTON OBE/Deputy National President, RSL/ State President - RSL - Victoria/JUNE HEALY OAM/ Deputy National Secretary - RSL/A.D. APOSTOL, ADK, BSK, BK/ honorary architect."

The names of the six Sandakan survivors are right down the bottom. Can't beat them, can you? The Ruxton memorial was dedicated, in his presence in 1986, by a local Malaysian politician. It ought to have a bulldozer put through it. It's quite grubby compared with the simple granite plinth, on the top of the wooded rise, which was dedicated in March 1999, on the site of the Big Tree, the POWs' meeting place, by the Nationals' Bruce Scott, at the time the relevant junior services minister. Scott had the good grace not to insist on the graffiti of his name. Ruxton, unfortunately, doesn't know the meaning of the word.

Lest we forget.

Nissan_FUGA

May 29th, 2006, 10:55 AM

Just wonder what happen to the plan of building a shopping centre at Indah jaya, at the field when the uk fun fair was held earlier.

rumours said that once the developer has their investment break even, they would build it..........again just a talk, the new Giant Hypermarket in Bandar Utama would steal the show, this year........hehe, as it is the only one in East Malaysia

Nissan_FUGA

May 29th, 2006, 12:47 PM

yesterday's borneo post:

malay article:

"menjelang penghujung tahun 2006, Tawau, Labuan, Sandakan dan Tuaran akan juga diliputi dengan Data Tambahan untuk GSM Evolution (EDGE) sebagai salah satu usaha syarikat untuk membawa perkhidmatan maklumat yang berkelajuan tinggi ke kawasan terpencil."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

well, basicly, Sandakan will have EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) soon, it is officially known as 3G technology (just by definition in ITU) which could offer 384 kbps (max)

Nissan_FUGA

May 29th, 2006, 04:16 PM

Duchess of Kent Hospital, new extension

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/2913/cimg52325wd.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

May 29th, 2006, 04:59 PM

Utama Place to be launched tomorrow

SANDAKAN: IJM Properties Sdn Bhd’s latest housing project, The Utama Place, at Taman Utama, a vital component of the integrated commercial development in Bandar Utama, will be launched Saturday.

The six blocks of 48 shop-offices to be built on an eight-acre site next to Wisma IJM at Mile Six Jalan Utara here are expected to be completed by 2007.

Regional Manager Patrick K.H Oye said Taman Utama would be transformed into one of the biggest modern satellite townships in the municipality when its 338 acres are fully developed by 2010.

He said there would be 3,000 buildings, including a 200-room hotel, a 100,000 sq ft super store, retail outlets occupying an area of 160,000 sq ft, two office blocks, playground and public leisure square, among others.

Its strategic location given the presence of government administration offices, schools and several housing estates will also provide ample business opportunities apart from a conducive living environment.

The access road network will also be upgraded to enhance rapid development in the area, he added.

IJM Properties, a subsidiary of IJM Corporation Bhd, has achieved the prestigious ISO 9002 certification through its quality and reliability track record over the last 15 years.

Utama Court:
http://www.mypixel.biz/ijm_sandakan/ijm-utama_court_playground.jpg

http://www.mypixel.biz/ijm_sandakan/ijm-utama_court_aerial-View.jpg

http://www.mypixel.biz/ijm_sandakan/ijm-utama_court_entrance.jpg

Sabahkid

May 30th, 2006, 02:12 AM

Nissan_FUGA

May 30th, 2006, 06:49 AM

Senheng opens in Kota Kinabalu, expects 35% rise in revenue

KOTA KINABALU: Having set a foothold in East Malaysia with the opening of its first concept megastore in Sabah, leading electrical chain retail operator Senheng Electric (KL) Sdn Bhd is projecting a 35% increase in turnover this year.

Senheng managing director Lim Kim Heng said the company had targeted a RM420mil turnover for 2006 compared to the the RM320mil it achieved last year.

“We are anticipating business volume of RM18mil a year from each of our 16 senQ Digital Station concept stores,” he said.

Lim said this after opening Senheng’s 16th senQ store by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat at the Komplex Karamunsing shopping centre here recently.

Lim said with operations at the RM4mil megastore measuring 1,400 sq m now in full swing, Senheng was gearing to invest another RM20mil in another 10 outlets in Sabah.

“We are looking at five more stores for Kota Kinabalu and the remainder for the east coast towns of Sandakan and Tawau,” he added.

He said that Senheng was also set to expand operations in Sarawak was scouting for retail space in Kuching and Miri.

Lim said his company, which operated 80 outlets in the Peninsula under the Senheng and senQ brand, decided to spread its wings to Sabah first as it felt the state was an “untapped” market.

Nissan_FUGA

May 30th, 2006, 06:52 AM

Agreed that Batu 6 will be the next "big thing" in Sandakan. But just feel that if only they have an institute of higher learning planned for the site, or maybe a high quality medical centre within their site, then it will not only "complete" the whole bandar utama, but will also plug the service gap currently lacking in Sandakan.

Of course, purely personal opinion, no market research done. :)

here's the news...

TARC studying land offers for Sabah campus

KOTA KINABALU: The location of the permanent campus of Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC) in Sabah will likely be decided upon before the end of the year.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Ong Ka Chuan said a decision on the matter would have to be made soon to enable an expansion of the TARC Sabah campus that had been operating at the Kian Kok Middle School here since 2002.

“The situation is a bit cramped. We cannot offer more courses as we have no space for additional facilities apart from the existing lecture rooms,” he said after presenting scrolls to 99 graduands at the TARC Sabah campus' third convocation here yesterday.

He said MCA had been receiving numerous offers for land to accommodate the Sabah campus and the college’s board was carefully screening them.

“Sabah is a big state and so we have to choose the most strategic location and any decision will affect the future of TARC in Sabah,” he said, adding that this was important as it was the college’s first and only campus in East Malaysia.

Ong said offers for the permanent campus site included land near here and in the east coast district of Sandakan.

He said a decision on the permanent campus site would have to be made quickly to enable the college board to plan for infrastructure and facilities.

“With a full fledged campus, the college can offer courses similar to those available at the main campus in Setapak. This will be in line with our Lifelong Learning Campaign,” Ong added.

Earlier in his address at the convocation, Ong said he was satisfied with the steady growth of the TARC campus that had started out with only 36 students to the present enrolment of 267.

“This achievement reflects the rising demand for quality education that the college can offer, the excellent graduates the college produces, as well as the hard work on the part of its management, academic and support staff,” he added.

Nissan_FUGA

May 30th, 2006, 06:55 AM

Digi to upgrade network in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd will upgrade its network in Sabah, to reach 70% of the state by the end of the year.

Its head of segment marketing, Yohani Yusof, said the company, which came here in 1995, currently covers about 50% of the state and hopes to provide better coverage in the state’s top tourist destinations.

Digi will improve its network in areas like Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kota Marudu, Beaufort and Sipitang.

As part of its plan to bring high-speed data services to areas still lacking in coverage, Yohani said Digi would cover Tawau, Labuan, Sandakan and Tuaran with improved GSM Evolution (EDGE) services.

“As a leading telecommunications provider, we want to keep challenging ourselves to provide better services for our customers, “ she said.

Nissan_FUGA

May 30th, 2006, 07:05 AM

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/4/24/business/b_18lai.jpg

Lai Voon Hon at the company's Sandakan Harbour Square.

Source:The Star

Nissan_FUGA

May 30th, 2006, 12:57 PM

Town Square @ Sandakan Harbour Square

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/gfx/big_vibrant.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

May 30th, 2006, 07:39 PM

http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/5782/suntitled36cl.gif

Nissan_FUGA

June 3rd, 2006, 08:37 AM

Giant Hypermarket Sandakan construction

taken on 3/6/2006

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/2019/cimg52659oi.jpg

Sabahkid

June 3rd, 2006, 02:08 PM

Nissan_FUGA

June 5th, 2006, 10:14 AM

Judging from the photo, it doesnt look like the hypermart is going to open end of this yr, dont u think so?

anyway will IJM build a new 4-lane carriageway from the current Batu 6 traffic light, passing thru Giant n extend all the way to the new Jalan Lintas Sibuga?

it will be completed this year for sure, since they are doing their construction in round-the-clock basis.....means 24 hours, all day construction...

about the road....here's the map:
http://www.ijmproperties.com/global/php-bin/include/gd/gd.php?gd=2&src=http://webadmin.ijmproperties.com/img/project/80.jpg&maxw=500

Sabahkid

June 6th, 2006, 07:05 AM

Any sign that the new by-pass will be built to connect bandar utama to sibuga & at the same time ease the current traffic congestion along Jalan Sibuga?

Nissan_FUGA

June 7th, 2006, 04:25 AM

Nissan_FUGA

June 7th, 2006, 04:32 AM

Any sign that the new by-pass will be built to connect bandar utama to sibuga & at the same time ease the current traffic congestion along Jalan Sibuga?

i dunno, but i hope they build it though.......well, later...when the construction of the new by-pass from airport to BDC, i think it would create a new growth area in the north side of the North Road

Sabahkid

June 7th, 2006, 07:08 AM

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/sdkfest_08.jpg
Sandakan Harbour Square model (1)

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/gfx/big_harbourmall.jpg
Sandakan Harbour Square model (2)

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/sdkfest_03.jpg
Sandakan Harbour Square model (3)

i wonder why they made so many design proposals for SHS, especially around the mall and hotel building design....maybe they want to optimise space?

Seems like what is shown on those pic (artist impression) does not tally with the model on displayed.

Anyway, the construction for the mall & hotel can only start after the exisitng market is relocated to the new one. So probably they wil have till Aug or Sep to firm up the design based on current "market sendiment"?

cheers

Nissan_FUGA

June 7th, 2006, 12:55 PM

Seems like what is shown on those pic (artist impression) does not tally with the model on displayed.

Anyway, the construction for the mall & hotel can only start after the exisitng market is relocated to the new one. So probably they wil have till Aug or Sep to firm up the design based on current "market sendiment"?

cheers

the mall construction will start first, i think....

well, here is the information about the hotel in the Sandakan Harbour Square website....

Hotel and Convention Centre
Ideally situated by the Harbour's waterfront , this prestigious 5 star hotel offers 800 lavishly appointed guestrooms and suites which are generous in size, furnished and decorated with classic elegance, some of which provide picturesque views overlooking the Sandakan Harbour Square's waterfront.

With sophisticated interiors and impeccable attention to detail, the hotel will be one of Sandakan Harbour Square's premier meeting spots. Both the hotel and mall will be linked to an international-class convention centre which comes equipped with modern facilities, making it the ideal place for conventions, meetings and conferences.

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/about/features.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------

wah!! 800 rooms?! imagine the height of the hotel building since the land area for that building is quite small in my opinion

Nissan_FUGA

June 9th, 2006, 04:00 AM

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/132/cimg52786nz.jpg

dated: 3.1.2006

this hotel design....nice?

Nissan_FUGA

June 9th, 2006, 08:43 AM

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/121/hm11ih.gif

Sabahkid

June 9th, 2006, 05:55 PM

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/132/cimg52786nz.jpg

dated: 3.1.2006

this hotel design....nice?

i personally prefer the model 2 design....

Nissan_FUGA

June 9th, 2006, 06:20 PM

i personally prefer the model 2 design....

yeah...........looks dynamic and fresh but i prefer the boxy design because it looks taller, haha....anyway, got a news report from See Hua Daily News dated 8/6/2006.......SHS phase 2 will start its construction in october this year, consists of a 5 star hotel and a shopping centre.........combined cost of about RM 180 million

Nissan_FUGA

June 10th, 2006, 05:26 AM

Over RM1m revenue from S'Kan Harbour Square
30 January 2005 (News Article courtesy of New Sabah Times)

KOTA KINABALU:The state government stands to earn more than RM1 million in assessment rates from properties located at the Sandakan Harbour Square.
There will also be additional revenue from rental fees for the 1,400 stalls at the proposed new central market.

Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Haji Hajiji Haji Mohd Noor said the completion of the square will transform the Sandakan sea-front and give a much needed face-lift to the coastal town once popularly known as "Little Hong Kong".

The RM200 million joint development project between Ireka-Charng Sheng Development Sdn Bhd and the Sandakan Municipal Council is on a 4.8 hectare of existing and reclaimed land.
"This is what privatization and a win-win situation should be all about," he said in his speech that was read by his assistant, Edward Yong Oui Fah.

The text of his speech was delivery at the sales launch ceremony of the Sandakan Harbour Square shop-offices held at the Sutera Harbour Resort here Friday.

"As the Minister of Local Government and Housing, I have been following with keen interest this project. I am impressed that the project has progressed so fast even though I required having to fill and reclaim 10 acres of the construct a sea wall." Hajiji said.

He added that the state government had alienated the 4.8-hectare site to the council for the joint development project.

Construction for phase I comprising shop lots is well underway while piling work for the new central market will start soon.

The shop offices with the pedestrian mall and seaside esplanade and the Harbour Square are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

In exchange, Sandakan Municipal Council will get a new fish jetty and modern 3-storey 187,000 sq ft central market designed to accommodate 1,400 stalls.

Sabahkid

June 10th, 2006, 01:22 PM

yeah...........looks dynamic and fresh but i prefer the boxy design because it looks taller, haha....anyway, got a news report from See Hua Daily News dated 8/6/2006.......SHS phase 2 will start its construction in october this year, consists of a 5 star hotel and a shopping centre.........combined cost of about RM 180 million

any news who would be the anchor tenants? n who will operate the hotel? 800 rooms i think are a bit too much haha......

Nissan_FUGA

June 10th, 2006, 02:58 PM

any news who would be the anchor tenants? n who will operate the hotel? 800 rooms i think are a bit too much haha......

no news about it yet........but personally, i think since IREKA operates the Westin in KL...........i think the Sandakan 5 star hotel could be that brand....who knows?

Nissan_FUGA

June 11th, 2006, 04:23 PM

Giant Hypermarket Sandakan construction update (11/6/2006)

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/5024/cimg54797gs.jpg

Sabahkid

June 13th, 2006, 09:44 AM

seems like too much focus on Giant & SHS haha...

How abt the old capital cinema? passed by last month, works were in progress for sometimes if i'm not wrong. They even torn down the bowling alley.... any idea what's going on there?

Nissan_FUGA

June 13th, 2006, 03:01 PM

Nissan_FUGA

June 13th, 2006, 05:47 PM

Sandakan developments and construction (proposed/ rumoured/ on going)

Town Centre:
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/1939/sdk17pc.jpg

BDC, Elopura
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5144/sdk23rg.jpg

Mile 4
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1029/sdk30my.jpg

Mile 6
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/5413/sdk46ae.jpg

Mile 7,8
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8113/sdk52rx.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

June 13th, 2006, 06:07 PM

Sunset in Selingan Island, Sandakan

http://www.asiatravelling.net/malaysia/sabah/images/sabah_sunset_selingan_island_sandakan.jpg

Gomantong Caves, Sandakan

http://www.asiatravelling.net/malaysia/sabah/images/sabah_gomantong_caves_sandakan.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

June 19th, 2006, 03:50 PM

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/5448/1untitled51hm.gif

Nissan_FUGA

June 24th, 2006, 03:14 PM

Latest developments..
note: the photo taken was not clear due to the moving vehicle

1) Sandakan Northern Ring Road
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3994/cimg56335kq.jpg

2) Housing and private hospital project
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/2198/cimg56312ox.jpg
this is interesting since the operator of this hospital rumours to be from the KL Tung Shin Hospital.......

Sabahkid

June 25th, 2006, 03:46 AM

may i know where is that private hospital project?

Heard that the northern ring road will open in 2 phases, the 1st will be from the jalan airport roundabout to jalan lintas selatan mile 4, the second will be from mile 4 to sim sim highway.

travellator

June 25th, 2006, 04:45 AM

Nissan_FUGA

June 25th, 2006, 06:03 AM

Nissan_FUGA

June 25th, 2006, 06:09 AM

good updates nissan fuga and sabahkid, sandakan is now rising again with so many projects, question...what is the population of sandakan and tawau, what is the major revenue source for these towns now. we dont get much news from the east coast of sabah u guys r cool keeping us updated :okay:

about the population.......in the 2000 census...

sandakan: 368,916
tawau : 322,705

current population count, dunno yet

but sources put sandakan population in 2005 is around 450,000 or 500,000
in 2020, sandakan population may grow to 1.13 million based from government projections

about revenue and economy activity.....i believe both of these towns depends on palm oil, although there is distinctions between these town activities, for example...sandakan does rely on tourism sector and also, timber more than tawau, tawau has cocoa plantation activities

Sabahkid

June 25th, 2006, 06:18 AM

Nissan_FUGA

June 25th, 2006, 06:20 AM

According to the population census 2000, the population fig for Skan & Tawau are 368,916 and 322,705 respectively.

by now, both shd be near to 450,000 based on the estimated growth rate of 3% annually.

cheers

well, the population projection for sandakan and tawau is interesting........

coz in 2020...it is like this....

Sandakan : 1,130,000 (government projection)
Tawau : 500,000 (not sure, i might seen it in Daily Express)

Nissan_FUGA

June 25th, 2006, 06:36 AM

from www.atsa.com.my

exact link - http://www.atsa.com.my/enews_april05.htm

it is actually a newsletter

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings to our readers,
For this month's e-News, we are featuring the final series of the new generation houses that will be to some extend, influence house design in Malaysia in the next 5 to 10 years. Although, there will certainly be many other modern interpretation of the new generation of tropical houses, we find that the Contemporary Tropical vernacular style will be the most popular. The design however, will undergo many variation which will use modern element (i.e. straight and clean lines) together with the distinctive tropical vernacular roof form.

The example we used in our e-News is taken from a new gated housing community master plan for Taman Utama in Sandakan, Sabah.

Garden Villa

http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-75c.gif
Master Plan of Taman Utama Sandakan

http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-76b.gif
Master Plan Garden Villa units

http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-06.gif
http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-15.gif
http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-34.gif
http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-45.gif
http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-53.gif
http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-63.gif
http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-66.gif
http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/april05-71.gif

Nissan_FUGA

June 25th, 2006, 04:31 PM

for the size of sandakan's population.......... it is ironic that sandakan has no proper shopping mall.....anyway here's the list of shopping mall that is proposed or will be in construction....

1) 204,000 square feet Sandakan Harbour Mall (construction will start in October this year)
http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/gfx/big_mall.jpg
http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/gfx/big_harbourmall.jpg

2) 160,000 square feet retail outlet (part of IJM's Taman Utama Masterplan)

SANDAKAN: IJM Properties Sdn Bhd’s latest housing project, The Utama Place, at Taman Utama, a vital component of the integrated commercial development in Bandar Utama, will be launched Saturday.

The six blocks of 48 shop-offices to be built on an eight-acre site next to Wisma IJM at Mile Six Jalan Utara here are expected to be completed by 2007.

Regional Manager Patrick K.H Oye said Taman Utama would be transformed into one of the biggest modern satellite townships in the municipality when its 338 acres are fully developed by 2010.

He said there would be 3,000 buildings, including a 200-room hotel, a 100,000 sq ft super store, retail outlets occupying an area of 160,000 sq ft, two office blocks, playground and public leisure square, among others.

3) Bandar Indah Mall (hehe, just on the signboard so far...)

Sabahkid

June 26th, 2006, 03:57 PM

Nissan_FUGA

June 26th, 2006, 04:04 PM

in the late 80s, Wisma Sandakan used to be the premier shopping place in town......but with poor maintenance & no upgrading or refurbishment after these 20+ years, the place looks a bit run down these days.....quite sad.

shopping centre may provide convenience for people to shop for what they want all under one roof, but I'm totally against the idea of building shopping centres as a tourist attraction. I think we'll have lost it if we keep buiding shopping centres for the aim of more tourists.

cheers

sandakan harbour mall is different story, it would be managed by Hektar Group, which they do manage Subang Parade and Mahkota Parade....so, it wouldn't be the same as Wisma Sandakan...

any mall would attract tourist for sure, the most important thing, is that they have vision for long term competitiveness of a mall.......

anyway, i saw this photo

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/ckkvisit_01.jpg

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/ckkvisit_07.jpg

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/ckkvisit_08.jpg

i like this design very much compared to other proposal, looks tall....if they pick this design, the building might as well to be the tallest in Sandakan, maybe more than 20 stories high for sure, compared to Wisma Khoo Siak Chiew, which is 18 stories high

Sabahkid

June 28th, 2006, 05:21 AM

Remember i saw the model displayed at the ground floor of MPS building.... maybe can go take a look how many sty it is :)

Nissan_FUGA

June 28th, 2006, 11:59 AM

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/6956/ckkvisit0124tj.jpg

well, i count it from the side of the building.....still, if they want to have 800 rooms, i dont think it's enough, realistically, the land for that building is small, maybe 1 acre, so....if they want to have 800 rooms......maybe that building is far higher than this one

Sabahkid

June 28th, 2006, 01:03 PM

maybe someone shd suggest to them to build one higher than the 32 sty Yayasan Sabah building? :)

Nissan_FUGA

June 28th, 2006, 01:52 PM

maybe someone shd suggest to them to build one higher than the 32 sty Yayasan Sabah building? :)

haha, u ask lah......lol, if that is possible, the sdk skyline is very different liao

Nissan_FUGA

June 29th, 2006, 12:58 PM

Giant Hypermarket Sandakan construction update (28/6/2006)

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3773/cimg56686mv.jpg

Sabahkid

June 29th, 2006, 02:08 PM

Hi,

u took the shot from Taman Tyng? jus a pity that it was partially obscured. but progress seems fast, already reached 3rd sty.

szehoong

June 30th, 2006, 03:06 AM

Great updates and pics! :okay:

Nissan_FUGA

June 30th, 2006, 07:18 AM

Hi,

u took the shot from Taman Tyng? jus a pity that it was partially obscured. but progress seems fast, already reached 3rd sty.

haha, yeah.........that's the easiest spot to take photo of that hypermarket.....once it opens, i think the Servay Hypermarket business would be affected

Nissan_FUGA

June 30th, 2006, 03:58 PM

Gentingmas Mall @ Sandakan Harbour Square
(actually it is just a supermarket/ superstore)

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/jan_05.jpg
when it was still under construction....

the photos below are my own.......
http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/2342/photo01449zo.jpg
this was taken 4 months ago........at that time, those floors were not opened yet...

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6039/photo01459ss.jpg

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/226/photo01436rh.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 1st, 2006, 08:21 AM

Sandakan's benchmark township............Bandar Utama

here's the construction photos...........

Giant Hypermarket Sandakan construction update (1/7/2006)

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/5499/cimg56988bl.jpg

Bandar Utama/ Utama Place construction

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/3395/cimg56999xt.jpg
http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/8201/cimg57028bs.jpg
http://img433.imageshack.us/img433/9264/cimg57032gd.jpg
http://img433.imageshack.us/img433/2297/cimg57043hs.jpg

Developer's headquarter
http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/7881/cimg57059mg.jpg

Artist impressions and prosposals

Utama place shoplot artist impressions
http://www.atsa.com.my/images/image92.jpg
http://www.atsa.com.my/images/image93.jpg
http://www.atsa.com.my/commercial/images/com_pro53.jpg
http://www.atsa.com.my/commercial/images/com_pro51.jpg
Dataran Sandakan, it is a public park
http://www.atsa.com.my/enews/may05-23.jpg

Sabahkid

July 1st, 2006, 01:13 PM

Nissan_FUGA

July 1st, 2006, 01:18 PM

yeah, they should......the old bus stop is also a distraction in terms of parking

few weeks ago....i heard from someone that the airport maybe shifted to Mile 12...dunno it's true or not

Sabahkid

July 1st, 2006, 01:48 PM

yeah, they should......the old bus stop is also a distraction in terms of parking

few weeks ago....i heard from someone that the airport maybe shifted to Mile 12...dunno it's true or not

shifting the airport? seriously, i dun see the rationale in this, although upgrading exisiting facilities are definitely welcomed.

Nissan_FUGA

July 1st, 2006, 01:55 PM

shifting the airport? seriously, i dun see the rationale in this, although upgrading exisiting facilities are definitely welcomed.

lol, if they want to make a new airport or upgrading it..........one thing that i dont want to see is the new airport has KLIA design, too many copies of it in malaysia

anyway, the airport shift is just a rumour........let's see, time will tell...hehe

now im at least happy that our 'nature city' has some developments over the years...haha

Sabahkid

July 1st, 2006, 02:22 PM

Nissan_FUGA

July 1st, 2006, 04:05 PM

i think we can do without a need for a new airport for now. We shd make full use of the limited resources to improve our power & water supply, n perhaps with the help of oil palm industry position ourselves as the commercial hub of the state.

sometimes, there r projects that don't attract any attention, but is crucial to the further dev of the district, but some with much fancy but act not much benefit to the economy in the long term.

ya, we can do without a new airport.....but the most important thing is, we must improve our utilities and infrastructure, especially electric, water and road linkage.....

electric.........this one haunts SDK for long time, especially mile 4.....i wonder if the mobile power barge does help the situation or not

water.......since in ninth malaysian plan, they got Sandakan Water Project phase 2........i guess we just need to wait for the effect to trickle...

road......until the new road is completed, the existing road is disappointing.....how can a city with more than 400,000 population depends on one single main road? Jalan Utara/ North Road is too loaded, they should add one more lane..........well, we just need to wait for the new road (Airport to Sim-Sim) to be completed.....with that road, development can be spread out evenly to new areas

Nissan_FUGA

July 2nd, 2006, 02:37 AM

Sandakan Harbour Square shop office interior

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/gfx/big_shopinterior.jpg

Eastern_Tea

July 3rd, 2006, 02:04 AM

Nissan_FUGA

July 4th, 2006, 09:27 AM

CM demands SESB do something about Sabah's blackouts

Sandakan: Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman officially expressed his frustration over the regular blackouts in Sabah, particularly in the district, and has directed the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) to come up with measures to improve the situation.

"The State Government views this problem seriously. I myself will ask the SESB management to submit to the Government what measures need to be taken to improve the situation and what are their long-term plans for solving the power interruption problem in Sabah," he said.

He told reporters this after holding a discussion with staff of the utility company at his Sri Libaran residence, Sunday.

Musa and the other elected representatives had actually called the SESB management to come and explain the matter but the Managing Director of SESB Abu Safian Talib was not present.

Musa, however, assured the district dwellers that he and the other elected representatives would meet with Abu Safian and other SESB management leaders in Kota Kinabalu later Sunday to determine the development of the utility services in Sabah and what actions had or will be taken.

Power interruptions are frequent in Sandakan with the latest on Saturday lasting for five hours. The district dwellers are particularly not happy because it happened so suddenly.

The problem has resulted in residents cynically attributing the situation to declaring the township "Bandaraya Alam Semulajadi (The Nature City)".

Several businessmen have filed a suit against the utility company through the elected representatives, who are also getting the blame from the rakyat for the problem.

Meanwhile, Musa said elected representatives must create job opportunities for the rakyat in their respective constituencies through the agriculture sector such as caged-fish rearing.

"This is to ensure that people in their area can improve their economy," he said when launching the joint annual general meeting of Libaran Umno branches at the multi-purpose hall in Kampung Gum-Gum Mile 16, here Sunday.

He said the elected representatives need to identify areas suitable to be developed for caged-fish breeding particularly in fishing villages.

"We also have vast idle land that can be developed for agriculture," he said, adding that the Rural Development Ministry would provide assistance.

In this respect, he urged the people not to sell their land because by developing the land they can get better revenue that can be passed down to their children.

Nissan_FUGA

July 4th, 2006, 10:05 AM

by the way, yesterday heard from someone that Guardian pharmacy is coming to sandakan through Giant Hypermarket..........so, let's hope that it is true..

Sabahkid

July 4th, 2006, 12:35 PM

by the way, yesterday heard from someone that Guardian pharmacy is coming to sandakan through Giant Hypermarket..........so, let's hope that it is true..

both giant & Guardian are under the Daily Farm group, so quite possible.

sc4

July 4th, 2006, 01:52 PM

both giant & Guardian are under the Daily Farm group, so quite possible.
Yeah Dairy Farm group. Most Giant outlets here incorporates Guardian into their outlets

Nissan_FUGA

July 5th, 2006, 12:29 AM

SHS update (1/7/2006)

Central Market construction (2nd phase/ Phase 1B)

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2336/cimg57187oo.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9484/cimg57172is.jpg

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/4804/cimg57209ud.jpg

Esplanade road and retail shoplot

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2048/cimg57191hm.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 5th, 2006, 01:07 AM

Latest developments...

A clearer photo of the private hospital project

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3358/cimg57150wg.jpg

Taman Anggerik shopoffice

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/3821/cimg57169wa.jpg

New township project @ Mile 4 (the land in front of Bandar Indah)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4864/cimg57065tp.jpg

Sabahkid

July 6th, 2006, 01:48 PM

new township in front of bandar indah?? u mean along Jalan Cecily North?

Nissan_FUGA

July 7th, 2006, 06:42 AM

new township in front of bandar indah?? u mean along Jalan Cecily North?

it's the land beside the Yu Yuan secondary school

Nissan_FUGA

July 7th, 2006, 10:39 AM

from The Borneo Post....

Sandakan to be education hub in eastern part of Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: The state government has identified a 480ha site at 7th Mile Sandakan for the setting up of institutions of higher learning and training centres in a move to turn Sandakan into an education hub in the eastern part of Sabah.

In disclosing this, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said at present, most of the institutions of higher learning in the state, including Universiti Malaysia Sabah, were concentrated in Kota Kinabalu, and that it was high time the education focus be shifted to Sandakan.

"That's why we (State Government) are providing the land.
This centre for academic excellence will not only cater for students in Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau but also students from interior areas.

"If everything goes well, the centre will start operations at the end of this year," he told reporters after attending the graduation ceremony of Pusat Teknologi dan Pengurusan Lanjutan Sabah here yesterday.

Musa said the response was encouraging to the proposed education hub as at least four or five institutions including Tunku Abdul Rahman College and Mara Junior Science College had indicated their willingness to establish branch campuses in the designated area soon.

Asked whether special incentives would be offered to institutions of higher learning to set up branch campuses in Sandakan, he said the state Government was willing to discuss the matter.

"We may offer land at a cheaper price and we will provide basic infrastructures like water and electricity," he said.

Musa also invited PTPL to open up its branch campus in Sandakan to help the state Government to produce more graduates especially in specialised and critical fields.

Earlier, in his speech, Musa urged graduates not to be job-chossy.

"Graduates should not aim to hold positions in government only. They must change their mentality and try to venture into other jobs," he added.

Sabahkid

July 7th, 2006, 01:47 PM

The Star:

KOTA KINABALU: The Government has put on hold its plan to set up teaching hospitals at six universities offering medical courses due to financial constraints, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.

He stressed that the plan was not shelved but would be considered when there was available funds in the future.

He said of the nine universities offering medical courses, six, including University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), were keen to set up teaching hospital colleges. The remaining three already have teaching hospitals.

“In the meantime, the universities will work with government hospitals. UMS already has a tie-up with Queen Elizabeth Hospital,” he told reporters during a visit to UMS where he opened the Students Services Centre.

He said his ministry and the Health Ministry were working together on the matter, including working out proper medical programmes for the students to learn at the hospital.

On a question raised in Parliament two days ago over the 70% unemployment rate among Malaysian university graduates, he said some of the “unemployed” graduates were already working but looking for better-paying jobs.

Mustapa said that there were three different figures on unemployment – from the Statistics Department, M-10 as well as the Human Resources Department.

“These figures need to be analysed,” he added.

However, the minister said, the Government was serious about the unemployment problem among graduates and a committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was looking into the matter.

Mustapa earlier said that UMS would receive RM644mil for the setting-up of its agriculture faculty in Sandakan, among other development and operational costs.

Suddenly so many institution of higher learning wanna open in Sandakan? n where in mile 7 got such a big piece of land? behind Taman Utama?

:)

Nissan_FUGA

July 7th, 2006, 04:28 PM

The Star:

Suddenly so many institution of higher learning wanna open in Sandakan? n where in mile 7 got such a big piece of land? behind Taman Utama?

:)

Well, finally Sandakan got what it deserves for......a higher learning facility.....

em, Mile 7 i am not sure.........but Mile 10, ok lah...

Nissan_FUGA

July 7th, 2006, 04:40 PM

Land identified for Sandakan edu hub
Kota Kinabalu: The State Government has earmarked about 1,200 acres to be developed as an educational hub for five colleges that have expressed interest to establish campuses in Sandakan.

Land clearing of the site at Mile 7 Labuk Road is expected to commence by end of the year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. The Sandakan branches would provide opportunities to students in the east coast in their quest for higher learning pursuits.

The Government was prepared to negotiate on land costs besides providing necessary infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supplies and basic amenities, he said.

These colleges would be able to cater to the thousands of students who would otherwise have to venture to Kota Kinabalu "which is already congested", he said.

Parents also would no longer experience the anxiety of their children being far away from them.

According to Musa, Mara Junior Science College (MRSM), Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UTAR) and Inland Revenue Board (IRB) Training Centre, among others, had indicated interest in the proposal.

Similar proposal might be considered for Tawau, Lahad Datu and the Interior.

"The idea of setting up colleges in other districts is to decentralise the educational institution as KK is already over-crowded," he said.

He was speaking after officiating at the PTPL College convocation ceremony, at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort, here, Thursday.

Musa commended PTPL on their commitment in providing opportunities to local students to realise their career ambitions.

He noted that PTPL produced some 2,100 graduates from Sabah, of whom 80 per cent have secured jobs either in government or private sectors, while the rest pursued their studies in Peninsular Malaysia or overseas.

Some 434 students received their scrolls from Musa in the presence of college group president Prof Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdul Yajid.

Nissan_FUGA

July 8th, 2006, 03:23 PM

new commercial centre development, Bandar Maju

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6611/cimg57228tg.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 8th, 2006, 03:29 PM

Bandar Indah @ Mile 4 future phase....

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3214/cimg569615jq.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 8th, 2006, 03:37 PM

Mara Sandakan complex

http://www.mara.gov.my/sewa1/images/k-sandakan.gif

source: www.mara.gov.my

Nissan_FUGA

July 9th, 2006, 04:43 AM

Current development....

- Shopping Arcade
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/322/image123vo.jpg

- Sandakan central market @ SHS (Phase 1B/ Final Phase)
http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/8526/image096ox.jpg

Sabahkid

July 9th, 2006, 09:01 AM

do anyone think that we have an oversupply of shophouse type of property development? seems like this concept is only popular in Sabah? maybe it's time for a change ...

Nissan_FUGA

July 9th, 2006, 01:16 PM

well, i hope developers would consider other types of development such as malls and hotel....that's what we need in Sabah especially, hotel which we need to cope the growing number of tourists...

shop office/ shophouses might be easier to build and sell......that's y most developers in sabah prefer to build shophouses

Nissan_FUGA

July 9th, 2006, 01:32 PM

from The Star

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2005/8/7/lifefocus/11588712&sec=lifefocus

The heroes of Sandakan

War brings out the worst in Man but, often, the best of humanity shines through as well. DANNY WONG TZE KEN keeps alive for posterity some of the heroes in Sabah who simply did the right thing, regardless of the terrible cost.

WHEN war came to Sandakan in January 1942, it was a relatively tame affair. After disarming the Constabulary and the Volunteers, the Japanese Army maintained law and order before the arrival of the civilian administrators from Japan.

There was no repeat of the Nanking Massacres or any form of great enmity between the Japanese and the locals. The Japanese however, expected absolute obedience to their laws and also demanded total submission from the local populace.

The Japanese did, however, exact some revenge on the Chinese for their support of China and Allied causes before the war, including the overwhelming subscription to the China Relief Fund.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/7/lifefocus/p10kubur.jpg
The communal gravestone honouring the POWs from Sandakan who were executed can still be seen in Kuching today.

As punishment, the Chinese were forced to “contribute” $1,000,000 (one million dollars in pre-war currency) to the Japanese coffers. Sandakan contributed $400,000 while the rest came from West Coast.

Leaders of the China Relief Fund were also arrested and imprisoned. Other than this, and the increasing economic hardship and social deprivations typical of war, life under in Sabah under the Japanese Occupation was still bearable.

Things began to change, however, with the arrival of the first batch of Australian prisoners of war (POWs) in July 1942. Code named “B” Force, and totalling 1,496, they were brought to Sandakan by the Japanese to work on building the airfield.

A second group of 750 British POWs, who had initially worked at the Jesselton (Kota Kinabalu) airfield, were moved to Sandakan in April 1943.

The POWs were made to work along side the locals, who were also forced to contribute manual labour to the Japanese. In the same month, a third force comprising 503 Australian POWs, code-named “E” Force, arrived at Berhala Island, off the coast of Sandakan.

The presence of the Allied POWs, however, brought out the best in the locals of Sandakan who not only felt sorry for the POWs’ plights and sorry state of physical being, but also realised that the POWs were supposed to be on the same side with the people of North Borneo, until recently a British Protectorate.

Clandestine activities began as the locals tried to link up with the POWs. Apart from secretly supplying the POWs with much-needed food and medicine, the locals also passed on news from outside world to the POWs.

Among those who were involved were former members of the Volunteer Force, members of the Armed Constabulary (Police) now serving under Japanese Command, hospital staff, members of the electricity board, as well as ordinary folks who came forward to offer their help.

These gestures of kindness were offered at the peril of being arrested by the Japanese and with the knowledge that the punishments would be severe, perhaps even fatal.

Somehow, these men and women believed they were doing the right thing, not just because of their loyalty to the Allied cause, but also from a humanitarian point of view.

Through their efforts, they were able to smuggle eight Australian escapees to the Sulu islands where they joined anti-Japanese guerrillas there.

Other forms of material assistance helped to bolster the health and morale of the POWs, providing them with a ray of hope, knowing that the world had not abandoned them. The most daring feat by the locals was perhaps the supplying of radio parts as well as side arms and ammunitions to the POWs.

The radio, constructed from the parts provided, was in operation from early part of 1943 to October when it was discovered after the underground network was betrayed to the Japanese.

When the radio was discovered, the Japanese began to arrest those suspected of assisting the POWs. A total of about 53 people were arrested. The implicated civilians included: the Funk brothers (Johnny, Paddy and Alexander), Dr. James Taylor, Sergeant Abin, Police Constable Mohd. Tahir Matusin, Matusap bin Lungau (a Dusun watchman of the former Agriculture Experimental Station), Maginal (a Dusun clerk at the same station), Peter Lai Kuei Fu (a dresser at the Sandakan Hospital), A. E. Philips, (manager of the North Borneo Trading company), Alfred Stevens and G. F. Mavar (both Englishmen and engineers at the power station), Chien Pei, Wu Kokuang (both technicians at the Power Station). The POWs rounded up were Captain Lionel Matthews, Lieutenant Roderick Graham Wells, and Privates McMillan and Roffey.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/7/lifefocus/p10singh.jpg
For helping the POWs, Jemedar Ujagah Singh, paid with his life.

All those arrested were first interned at Sandakan gaol before being transferred to Kuching for trial. At the trials, the Japanese military tribunal presided by Chief Judge Egami Sobei found Capt Lionel Matthews and seven others guilty and were ordered to be executed. The seven were Jemedar Ujagah Singh, the head of the constabulary on Berhala Island, Sergeant Abin, Detective Ernesto Lagan, Alex Funk, Heng Ju Ming, a geologist from Miri, and his father-in-law, Wong Mu Sing, who was a trader and a Lieutenant in the American-Filipino guerrillas, Felix Azcona, son of a Filipino radio mechanic. Their graves can still be seen today in Kuching.

Others, including Dr. Taylor, Lt Gordon Weynton and Lt Roderick Wells were also found guilty but were given lesser sentences. These three were imprisoned at the Outram Road Jail in Singapore, while Johnny Funk, Paddy Funk and Peter Lai were sentenced to nine years in the Kuching jail.

There were some others, whom the Japanese thought to be involved to a lesser degree, who were fined heavily and released. These including, Mrs. M. Y. Cohen, Khoo Siak Chiew, Lo Hoi Chee, Wong Wee Man (manager of King’s Theatre), Kwan Chu Ming and Kwan Ming Ming (both of Kwong Borneo Development Company).

Even as the incident began to quiet down, another upheaval was about to take place. In late 1944, the Japanese High Command decided to move the POWs in batches to Ranau, in the heart of Sabah.

The operation began in January 1945. Most of the POWs were weak and unfit to make the 250km trek through the dense forest. Many died along the way, and only small sections of the men arrived in Ranau.

Along the way, the Japanese shot those who were unable to carry on, littering the trails between Sandakan and Ranau with dead POWs.

Even as they were trekking to Ranau, many of the POWs believed that they would never survive the harsh treatment. Many decided to escape. The task however, was far from easy. Faced with the dense forest and unfamiliar terrains, many succumbed to sickness or simply went lost.

It was under such circumstances that another type of brave locals came to the aid of the POWs. Many took extreme risks to provide shelters to the escaped POWs. They also tried to nurse those who were in pain and sick.

It was mainly through the help provided by these natives living along the path between Sandakan and Ranau that six POWs actually survived until they were eventually rescued by Allied special forces.

Among those who provided help to the POWs were Dihil Bin Ambilid, Bariga, Kulang, Lap, Galunting, Abing, Balabiu and others.

On May 27, 1945, the Japanese bombarded and burned the town and destroyed a major part of it, rendering it untenable. Many residents of Sandakan perished during the bombardment. The Japanese also massacred a group of leading citizens of the town.

After the war, as reconstruction began, the Australian Government thanked the locals who remained loyal to the Allied cause and helped the POWs. Letters of commendations were presented, along with some monetary rewards. There were several who were given medals for their sacrifices.

Sixty years on, the heroic deeds of these brave people of Sandakan and its vicinity are fading from the memories of the people of Sabah. While there is some literature on the POWs and also monuments in their memory, there is hardly anything of substance to honour the sacrifices made by the brave local men and women. They should not be forgotten.

-Dr Danny Wong Tze Ken is currently Associate Professor at Universiti Malaya’s Department of History. He wrote ‘The Transformation of an Immigrant Society: A Study of the Chinese of Sabah (1998)’ and ‘Historical Sabah: Community and Society (2004)’. He is in the process of completing ‘Kinabalu Guerrillas and the Jesselton Uprising’ and ‘The Heroes of Sandakan’.

travellator

July 9th, 2006, 01:46 PM

thanks nissan fuga for this informative article, the bravery of the people during WWII is inspiring, so many were willing to risk their lives

Nissan_FUGA

July 9th, 2006, 02:11 PM

thanks nissan fuga for this informative article, the bravery of the people during WWII is inspiring, so many were willing to risk their lives

WW2 has affected Sandakan tremendously........it caused the transfer of Sabah capital from Sandakan to Jesseltion (Kota Kinabalu) and destroy most pre war buildings....i think got less than 10 pre war buildings standing in Sandakan after war!

Nissan_FUGA

July 9th, 2006, 02:14 PM

from The Star

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2005/8/7/lifefocus/11588702&sec=lifefocus

The spunky Funks

ROGET''S thesaurus lists “funk” as being synonymous with “fright, gloom, misery, panic, trembling, craven, cur, dastard, deserter, faint-of-heart, gutless, gutless wonder”.

The Funk brothers of Sandakan – Johnny, Paddy and Alexander – were anything but the above. They were heroes.

The Funks’ family home was at Mile 7, near the Agriculture Experimental Station, which the Japanese had turned into a camp for Allied prisoners of war (POWs) from July 1942.

The proximity of the two places allowed the brothers to help the POWs.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/7/lifefocus/p19Johnny.jpg
Johnny Funk and his brothers risked their lives to help POWs.

When their activities were betrayed to the Japanese in September 1943, the brothers were arrested and were severely punished by the Japanese.

Alex was executed while Johnny and Paddy suffered great physical and psychological tortures.

The Funks was a well-known family in pre-war Sandakan. The family had been loyal servants of the Chartered Company Administration since they first arrived in Sabah (then known as North Borneo) in the late 19th century.

Johnny and his brothers received their education from St. Mary’s school in Sandakan. Upon the completion of his studies, Johnny went to work in the Public Works Department (PWD) as a supervisor. Paddy later also joined the Public Works Department as an overseer.

Although of Chinese origin, the younger Funks were westernised. Like many government servants of the day, they were also members of the North Borneo Volunteer Force, set up in 1938.

In September 1942, the youngest Funk sibling, Alex, made the initial contact with Captain Lionel Matthews, the intelligence officer in the camp. Matthews asked for food, medicine and parts for building a radio.

With parts supplied by Johnny and others, the prisoners put together a radio.

The Funk Brothers were also instrumental in establishing links between the POWs and Dr. V. Stookes, an estate doctor on the Kinabatangan River. He was also an accomplished flyer, having been a pilot during World War I.

It was Alex who took on the task of collecting medicine from Stookes before smuggling them to the POWs.

In January 1943, Johnny was approached by Ernesto Lagan, a police detective then working under the Japanese. Lagan wanted to obtain a plan of the former quarters of the Europeans now in Japanese hands. Apparently, this was needed for an escape attempt. Despite this information, no major escape was attempted.

On another occasion, Johnny and Alex tried to smuggle into the camp a .38 revolver as well as a Volunteer Force-issue rifle which Alex had hidden from the Japanese. This was the main offence for which Alex later paid with his life.

From early 1943 the Japanese had suspected the existence of a radio in the prison camp. In April 1943, the Japanese arrested Johnny Funk on suspicion of providing radio parts to the POWs. He was tortured and interrogated for a week before being released.

In his post-war statement, Johnny recounted the ordeal. One of the torture methods the Japanese employed was to make him kneel on a plank with spikes carved into it. A heavy plank was placed behind his knees and two Japanese soldiers then jumped up and down on each end of it like a see-saw for an hour.

The Japanese rounded 55 civilians and 47 POWs over the issue of locals assisting the prisoners. They were transferred to Kuching on 25 October 1943.

After four months of interrogations and torture, the accused were finally tried and sentenced. Johnny and Paddy were to be jailed for four years while Alex was condemned to death, along with eight others.

After being imprisoned for nine months, Johnny and Paddy were put to work outside the prison until the war ended.

When the Australian Government decided to reward the locals who had helped POWs, Johnny and Paddy declined offers of money. All they wanted was medical treatment for the injuries suffered as a result of torture. They were treated in Singapore and returned to Sandakan.

Nissan_FUGA

July 9th, 2006, 02:16 PM

also from The Star

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2005/8/7/lifefocus/11588691&sec=lifefocus

A man of valour

WHEN the Japanese army arrived in Sabah in January 1942, Mohd Tahir Matusin was serving as a Police Constable (PC) with the Armed Constabulary in Sandakan.

Despite the Japanese propaganda about the “Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere” and continued employment, PC Tahir decided that they were not the right people to support.

Two things prompted him to remain steadfast and loyal to his former superiors and the Allied cause.

The first was his family’s long association with the North Borneo Armed Constabulary. The second was disgust at the brutality of a Japanese sentry who beat a harmless old Chinese woman who had forgotten to bow to him.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/7/lifefocus/p10tahir.jpg
Young PC Mohd Tahir Matusin in his Constabulary uniform.

A native of Kampung Bolong in Tuaran, on the west coast of Sabah, Tahir joined the North Borneo Armed Constabulary in 1941.

He had the blessing of his father, Matusin, who had retired from the Constabulary as a sergeant. His grandfather was also a sergeant who had served through the famous Mat Salleh Campaign of 1894-1900.

After the initial training in Jesselton (present day Kota Kinabalu), Tahir was sent to Sandakan in July 1941 along with 31 others to carry out defence preparations. At that time, Sandakan was still the capital of the territory.

Tahir was excited about the prospect of “action” as rumours of war grew stronger. But none of that happened because the General Officer Commanding in Singapore had ordered all Allied defence forces in Borneo not to resist the Japanese Army when it arrived.

For a while, members of the Armed Constabulary were disarmed and placed under Japanese custody. They were soon asked to resume duties. Tahir remained stationed at the Police Headquarters at Buli Sim Sim.

It was in the barracks that an underground movement was set up, led by the seniors, including Ujagah Singh, Yansalang, Corporal Abin, Usop Basinau, and Corporal Koram.

For Tahir, the decision was straightforward – he could not serve an unjust regime. Once in the underground, Tahir was assigned as one of the guards at the internment camps at Mile 8 and on Berhala Island. He also worked at the barracks at Buli Sim Sim.

Members of the Constabulary on Berhala Island were actively involved in helping the POWs to escape.

The other underground members who smuggled radio parts, food and weapons into the POW camp at Mile 8 were mainly pro-Allies civilians and former members of the North Borneo Volunteer Force.

Since their arrival in Sandakan, many POWs had tried to escape but all failed. Those who were recaptured were severely punished.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/7/lifefocus/p10tahir1.jpg
Tahir showing off the chestful of medals he received for his courage and sacrifice in helping the POWs he was supposed to guard.

Among those who attempted escape were Rex Blow and Ray Steele. The underground planned to get these escapees over to the Sulu islands where remnants of the United States Forces in the Philippines (USFIP) were still holding out against the Japanese. Contacts were made with several USFIP personnel based in Sandakan, including Wong Mu Sing and Alberto Quardra.

Just as plans were being made to extract some of the prisoners, there was another escape on the mainland. Sergeant Wallace and two others managed to escape from the POWs camp at Mile 8 on April 30. Even though his two companions were rearrested, Sergeant Wallace remained free and hid at the house of Heng Joo Meng, a supervisor at the aerodrome worksite.

Members of the Constabulary, including Tahir, were ordered to search for Wallace. Meanwhile, Koram and his Filipino friends had firmed up the plan to help the prisoners on Berhala to escape, and Wallace was supposed to join the group on the island.

One night, when Koram and Tahir were on duty on Berhala Island, Heng Joo Meng arrived with Wallace.

On Berhala Island, two POWs, Rex Blow and Ray Steele established contact with Koram, who prepared a hiding place for the eight men who escaped from the Berhala compound.

Eventually, the escapees were evacuated to Sulu in two sailing boats.

Barely a month after Rex Blow and his friends were evacuated, all hell broke loose in Sandakan when the Japanese discovered the radio in the Australian camp.

Tahir and a whole group of Constabulary members, including Jemadar Ujagah Singh, Arbin, Ernesto Lagan, Yansalang, Agus, Angkai, Usop Basinau and Koram were arrested. Koram managed to escape.

After three months of interrogation, Tahir was transferred to Kuching with the rest of the prisoners in October. At Kuching, they were interned at the former post office while awaiting trial.

Tahir’s involvement was deemed to be minimal and he was sentenced to three years' jail with hard labour.

Tahir was repatriated to Sabah at the end of the war and was recalled for duty after the resumption of British rule.

For his part in assisting the POWs, Tahir received the King’s Medal for Gallantry. He remained in the Constabulary until 1962 and retired as Sergeant Major.

Today, Tahir Matusin lives a quiet life with his extended family in Tuaran.

Nissan_FUGA

July 11th, 2006, 09:06 AM

Latest shoplots @ Bandar Indah

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1419/cimg52620mc.jpg

Sabahkid

July 11th, 2006, 12:52 PM

Latest shoplots @ Bandar Indah

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1419/cimg52620mc.jpg

looks more like office to me.... seems too isolated for shop lots... :)

Nissan_FUGA

July 12th, 2006, 08:45 AM

what i heard is that those units is meant for Showroom or office

slby

July 12th, 2006, 11:32 AM

I am new to this thread. Seeing those pictures gives me an impression that Sandakan is indeed a well developed town too. I have never been there. Hope to be there one day in the future.

Nissan_FUGA

July 12th, 2006, 12:29 PM

I am new to this thread. Seeing those pictures gives me an impression that Sandakan is indeed a well developed town too. I have never been there. Hope to be there one day in the future.

lol, well.........from photo it is...... :)

one problem that is in sandakan for long time is blackouts.....it is very frequent here, depending in what area/ suburbs u are

Nissan_FUGA

July 12th, 2006, 02:55 PM

New shophouses, Bandar Indah, Mile 4

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/7959/cimg57697dr.jpg

raksasa sundek

July 13th, 2006, 08:37 AM

Nissan_FUGA

July 13th, 2006, 11:33 AM

hi there. me n some of my friends from kk are planning a road trip to sandakan. is this a good idea? any interesting things to do and to see? any nice islands or beaches, jungles and maybe a little nitelife? :)

basiclly, those who go to Sandakan to savour the nature, well......about islands and beaches...u can hope in to island of Berhala, the closest island to the Sandakan for the beaches, for diving....it would be the Langkayan Island, about 1 or 2 hour speedboat ride from sandakan

of course, when u are in Sandakan, u cant miss the Sepilok Orang Utan reserve and the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey sanctuary

nightlife.....if u plan to have a little nightlife in Sandakan, the best place is the suburbs of Mile 4 (Bandar Kim Fung & Bandar Indah) as this is where the entertainment outlets, pubs, cafes, disco and Karaoke bars are concentrated

slby

July 13th, 2006, 05:14 PM

Nissan_FUGA

July 13th, 2006, 05:24 PM

I am looking for visiting Sabah (KK and Sandakan) some time next year. I am from Sibu, Sarawak and i regularly post on the Sibu thread as "slby". Do welcome you all to visit the Sibu thread and i am more than happy to share with you travel trips to Sibu :)

hehe.......well, i do always visit the Sibu thread since got nice Sibu Town Square photos and not to mention the 2 malls that is under construction.....

Nissan_FUGA

July 13th, 2006, 05:47 PM

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/3149/cimg57704wv.jpg

this is the land for the new township in Mile 4, in front of Bandar Indah

raksasa sundek

July 14th, 2006, 03:31 AM

basiclly, those who go to Sandakan to savour the nature, well......about islands and beaches...u can hope in to island of Berhala, the closest island to the Sandakan for the beaches, for diving....it would be the Langkayan Island, about 1 or 2 hour speedboat ride from sandakan

of course, when u are in Sandakan, u cant miss the Sepilok Orang Utan reserve and the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey sanctuary

nightlife.....if u plan to have a little nightlife in Sandakan, the best place is the suburbs of Mile 4 (Bandar Kim Fung & Bandar Indah) as this is where the entertainment outlets, pubs, cafes, disco and Karaoke bars are concentrated

thanks for the infos nfuga! :okay:
the islands, apes and nightlife sounds interesting. we might just go do all of it.. :cheers:

Sabahkid

July 14th, 2006, 06:52 AM

thanks for the infos nfuga! :okay:
the islands, apes and nightlife sounds interesting. we might just go do all of it.. :cheers:

Hi,

Do check out the english tea house along Jalan Istana. Personally, i found it a nice place to sit ard, relax with a cup of tea. do visit the Agnes Keith House adjacent to the tea house if u interested to know more abt the history of S'kan.

Another place i would recommend is the St Michael's church on Elton Hill. Though I'm not a christian, i do find it an interesting piece of architecture, with its coloured window specially flown in from Sdyney.

cheers :)

Nissan_FUGA

July 14th, 2006, 07:09 AM

Hi,

Do check out the english tea house along Jalan Istana. Personally, i found it a nice place to sit ard, relax with a cup of tea. do visit the Agnes Keith House adjacent to the tea house if u interested to know more abt the history of S'kan.

Another place i would recommend is the St Michael's church on Elton Hill. Though I'm not a christian, i do find it an interesting piece of architecture, with its coloured window specially flown in from Sdyney.

cheers :)

i read somewhere in the Star that the english tea house operator is the same as KK's @mosphere revolving restaurant.......is it?

Nissan_FUGA

July 14th, 2006, 07:57 AM

today's photo....

-Office block construction (believed to be owned by a palm oil plantation company)
http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/9321/cimg57968qq.jpg

-New shophouse block (completed late last year or earlier this year)
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/6135/cimg57930os.jpg

-Bandar Maju commercial centre construction update
http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/6270/cimg57955hw.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 14th, 2006, 09:19 AM

Giant Hypermarket (13/7/2006)

not a full view, but u can see the size at least

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/895/cimg57726ys.jpg

Sabahkid

July 14th, 2006, 01:30 PM

i read somewhere in the Star that the english tea house operator is the same as KK's @mosphere revolving restaurant.......is it?

Yup.... i read the same thing too in the paper....

Nissan_FUGA

July 14th, 2006, 01:59 PM

today's photo..........

the sky, got a rainbow surrounding the sun

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8134/cimg57915yj.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 14th, 2006, 03:05 PM

Sandakan suburbs

Mile 6

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1154/cimg58011jo.jpg

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2127/cimg58006qi.jpg
that is the Giant Hypermarket....slated to be opened in Q3 this year

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/1974/cimg58043ak.jpg
this is mile 6's residential area, Taman Tyng, from this side u could see mile 5 and 4 too.....as u can see, the hill actually seperates the Sandakan town centre from the suburbs

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/6527/cimg58038xc.jpg
this road leads to the airport, high court, customs office, government office complex, mile 8 township and towards KK and throughout Sabah...

Nissan_FUGA

July 14th, 2006, 04:13 PM

Sandakan Harbour Square in last year's International CEO Conference

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/icc2005_14.jpg

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/icc2005_06.jpg

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/icc2005_01.jpg

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/icc2005_11.jpg

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/icc2005_09.jpg

http://www.sandakanharboursquare.com/html/news/gfx/icc2005_02.jpg

travellator

July 14th, 2006, 04:21 PM

Nissan_FUGA

July 14th, 2006, 04:25 PM

'this road leads to the airport, high court, customs office, government office complex, mile 8 township and towards KK and throughout Sabah...'

does this mean you can drive from Sandakan to KK. Is the road tarred all the way and are there still rivers that must be crossed by ferry. How long would a journey from Sandakan to KK by road take. Thanks nissan_fuga

yes, u can drive to KK from sandakan...well, mostly it is tarred but got lots of cracks, close to Ranau, sometimes got landslides...the journey from Sandakan to KK usually take 6 hours by road

the journey is quite diverse, because it passes through a vast palm oil plantation, then....to the hills, well......u do pass through the Kundasang and Kinabalu Park, the view of Mount Kinabalu and slopes from there is awesome!

slby

July 14th, 2006, 04:47 PM

Wondering if the many high rises (the more old looking ones) are flats/apartments? Sandakan really has many high rises densely populated in a small area, look like a small Hong Kong.

Nissan_FUGA

July 14th, 2006, 05:29 PM

Wondering if the many high rises (the more old looking ones) are flats/apartments? Sandakan really has many high rises densely populated in a small area, look like a small Hong Kong.

yes, most of them are indeed flats and apartments......almost all of these are in the town centre and built back in 1960's and 70's....anyway, in sandakan, u rarely find pre-war building because back in WW2, the japanese has razed sandakan to the ground, leaving only less than 10 pre-war building, so what u see in sandakan town centre is that the buildings usually built about 30 to 40 years ago

sandakan has been known as little HK for a while mainly because, back in early part of 20th century, most chinese resides in Sandakan are from HK

raksasa sundek

July 15th, 2006, 02:58 AM

Hi,

Do check out the english tea house along Jalan Istana. Personally, i found it a nice place to sit ard, relax with a cup of tea. do visit the Agnes Keith House adjacent to the tea house if u interested to know more abt the history of S'kan.

Another place i would recommend is the St Michael's church on Elton Hill. Though I'm not a christian, i do find it an interesting piece of architecture, with its coloured window specially flown in from Sdyney.

cheers :)

hi. this also sounds interesting. might also check this out, and have a bit of tea drinking at a real tea house, instead of the normal kedaikopi. thanks for the info :)

raksasa sundek

July 15th, 2006, 03:01 AM

yes, u can drive to KK from sandakan...well, mostly it is tarred but got lots of cracks, close to Ranau, sometimes got landslides...the journey from Sandakan to KK usually take 6 hours by road

the journey is quite diverse, because it passes through a vast palm oil plantation, then....to the hills, well......u do pass through the Kundasang and Kinabalu Park, the view of Mount Kinabalu and slopes from there is awesome!

yea man. i also believe the a road trip would be nice, if made during the day time lah. i travelled kk-tawau last year but it was at night, so cannot see much..

Nissan_FUGA

July 15th, 2006, 03:05 AM

hi. this also sounds interesting. might also check this out, and have a bit of tea drinking at a real tea house, instead of the normal kedaikopi. thanks for the info :)

http://www.asiaextreme.biz/eth/menu.htm

english tea house menu

Nissan_FUGA

July 15th, 2006, 03:12 AM

English Tea House photo

Restaurant
http://www.asiaextreme.biz/eth/insidetables.jpg

Meeting Room
http://www.asiaextreme.biz/eth/mettingroom.jpg

Garden
http://www.asiaextreme.biz/eth/gardentables.jpg

Veranda
http://www.asiaextreme.biz/eth/varanda.jpg

Tea Room
http://www.asiaextreme.biz/eth/tablechairs.jpg

VIP Room
http://www.asiaextreme.biz/eth/viproom.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 15th, 2006, 05:59 PM

today's photo

this is a cafe and lounge building

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/259/cimg5827nl0.jpg

Sabahkid

July 16th, 2006, 09:07 AM

More ideas for those interested to visit Sandakan......

The NST online: Sandakan Heritage Trail:SANDAKAN on the east coast of Sabah facing the Sulu Sea, is a town rich in historical sites and heritage monuments. Mat Salleh visitors in particular, come to visit its many historical monuments like the Australian Memorial – dedicated to some 2,700 Australian prisoners killed during World War II, especially those forced to go on the infamous death marches through the perilous jungles of Sabah.

This monument is where, throughout the year but especially at the end of May, WWII veterans and their families come to pay homage to the fallen heroes.

There is also a Japanese cemetery in Jalan Istana where the remains of Japanese soldiers who fought and died in Sabah during WWII and those of Japanese women who died in Sandakan, are buried. Japanese visitors do come and pay homage at a monument erected here.

On a hill overlooking Sandakan is the English Tea House and next to it is the Agnes Keith House, restored to its former glory by the Department of Museums and Antiquities. Agnes, an American author, lived in Sandakan with her British husband Harry G. Keith, and their children from 1934 to 1942. In her book, Land Below the Wind (Negeri Di Bawah Bayu), Agnes coined the name that Sabah is famously known as today since it lies just below the typhoon belt. Then there's the beautiful St Michaels & All Angels Church, Sabah's first and only granite church at Elton Hill which took 20 years to build using granite from the quarry at Buli Sim-Sim. It was completed in 1913.

On a more local note, Masjid Jamek, built over a century ago in the 1890s, was the sole mosque serving the Indian-Muslim community then. During WWII, it served as a refuge for Muslims and even European officials.

As for the Chinese, there are many several shrines and temples. One is these is the Tham Kung Temple – said to be the "preservation of a temple within a temple" as the original shrine was lifted and transferred to inside the new temple.

At the edge of the padang is the Sam Sing Kung Temple, or the ‘Three Saints' Temple'. Inside are the effigies of the three deities – Kuan Woon Cheung, the saint of righteousness; Tin Hou, protector of the fisherfolk; and Emperor Min Cheong, a patron of scholars. All these are part of the Heritage Trail that is clearly marked out on a tourist leaflet given out for free at the Sandakan Tourist Information Office.

But it's not all old and musty in Sandakan. To keep in touch with Nature, you can visit the Crocodile Farm and the Forestry Headquarters at Labuk Road; the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Selingan Turtle Island. Or make a trip to Gomantong Cave for birds' nest and to see the two millions bats which have made their home in the cave.

After Sandakan was declared Sabah's Nature City on May 18 last year by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, the state has seen an increase in the number of visitors.

The Sukau wildlife sanctuary, two hours by boat from Sandakan along the Kinabatangan River, is home to the kera belanda or proboscis monkey (Nasalis Iarvatus) which can only be found in Borneo. This monkey is characterised by a pendulous nose, red face, orange fur and a long white tail.

Lots of people from around the world come here to see this shy primate. Freelance tour guide Wardawati Insurdin says: "They also go to the Sepilok orang utan conservation centre which has earned many awards and is the best maintained in the world." Sepilok is only 15 minutes drive from downtown Sandakan. Every morning at about 10, the visitors, mostly Mat Salleh, wait to see the orang utan feed on fruit park rangers place on a platform.

Visitors never fail to be entertained by their antics and those of "pirates" – local long-tailed macaque which come to grab the fruit meant for the orang utan.

"Tourists also love to visit Selingan Turtle Island Park (two to three hours by boat) where they can watch turtles lay eggs all year round," says Wardawati. "Some visitors go to Batu Tulug caves to see hardwood coffins that date back to over 200 years ago." The caves contain more than 100 coffins decorated with carvings of buffalo heads, crocodiles, lizards and snakes.

Visitors can never get lost in Sandakan as it has only four blocks of buildings straddled by streets. The market and waterfront is a good place to mingle with the locals, especially in the morning. Along the Pryer Street sidewalk opposite the Central Market, traders offer items from fake watches and cheap costume jewellery to birds' nest and other exotic foodstuffs.

Seafood too is unbelievably cheap. There are also many roadside stalls and restaurants.

cheers

Nissan_FUGA

July 16th, 2006, 09:17 AM

today i heard the Giant Hypermarket would be completed end of this month......if so, it would greatly affect the Servay Hypermarket share of business

Nissan_FUGA

July 16th, 2006, 12:08 PM

today's photo......

Giant Hypermarket construction
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/408/cimg5829zt9.jpg

Sabah forestry department headquarter
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/612/cimg5828ym4.jpg

Traffic light junction in Mile 4, the land behind the signboard will pave a way for a new township
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4725/cimg5832sg7.jpg

Mile 6 township
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4960/cimg5664vx2.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 16th, 2006, 12:16 PM

Servay Hypermarket (Miri based) , the first hypermarket in Sandakan

opened in January 2005

http://www.servay.com.my/temp/buildings/sandakan_h_b.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 16th, 2006, 12:41 PM

Sandakan Harbour Square Phase 2 final design....

this one...
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/8439/cimg5276ac5.jpg

or this?
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7744/bigshscj6.jpg

guess we would only know by October when the construction starts as reported...

Pablo

July 16th, 2006, 01:49 PM

Wat is that harbour Square? Shopping mall?

TYW

July 16th, 2006, 02:12 PM

Wat is that harbour Square? Shopping mall?

commercial development, with mall and hotel ;)

slby

July 16th, 2006, 03:29 PM

Servay Hypermart is Miri based? by which company?

Nissan_FUGA

July 16th, 2006, 04:14 PM

Wat is that harbour Square? Shopping mall?

well......this is Ireka's project joint-venture with Charng Seng and Sandakan Municipal Council...........it comprises of 129 unit 3 or 4 storey shopoffice, 1 shopping mall + carpark complex, a 5 star hotel ,a new central market and a new town square dubbed as harbour square, which will be the gathering point for festivals

Nissan_FUGA

July 16th, 2006, 04:15 PM

Servay Hypermart is Miri based? by which company?

perhaps, u should log in to www.servay.com.my hehe...

Nissan_FUGA

July 17th, 2006, 09:50 AM

from The Borneo Post, 17/7/2006

UMS to set up campus in Sandakan

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is planning to set up a branch campus in Sandakan during the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010).

Its Vice Chancellor, Professor Datuk Mohd Noh Dalimin, said UMS had submitted a proposal to the Federal Government for consideration and was awaiting a reply which is expected soon.

"The Federal Goverbnment has agreed in principle to the branch campus and asked us to submit a complete planning so that allocation could be channeled," he said at the registration of new off-campus students and when addressing the students at UMS here yesterday.

Mohd Noh said UMS had suggested a budget of around RM120 million for the branch campus. However, the Federal Government requested for a complete proposal before releasing the funds.

The School of Agriculture offering three courses, namely Horticulture and Landscape, Agriculture Productions and Livestock Productions, will be set up at the new campus, he said.

Mohd Noh also said the time is right to set up the branch campus because UMS has been carrying out off-campus courses in Sandakan for the past 10 years.

He further said that UMS is also aiming to set up branch campus at other districts during the Tenth Malaysia Plan.

Presently there are 90 students taking up agriculture courses at the university and the number is expected to increase once the branch campus is materialised.

Mohd Noh also said that UMS has one branch campus in Labuan offering courses related to business and finance.

On UMS' achievements, he said the university has produced 12,000 graduates and half of them are from Peninsular Malaysia.

Sabahkid

July 17th, 2006, 11:50 AM

Nissan_FUGA

July 17th, 2006, 11:54 AM

Personally feel that they should offer courses in aquaculture & natural resource management as well. These are important growth areas for the state, esp the east coast district.

how about R&D in that campus too? :)

hehe, finally we got what we deserved, remember the day when the Teacher's Training College moved out?

Sabahkid

July 17th, 2006, 12:45 PM

yup.... the local media made it sounded like the end of the world......

anyway, that place was quite nice actually in terms of surrounding ambient.... very nice as a place to study.....

Nissan_FUGA

July 17th, 2006, 01:00 PM

yup.... the local media made it sounded like the end of the world......

anyway, that place was quite nice actually in terms of surrounding ambient.... very nice as a place to study.....

let us list which institution that has proposal to come to Sandakan.....

1) TARC
2) PTPL
3) MRSM (Maktab Rendah Sains Mara)
4) IRB (Inland Revenue Board) training centre
5) UMS

Sabahkid

July 17th, 2006, 03:57 PM

btw, wat is the school or institute that was just being constructed behind Sibuga Sport Complex?

Nissan_FUGA

July 17th, 2006, 05:45 PM

btw, wat is the school or institute that was just being constructed behind Sibuga Sport Complex?

im not sure, i rarely go there, anyway.......our sport complex.....the toilet is poorly maintained

Nissan_FUGA

July 18th, 2006, 09:38 AM

UMS: Time to set up campus in Sandakan
Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will continue with its plan to build a RM120 million branch campus in Sandakan to cater for the need to expand higher learning education in the East Coast.

UMS Vice-chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin, said the allocation to build the School of Agriculture facility would be acquired under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) and that the matter, in principle, had been agreed upon.

He said Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, had announced this when the latter officially launched the Anjung Siswa at the UMS recently.

"(Moreover) it is about time that we set up something permanent here (Sandakan) after renting a temporary building for 10 years," he said after delivering his address at the "UMS Off Campus Programme New Intake Aku Janji" programme, Sunday.

He said the off campus programme in Sandakan was started in 1996 by renting a building that belonged to Sabah Forestry Education Institute (formerly known as Sabah Forestry Training Institute).

Because of its historical connection, being the first UMS off campus programme in Sabah, it is important the proposal is implemented, said Dr Mohd nor.

The School of Agriculture, he said, would have three branches of studies, namely Livestock Production, Crop Production and Horticulture and Landscape.

In addition to the school, he said they would be building hostels, a library, lecture halls and IT facilities, among others.

Towards this end, he said the most important is to set the "ceiling" in relation to standard and cost.

"We have to inform what we are planning to do and they (Government) will determine the cost that we can use," he said, adding with UMS physical presence, Sandakan would be able to generate academic development.

Dr Mohd Noh said the UMS is also planning to build new branches in other parts of Sabah similar to its branch in Labuan.

On other developments, he said the students in the forestry programme would probably be required to attend classes at the main campus in Kota Kinabalu for the first two years.

After that, they would return to Sandakan to complete the remaining two years of their studies, he said.

More than 400 students under the UMS Off-Campus Programme (PLUMS) took their oath Sunday.

According to Dr Mohd Noh, up to 2006-2007 session, PLUMS has offered a total of 12 programmes, including Bachelor's Degree in Education (Social Science, Science/Mathematics, Economy, TESL), Psychology Counselling, Business (Finance and Banking), Computer and Social Science.

This year, he said, the UMS via the PLUMS offered three new programmes in Sports Science, Business (Marketing) and Economy (Human Resource Economy).

"In addition to that, for the first time, the Masters programme in Education (Education Management) is offered at the Sandakan branch starting end of this month," he said.

So far, he said there are 167 students at the Sandakan branch while in Tawau, 23

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=43212

Sabahkid

July 19th, 2006, 05:28 AM

anyone know where is the UMS rented place? did not realise they have been there for 10 long yrs.

Nissan_FUGA

July 20th, 2006, 12:08 PM

Current developments (update)

Bandar Utama at Mile 6

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3482/cimg5864tg5.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7550/cimg5865ji1.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8260/cimg5868en4.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5515/cimg5866qh8.jpg

http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/8429/cimg5869fv3.jpg

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4516/cimg5868it1.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 20th, 2006, 06:33 PM

Current developments..

Bandar Labuk Jaya at Mile 7

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/7415/cimg5870dp9.jpg

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/7470/cimg5872oj3.jpg

Shopoffice complex at Mile 8

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4239/cimg5871bd3.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

July 21st, 2006, 12:34 PM

Today's photo....

Sandakan Harbour Square connstruction update

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3439/cimg5876sr5.jpg

Sabahkid

July 24th, 2006, 08:45 AM

Just can't wait for the construction of the harbour mall to start.....

Nissan_FUGA

July 24th, 2006, 09:07 AM

A recap on Sandakan Harbour Mall

Harbour Mall Strategy Presented To Municipal Council
9 May 2005

May9, SANDAKAN, Sabah – The Sandakan Municipal Council gathered today to review the strategy to develop Sandakan's first shopping centre, the Sandakan Harbour Mall. With an anchor position in the new Sandakan Harbour Square complex, it has a Nett Lettable Area of 204,000 square feet across 4 retail floors and is set to be Sandakan's new landmark.

Presenting the strategy was Christopher Mears, Executive Vice President (Asset Management) of the Hektar Group. Hektar Group is a property group that focuses on the ownership, management and development of shopping centres.

Appointed earlier this year, Hektar Group's team of consultants have been working with the architects and other project consultants on the design and conceptualization of the Harbour Mall. Hektar consultants will also provide a full centre feasibility analysis on the Harbour Mall.

Mr. Mears highlighted two key factors that would make the RM150 million investment a success – control over the tenancy mix and benchmarking to international standards.

Elaborating, he shared that Hektar's recommendation was to not sell any shop lots, but offer leases. “There is an opportunity to create an exciting tenancy mix, with over 70 specialty shops. Through the leasing process, the owner of the shopping centre will be able to control both the location and composition of the tenants, ensuring a relevant mix of services, products and brands that will appeal to both locals and tourists,” he said.

“Careful reviews over time will mean that the Mall continues to meet the needs of residents and tourists. A shopping centre with solid lots would not be able to exert this level of control,” he continued. Mr. Mears then proceeded to outline Hektar Group's proposed tenancy mix.

“The second important factor is to ensure that the centre conforms to international standards in terms of management, facilities and services. The Harbour Mall can be assured of long term competitive viability if it operates on par with shopping centres found in cities such as KL, Singapore and Hong Kong.”

Mr. Mears was confident that the Harbour Mall would become a centre for the Sandakan community as well as being a shopping centre. The Hektar Group recommended an aggressive marketing and promotions strategy, targeting national holidays and events such as the F1, with exciting promotions and events.

“What this would achieve for Sandakan in an inner-city buzz. This means that people would want to come into the town centre in the evening, to have dinner and enjoy themselves.

The Harbour Mall's success would have a catalytic effect on Sandakan, creating jobs as well as accelerating the modernisation of the town centre. With international retailers setting up shop in the new Harbour Mall, a skills transfer process will take place as they train their staff.

Applauding the presentation, the President of the Municipal Council, Mr. Yeo Boon Hai, thanked Mr. Mears on behalf of the Council for sharing his insights. He observed that the Sandakan Harbour Square project was taking shape rapidly and he was looking forward to seeing the final result.

Nissan_FUGA

July 25th, 2006, 10:34 AM

from The Borneo Post....

What has happened to power barge? - Sandakan MP

SANDAKAN: Independent Sandakan Member of Parliament Chong Hon Min has questioned what has happened to the 40 megawatts power barge that was installed at the Batu Sapi jetty last January to end the frequent power disruptions in the east coast of Sabah.

"This is what the people of Sandakan have been asking lately, whether the shipping and installation of the power barge at Batu Sapi was just for a show aimed to pacify them at the height of their dissatisfaction over the constant power failure in Sandakan," he said in a statement here yesterday.

Chong said the people of Sandakan deserve an honest answer from the State Government and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) as to why the power barge has not been properly utilized after having spent RM5 million on its installation.

"The people of Sandakan have the right to know why it was not properly utilized or whether it was working at all," he argued.

The power barge was shipped to Sandakan from Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu.

Chong also expressed great disappointment with the SESB's long overdue response to his written inquiry over the high cost involved in the power barge operations, which was reported earlier by a senior SESB official to be costing a whopping RM5 million, for a monthly 12-hour daily operations.

"This is the equivalent to RM13,888 per hour to have the power barge up and running, which is really ridiculous. Unfirtunately, till today they (SESB) have not responded to my inquiry on this," he pointed out.

He also fervently rebutted the SESB's explanation blaming bad weather for the recent series of blackouts experienced in Sandakan, as not entirely convincing.

This was in view of the fact that such incidents had also occured during fine weather days, which was rather common.

"The people of Sandakan are so fed up with the poor power supply situation that they have even given a new catch phrase for the acronym of SESB-"Sandakan Everyday Sure Blackout".

He thus reiterated his recent call to the State Government to immediately set up a high-power special committee or task force to resolve the power woes affecting east coast of Sabah, in particular Sandakan.