Sandakan (Part 2) [Archive]

Nissan_FUGA

April 3rd, 2007, 08:32 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=48798

UMS school to help transform agri sector
Kota Kinabalu: Sekolah Pertanian Lestari (SPL) of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) aspires to produce human capital capable of transforming the agriculture sector in Sabah.

The 13th UMS school in Sandakan which has been operational since last year has accepted 74 undergraduates for the academic session 2006/2007 to pursue three programmes - Crop Production, Landscape and Horticulture, and Livestock Production Programme.

Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail, said Sabah needs quality, knowledgeable and calibre human capital to translate State policies that would develop agriculture particularly in rural areas.

"The establishment of this school is timely as it is in line with the State's development agenda (halatuju) based on three sectors, agriculture being among them.

"The school is expected not only to generate academic qualification on paper but also produce quality, responsible and down-to-earth graduates who are willing and committed to help rural farmers in improving their production and modernising their methods," he said.

Rahim was speaking to reporters at the official launching of a one-day Workshop on Cooperation of SPL in the Agriculture Industry at a hotel, here, Monday.

Also present were UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin, and the school's dean, Associate Professor Dr Wan Mohamad Wan Othman.

Rahim said graduates should not to feel embarrassed to set foot into paddy fields, livestock compounds and fish ponds, among others, as this is one way to directly involved with agricultural activities and gain invaluable experiences.

"It is not sufficient for the graduates to just present what they know in paper and present them in seminars or workshops here and there but when it comes to the field groundÉthey have nothing. We also do not want them to just stay in the office and do administrative works.

"That is why the State wants the new crop of the SPL graduates to reflect the expected work culture and willing to face present and future challenges in developing the State's agriculture industry," Rahim said.

On transforming rural agriculture, he said, almost 70 per cent of farmers, fishermen and livestock breeders are in rural areas where they need to be exposed to modern methods that can improve their production.

"The State has many programmes to transform rural agriculture, which is stated in the Sabah Agriculture Policy 2 (DPNS2), to elevate their source of income in the sector and eradicate poverty.

"But all of these need participation and commitment from agriculture people to willingly accept with open minds the transformation process," he said.

Meanwhile, UMS Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin said the setting up of SPL followed the approval of the Federal Government and that more than RM100 million has been chanelled to build its campus in Sandakan under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

"We are truly grateful to the Federal Government to realise this dream under the 9MP and to the State Government under the leadership of the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa for awarding 99ha for the development of the UMS-SPL at Mile 10, Sg Batang, in Sandakan.

"Such strong support proves that the Federal and State governments want to see socio-economic development and educate the communities through a new way of developing the agriculture sector in Sabah," he said in his speech at the same event.

Hence, Mohd Noh said the establishment of the SPL would support the State's aspiration to produce a first class human capital, particularly in the agriculture industry.

Sabahkid

April 3rd, 2007, 11:39 AM

PArt of the proposed education hub? Till now still not too sure where's the location.

Nissan_FUGA

April 3rd, 2007, 11:45 AM

^^

I guess it should be in promixity of Sepilok...

Nissan_FUGA

April 3rd, 2007, 12:22 PM

Today's photo...

Giant Hypermarket

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4369/cimg7392yy1.jpg

Bandar Labuk Jaya construction

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/1300/cimg7394yh7.jpg

http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/5656/cimg7395zz0.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/88/cimg7396hu8.jpg

Construction of shop office blocks close to BDC

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/3219/cimg7399jc0.jpg

Nissan_FUGA

April 3rd, 2007, 01:36 PM

Source : http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=254622

Kinabatangan Valley, The Resting Place Of Timber Coffins

By Haslin Gaffor

SANDAKAN, April 3 (Bernama) -- Lembah Kinabatangan, located in Sabah's central region, is not only renowned for its vast oil palm plantations. The valley is also the resting place of priceless treasures in the form of "timber coffins".

It is believed that about 2,000 timber coffins, some as old as 1,000 years, dotted the Kinabatangan Valley, making the area one of the nation's important archeological sites.

Many of the coffins, made from hard wood like belian and merbau, are found in several caves at the valley.

Among the caves is Agop Batu Tulug in Kampung Batu Putih, Kinabatangan, turned into an archeological site by the Sabah Museum Department on July 6, 1995.

The Sabah Museum authorities, with collaboration from the National Museum and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), are now carrying out restoration works in efforts to conserve the timber coffins found in the valley.

COFFINS' LOCATION

To the Sungai community, "Agop" means cave.

Statistics show that there are 125 timber coffins in Agop Batu Tulug, which dated back to some 700-900 years ago.

The other coffins are in the caves of Batu Supu (68), Serupi (40), Tapadong (20), Miasias and Sipit (10) as well as at Kuala Sungai Kalisun (eight), Danum Valley Research Centre and Segarong (lima), Gumantong, Madai, Baturong and Bodgaya (two each), Kuala Danum and Melanta Tutup (one each).

The timber coffin zone considered still active is in Ulu Segama, Lahad Datu.

According to Sabah Museum Department Director Datuk Joseph P. Guntavid more timber coffins can be found in Tawau.

Todate, only the Agop Batu Tulug in Batu Putih, Kinabatangan was made a tourist destination and gazetted as a heritage museum.

He said the museum authorities are still scouring the Kinabatangan Valley for more locations with timber coffins.

"We believe there are more timber coffins in Kinabatangan Valley and the search goes on for the relics to ensure that these priceless treasures do not go missing in time," he said.

RESEARCH, CONSERVATION

"The conservation efforts are crucial to ensure that these timber coffins become the heritage to future generations and as priceless treasures to the state".

Joseph said this during the recent visit by Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim to the Agop Batu Tulug archeological site.

When discovered, the coffins were haphazardly placed. There are those in still relatively good condition while others have deteriorated. Some of the coffin lids were found separated from the main structure.

The Sabah Museum Department has sent samples of wooden materials that were used to make the coffins to USM for analysis.

COFFIN TALES

Joseph said each of the coffins is heavy, as the structures were made from stone-hard materials like the kayu belian, also known as the Borneo ironwood.

Each of these coffins is long in measurement, and the one that measures close to seven metres is the longest timber coffin discovered in Batu Supu, Kinabatangan Valley, so far.

The "tongue" is located at the far end of the coffin. If the tongue is shaped like an animal, then the coffin housed the body of a man. On the other hand if the protuberance bears no particular shape, then the coffin houses the body of a woman.

Joseph said the coffins were adorned with various carvings like the head of a buffalo or tempadau, crocodile, lizard, snake and bird.

He said the culture of using such coffins is believed to be linked with the discovery of similar coffins in China and Vietnam.

Chinese merchants who migrated to Sabah could have brought along this culture, he said.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Meanwhile, the research and conservation works held at the Kinabatangan Valley caves that house the timber coffins have garnered attention and support from the federal government.

Dr Rais, after his visit to the Agop Batu Tulug archeological site, said a report on these efforts would be tabled before the Cabinet for assistance to conserve these priceless heritages.

-- BERNAMA

AhChuan

April 3rd, 2007, 01:49 PM

Today's photo...

Giant Hypermarket

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4369/cimg7392yy1.jpg

Wowww....got "class" huh...

Nice exterior design...thx nissan for the pics..Still many ppl ah??

Nissan_FUGA

April 3rd, 2007, 01:52 PM

^^

It is not as crowded as the earlier days of its opening, but still more than half of the parking space in the hypermarket has been occupied when i went there today and crowds can still be seen especially in fast food outlets and grocery area...

AhChuan

April 3rd, 2007, 02:04 PM

^^ Can post pics of the fast food area...hehe:D...thx ah...

I wan to see how beautiful the fast food area...dun forget the toilets oso...hahaha...nola nola, juz jk jk jk..:D

ntly1

April 3rd, 2007, 02:18 PM

PArt of the proposed education hub? Till now still not too sure where's the location.

Base on the Sandakan District and Local Plan
source :http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/sdk_map.htm

The University location should at the demarcated area as follows :-
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6636/sandakanzonebwa0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nissan_FUGA

April 3rd, 2007, 02:21 PM

^^

Interesting, that is a big piece of land....

I saw a roundabout that leads to Sungai Batang as indicated on the road sign, maybe it leads to that land....

Nissan_FUGA

April 4th, 2007, 01:43 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=48788

Lahad Datu tops list with RM3.35bil projects
Lahad Datu: LAHAD Datu attracted the highest number of 38 investment projects in Sabah in 2006, worth RM3.35 billion and the creation of 2,019 job opportunities.

State Secretary Datuk K.Y. Mustafa (pic) said Papar came second, with seven projects worth RM892.9m and 770 jobs.

Sandakan was third with eight projects worth RM235.5m and 968 jobs.

Kunak had two projects worth RM119m and 66 job opportunities, followed by Tawau with eight projects worth RM116.5m and 329 jobs.

Kota Kinabalu was at number six with 16 projects worth RM50m and 586 job opportunities.

He said a total of 92 projects involving an investment of RM4.88b was approved in 2006 compared to RM2.10b for 65 projects in 2005. Even though the global competition is great, Sabah would continue to pull in foreign investors, he said.

"This reflects the competitiveness of the State as a manufacturing and export centre," he said, adding, "the projects approved in 2006 also created 5,418 job opportunities."

Mustafa further disclosed that a 'Sabah State Competitiveness Study' in 2006 by the National Productivity Corporation (NPC) Sabah found the State ranked 50 out of 62 global economies.

Compared to nine world economies in the American group, Sabah ranked sixth preceding Brazil.

Nissan_FUGA

April 4th, 2007, 07:10 AM

Today's photo (Town centre)

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/7071/cimg7405dh8.jpg

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3270/cimg7406mm7.jpg

Some parts of the road in town centre are being changed to concrete

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/3083/cimg7404yh0.jpg

AhChuan

April 4th, 2007, 07:32 AM

I can see the contruction sites of Harbour Mall area...

Nice, some block had completed...

Nissan_FUGA

April 4th, 2007, 08:12 AM

Another set of today's photo...

This signboard is located in the Sunny Estate...
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1223/cimg7407ik9.jpg

Astana Height construction site
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4351/cimg7408so2.jpg

Northern Ring Road (under counstruction)
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4020/cimg7410xn6.jpg

Piling works for the Lee Tat township project...
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7411/cimg7411qf6.jpg

Construction of shop offices in Mile 8
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4196/cimg7414el9.jpg

Construction of new shop office blocks in Bandar Indah
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7888/cimg7412fx3.jpg

ntly1

April 4th, 2007, 10:01 AM

^^
Glad to see a lot of construction activities ongoing in Sandakan now:)

Sabahkid

April 4th, 2007, 01:12 PM

Hi Nissan_Fuga, thanks for your updates.

The stretch of road in front of the Red Crescent has always been proned to excessive deformation. Changing it into concrete pavement will have a greater load bearing capacity & longer maintenance free life-cycle. For once they are doing something rite i reckon haha....

cheers

AhChuan

April 4th, 2007, 01:18 PM

Worrr...thx for the updates...

Any more detail of the sunny mansion?? 18 storey huh...quite tall.

Nissan_FUGA

April 4th, 2007, 01:20 PM

^^

Unfortunately, not many updates on that condo project, i think they concentrate in other areas in Sandakan first....

Nissan_FUGA

April 4th, 2007, 01:24 PM

Sabahkid

April 4th, 2007, 01:32 PM

Well, i wonder what colour will they use for road lines....could it be yellow?

Normally reflective white will be used together with raised pavement markers (cat eye)...... but after so long they still have not put up the line marking, this could be a safety harzard to road users..... so they only do half the thing rite haha.......

kuchingbite

April 4th, 2007, 07:54 PM

Photo From Chinese Cari
By vk

Giant Hypermarket (Sandakan)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/vkcheng/sabahlife/IMAGE_409.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/vkcheng/sabahlife/IMAGE_411.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/vkcheng/sabahlife/IMAGE_416.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/vkcheng/sabahlife/IMAGE_419.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/vkcheng/sabahlife/IMAGE_423.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/vkcheng/sabahlife/IMAGE_427.jpg

AhChuan

April 5th, 2007, 05:16 AM

^^ Thx for the photos. Takashima, dun hav in KK. :(

Sabahkid

April 6th, 2007, 07:15 AM

Checked with the Wah Mie Group website..... the Sunny Mansion was not listed as either project under planning or future project........ But what's the exact location of the proposed condominium?

Nissan_FUGA

April 7th, 2007, 08:42 AM

^^

Well, i saw this board in Sunny Estate, around the interior.....

Nissan_FUGA

April 7th, 2007, 08:59 AM

Source : http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=16093

RM800 million to resolve Sandakan’s power woes

SANDAKAN: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) will spend RM800 million to introduce a new ‘feedback’ system as part of its efforts to address the power disruptions in the State, particularly in this district.

“The system, which is currently in the middle phase of implementation, will link the 11 substations in the area, and is expected to be completed by December 2008. It has so far proven effective in reducing the occurrence of power disruptions,” new SESB managing director Baharin Din told reporters here yesterday.

Baharin said the average disruption rate for consumers in Sandakan was 1,000 minutes compared to 4,000 minutes the previous year.

In the past two years there had been a reduction and this was expected to continue from year-to-year and by 2010, the average disruption rate would go down to the national tabulation of 125 minutes, he said.

He added the recent disruptions were due to upgrading works.

Baharin earlier gave a briefing on SESB plans during a meeting with political leaders and Sandakan municipal councillors at a leading hotel. Also present was Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan.

Meanwhile in the briefing, Baharin said presently there were seven main power distribution substations in Sandakan.

“Four new main power feeder substations will be constructed at Gum Gum (1×1.5MV), Bandar Utama (2×30MV), Muhibbah (1×1.5MV) and Sandakan Central (2×30MV), he said.

He said 40 per cent of the disruptions was caused by the ongoing upgrading works that were being implemented in the town.

Touching on power theft, Baharin described it as serious and would have an impact on the people and the country.

He said SESB incurred heavy losses estimated at between RM4 to RM5 million a year as a result of this.

Baharin called on locals in Sabah not to compromise with any quarter involved in such crime and they should immediately report them to the authorities, including SESB.

tbc

April 7th, 2007, 04:06 PM

Checked with the Wah Mie Group website..... the Sunny Mansion was not listed as either project under planning or future project........
Perhaps they are preoccupied with launch of another 18 storey condo project in KK instead, in fact all three blocks of them !!

Nissan_FUGA

April 10th, 2007, 09:19 AM

Source : http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/6783

Crime rate in Sandakan down 40% during first quarter
10th April, 2007

SANDAKAN: The crime index here dropped by 40 per cent during the first quarter of this year.

District police chief ACP Rosli Mohd Isa said 92 cases were reported as compared with 153 during the same period of last year. “There was a drastic drop in the number of serious crime cases,” he told a Press conference after attending a monthly gathering at the district police HQ here yesterday.

Rosli also said they have arrested 20 people including suspected drug traffickers in nine operations since April 5. “We also seized 4.75 grams of syabu,” he added.

The police chief assured that they would conduct more operations to further bring down the crime rate in Sandakan. “We will also carry out operations from time to time to flush out the illegal immigrants,” he said. Yesterday, Rosli also presented letters of commendation to 11 policemen.

AhChuan

April 10th, 2007, 09:27 AM

^^ Wow!! 40% rate decrease is so much in quarter year. Congratzzz!!

ntly1

April 13th, 2007, 02:50 PM

Source :http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200704/s1895416.htm
Last Update: Thursday, April 12, 2007. 1:11pm (AEST)
Cadets to attend Sandakan dawn service

The Returned and Services League (RSL) says 15 Australian Defence Force cadets from across the country will attend the first official dawn service at Sandakan in Malaysia.

During World War II, 2,400 prisoners of war were held at the Sandakan camp, and only six survived.

The RSL's Queensland president, Doug Formby, says three Queensland cadets have been chosen to attend the Anzac Day service.

"When you read it in a book it's one thing, when you physically go there and see the conditions it's another matter," he said.

"They will understand just the strength of character, the sacrifice, the self-sacrifice, that these fellows had to do, what they had to go through.

"How important mateship really turned out to be."

Print Email

ntly1

April 13th, 2007, 03:07 PM

ASIAN SPIRIT FLYING TO SANDAKAN

Another Philippines Airline will start a new service between Zamboaga & Sandakan on 23rd April 2007.:)

Check : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandakan_Airport

Asian Spirit Airline Website (International Flight Schedule):
http://www.asianspirit.com/flight_main.html

Sabahkid

April 13th, 2007, 03:38 PM

ntly1

April 13th, 2007, 05:14 PM

This sector bet Sandakan & Zamboanga has been on off on & off for the past few years..... not sure how long it will last this time ard.... hopefully better than previously. But without a connecting schedule for those from Phillipines to travel onwards to KL or JB, it is quite hard to have the load to sustain it for long terms i guess.

cheers

The main reason for the Southern Phoenix Airways suspended their flight service to Sandakan was due to their licence problems.

source: http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Aug05/040805/nite18.htm
Foreigners Left In The Dark Over Airline Status By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Many overseas workers from the Philippines in the Sultanate have been left in the dark over the status of South Phoenix Airways that connects Zamboanga, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Some workers said they could no longer get air tickets of South Phoenix Airways that connect the two destinations.

"We were told by the airline office that the service had been interrupted many times due to cancellations and delays, and they asked us to come back a few days later.

"When we returned a few days later, we were told the same thing," they said, adding that they were forced to board ferries to Sandakan and Zamboanga, which ensued a journey of between 18 and 24 hours.

They said unconfirmed reports told them that the service was suspended three weeks ago but travellers had been kept in the dark about it.

"If only we were told the truth, we need not wait for so many days in Kota Kinabalu just to find out whether there will be a flight out of KK to Zamboanga.

"We could travel directly to Sandakan and book ferry tickets to Zamboanga," they said, adding that the flights have been very convenient, especially for workers who originated from the southern part of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, sources told the Bulletin that South Phoenix Airways flights have been suspended due to licence problems.
The Zamboanga-Sandakan flight takes 1 hour 35 minutes while the Zanboanga-Kota Kinabalu flight, 2 hours 20 minutes.

The airline used a F60 Fokker - with a capacity of 50 passengers - for the operations.

When the route was launched late last year, it was seen as an effort to improve air links within the BIMP-EAGA region. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

The loading may not the main factor...

Source :http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2004/12/16/bus/another.airline.to.open.davao.sandakan.flight.htmlThursday, December 16, 2004
Another airline to open Davao-Sandakan flight
By Jenny Molbog-Mendoza

South Phoenix Airways would have at least 5,000 passengers a week who will fly from Zamboanga to Sandakan once its operation officially starts[

ntly1

April 13th, 2007, 05:35 PM

Source : www.airliners.net
http://web2.jetphotos.net/showphotos.php?location=Sandakan+-+WBKA&newsort=2

The suspended Southern Phoenix Airways' NAMC YS-11 landed in Sandakan Airport

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/5744/spa1qv7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

one of the Asian Spirit's fleets - BAe-146-100 (1st flight service is starting on 23rd April 07 between Sandakan & Zamboaga)

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/3171/as1ht1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sabahkid

April 14th, 2007, 03:45 AM

I remember that after the SOuthern Phoenix Airways suspended their SDK-ZAM service, there was another Phillipines Russian owned airlines called Morphill (can't really remember the exact name) plying this route sometimes last year. It was again stopped after a while, reason not known.

Hopefully this Asian Spirit's service will still be there in June so I'll be at the airport to snap a few shorts of the airplane in action :lol:

cheers

Nissan_FUGA

April 14th, 2007, 05:44 AM

^^

I am wondering does this flight ever reached 60% passenger load or not....

tbc

April 14th, 2007, 08:34 AM

^^

I am wondering does this flight ever reached 60% passenger load or not....

First we have to determine what on earth a F60 is.
Then we can know capacity of the aircraft.
Only then can we know the passenger load in %, assuming someone has the data in number of pax readily available !!
:D

Sabahkid

April 15th, 2007, 06:19 AM

That earlier report from the Brunei press does suggest that there are a sizable customer pool in Brunei for this flight. Maybe we need to get Royal Brunei to start the Bandar Seri Begawan - Sandakan flight as well to connect the 2 flights haha.... maybe then it will be more sustainable...

cheers

ntly1

April 15th, 2007, 07:11 PM

Nissan_FUGA

April 18th, 2007, 09:46 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=49205

Musa: It's Sabah Agrobio Industrial Corridor
Kota Kinabalu: CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said Tuesday that the Sabah Development Corridor, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during his visit to the State in February, will be known as Sabah Agrobio Industrial Corridor (SAIC).

He said the concept and mechanism of the corridor would rely on the vision of development or Halatuju Pembangunan of the State.

Musa, who is also Finance Minister, was answering a question by Likas Assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan during the questions and answers session at the State Assembly. Liew wanted to know the meaning of "Corridor Sabah" and its activities, as well as the impact on social and economy of the State.

"In the Sabah context, the direction of development will become the foundation to bring forward the development of corridor, which is in line with the Government's direction to make agriculture, tourism and manufacturing as engines of economic growth for the State," Musa said.

He said the proposal to establish a development corridor in Sabah was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during his official visit to Sabah on Feb 14, this year.

Musa pointed out that the success of the SAIC depends very much on the active involvement from the private sectors, both local and foreign investors, to invest in the identified sectors. He said the State Government had invited three government agencies, Sawit Kinabalu Berhad (agriculture), Yayasan Sabah (tourism) and Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) (manufacturing) to participate in this corridor.

He stressed that government linked companies such as Suria Capital Bhd, Warisan Harta Sdn Bhd, KKIP Sdn Bhd and Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) had also shown their interest in the corridor.

Musa added that majority of the activities such as agriculture, tourism and manufacturing would be focused only in certain districts. He said Sandakan and Tawau would be developed into agro industrial corridor due to their great potential within the framework of development of BIMP-EAGA which involves Asean member countries, Brunei, Indonesian, Malaysia and the Philippines.

He added that Sandakan and Tawau were well known for barter trade with Philippines and Indonesia, while Lahad Datu and Sandakan would become centres of manufacturing after the establishment of POIC.

Musa said Sandakan would become an education hub while Tawau could become a food Industry park, aquaculture and research centre, while Semporna district is popular with deep-sea fishing and seaweed industry.

On tourism, Musa said both districts were bestowed with several interesting places such as Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Tabin Wildlife Forest Reserve and Danum Valley in Lahad Datu, while Semporna has Pulau Mabul and Pulau Sipadan.

Development corridors will also be developed in the State's northern region comprising the districts of Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas as well as the sub-central region of Keningau, Nabawan, Ranau and Tambunan.

"Infrastructure in these districts such electricity supply, road, ports and airport will be upgraded to meet current needs from time to time," Musa said.

To ensure success of the SAIC, Musa said the State Government had formed a steering committee, of which he is the chairman, and working committee chaired by State Secretary Datuk K Y Mustafa. The functions of both committees are to study in detail the concepts as well as the mechanism pertaining to the implementation of SAIC.

The State Economic Planning Unit is the secretariat for both committees.

ntly1

April 18th, 2007, 09:47 PM

^^ Sandakan would become an education hub , hopefully the government will bring in a foreign university to set up here in Sandakan just like Curtin University in Miri :)

Sabahkid

April 21st, 2007, 01:34 PM

^^ good suggestion ! when the airport getting more busy then it would have more reasons to upgrade the airport...ha..ha..:)

Haha..... actually submitted this idea to the ADUAN for my idea when they we "collecting" feedback for the tourism development in Sandakan. Clearly, they don't read (or response) to every letter that was sent to them......

cheers

Nissan_FUGA

April 25th, 2007, 10:54 AM

Asian Spirit Set To Revive Zamboanga-Sandakan Route

KOTA KINABALU, April 25 (Bernama) -- Travelling tourists and businessmen from Zamboanga City to Sandakan, Sabah, may soon be able to cut travel cost and time as regular flights along this route are set to resume next month.

In support of enhancing traffic movement within Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Asian Spirit, a domestic passenger airline, will start flying the Zamboanga-Sandakan route from May 7 twice weekly for the first two weeks and this will subsequently be increased to thrice a week.

According to a statement issued by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) today, the airline will also operate the Zamboanga-Jolo route from May 1 and between Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi from May 2.

Asian Spirit has scheduled Monday-Wednesday-Friday flights from Zamboanga to Jolo and Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday flights from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi.

The Zamboanga-Sandakan flights will also follow the Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule.

John Baricuatro, head of Asian Spirit Davao, said the air links needed to be increased in support of the growing demand for air traffic in these areas, particularly Zamboanga and Sandakan.

"We are re-establishing our links between Zamboanga and Sandakan because we see growing business opportunities within these areas," Baricuatro said, adding that the more than one million population in Sabah offered bright prospects for air travel between Zamboanga to Sandakan.

In a meeting with MEDCo yesterday, Baricuatro cited the need for strong government support as airline industry players endeavour to serve the skies of EAGA.

The Mindanao-Malaysia route was previously served by South Phoenix Airways which started operations in December 2004 until July 2005.

In 2006, a Filipino-Russian joint venture Mosphil Aero revived the link but the move was not sustained.

Asian Spirit's flight of one hour and 40 minutes from Zamboanga-Sandakan offers an alternative to the 14-hour sea travel by the SRN Fast Seacraft and Alesson Shipping Lines. It also offers a cheaper flight option to the Kota Kinabalu-Clark (Pampanga)-Manila-Zamboanga route taken by most traders.

Baricuatro said the Zamboanga-Sandakan route provides an alternative link between Sandakan and other economic centres in EAGA such as Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in Malaysia, Tawi-Tawi in Indonesia and Brunei.

To help ensure a viable operating cost for its first two years, Asian Spirit is requesting the Malaysian authorities to waive the airport tax, parking fees and landing charges at the Sandakan International Airport, he said.

This incentive, he added, will help the airline maintain reasonable operating cost for the development of the route as well as other air routes in the BIMP-EAGA.

BIMP-EAGA countries have been pushing for the expansion of air links in the sub-region in an effort to promote and enhance intra-regional trade, tourism and investment cooperation among the focus areas.

The provision of air services in the BIMP-EAGA is envisioned to bring about greater accessibility, facilitate mobility of peopleand enhance the flow of goods and commodities in addition to attracting investors to locate in the sub-region.

--BERNAMA

Sabahkid

April 25th, 2007, 12:17 PM

"Sandakan International Airport"? haha... that's something new to me....:lol:

anyway, hope this flight will stil be there in Jun, I will sure go to the airport to catch a glimpse of the Asian Spirit airliner.

cheers

Nissan_FUGA

April 25th, 2007, 12:35 PM

^^

Haha, sounds good in name.....

Are there latest news on SHS? Last week i saw from the Edge got mention about the SHS...

Sabahkid

April 25th, 2007, 12:48 PM

^^

Haha, sounds good in name.....

Are there latest news on SHS? Last week i saw from the Edge got mention about the SHS...

Not much is heard from the SHS lately. All I know is that there is a new backpacker lodge opened there not long ago.

http://www.sandakanbackpackers.com/

ntly1

April 26th, 2007, 10:01 AM

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aussie State PM at 'do'
Sandakan: ONE hundred and fifty Australians burned Gum leaves Wednesday in memory of the war dead at the first Anzac Day observance held by the Australian Government at the Sandakan War Memorial Park.

Alan J. Carpenter, Premier of Western Australia, said he felt "sadness for a stage of our shared history that reflects the horror of war where so many Australian and British soldiers (more than 2,000) marched out but only six survived."

The first Australian State Premier to attend such a service here, Carpenter said while Australians "owe our brothers a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid" they also "owe a debt of gratitude to those people in Sabah for their bravery and compassion."

He was referring to locals who cared for, hid and delivered the surviving POWs to the allied forces, at their own risks.

Carpenter also noted that while remembering the fallen from previous wars, time has passed. "We stand here today with the knowledge that wounds heal and former enemies are now friends.

"Lessons have been learnt but today we are the same people with the same values thanks to the sacrifices of those young men," said Carpenter who conceded awareness in Australia is still low and promised some personal help to increase it.

He said he would report to Parliament about his visit and encourage them to come to Sandakan. Carpenter later did a live radio interview on the phone with the Australian media for broadcast back in Western Australia.

Some 400 people including Yeo Boon Hai, President of the Sandakan Municipal Council, top brass from the Malaysian Armed Forces and Police, top officers from the Australian High Commission, Andrew Shim, Australian Consul for Sabah, attended the ceremony which started at the crack of dawn (5.30am).

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman was represented by Speaker of the Sabah Legislative Assembly, Datuk Juhar Mahairrudin.

Musa said he was happy that the Anzac Day dawn service in Sandakan has become an official Australian event to be observed annually.

"I believe Sandakan is an appropriate place to commemorate Anzac Day," citing the presence of hundreds of Australian and British prisoners of war brought there by their captors to build an airfield in World War Two.

Musa said he understood Anzac Day is a time in Australia and New Zealand when the nations pause to remember their countrymen who served them in times of war, war time was also a time of fear and suffering for the locals.

"As such we also remember what the wartime occupation meant for our local people," Musa said, citing harsh conditions and death.

Meanwhile, Yeo Boon Hai said he was "very thankful" to the Australian Government for "officiating" the Anzac Day function.

"This is the first time the Australian Government had come in officially to do it and I think it'll further bind the friendship between Australia, Malaysia and particularly Sandakan," said Yeo.

"They are very passionate people who are fired up and actually keep the remembrance. That's the great thing about them of which we appreciate," Yeo told Daily Express.

In a prologue which spelled out the historical context, Lynette Silver, historian and author of "Sandakan A Conspiracy of Silence", said that even in captivity, the Australian POWs held their Anzac services "beneath The Big Tree, right here, on the very spot we are now standing."

"This simple memorial is, like the men it commemorates, solid, unpretentious and undeniably tough."

The service began with the Malaysian National Anthem played by the Sung Siew School Boys Brigade Band, followed by mounting of the Catafalque by several Australian soldiers.

Gavin Moore, grandson of Private James Moore who died, made the "call to commemoration" followed by Lynette's prologue.

Craig Brown of Shark Bay High School, Western Australian, did the "First Reading" from Revelations 7, followed by an address by Alan Carpenter.

Rev. Canon Moses Chin the gave the "Prayer for Peace" and "A prayer for Those Who Suffer Because of War" followed by Datuk Musa's address.

Ann McDermott, Cadet Under Officers, Australian Army, WA and Thomas Woodroofe, Australian Airforce VIC Chief Petty Officer, Scott Wood, Australian Navy, Queensland, did the 'Second Reading' , followed by the Lord's Prayer from Rev Moses Chin.

Group Captain PA Lavelle, as Master of Ceremonies, made the "Roll Call of the Fallen" followed by Burning of Gum Leaves, led by Lynette Silver.

Wreath laying began afterwards, followed by Ode of Remembrance by Patricia Rowland.

Lyn Atherton , grandaughter of Private Samuel Jury , read 'These Fellowing Men ' extracted from the Passionate Heart by Dame Mary Gilmore.

That done, Cadet Sergeant Nicole Pyke sounded the 'Last Post'.

After a minute's silence, Rev. Moses Chin performed the "Final Blessing", culminating in the Australian Anthem.

Nissan_FUGA

April 27th, 2007, 07:48 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=49439

S'kan water supply restored
Sandakan: Normal water supply has been restored in the major areas of the municipality, following resumption of operations at the Sandakan water treatment plant.

Disclosing this following a visit to the Water Department's plant, here, Thursday, Elopura People Development Leader (PKR) Chan Tzun Hei was briefed by the department's district engineer Ishar Hamka that the water disruption experienced by Sandakan consumers over two days was due to high turbidity at its intake points.

Thus, the plant had to shut down operations. The high turbidity was due to the recent heavy downpour which washed earth into the river.

Chan was accompanied by Elopura Pemaju Mukim, Wong Tian Choi.

Nissan_FUGA

April 27th, 2007, 06:38 PM

News on SHS, from the Edge dated 23/4/2007...

taken from http://www.ireka.com.my/newsdesk.htm

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2567/shs1mq0.jpg

AhChuan

April 27th, 2007, 07:26 PM

^^ Many good news for sandakan!! Keep it up!!

Btw....new phase they talking about izzit refer to the Hotel??? Or the mall??

ntly1

April 30th, 2007, 11:58 AM

source :http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/

SANDAKAN: The Chief Minister stressed to oil palm industry players to stick within the ambits of the law and also to encourage more local people to work in plantations by offering better remuneration packages.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman was the guest-of-honour at the 118th Anniversary Dinner of East Malaysia Planters Association (EMPA) at Sabah Hotel in Sandakan last night, and he said:

“Despite being the largest producer of crude palm oil (CPO) with 1.4 mil hectares of land planted with oil palm, we must make the environment a priority for the industry to remain sustainable. (The same goes for other types of plantations).

“This is of grave concern because Malaysia has become a target of western propaganda against the palm oil industry and we must not give them a reason to attack us.

“This means we must abide by the law, rules and regulations with regards to the discharge of effluence, and by not encroaching into riparian reserves.

Musa, in his speech, warned that the government would not compromise on this issue and appropriate action would be taken against the offenders.

He added: “Another issue is labour in plantations. I believe we will increasingly face a shortage of labour as our neighbour Indonesia is also going into large-scale oil palm plantations.

“They will need their own workers and will surely provide better pay to keep them in their country. As such it is high time we persuade our own people to work in plantations.

“But we must provide better facilities such as living quarters and other basic amenities and lure them with higher wages.”

Musa also touched on the tremendous potential in various resource-based industries, saying the government would provide the infrastructure, such as the establishment of the palm oil industrial cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu.

The project will make Lahad Datu into a palm oil downstream processing hub and it has already attracted foreign investors.

This project is expected to draw RM1 billion worth of investments over the next two years. He said that another POIC would be set up in Sandakan as the government sees the economic spin-offs and the wealth-creation potential.

Musa said that there is a large wave of foreign interest in wanting to develop Sabah’s palm oil downstream industry.

“It is heartening to note that we have moved from being just producers of raw materials to be among the players in one of the world’s most in-demand products,” he pointed out.

“The global demand for bio-diesel signals good times ahead for our palm oil industry, particularly in the east coast where most of plantations are located”.

He said under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, focus would be on creating new sources of wealth in technology and knowledge intensive sectors where the private sector is expected to play an active role.

He said the programmes and projects earmarked for Sabah would help propel the state into the mainstream of national development.

Musa said that the government would continue to develop the fisheries, animal husbandry, oil palm, rubber and cocoa as the leading forces of the state’s economy.

Musa also touched on the Sabah Development Corridor which would help bridge the gap between the rural and urban areas in the state.

“The state economic planning unit is in the midst of identifying the core sectors and locations to be developed. And the plantation industry can play a vital role in this area as well,” he added.

On another note, the chief minister said that the state would face numerous challenges in its race to make Sabah a developed state by the year 2015.

“But these challenges must not be viewed as obstacles; rather it must be viewed as opportunities whereby both the public and private sector should jointly strive to create a conducive environment to spur economic growth.

Among those present at the dinner were State Assemblyman for Gum-Gum, Datuk Zakaria Edris, chairman of EMPA, Salim Mohammad, Sarawak EMPA representative, Mohammad Tahir, Malaysia Palm Oil Association (MPOA) officer, Joseph Tek, chairman of Incorporated Society of Planters, Abdullah Hanifah, EMPA organizing chairman, Lee Hock Leang and members of EMPA.

Nissan_FUGA

May 7th, 2007, 05:47 AM

Source : http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/7545

Biodiversity centre’ for Sabah
7th May, 2007
KOTA KINABALU: To better reflect on its commitment to the conservation of the state’s rich yet fragile biodiversity, the State government has given the nod to the setting up of a ‘biodiversity centre’ for Sabah.

In a statement issued here yesterday, State Science and Technology Advisor Datuk Tham Nyip Shen noted that this followed a proposal by him during a meeting with the Chief Minister Datuk Musa Hj Aman on Thursday.

He said the meeting was to discuss about the science development in Sabah, following up to the recent launching of the biodiversity blueprint prepared by Institute for Development Studies Sabah (IDS), in which Tham is the Chairman of the Working Committee.

“With the Chief Minister’s blessing, we will now move in to set up the Centre,” he said, adding that once set up, it would be a ‘landmark’ for a better understanding and conservation of biodiversity in Sabah.

To achieve this with minimal expenses and at the shortest time, Tham has proposed for the upgrading of the Sabah Forestry Department’s Sepilok Forest Research Centre (SFRC) in Sepilok, Sandakan into such a Centre.

He explained that this proposal was based on the fact that SFRC is one of the oldest and most prestigious research centres in Sabah with some of the most renowned scientific findings on the biodiversity, both flora and fauna, of Sabah thus, making it a very significant referral centre.

Once it is upgraded, SFRC is most likely to be renamed as Sabah Biodiversity Centre to better reflect on its new role.

Tham then noted that the understanding of the biodiversity is necessary and crucial towards formulating an efficient and concrete conservation policy, so as to prevent the precious ‘natural heritage’ which “may hold the keys to the human survival” from being permanently lost in the midst of rapid development.

“The main objective behind setting up the Centre is to act as an catalyst in conservation of our biodiversity resources in the most effective and efficient manner.

“This is very important as we have seen many civilization vanish in the past because of the lack of proper understanding of nature, which ultimately led to catastrophic consequences.

“By keeping our biodiversity in tact will certainly ensure a better chance for our survival. Hence, the Biodiversity Centre is not only important for the people of Sabah, but also for the global community,” he pointed out.

Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan had once warned that failure to conserve and use biological diversity in a sustainable manner would result in degrading environments, new and more rampant illnesses, deepening poverty and a continued pattern of inequitable and untenable growth.

Nissan_FUGA

May 10th, 2007, 12:00 PM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=49782

Tsunami warning system in Sulu Sea by June
Sandakan: Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dato Kong Cho Ha said a tsunami warning system will be installed in the Sulu Sea by June this year.

The system would be able to transmit early warning within an hour of a possible tsunami following an earthquake, he said after visiting the Sandakan Meteorological station, Wednesday.

At the same time, he disclosed that the Ministry would seek the assistance of telcos like Celcom, Maxis and DiGi in providing tsunami warning services through the Short Messaging Service (SMS), apart from establishing similar cooperation with radio and television stations.

He also commended the Sandakan meteorological station for having done a good job on the weather forecast service over the last 22 years.

Also present were Sabah Meteorological Director Tan Chen Kok and Meteorological Director-General Dr Yap Kok Seng and Sandakan station chief Ahmad Minulin.

Meteorological stations would also be set up in Ranau, Keningau and Lahad Datu, he said.

ntly1

May 15th, 2007, 05:14 PM

TUNE Planning similar hotel in Sandakan

source :http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=49904

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Hotelier sees 45 years of tourism boom for Sabah
Kuala Lumpur: Tune Hotels.Com announced here Monday the acquisition of a 168-room no-frills hotel at 1 Borneo Hypermall at RM12.6 million or RM75,000 per room............

Plans are afoot to open up similar hotels in Sandakan, Tawau, Miri Bintulu, and Kuching.
................................

Sandakan POIC expected to be ready by the end of 2008

source :http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/7801

FIRST STATE-OWNED PALM OIL REFINERY LAUNCHED
15th May, 2007
KUNAK: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman yesterday launched the first wholly state-owned palm oil refinery complex here.

And, he said the refinery complex set up by Kinabalu Group was a strategic move to add value through downstream processing activities.

“It is also in line with Sawit Kinabalu’s aim of hedging its profits through business diversification and reducing its dependence on just one product................

Musa added that he was informed by the group’s managing director Salim Mohammad that construction of the first phase of the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) infrastructure development involving 400 hectares had already started, and was expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

..................

ntly1

May 16th, 2007, 02:04 PM

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RM70m agri school for Sandakan
Sandakan: An agriculture school known as Sekolah Pertanian Lestari (SPL) will be built at Sungai Batang Bt 10, here, at a cost of RM70 million.

The school, based on Agriculture Science, will cover 99 acres, including a plantation and other facilities.

Disclosing this in a press conference here, Assoc. Prof. Dr Wan Mohd Wan Othman, of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), said the proposed SPL would serve as a nucleus for the development of the Sandakan Education Hub.

It could give rise to various educational and training institutions in Sandakan, such as polytechnic, Mara Junior Science College, Inland Revenue Board (IRB) training centre and private college.

The SPL-UMS project would include the setting up of a herb garden, a padi field, ostrich farming and an oil palm plantation.

Dr Wan also pointed out that the SPL-UMS campus would play a significant role in the development and progress of the agriculture sector in Sabah, or in Borneo for that matter, in line with the vision of the 9th Malaysia Plan.

The curriculum would offer three disciplines of higher learning, such as Agriculture Production Programme, Livestock Production Programme and Horticulture Programme, as aspired by the goals of the SPL inception.

It was hoped that SPL would eventually emerge as an only professional centre of learning, research and services in this part of the world, particularly in Agriculture Science, Dr Wan said.

dmtling

May 22nd, 2007, 07:12 AM

[QUOTE=Nissan_FUGA;12495931]Another set of today's photo...

Construction of shop offices in Mile 8
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4196/cimg7414el9.jpg

Hi Nissan_Fuga, is this mile 8 shop office just opposite sandakan golf club?
Have not been to Sandakan for 3 years. Thanks.

Sabahkid

May 23rd, 2007, 01:20 AM

hi,

Not exactly opposite the golf course (depends on which direction u looking at), but it is rite next to the Mile 7 mosque along Jalan Labuk, along the fairly new Jalan Lintas Labuk & Jalan Labuk intersection.

cheers

dmtling

May 23rd, 2007, 04:47 PM

TWK90

June 6th, 2007, 08:57 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=50446

Sandakan tourism players told to beef up frontline
Sandakan: Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Karim Bujang reminded all quarters involved in the local tourism industry to play a pivotal role in providing valuable services to tourists at the various entry points in the municipality.

He pointed out that the airport terminal would serve as the main gateway for every district, thereby creating a lasting impression among the foreign visitors.

Karim said this while launching a tourism exhibition at the Sandakan Airport here, Tuesday.

He added that cleanliness should be the main priority at the entry points that could reflect the positive attitude of the community in maintaining general cleanliness of the environment.

At the same time, the local community must bear in mind that general cleanliness would not only safeguard their health but also a positive impression among tourists, Karim said.

Also present were Sandakan Municipal Council President Yeo Boon Hai, District Police Chief ACP Rosli and Malaysia Airports Berhad Manager Awang Mali Awang Anak.

ntly1

June 13th, 2007, 04:29 PM

Sabahkid, i know that u will be back to SDK in June. if u r there, could u take some latest progress of Sandakan Harbour Square. cheers:)

ntly1

June 14th, 2007, 11:39 AM

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US zoo donates to Orang-Utan project Kota Kinabatangan: The Woodland Park Zoo in the United States will donate US$8,500 (RM28,840) to an Orang Utan conservation project here in honour of an elephant which died at its zoo in Seattle last week.

The zoo's conservation director, Lisa Dabek, would come to Sabah soon to present the cheque for the amount to the Kinabatangan Orang Utan Conservation Project (KOCP) in Sukau, the Seattle Times said in its on-line report.

When contacted, Dr Marc Ancrenaz of KOCP confirmed that representatives from the Woodland Park Zoo would visit Sukau next month.

Ancrenaz said he learnt of the donation from the same on-line news report.

According to the report, "Hansa", the six-year-old elephant was the first elephant to be born at the zoo.

The female elephant became a popular attraction among visitors to the zoo before she was found dead. The cause of death was not specified.

The KOCP, located at the banks of the Kinabatangan River, Sabah's longest, was set up in 1998 by "HUTAN", a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department.

About 30 villagers from Sukau have been trained to conduct research on elephants, Orang Utans and other wildlife species through KOCP.- Bernama

Sabahkid

June 15th, 2007, 04:14 AM

Hi guys.......yup, I was back in Sandakan..... so here are some updates, took me a while to get those photos uploaded.

SHS from Harbour View carpark
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1251/picture054oc3.jpg

The partially completed SHS
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/5725/picture055kc0.jpg

Homestead Inn under construction
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7983/picture057gd1.jpg

few more coming....

cheers

TWK90

June 15th, 2007, 04:21 AM

^^

Thanks for the update! It seems the main square has alraedy painted blue colours, in the past, it was not coloured....

Does anyone knows when will the hotel + mall complex construction will start? IMO, this one is the most anticipated component in SHS....

Sabahkid

June 15th, 2007, 04:24 AM

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9918/picture100oa7.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7352/picture101sg0.jpg

ntly1

June 15th, 2007, 10:05 AM

^^ thanks Sabahkid...good update photos :)

ntly1

June 15th, 2007, 12:27 PM

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandakan hospital lacks docs :ohno:
Sandakan: The Duchess of Kent Hospital here faces almost 50 per cent shortage of medical officers and lacking medical specialists that might hamper smooth services, especially when its new building extension is completed later.

Hospital Director, Dr Zorina Khalid, said the hospital presently has 41 medical officers, against 80 expected for a general hospital.

Its medical officers are also dispatched to serve in the outpatient clinic, owing to the shortage of staff nurses, she said.

In the event the patients require the services of a medical specialist, then one would need to be flown in from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu on a two-week rotation basis, she added.

Sabahkid

June 18th, 2007, 01:02 AM

^^ thanks Sabahkid...good update photos :)

Y r welcome. Will upload a few more when i got my stuff sorted out.

cheers

TWK90

June 20th, 2007, 09:16 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=50802

'Speed up Education Hub in Sandakan
Sandakan: MCA Libaran Youth Chief, Chin Kim Hiung, urged the State Government to expedite the setting up of the Education Hub in Sungai Batang Batu 10 so that people in the district can enjoy the facility soon.

It is time that the district has its own higher learning centres, which are closer to the people here, he said Tuesday.

Only through proper education can ensure a better chance for the community to improve their living standards, he said.

At the same time, he also urged the authorities to further boost the tourism facilities in the district.

Presently, he said the tourism facilities in the district are still in a below-par level.

He observed that most of the tourists coming to the district would not stay long, while some came in the morning and leave by night.

Sabahkid

June 21st, 2007, 02:37 AM

A few more update photos for u guys....... cheers

Taman Mesra at Batu 4
http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/571/picture102ym1.jpg

Indah Jaya Phase 5 construction (not sure wat phase, but it is right next to Jalan Utara after the traffic light junction)
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6733/picture103sx5.jpg

Utama Place
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/7020/picture125xb4.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7334/picture126fy2.jpg

Hotel Tyng Garden across the road
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/1816/picture127ge3.jpg

Upgrading of existing Jalan Bokara from Pasir Putih to the Jalan Lintas Sibuga roundabout at Batu Sapi.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/8526/picture123uu0.jpg

ntly1

June 21st, 2007, 03:46 PM

Photos by : Steven888

Recent Aerial Views Of Sandakan CBD

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/540/sdksteven888fx0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/2784/sdk2steven888vi8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sabahkid

June 22nd, 2007, 03:17 AM

Sabahkid

June 22nd, 2007, 03:40 AM

This is the Sandakan Memorial Park Pavillion...... definitely worth a visit with its beautifully presented info on the WWII in Borneo. The place is rather well-maintained with fund from the Australian Govt. The ANZAC Day & Sandakan Day services are held here every year on 25 Apr & Aug respectively.

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/3640/picture061eh7.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7365/picture062qy7.jpg

cheers

Sabahkid

June 22nd, 2007, 03:57 AM

The Sandakan Industry Training Institute campus (right behind the Sibuga Sport Complex). It is huge but did not go in for a tour as the security gurad the the entrance wasn't really that friendly looking when i pulled up haha........

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/8011/picture128tk8.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/674/picture129rw6.jpg

TWK90

June 22nd, 2007, 04:17 AM

Em...the new shopoffice blocks in Bandar Indah (behind to Parkwell), is it open already?

dmtling

June 22nd, 2007, 07:46 AM

Nice pictures you got there sabahkid..the fleet or road building machinery look familiar, haha.
Thanks for posting Sandakan latest update.

Sabahkid

June 25th, 2007, 01:04 AM

Em...the new shopoffice blocks in Bandar Indah (behind to Parkwell), is it open already?

Yup....some have already opened shops there & there will be a hotel opening in one of those blocks as well.

cheers

Sabahkid

July 2nd, 2007, 06:54 AM

View from inside the Imperial Bay View Restaurant. I must say that it offers some of the best views in town.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3631/img0084qt7.jpg

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/285/img0088mi4.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/7471/img0089ro3.jpg

cheers

TWK90

July 4th, 2007, 05:51 AM

http://www.sabah.gov.my/jpas/Assessment/eia/eias/eias.html

From what i see from site, it seems finally the work on Sandakan Education Hub has started....

Sabahkid

July 4th, 2007, 08:36 AM

http://www.sabah.gov.my/jpas/Assessment/eia/eias/eias.html

From what i see from site, it seems finally the work on Sandakan Education Hub has started....

U mean u have been to the mile 10 project site? Accessible from which road?

cheers

TWK90

July 4th, 2007, 10:06 AM

U mean u have been to the mile 10 project site? Accessible from which road?

cheers

What i mean the word "site" is that weblink...not the real 'construction site'.....

Still quite a long time for me to return to Sandakan.... :)

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_2ea3be6d-cb73c03a-df4bfc00-954ac520

MBSB coming to Sandakan....

ntly1

July 4th, 2007, 02:49 PM

Source : www.flickr.com
Photo by : weieeng

Found some great pictures of Selingan Island (Turtle Island), Sandakan

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4831/selingankm7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/8000/selingan2nu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/8454/selingan4ie2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

ntly1

July 9th, 2007, 05:57 PM

Kekurangan Hotel Di Sabah Akan Diatasi - Tengku Adnan

SANDAKAN, 8 Julai (Bernama) -- Produk pelancongan di beberapa daerah di Sabah akan dimajukan untuk mengatasi masalah kekurangan bilik hotel yang dihadapi di Kota Kinabalu pada musim puncak, kata Menteri Pelancongan Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

Beliau berkata kementerian berkenaan sedang melaksanakan usaha itu terutama di daerah Sandakan dan Tawau yang juga mempunyai produk pelancongan menarik.

Di Kota Kinabalu terdapat kekurangan 3,000 bilik hotel ketika waktu puncak pelancong datang dan dengan memajukan produk pelancongan di daerah lain, kedatangan pelancong ke Sabah akan dipecahkan dan tidak sahaja tertumpu di Kota Kinabalu.

Kementerian mengambil perhatian serius bagi mengatasi masalah ini kerana Sabah merupakan antara tarikan terbaik destinasi pelancongan di Malaysia, katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Projek Kompleks Membeli Belah dan Hotel Antarabangsa Sandakan Harbour Square di sini malam tadi.
Beliau dijadual mengadakan pertemuan dengan pengusaha hotel, agensi pelancong dan pemandu pelancong di Sabah hari ini di Kota Kinabalu bagi membincangkan masalah pelancongan negeri.h.

Usaha pembinaan pusat membeli belah dan hotel antarabangsa di Sandakan amat bertepatan untuk mengatasi masalah kekurangan hotel dan memastikan pelancong dapat singgah di daerah ini lebih lama dan tinggal di hotel yang selesa, kata Tengku Adnan.
-- BERNAMA

Mandarin Version
东姑安南：旅游部将解决沙巴州酒店客房供不应求问题

(山打根8日马新社讯)旅游部计划发展沙巴州几个县的旅游产品以解决亚庇在旅游高峰季节时所面对的酒店房间供不应求的问题。

旅游部部长拿督斯里东姑安南说，该部正在实行此项计划，尤其是山打根和斗湖等地区拥有许多非常吸引人的旅游产品。

当旅游高峰季节来临，亚庇将面对3000间酒店客房短缺的问题，料其它地区的旅游产品发展起来后，前来沙巴游玩的旅客将会被分散而不只集中在亚庇而已。

他说，旅游部对上述问题非常关注，这是因为沙巴是我国其中一个重要的旅游热点。

他是昨天在这里为《山打根Harbour Square购物广场及国际酒店计划》主持开幕仪式后向记者这么说。

他也将在今天于亚庇与酒店管理人、旅游社以及导游会面商谈关于沙巴州旅游业所面对的问题。

他也说，在山打根兴建购物广场及国际酒店正是时候，这不但能够解决酒店客房供应不足的问题，而且也能让旅客在此地逗留更久，亦能住在舒服的酒店里。

目前有许多的外国旅客都是逗留在亚庇，他们都是乘坐早班的飞机去山打根参观西必洛猿人保护区，然后乘坐晚班飞机回来亚庇。

ntly1

July 9th, 2007, 06:04 PM

Tourism Ministry working hard to get tourists to stay longer in Sabah
9th July, 2007

SANDAKAN: The Tourism Ministry is working hard to get tourists to stay longer in Sabah, especially in the east-coast towns like Sandakan.
Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the abundance of potential tourism products in areas such as Sandakan and Tawau would be developed for the purpose.

The ministry would meet hotel operators, tour agencies and tourist guides to discuss the matter, he told reporters after opening the Sandakan Harbour Square International Hotel and Shopping Complex here Saturday night.

He said the hotel would help ease the shortage of rooms in Sandakan, which had resulted in many foreign tourists flying from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and back within a day when visiting the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sepilok near Sandakan.
Adnan said another reason for developing tourism products in other areas of Sabah is to disperse tourists away from room-starved Kota Kinabalu which faced a shortage of 3,000 hotel rooms during peak tourist seasons.

He said that officials from his ministry would meet with the local authorities to explore what tourist attractions there are in each district and to find what problems they face.

While launching the Sandakan Music Fiesta, Adnan remarked that it showed the creativity of the Sandakan folk and that it could also attract more tourists.

Also present at the function was Sabah Tourism Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sandakan Municipal Council president, Yeo Boon Hai and ICSB Ventures Sdn Bhd managing director, Lai Voon Hon.

Yesterday in Kota Kinabalu, Tengku Adnan said the ministry would also look into the problems faced by tourist guides in Sabah with regard to some restriction on the area of operation.

“For example, those registered as nature guides cannot guide tourists to islands or towns. They can only guide tourists to mountains or forests, and vice-versa.

“Furthermore, there are tourist guides who cannot communicate in the Korean or Japanese languages and we will look into this,” he said.

ntly1

July 9th, 2007, 06:24 PM

FIESTA MUSIC SANDAKAN
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/9408/festflyerthgx1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sabahkid

July 10th, 2007, 01:20 AM

TWK90

July 10th, 2007, 02:17 AM

Great, after years of waiting, finally our very first, proper shopping centre in Sandakan construction begins......hope to see a tower crane during its construction!

ntly1

July 11th, 2007, 10:22 AM

Opening of the Hotel & Mall? I reckon they are referring to the ground breaking ceremony perhaps? Any photos of the above event? Thanks.

Ya, i think it is the ground breaking ceremony. What can see from the flyer...the mall & hotel will only complete in yr 2009 & 2010..!:)

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/2687/flyer2ja0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

TWK90

July 11th, 2007, 10:35 AM

2009,2010.....are they going to open the mall in 2009, then the hotel in 2010..is it?

ntly1

July 11th, 2007, 10:45 AM

2009,2010.....are they going to open the mall in 2009, then the hotel in 2010..is it?

I m not very sure too ! :)

Sabahkid

July 14th, 2007, 04:06 AM

There is a report stating that the hotel will be operated by the Sheraton Group..... anyone saw that?

bart_shinoda

July 14th, 2007, 07:15 AM

when n where do you saw that report??

Sabahkid

July 17th, 2007, 06:13 AM

when n where do you saw that report??

I think it was reported by a local chinese newspaper covering the ground breaking ceremony 2 weeks ago.

cheers

Sabahkid

July 17th, 2007, 07:05 AM

Sandakan airport & beyond....

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/767/img0103kn5.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/6096/img0106py2.jpg

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7144/img0109zj3.jpg

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3633/img0111mp2.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/2681/img0112eq8.jpg

cheers

SEED

July 18th, 2007, 01:37 PM

^^ that turtle island pic looks great... :drool: if only i can hav that whole island for myself wit butlers services and hehehe.. :naughty: i need to getaway!

ntly1

July 21st, 2007, 07:46 PM

Sitex Terminal To Boost Economic Growth In Sabah

SANDAKAN (Sabah), July 21 (Bernama) -- The proposed Sandakan Integrated Trade Exchange (Sitex) terminal will help to promote economic growth in Sabah, especially in the east coast, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said today.

He said the project, which is expected to be completed in two years, has big potential in developing trade activities of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Musa said the Sitex terminal would become a centre for barter trade in the region, accelerating economic growth in the state, particularly Sandakan.

He said this when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the project here today. The text of his speech was read by Minister in the Chief Minister's Department, Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran.

When completed, the terminal will have jetty facility, ferry terminal, a commercial complex with duty-free shops, hotel facilities and godown.

Costing RM315 million, the terminal is a joint venture between Windsor Trade Sdn Bhd and Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco).

-- BERNAMA

ntly1

July 22nd, 2007, 09:58 AM

Click below for more info about Sandakan Integrated Trade Exchange (Sitex) terminal

http://www.windsortrade.com/

:)

TWK90

July 22nd, 2007, 08:27 PM

Great! Now that Sitex terminal has began its construction along with the SHS Harbour Mall + Hotel and the POIC, the future of Sandakan looks good....at least we do not have to depend on few sources of economy to generate income in Sandakan...

bart_shinoda

July 24th, 2007, 07:01 AM

Sabahkid

July 24th, 2007, 07:18 AM

POIC is not in Sandakan...... POIC is in Lahad Datu la......

The Sandakan POIC, by the Kinabalu Sawit Group, is indeed under construction. It is located at Batu Sapi, not far away from the SITEX.

cheers

TWK90

July 24th, 2007, 07:41 AM

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=274506

More and more POICs coming out in Malaysia soon....in Sabah, the largest POIC is Lahad Datu, thus more news on Lahad Datu POIC compared to the Sandakan POIC....

ntly1

July 24th, 2007, 10:20 AM

POIC is not in Sandakan...... POIC is in Lahad Datu la......

^^ For your Info... read this :ohno: There is a POIC in Sandakan lah

source :http://www.sawitkinabalu.com.my/poic.shtml

Sawit is now embarking to develop Palm Oil Industrial Cluster, namely SAWIT POIC, which is developed by Sandakan Bulkers Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sawit Kinabalu Berhad. It is strategically located in the north eastern side of Sabah in the vicinity of Sandakan port.
Sawit POIC is a new integrated palm oil industrial hub with 2,800 acres of land earmarked to cluster and centralized all palm oil related industries in one single complex.

It will be developed with modern infrastructures, utilities,
amenities with bulking and a dedicated liquid jetty for shipping.

2,800 acres of land earmarked for the project.

Phase one -1,010 acres
Phase two - 1,800 acres

Project Development
Phase 1 development is due for earthwork commencement
in the third quarter 2006 and expected to be completed
by third quarter 2007.
Infrastructure shall be ready for operation by middle of 2008

Infrastructure Facilities
Highly accessible by dual carriageway roads connecting from the hinterland to the project site.
Adequate supply of power, water as well as other utilities.
Pipe racks connecting from individual premises to bulking facilities.
Liquid jetty for efficient handling import and export of cargo for shipping.

Targeted Industries
- Refineries, Kernel Crushing Plant, bio- diesel, bulking installation, oleo chemical, bio-mass etc.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3433/poicwm5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Accessible to abundant raw materials
Availability of oil jetty dedicated to SAWIT POIC
Strategic Location - Close to China, Japan and Korea
Special Committee for fast track processing of development plans
Experienced player in the palm oil industry
Pioneer status and investment incentives

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7272/poicmapjt1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-07-24

For more information on Sawit POIC , please contact:

Madam Chin Ai Yah
Manager, Corporate Affairs and New Business
Tel: +60 88 235811
Fax: +60 88 217851 / 235830
Email: sawitaff@tm.net.my

Bryan Chee
Business Development Executive
Tel: +60 88 235811
Fax: +60 88 217851 / 235830
Email: bryancanb@gmail.com

Tati Ismail
Business Development Executive
Tel: +60 88 235811
Fax: +60 88 217851 / 235830
Email: tati.ismail@gmail.com

ntly1

July 28th, 2007, 01:47 PM

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rais wants Sabah to set up more mini-museums

Sandakan: The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry, in collaboration with the National Heritage Department, will be submitting a proposal to the State Government to consider setting up mini museums in several strategic areas.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, believed that such facilities could promote the understanding among the local communities on the inherited cultures and traditions of 33 ethnic groups in Sabah, thereby promoting conservation efforts.

He said this at the commemoration of Agnes Keith's Day in conjunction with the American writer's 106th birthday, at the Agnes Keith House, Jalan Istana, near here, on Friday.

Keith had promoted Sabah for having penned a book "Land Below the Wind" that had gained worldwide publicity.

He also pointed out that conservation works on Agnes Keith's original house in Sandakan had now been completed, with a hope that the Sabah Museum Department would maintain the building as one of the local heritage sites.

Rais also noted that research and development had been completed on Semporna, Lahad Datu and Sandakan, involving works on conservation and development on historical sites in Sabah.

These include Bukit Tengkorak in Semporna and Batu Tulug Caves in Sandakan, that should be preserved from fading into oblivion, he said.

To commemorate Friday's function, sale of some 1,000 copies of "Land Below the Wind" had been launched, in appreciation to Keith's contribution in promoting Malaysia, Sabah in particular, he added.

Also present were Keith's daughter Alison Jean Knapper and grand-daughter Leslie Seller, Sabah Museum Director Datuk Joseph P Guntavid and Sandakan Municipal Council Deputy President AMB Fajeer.

TWK90

July 29th, 2007, 08:01 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=51664

RM500m power grid activated
Kota Kinabalu: The RM500 million Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) East-West Interconnection Grid project was officially commissioned Saturday.

SESB Managing Director Ir Baharin Din launched the historic event at 11.56am by switching on the main switch at the company's main transformer control room at Jalan Bundusan, Penampang.

The physical work on the longest 275kV line in Malaysia was completed a month ago. The 247km Interconnection grid that cut across the Crocker Range, took four years to complete.

The project was delayed for one and a half years due to various problems, among others, land acquisition, protection of rare Raflesia plants in Tambunan and tough terrain.

Baharin thanked all authorities involved in making the project a success. He said with the completion of the project, electricity can now be transferred from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan, thus overcoming electricity supply problems faced by consumers in the East Coast of Sabah.

With the interconnection in place, the West Coast Grid could transfer up to 100 MV to the East Coast Grid.

"As for the disruption of power supply, we expect it to be reduced by 80 per cent because we no longer use old generators in the East Coast, " Baharin said.

However, he said there could be some minor supply problems for the next few weeks as SESB continues to fine-tune the system.

"We need to find its natural equivalent level. While we work on it there might be some power disruption but it would be very minimal. We hope the consumers will bear with us," he said.

Baharin also said there would be more operational flexibility with the completion of the project, which means they could plan the maintenance and repairing more freely.

"Previously it cannot be done because it had to be run almost 24 hours non-stop. Now, we have support from elsewhere, we can shutdown two plants for maintenance and still keep the supply running."

"The performance will be better after the maintenance which overall will give positive impact for East Coast area, " Baharin said.

Baharin also said the project addressed two of the three major components of electricity supply - generation and transmission.

"The problem left now, if any, would be only localised involving distribution network. But as far as the generation and transmission aspects are concerned, everything is almost fully addressed," he said.

He said the remaining problem involving localised power breakdowns were being solved through a series of projects comprising upgrading, reinforcement, creating new mains and sub-stations, upgrading line, replacing poles and all equipment and rehabilitation of all generator premises.

"We are pumping various projects worth about RM600 million which will be carried out from now till 2010. Hopefully by then Sabah's electricity supply level will be on par, if not better, than that in the peninsula," Baharin said.

Sabahkid

July 30th, 2007, 03:11 AM

TWK90

August 3rd, 2007, 10:07 AM

Latest photo near SHS construction site...

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/6205/1000163jy8.jpg

bart_shinoda

August 4th, 2007, 04:24 PM

yike..... i hate this design... i luv the older design... modern yet elegant...

sepilok

August 5th, 2007, 09:19 AM

the design always changed..

bart_shinoda

August 5th, 2007, 11:51 AM

TWK90

August 5th, 2007, 11:59 AM

why diorg tukar the design??? is it bcoz of reducing cost? the older design is too expensive?? or is it too early 4 sandakan to have that such of building design?? i think sandakan is ready to have that such of building design...

At least this is possibly the tallest (compared to past renderings few years ago), actually, compared to the past rendering (the one posted in the previous page), the basic design, such as white colour and blue glass....it is actually the same,the slim design is also shown in the other banner....i guess it is just a matter of the difference on the rendering quality..

So, we just wait and see for the building to be constructed, with this height of this building alone, the view of Sandakan town centre if looked from far away, would be a lot different than what it is now....

When i pass through the site, the construction of the boutique hotel already reach to its top and piling underway on remaining phases of the shophouses..

Sabahkid

August 6th, 2007, 04:00 AM

why diorg tukar the design??? is it bcoz of reducing cost? the older design is too expensive?? or is it too early 4 sandakan to have that such of building design?? i think sandakan is ready to have that such of building design...

There is no such thing as "too early" or "not ready" to have such design. Everything these days are dictate by market forces - u expect ur project to make more money, then u pour in more money into ur project. Then of course, this picture only shows the design on "paper", it is always not the "real thing".

But as long as it is functional & bring bebefits to the local economy, I don't really object how it looks like. There are hundreds of beautiful looking buildings in Putrajaya, but many are leaking water or have choked pipes. What's the point? Get the basics right 1st!! Look good alone is useless, it got to taste good as well:)

TWK90

August 7th, 2007, 09:12 AM

Today's photo

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2049/1000167qk8.jpg

tbc

August 7th, 2007, 03:47 PM

Would I be too off the mark to suggest that SHS is transforming Sandakan today as to what Segama/Sinsuran transformed Kota Kinabalu some thirty years ago ?

Sabahkid

August 7th, 2007, 11:17 PM

Would I be too off the mark to suggest that SHS is transforming Sandakan today as to what Segama/Sinsuran transformed Kota Kinabalu some thirty years ago ?

Segama/Sinsuran? That's more like our Bandar Ramai Ramai built 30 years ago haha......

Anyway, this is what the Ireka boss said few days ago in the local newspaper:

1) 2nd & 3rd phase in progress now. 3rd phase includes the 12 sty shopping centre, in which 7 of them provide 1000 parking space.

2) The international hotel will have 255 rooms with a convention centre big enough for 1200 people.

3) The boutique hotel is scheduled to complete by this Nov.

cheers

ntly1

August 8th, 2007, 01:56 PM

Segama/Sinsuran? That's more like our Bandar Ramai Ramai built 30 years ago haha......

^^ i m having the same thought ! :lol:

Biodiversity training centre at Lower Kinabatangan region
8th August, 2007
KOTA KINABALU: A biodiversity training centre will be established next year at the Danau Girang Field Centre, in the Lower Kinabatangan Sanctuary, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said yesterday.

The minister stated that the centre will provide facilities and resources for research projects to be undertaken in the reserve area for the purpose of providing a better understanding of the mechanisms of degraded forests.

The centre will also deliver training programmes for Cardiff University students and other regional students, he said at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony held at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort here yesterday.

The MoU was signed by the Sabah Wildlife Department, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and United Kingdom-based higher learning institute Cardiff University.

“In terms of teaching opportunities, students from both these universities as well as other regional, national and international universities will have the opportunity to undertake, at first hand, field courses in terrestrial and aquatic ecology, evolutionary biology, microbiology and conservation biology, which will be taught through field demonstrations, seminars, and lectures,” he said.

Students will experience botanic, small mammal and reptile trapping, insect collection and identification, food web studies both terrestrial and aquatic, methods of bird study, animal behavior, wildlife monitoring and censuring, socio-economic, medicinal plants, ethno-zoology, and nature tourism, he said.

The MoU, he said, will offer opportunities for students from Europe, America, Canada, South East Asia, Australia, South America, Africa, and so on, to take up field courses in tropical ecology and conservation.

Masidi said that field training and jungle trekking opportunities would be available to tourists and tour guides as well.

The Danau Girang Field Centre, the minister said, needs to provide the necessary structure and resources to enhance research and provide an excellent education facility for students undertaking tropical ecosystem science, particularly in degraded tropical forests, in order to achieve this aim.

“Students and researchers from Malaysia, Cardiff University and other UK universities, and from other countries, will be able to visit the Field Centre to undertake specific learning programmes or research projects in the areas of environmental and ecological sciences and the tropical ecology of the Kinabatangan floodplain and its wildlife.

The 560km Kinabatangan River drains catchments area of approximately 16,800 square km—some of Southeast Asia’s few remaining freshwater swamp rainforests, and numerous ox-bow lakes, are found in this floodplain. The floodplain is home to a range of wildlife, including the Bornean elephant, Sumatran rhinoceros, clouded leopard, and more than 300 species of birds, reptiles and fish.

At a press conference held later, State Wildlife Department Director Datuk Mahedi Andau told that the decision to sign the MoU resulted from over a year of discussion among the three parties involved.

He explained that both UMS and Cardiff University conduct their own research activities at the centre and that the decision to set up the training centre was due to their realisation on the benefits of having it established.

The Danau Girang Field Centre was established through a Federal Government fund of RM3 million.

Cardiff University’s Professor of Bio Diversity Michael Bruford told reporters that the university will be initially investing RM500,000 in the centre.

This investment will be used to purchase the necessary equipment and infrastructure to get the centre going, he said.

In addition, he said, the university will be bringing in experts to work at the centre.

The centre is expected to begin operations next year; students will be accepted at the same time.

Research programmes to be introduced at the centre are expected to generate a lot of income, not just for the centre, but also to the local community, Prof. Bruford said.

“At the same time, we will be able to get more documentation about the reserve area,” he said.

He explained that little is known about the changes that occur in a degraded forest and that the lower Kinabatangan provides an excellent model.

“From it, people can build up their expertise on how they can manage the wildlife population and eventually, transfer their knowledge to other parts of Sabah, Borneo and in South East Asia,” he said.

Also present at the event were Sabah Wildlife Department deputy director Laurentius Ambu, UMS Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Noh Dalimin, and UMS Tropical Biology and Conservation Institute director Professor Datin Dr Maryati Mohamed.

ntly1

August 8th, 2007, 09:51 PM

RM294 million GDV mixed property development at 100 acres of BDC reclaimed land, Sandakan
Source:http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_85fb9032-cb73c03a-16f70a40-bbed7f50

".......Priceworth’s foray into property development activities.
Through its 51% subsidiary Integral Acres Sdn Bhd (IASB), the Group will undertake a mixed property development on approximately 100 acres of reclaimed land valued at RM116 million in Sandakan, Sabah.
In consideration for the land ownership totalling 80 acres, IASB is required to complete 1000 units of low cost apartments valued at RM53 million and surrender them to MPS/ Sandakan Municipal Council.
At a gross development value of around RM294 million, it would generate additional revenue averaging nearly RM60 million annually over the next four years.
The project was Priceworth’s maiden venture into a relatively large scale property development, although mitigated to a certain extent by its 49% JV partner, Campo Sdn Bhd, an experienced contractor in Sabah, and financing support secured from Sabah Development Bank Bhd (SDB). ......"

^^ I believe the 5 Stars Equatorial Hotel (as shown in MPS website) is part of this mixed development developed by the Integral Acres Sdn Bhd. It would be good if this mixed development which is located at sea side will have something different from those normal shop offices/lots ! :)

Sabahkid

August 10th, 2007, 03:04 AM

RM294 million GDV mixed property development at 100 acres of BDC reclaimed land, Sandakan
Source:http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_85fb9032-cb73c03a-16f70a40-bbed7f50

^^ I believe the 5 Stars Equatorial Hotel (as shown in MPS website) is part of this mixed development developed by the Integral Acres Sdn Bhd. It would be good if this mixed development which is located at sea side will have something different from those normal shop offices/lots ! :)

Seems like progress is really slow whenever i passed by BCD..... cant see anything happening after more than a year of construction. They should build another Sutera Harbour there...... the water front view will be spectacular... haha.....

cheers

TWK90

August 10th, 2007, 02:29 PM

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=278448

At last, a proper bus terminal for Sandakan :)

ntly1

August 16th, 2007, 10:00 AM

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remembering the fallen heroes

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5470/sdkic5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sandakan: More than 200 people comprising local and foreign representatives participated in a Sandakan Day Memorial service at the War Memorial Park at Mile 7, Jalan Utara, Wednesday.

They laid wreaths at the site. Among those present were Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Penny Williams; representative of US Ambassador to Malaysia, Capt. Claudia Risner; British High Commissioner to Malaysia Boyd McCleary, British Defence Adviser Col Paul Edwards; Australia Department of Veterans Affairs Ed Killestyn; Acting President Boyup Brook Shire Council, Roger Downing.

Among the locals were Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin; Sandakan Municipal Council President Yeo Boon Hai, deputy district police chief Supt Mohd Zain Yaacob and family members of those who died during the Japanese Occupation in World War Two.

The Sandakan Memorial Day ceremony was also very meaningful for Australian Sarah Sheridan although she never knew her grandfather who was killed in North Borneo during World War II.

Sheridan's grandfather, Sergeant George Julian Beetson, was 39 years old when he died on 1 Nov 1944 as a prisoner of war (POW) in Sandakan.

"He paid the ultimate price for his country. Today, with my family - 13 descendants of George - we remember who he was, the life he lived and the memory that remains.

"Through the recollections of my grandmother Mary Sheridan who is here Wednesday, we remember George as a family man and not only as a soldier who served his country," she said at the ceremony.

The Sandakan Memorial Day is celebrated on Aug 15 to remember Australian and British soldiers who died after being held as POWs by the Japanese at camps in Sandakan.

In January 1945, the Japanese army instructed 455 Australian and British POWs to march from Sandakan to Ranau and in May 1945, 800 others were also made to do the same. Another 288 were left in the camp in Sandakan and later died.

forrestcat

August 16th, 2007, 03:42 PM

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=278448

At last, a proper bus terminal for Sandakan :)

That link's about LCCT ?U cannot provide direct link to Bernama articles..it'd usually lead to the main page.That's why I only copy paste Bernama articles.

Good that bus terminals are being given attention now :) .I believe they are as important as airports and train stations.

TWK90

August 16th, 2007, 04:48 PM

^^

Actually, from that LCCT article, it does mentioned about new bus terminals in Sabah, it is in at the end of the article....

Sabahkid

August 16th, 2007, 11:29 PM

That link's about LCCT ?U cannot provide direct link to Bernama articles..it'd usually lead to the main page.That's why I only copy paste Bernama articles.

Good that bus terminals are being given attention now :) .I believe they are as important as airports and train stations.

I just don't understand that why simple thing like a bus terminal needs federal govt funding. U mean our state govt is so poor that they can't even fund a simple bus terminal? We don't need anything fanciful, just a functional boarding/disembarking place for bus passengers! This is ridiculous.

forrestcat

August 17th, 2007, 02:49 PM

^^

Actually, from that LCCT article, it does mentioned about new bus terminals in Sabah, it is in at the end of the article....

Huhu..ah ah la..sorry2:nuts:

forrestcat

August 17th, 2007, 02:50 PM

I just don't understand that why simple thing like a bus terminal needs federal govt funding. U mean our state govt is so poor that they can't even fund a simple bus terminal? We don't need anything fanciful, just a functional boarding/disembarking place for bus passengers! This is ridiculous.

The coming election plays an important role too..they need a 'Satu Lagi Projek XX' bill board for people too see :lol:

nazrey

August 23rd, 2007, 08:39 AM

Sandakan Bus is OK!
by spring haru

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1027/1156162275_e0e1d10b92_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1192/1156163021_51de797189_o.jpg

sepilok

August 23rd, 2007, 09:24 AM

what did u mean by "ok"?
if u are a driver, then u will feel the "danger" of those buses on the road..

ntly1

August 23rd, 2007, 10:01 AM

sepilok

August 23rd, 2007, 04:31 PM

i heard gentingmas will be taken by giant soon..is that real?

bart_shinoda

August 24th, 2007, 04:30 AM

Sandakan Bus is OK!
by spring haru

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1027/1156162275_e0e1d10b92_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1192/1156163021_51de797189_o.jpg

punya bidak tu ko blang ok....... even busses in kk pun sama.... i think government should be more strict to the bus operator on changing old busses to the new one.... like city bus in kk.... not only old fashioned, contribute to noise and smoke pollution and mostly, danger to the other road user.....

Sabahkid

August 24th, 2007, 06:53 AM

punya bidak tu ko blang ok....... even busses in kk pun sama.... i think government should be more strict to the bus operator on changing old busses to the new one.... like city bus in kk.... not only old fashioned, contribute to noise and smoke pollution and mostly, danger to the other road user.....

Enforcement (if any) is generally weak in every aspect of our country. In fact, they should have a set of performance indicator for the public transport operators, such as accident frequency, punctuality as per published schedules, cleanliness, no. of traffic offences etc..... n the renewal of the operator licences will depend on meeting the set performance, for eg, 90% on time, less than 1 incident per 1000km travelled etc........

well, but politicians dont really care improving the stadard of service, they r just keen on getting new projects maybe......

cheers

ntly1

August 29th, 2007, 02:19 PM

ASIAN SPIRIT (ZAMBOANGA, PHILIPPINES <=> SANDAKAN, MALAYSIA)

Source : www.airliners.net

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6587/asianspirit2nc2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6587/asianspirit2nc2.7299bf8ec9.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=521&i=asianspirit2nc2.jpg)

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1583/asianspirit1mn0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6077/asianspirit3sw1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

TWK90

September 5th, 2007, 06:11 AM

Source : http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/5/business/18440856&sec=business

@Ease to open in Sabah
By MARSHA TAN

MALACCA: Value Hospitality Group, which currently manages eight hotels under the four-star Everly and three-star Prescott brands, will open its first hotel under a new brand – @Ease – in Sandakan, Sabah, next month.

Group general manager Dennis Tan said @Ease, which is a mid-level boutique hotel, would feature a new design but offer the same efficient management and services as the group's other brands.

“The rooms are smaller but set up in a trendy and contemporary design. The name @Ease is to reflect our concept which is just that – to put our guests at ease,” Tan said in an interview.

If discussions went well, a second hotel under the new brand would open in Kuala Lumpur by year-end, he said.

The 129-room boutique hotel in Sandakan would be run by an initial 20 staff, Tan said, adding that the opening room rates would be RM80 to RM120.

In 2006, the group achieved revenue of RM44.5mil, gross operating profit of 15%, and average occupancy rate of 72.8%.

Tan said to ensure customer satisfaction, the group had invested some RM750,000 over the last five years in research and development (R&D).

“We are different in the sense that we develop a lot of software that makes us not only more efficient but able to provide better customer service,” he said.

For example, the R&D department had developed software to improve the night audit process.

“We can programme (the system), say, for everything to be completed by 3am, so if the person in charge does not finish the audit on time, automatically an e-mail goes out to me that the audit was not done,” said Tan.

The group’s hotels would be the first in the world to implement such an audit system when it was fully installed, he said, adding the group was looking into the use of personal digital assistants instead of walkie-talkies to check rooms.

Set up in 1990, the hotel operator and turnaround specialist currently employs over 600 professionals in all properties under its management.

ntly1

September 5th, 2007, 11:16 AM

TWK90

September 5th, 2007, 11:22 AM

^^

I think it is......

Sabahkid

September 5th, 2007, 11:16 PM

Could it be the one in Sandakan Harbour Square ?:)

Absolutely correct..... it is owned by Sara Timur, the main contractor for SHS.

Sabahkid

September 11th, 2007, 03:17 AM

Found this on the net.

Model of @Ease boutique hotel
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6659/shs2pt5.jpg

and model of the shopping centre & hotel taken at the SHS sale office
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8984/shsys1.jpg

cheers

fairul

September 14th, 2007, 05:00 PM

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/payrol/DSC07496.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/payrol/DSC07497.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/payrol/DSC07499.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/payrol/DSC07495.jpg
concrete road..i like..:)

TWK90

September 14th, 2007, 05:47 PM

^^

Wow, thanks for the photos! It has been a few months since the last time i was in SDK....

TWK90

September 29th, 2007, 05:44 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=52981

Waiting for Pekan Muhibbah
Sandakan: The development of a new town at Sungai Manila, about 20 kilometres from here, is considered a blessing by settlers of the surrounding oil palm schemes.

The town is being developed in stages and when ready, it will have shops, mosques, health clinics, police station, and other amenities.

The town, also known as Pekan Muhibbah, is located in the centre of the oil palm settlement.

Dulhamit Damili, 41, a resident of Kampung Sungai Berung, said the residents had long waited for the new town because the population had increased and the need for more amenities had grown.

The new town would spur the economic development of the area and its surrounding, situated in the Sibuga State Constituency.

"The location of the new town is strategic and we are thankful to the Government for granting our wish," he said.

"This project proves that our State Assemblyman, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, has the people at heart, said Dulhamit.

Mohd Aslan Haris, 33, a resident of the Sungai Manila settlement, said the facilities at the new town had brought comfort to the residents in the area.

Previously, residents had to go as far as Sandakan or Sibuga town to obtain supplies and do other business.

"They had to travel by illegal taxis halfway before continuing in buses or real taxis."

Construction of the mosque, a necessity for Muslim residents, is expected to be ready by early next year. The Taman Cahaya Complex, a centre for the blind, is expected to be completed by August next year.- Bernama

ntly1

October 2nd, 2007, 10:18 AM

IJM is building a 300-room hotel in Sandakan

source:http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/index.jsp

02-10-2007: IJM Properties sees RM25b GDV for next 20 years by Sharon Tan

PUCHONG: IJM Corporation Bhd’s property arm IJM Properties Sdn Bhd has estimated a gross development value (gdv) totalling RM25 billion stemming from mixed development projects locally that will keep the company busy for the next 20 years.

IJM’s managing director Teh Kean Ming said while its landbank now stood at 3,600 hectares in the Klang Valley, Penang, Seremban, Melaka, Johor and Sandakan, it was still on the lookout for strategic acquisitions.

“We are constanly looking out for strategic landbank and landowners to work with,” he said, adding that IJM Properties also had projects in India, Vietnam and China, and would be concentrating on these markets for the moment.

He was speaking to reporters after a media preview of is latest project at the RM300 million Laman Granview here yesterday.

Laman Granview is located at Puchong’s highest point at 450 feet above sea level and adjacent to the Air Hitam forest reserve.

Divided into southern and northern zones, the project on a 21.16ha site will have a total of 278 semi-detached and bungalow units, with each unit having a built up area of between 3,577 sq feet and 4,521 sq feet priced at RM1.04 million and above.

The development comes with a 24-hour security service with a central monitoring system and a clubhouse.

Meanwhile, Teh said IJM Properties was planning to build a 300-room hotel in Sandakan to complement its development (at Bandar Utama Sandakan) there. It is believed that the hotel investment cost would amount to about RM90 million.

“We have already built a township there and the 300-room hotel will be our first foray (in the building of a hotel) for IJM,” he said.
“We are not in the hotel business but we are building a hotel because we see a value and need to complement the development,” said Teh, stressing that the company was not about to start building a string of hotels.

Asked if IJM planned to operate the hotel, Teh said that it was keeping its options open although some parties had expressed their interest in running it.

“We have the experience to run a hotel but if there is an opportunity to realise its value, then it is only right to do so. We won’t own a hotel for the sake of owning a hotel,” he added.

IJM had owned a hotel in Sydney previously while RB Land Sdn Bhd, which is now part of IJM, owns The Holliday Villa in Subang. :cheers:

ntly1

October 3rd, 2007, 09:52 AM

^^

By Nissan_FUGA in the old thread

One Avenue

The 300 rooms Hotel & Future Shopping Mall

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5205/oneavenueow8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6976/oneavenue2il7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:cheers:

sepilok

October 3rd, 2007, 02:01 PM

thanks for update, ntly1. we just wait for this excited projects..

ntly1

October 26th, 2007, 06:32 PM

Source:http://www.hapsenghomes.com/astana.php

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/508/astanabanner01yl2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8515/astanamapkl1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

PHASE 1
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4724/astanaphas1nr7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3292/astanaphas1and9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5789/astanaphas1buy1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/1606/astanaphas1cuv7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6633/astanaphas1dbv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

PHASE 2
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1536/astanap2b101my9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2558/astanap2c101og2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3289/astanaaerialview01ct1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9212/astanaaerialview03cm4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6966/astanaaerialview02kd3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4088/astanaaerialview04qa0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

ntly1

November 17th, 2007, 02:38 PM

source:www.newsabahtimes.com.my

A BUDGET FOR ALL

17th November, 2007

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman yesterday unveiled a comprehensive 2008 State Budget that would continue to focus on developing infrastructure, implementing rural development and poverty eradication programmes, human capital development as well as to enhance the public delivery system.

Tabling the Budget of RM2,301.15 million at the State Assembly sitting here yesterday, the Chief Minister said the Budget which aimed for balanced development, would establish a solid foundation for the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) and continued smooth implementation of the Ninth Malaysia Plan. And Musa who is also Finance Minister said the Budget, geared towards continued stability and progress, is the largest amount to date since the BN government took over the state administration.

“This is to ensure continuous momentum of economic growth that will maintain a climate that is conducive for business and investments. “It is a Budget that will also facilitate the establishment of the highly anticipated SDC,” he said.

The SDC, he said, would be comprehensive and holistic in nature, bringing development and economic spin-offs throughout Sabah. Nonetheless, Musa said the government would continue to adopt prudent and realistic spending measures as well as exercise sound management practices to achieve the state’s targeted growth rate, expected to be six per cent next year, similar to the projected rate this year. State revenue is projected at RM2,333.19 million against estimated spending of RM2,301.15 million in 2008.

It is on the up trend and will continue to move in a positive direction as reflected by this year’s revised revenue of RM2,265.69 million against the original estimate of RM1,899.49 million.

The Chief Minister said after considering the salary revision that came into effect in July this year, the total amount spent on emoluments was RM596.41 million.

“As part of improving the delivery system, the government is of the opinion that the allocation for various ministries and departments should be increased,” he stressed.

Musa also said since the estimated revenue was almost matched by the projected expenditure, the Budget would almost be a balanced one. Among the strategies to ensure continued growth are to step up efficiency of the public service sector through sound management and prudent spending, establish the necessary infrastructure and fundamental amenities and ensuring and ensuring sound management of resources and protection of the environment.

According to him, the Budget would also focus on aggressively developing the state’s human capital to facilitate higher economic growth and to give the people ample opportunities to improve their quality of life.

Musa added that as testimony to the government’s earnestness to develop the rural areas, some RM100 million would be allocated for rural and welfare community development programmes next year.

Another RM14 million, he said, would be channeled towards MESEJ programmes while RM13 million for students in rural areas in the form of scholarships. “We are confident poverty in Sabah can be overcome through a continued approach that is realistic and strategic in nature. “This is a big and noble agenda that requires the cooperation of all at every level,” he pointed out.

On effort to strengthen the public sector, he said the government would allocate RM103 million for management and RM54.33 million for development programmes of state agencies next year.

“It is my hope that these agencies will step up their performance and emulate other state agencies that have been doing well like Yayasan Sabah, Sawit Kinabalu, Sabah Credit Corporation and Sabah Energy Corporation, among others,” he said.

And in line with the national objective, Musa said the government would also adopt programmes to encourage the development of human capital as a catalyst to socio-economic growth.

Since the development of human capital is a priority in the state development agenda, he said RM200 million has been allocated under the 9MP for establishment of the Sandakan Education Hub of which RM15 million would be given out next year.

The Chief Minister added that as it is important to produce a generation that is knowledgeable and competent, a sum of RM55.8 million has been allocated for human resource development programmes which included exposing and establishing opportunities in information communication technology (ICT) with the ultimate aim of creating a pool of skilled workers.

“As proof of the government’s concern for the welfare of women, the study on the Women Development Maste Plan that could provide the framework for women participation in state development and gender quality has been approved of which RM500,000 has been allocated,” he said. And in recognition of the contributions of the Village Security and Development Committee chairmen, the government would increase their allowance from RM100 to RM200 a month.

“This shows the significance the government places on grassroots leaders and their role in bringing progress to rural folks who are the biggest supporters of government policies and programmes,” he added.

The government is also mindful of the welfare of the less fortunate, the elderly and orphans and to this end, RM29.03 million would be channeled towards social and welfare programmes.

Under this 2008 Budget, Musa said RM839.28 million would be used for development expenditure whereby the largest allocation of RM313.22 million would be extended to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development in view of its role as catalyst of development. The next two largest recipients are the Chief Minister’s Department and Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry which are to receive RM160.71 million and RM156.53 million, respectively to fund their prrogrammes.

“The role of the BN government is to ensure continued progress and development so that the people can enjoy a better quality of life,” he said, adding that he was confident Sabah would experience rapid economic growth for many years to come with the encouraging economic prospects and the deep commitment among federal and state leaders.

“And to achieve the state’s development objectives there must be cooperation and team spirit between state and federal leaders departments and agencies,” he said matter-of-factly.

The Chief Minister also said that when fully established, the SDC would pave the way for new industries to create economic spin-offs and employment opportunities for people in urban and rural areas.

“For the Corridor to succeed, we need high level participation of both the public and private sector. Everyone must play their role in finding and developing new areas of growth while adding value to existing industries,” he said.

He also advised the people not to overspend in light of rising prices due to the high oil prices. Musa explained that it was not enough to have a healthy financial position as it was also important for the government to double its efforts to generate more revenue and explore potential areas for economic growth.

In a nutshell, he said the Budget was one for all that takes into account the needs of every segment of the people while creating a climate that is conducive to economic growth.

“We have the policies and programmes as well as the funds in placed to achieve our development goals. We must be confident in our ability to succeed and we should cooperate for the greater good of Sabah. “And, we need to steer away from acts that can jeopardise our unity which is the very foundation for development and progress,” he said.

ntly1

November 18th, 2007, 08:40 PM

SAWIT PALM OIL INDUSTRIAL CLUSTER (POIC), SANDAKAN

source:http://www.sawitpoic.com/palm_oil_hub_puts_sandakan_on_the_map.pdf

www.oilsandfatsinternational.com

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6372/sdkpoicplangh6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/525/sdkpoicarticlebj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

ntly1

November 18th, 2007, 08:56 PM

^^source:thestar.com.my
Monday November 12, 2007

Plans for Sabah almost ready

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah development corridor will take off by the end of the year.

After six months of planning, the details of Sabah’s development corridor will be finalised in a meeting in Kuala Lumpur this Friday.

Speaking at the launching of the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) 22nd congress yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he was happy that there were no obstacles in finalising the corridor’s blueprint.

It was earlier reported that Sabah's development corridor would initially focus on the east coast districts of Sandakan and Tawau.

The districts were selected as the launch pads for the proposed Sabah Agro Industrial Corridor.

Sandakan and Lahad Datu will have Palm Oil Industrial Clusters. Sandakan is set to become an education hub while Tawau will focus food processing, aquaculture industries as well as research and development.

The corridor will also focus on tourism and eco-tourism.

Later when launching the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 18th congress, Abdullah said the Government's efforts in developing Sabah and Sarawak would be even more effective through the corridor approach.

Noting that Sabah was larger than any of the states in West Malaysia and Sarawak was bigger than the entire peninsula, he said development in both regions would take time.

TWK90

November 18th, 2007, 10:29 PM

Erm, great....

That education hub must be done as soon as possible so that we can keep youngsters in Sandakan and spur service industries in Sandakan, catering those students such as shops, malls etc...

TWK90

November 19th, 2007, 03:54 PM

http://www.atsa.com.my/folio_06-07_OA.asp

One Avenue, Sandakan

ntly1

November 19th, 2007, 07:17 PM

http://www.atsa.com.my/folio_06-07_OA.asp

One Avenue, Sandakan

TWK90, Thanks for sharing^^ :cheers:. those renderings from the website are as belows:-

source : ATSA Architects

The rendering of ONE AVENUE, SANDAKAN

Overhead view from One Avenue
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/7367/oneavenue02ane0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

290 Room Business hotel
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/139/oneavenue04ahh7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

700,000 square foot of gross retail space Sandakan Mall
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/7061/oneavenue06ats2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/3879/oneavenue07axk8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Avenue Walk
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8466/oneavenue09ayf7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5317/oneavenue10atm7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sports Centre
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3357/oneavenue12asd3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

TWK90

November 19th, 2007, 07:27 PM

With these two malls, i think Sandakan will have two distant flavour of malls, which is the SHS (tall, urban style) and the One Avenue (suburban style mall), certainly a great way to start a culture of mall shopping for Sandakanites indeed....

ntly1

November 20th, 2007, 07:26 PM

source:http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/13444

RM450 MILLION FOREIGN INVESTMENT SO FAR IN POIC LAHAD DATU

20th November, 2007
KOTA KINABALU: Foreign investors have, to date, put in a total of RM450 million into the Palm Oil Industry Cluster (POIC) of Lahad Datu.

Companies from Korea and Australia have built two bio-diesel plants with a total capcity of 300,000 metric tonnes per annum in the industrial cluster.

One is already operational since last October while the other will begin operation in April next year.

Minister of Industrial Development, Datuk Ewon Ebin said investor response towards the POIC in Lahad Datu has been encouraging.

Fifteen companies have signed sale and purchase agreements with POIC Sabah Sdn Bhd to buy a total of 267.36 acres.

“The expected investment from these companies is RM1,364.99 million,” he said when responding to a question from Membakut assemblyman Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif at the State Legislative Assembly Sitting here yesterday.

Ariffin had asked on the latest development of POICs implemented by the government.

Ewon went on to say that 25 companies are currently negotiating with POIC Sabah to acquire 386 acres that would involve investment projects worth RM1806.91 million.

“The sale and purchase agreement with at least 13 of the companies will be accomplished by next year,” he said.

The minister added that 62 other companies made enquiries on 732.24 acres of land with a capital investment of RM3,447.19 million.

Speaking on the progress of infrastructure development in the cluster, Ewon said earthworks, road construction, drainage, water supply, sewerage system and telecommunication lines for Phases I and II covering an area of 1,150 acres have been fully completed.

The power supply will be ready by the end of the year. At present the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is temporarily supplying 5 megawatts of power to enable investors to build their plants and get them operational ahead of schedule.

A jetty for POIC Lahad Datu is currently under construction in Phase II and the three docks in Phase I will be completed at the end of 2007.

Two of the docks will be able to accommodate vessels with capacities of up to 20,000 dry weight ton and one for barges of 5,000 metric tonnes.

“The jetty will be able to receive vessels of up to 100,000 dry weight ton and will be ready in June of next year,” he said.

According to Ewon, the state government is planning to implement Phase III of the POIC in Lahad Datu to accommodate demands for industries that are based on bio-mass.

Meanwhile, the master plan for the development of a POIC in Sandakan from 2006 to 2010 has been prepared.

Development plans and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports have already been approved by the Sandakan Municipal Council and Department of Environment.

Physical work on POIC Sandakan have started. Earthwork under Phase IA for an area of 350 acres is 60 per cent complete and will be finished by the end of the year.

Earthwork for Phase IB on an area of 650 acres are in the stages of negotiation.

The site of Phase I will be fully ready at the end of 2008 while Phase II (720 acres) are in the planning stages.

Ewon said the state government is taking measures to obtain federal funding through the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) next year for POIC Sandakan.

According to him, it would lessen the financial burden on Sawit Kinabalu which has been entrusted to spearhead the industrial cluster in Sandakan.

ntly1

November 20th, 2007, 07:38 PM

SAWIT POIC official website : www.sawitpoic.com

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1553/poic1xh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/758/poic2lg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

MASTER PLAN of PHASE 1

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2849/poic3ty1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4325/poic6zl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8423/poic4vi1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4963/poic5so0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/327/poic7eo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:cheers:

Sabahkid

November 22nd, 2007, 06:21 AM

Any sign of construction activities at Taman Utama? Just wonder when all these projects will materialised.....

cheers

TWK90

November 22nd, 2007, 09:04 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=54151

Re-opening teachers' training college in S'kan unlikely
Kota Kinabalu: THE Government has no plan to re-open a teachers' training college in Sandakan to cater for the proposed Education Hub to be created there, Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Haji Nasir Tun Sakaran said Wednesday.

He said the teachers' college in Tawau is capable to provide for that purpose.

Nasir was replying a supplementary question from Tungku Assemblyman Suhaili Said during the questions and answers session in the State Assembly.

He also said that previously there was a teachers' training college in Sandakan but it was later closed down and moved to Tawau.

To a question from Membakut Assemblyman Haji Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif earlier, Nasir said the education hub that would be created on a-1,355-acre land that will make Sandakan as an Education Town will be equipped with the latest and sophisticated infrastructures and facilities of the same standard as international education institutions.

He said the hub would become the main focus for public and private education institutions as well as training centres that will produce quality and skilled human capital.

"The education hub is created with the purpose to encourage more knowledgeable and trained human capital who will not migrate to other areas but will assist in producing more like them for supporting the job market requirement, particularly in the agriculture field," he said. Nasir said several education institutions would be built within the hub area including a Smart School by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Polytechnic Sandakan, Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) and Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM).

Saying the State Government has gazetted a piece of land for the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to set up a training centre and so on, Nasir said a comprehensive development facilities would also be developed and equipped with social amenities like an Islamic Centre, Health Centre, Recreational Centre as well as commercial area.

He said Sandakan is suitable to be developed as an education centre for the East Coast of Sabah due to its strategic location and good communication link system.

He said it is hoped that the creation of the education hub will help to increase the number of knowledgeable and high-educated people in Sabah.

MALAYSIAN

November 22nd, 2007, 09:09 AM

Any pic of Sandakan skyline?^^

TWK90

November 22nd, 2007, 09:12 AM

^^^

Pictures of the Sandakan skyline is hard to come by as the town centre alone is not tall enough to be considered as skyline...

ntly1

November 22nd, 2007, 11:09 AM

^^Really hope the government will invite a foreign university to come and set up a Malaysia campus in Education Hub ! just like Malaysia campus of Univeristy of Nottingham in Semenyih, Monash University in Sunway, Curtin University in Miri..etc. it would be better !:)

To Malaysian, I dont know what kind of skyline pics u r looking for but i got a aerial view of Sandakan Town pic. hope u like it

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9181/sdk2steven888ot5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

MALAYSIAN

November 22nd, 2007, 02:45 PM

Thank you for your pic:)

TWK90

November 23rd, 2007, 04:18 PM

Source : http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=297915

Sabah Readies Zone For SMEs In BIMP-EAGA

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The Sabah government intends to develop a park at Batu Sapi in Sandakan for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the East Asean Growth Area (EAGA) to enable them to carry out commercial, processing and manufacturing activities.

State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin said today the SME Park can also be a gateway for foreign investors wanting to enter the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines (BIMP) sub-region.

He also spoke of the strong synergy between the development of SMEs in BIMP-EAGA and the Sandakan Integrated Trade Exchange Terminal (SiTEXT) which is a Malaysian private sector initiative.

"This initiative (SiTEXT) is in line with the state government's vision to fully exploit the opportunities being created through BIMP-EAGA to generate economic growth, especially in terms of markets for the state's products and services as well as sources for raw materials for the state's industries," Ebin said when winding up the debate on Sabah's 2008 Budget in the State Assembly here.

Saying that BIMP-EAGA can help the state's economy expand through increased trade and investment, he related how the state government is taking a proactive role by taking part in various sub-regional activities like conferences, meetings and exhibitions.

On the development of the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP), Ebin said it now has 112 factories, four utility firms and eight training and research institutions involving a total investment of RM1.3 billion and provides employment to 4,414 people.

Of the 1,622 acres allocated for KKIP, 550 acres are still available, he added.

-- BERNAMA

ntly1

November 27th, 2007, 10:54 AM

a interesting news to share...:)

source: DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

Stay away from old bomb site: S'kan cops

Sandakan: People staying near the Taman Airport Baru and 22 RAMD Kem Sri Kinabatangan have been advised to steer clear from the People's Housing Project (PPR) at Jalan Army Camp today (Nov 27).

Police will be destroying a World War II (WWII) bomb at 10pm.

Sandakan acting police chief, DSP Ooi Guan Siew said the people should be at least 1km away from the blasting site.

Construction workers found the WWII relic while carrying out excavation at the site for the PPR housing at Jalan Army Camp, Batu 7, on Nov 20.

The 62-inch long with diameter of 54-inch weighing 1,000Ibs bomb has been confirmed belonged to that of the British Army.

Its danger range when exploded covers an area of 1.7 square kilometres.

Sabah Bomb Disposal Unit from the police force will destroy the WWII relic.

Ooi said the residents in the nearby vicinity of Jalan Army Camp have been advised to leave their premises and to be at least 1km away from the blasting site.

"We are also advising them to open their windows to avoid being broken due to the vibration caused by the explosion and to put electric equipment such as television, computers and glass wares to a safer place," he said.

He said police would be closing the Jalan Army Camp starting from Simpang Esso up to Kampung Sungai Kayu.

He also said that power supply would be cut off temporarily in the area to prevent untoward incident until the bomb has been safely destroyed.

ntly1

December 7th, 2007, 07:19 PM

source: http://www.spies.dk/slgfiles/siteid11/blog.html

Finally, I found some pics of the MYTRAVEL Tour Airbus A330 stopped over in Sandakan Airport

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7898/gruppefotojx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/909/img1257dansdameraa0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

TWK90

December 13th, 2007, 09:21 AM

Source : http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_d24336d1-cb73c03a-38d46000-20f56b97

13-12-2007: Sandakan’s RM40m boutique hotel to open on Dec 23
By Rosalynn Poh
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Sandakan’s first boutique hotel, the RM40-million @ease waterfront hotel — located within the RM450 million Sandakan Harbour Square — will be opened on Dec 23.

The hotel, which overlooks the Sandakan Harbour, has 138 deluxe rooms and suites, business centre and banquet facilities and it is targeting corporate clients, businessmen and tourists.

It would be the first hotel within the Sandakan Harbour Square and fourth hotel under the three-star category in Sandakan. The project was undertaken by Sara Timur Sdn Bhd’s subsidiary Sara Timur Properties Sdn Bhd.

Sara Timur — a Sarawak-based engineering and construction company — was the main contractor for the first two of four phases of the 12-acre Sandakan Harbour Square. The hotel will be managed by the Value Hospitality group.

Sara-Timur Properties joint managing director Rosita Hamden said yesterday there was good potential for tourism in Sabah.

“Sandakan has many attractions to offer including the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, the Kinabatangan river and eco-tourism,” she said at a press briefing here yesterday.

She said first daily flights from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan are usually packed with tourists and businessmen, adding there was a shortage of 6,000 hotel rooms in Kota Kinabalu.

“We are expecting 60% occupancy for the first year which is according to the standard average industry occupancy,” said Value Hospitality’s area general manager John Augustin.

Sara-Timur Sdn Bhd’s regional director (Sabah region) Anthony Tiong said the company was looking for more opportunities and would first focus within Malaysia. Sandakan Harbour Square is Sabah’s first integrated urban renewal development project that was launched in January 2003 and targeted to complete in 2010.

Sabahkid

December 17th, 2007, 10:57 PM

ntly1

December 17th, 2007, 11:44 PM

Just heard from the local press that there are 3 hotels opening in Sandakan in this month alone!!

One of them is the @ease SHS, any idea where are the other 2?

In the same report, there are 3 more hotels in the pipeline - Sheraton @ SHS, Equatorial at BDC and the proposed one at Bandar Utama IJM. These 3 will provide another approx. 700++ rooms to the market.

cheers

^^is it from local chinese press because I could not find any news from local english news websites.

cheers.

Sabahkid

December 18th, 2007, 06:37 AM

^^is it from local chinese press because I could not find any news from local english news websites.

cheers.

you are right....... will be home in a week's time...... will find out soon :)

TWK90

December 18th, 2007, 07:13 AM

Just heard from the local press that there are 3 hotels opening in Sandakan in this month alone!!

One of them is the @ease SHS, any idea where are the other 2?

In the same report, there are 3 more hotels in the pipeline - Sheraton @ SHS, Equatorial at BDC and the proposed one at Bandar Utama IJM. These 3 will provide another approx. 700++ rooms to the market.

cheers

3 hotels opening in Sandakan opening in this month? Erm, sounds like hotel industry in Sandakan is growing....since the opening of the @ease hotel was widely reported in national press, probably @ease hotel is the biggest of the 3 hotels opening this month...

TWK90

December 18th, 2007, 09:31 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=54719

Skills for east coast youths
Papar: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said the State Government will provide land for the proposed Commerce and Technical Training Institute (ILTP) campus to be set up in the Sandakan's education hub area.

Musa welcomed the effort of opening another ILTP campus which, he said, would offer skill training facilities for free to the youths in the East Coast of Sabah.

"I am looking forward for this to be realised so that we can achieve our mission to generate quality human capital through various skill courses offered by the ILTP and reduce the State's unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent compared to the national rate of 3.3 per cent."

"I will leave the implementation of the project of opening another ILTP campus in Sandakan to the Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai," Musa said.

Musa said this when launching the ILTP's silver jubilee celebration and presentation of certificates to the trainees at its premises in Pantai Manis, Monday. A total of 181 trainees received their certificates.

Musa also assured that the State Government is committed to empowering quality and education standard in ILTP through increase of budget to Yee's Ministry from time to time so as to produce better and quality human capital.

"During the tabling of State Budget 2008, we have increased the allocation for the Resource Development and Information Technology Ministry to give opportunities to our youths who are unable to continue their tertiary studies to acquire skill courses that can land them with employment."

"This is proof that State Government is giving focus and priority to efforts of providing quality human capital and to make the utilisation of ICT as a culture among the people in the State."

Of the 28,000 students who sat for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) in 2005, Musa said only 30 per cent had succeeded in pursuing their tertiary studies while 70 per cent were dropouts due to poor academic results and financial problem to continue studying.

He said the 70 per cent group of youths needs to be helped and be given the opportunity to take up the skill courses in various fields so as to fulfill the State's labour market requirement.

To the successful trainees, Musa advised them not to be complacent with their achievement but think of the next step either to continue their studies for higher qualification or enter the working world.

He also urged them not to simply give up when they have yet to be employed but make efforts to look for other alternatives like opening up their own businesses so that the skills they acquired are not wasted.

For parents, Musa advised them not to waste the education opportunities provided by the Government through skill training institutes for their children, especially those unable to further their studies at higher learning institutions.

He said the youths' participation in acquiring the skill qualification could also prevent them from getting involved in social ill activities.

Among those present were Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, his assistant minister Melanie Chia, Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail, Papar MP Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, Kawang assemblyman Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar, Human Resources Development Department director Rosalind Chew, Permanent Secretary of Yee's Ministry, Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Papar District Officer Iman Ali, head of government departments here and community leaders.

TWK90

January 3rd, 2008, 02:26 PM

3/1/2008

SHS and town centre
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1549/1000389uj0.jpg

One Avenue signboard at the entrance of Taman Utama
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/9816/1000387co7.jpg

TWK90

January 7th, 2008, 05:19 PM

Update photo

Bandar Maju
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/1395/1000394du5.jpg

Bandar Indah
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5000/1000395fp8.jpg

Utama Place
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/5094/1000396qx3.jpg

TWK90

January 8th, 2008, 09:07 AM

8/1/2008

Bandar Prima
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/5502/1000401bw7.jpg

Shopoffice along the airport road which is being widened now
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/2092/1000402ge7.jpg

Sabahkid

January 10th, 2008, 09:35 AM

Hi guys, here are the 3 hotels opened last month back in Sandakan:

1) Central Hotel @ Jalan 2

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9921/img1177kc6.jpg

2) Mark's Lodge @ Indah Jaya

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3474/img1190qh5.jpg

3) and of course @ease SHS

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7218/img1178sa1.jpg

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/316/img1191ar0.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2700/img1195kb5.jpg

ntly1

January 10th, 2008, 02:19 PM

^^Thanks TWK90 & Sabahkid, nice updates pics ! a good news for Sandakan as follows:-

source : http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/14915

Sabah’s first flying academy to open in March
10th January, 2008

SANDAKAN: Sabah’s first flying academy is set to open here in March.

Speaking to reporters at his office here yesterday, Elopura assemblyman Au Kam Wah said the academy would open a new chapter in Sabah’s aviation industry, and is in line with the government’s plan to make Sandakan an education hub and produce more professionals.

The academy will be housed in the former Kadazan Association building at Mile 11/2 Jalan Utara, which is being refurbished for the first intake of trainees in March.

It will have a flight simulator and use the three light aircraft based at the Sandakan airport, with the fleet later expanding to 10.

There are already four flying academies in the country – in Langkawi (Kedah), Ipoh (Perak), Bintulu (Sarawak) and Melaka.

TWK90

January 10th, 2008, 02:32 PM

TWK90

January 11th, 2008, 10:45 AM

Source : Bernama

January 11, 2008 16:34 PM

Sabah Gets Two Additional Mara Junior Science Colleges

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Sabah will get two additional Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSMs) under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) to provide more education opportunities for its people, said Sabah Mara director Muhammad Nasir Hasan.

One built at Tawau at a cost of RM67 million has been completed and is expected to take in students in February while the other in Sandakan, costing RM87 million, is scheduled to be operational in 2010.

The Tawau campus would be able to accomodate 850 students while the Sandakan one 1,050, he told Bernama here today.

Sabah presently has one MRSM in Kinarut that began operations in 2002.

Muhammad Nasir added that more Mara vocational centres and skills institutes would also be opened in the state to provide youths skills training to make it easier for them to find employment in the marketplace.

--BERNAMA

kahtk

January 16th, 2008, 10:40 AM

^^

Great news, hopefully that will make a better utilisation of Sandakan airport...

and, the Hotel Central, i think it is one of good example of the re-use of existing spaces in town centre and that new facade certainly improves the old look of shophouses in the town centre, hopefully something could be done on other shophouse building, like new painting to give the town centre a brand new look...

I have written to MPS president Mr Yeo before about getting a new coat of paint for the town but he he refuted my suggestion saying the economic is bad blah blah blah and the owner of the shops will not have money to do that..what to do?

TWK90

January 16th, 2008, 12:32 PM

^^

I see....so, how is the electricity supply in Sandakan, is it getting better after the completion of the East-West electricity grid ?

TWK90

January 16th, 2008, 12:37 PM

News on CCTV

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=55286

Of the total, 20 were in Kota Kinabalu, 11 in Penampang, eight in Sandakan and seven in Tawau.

ntly1

January 16th, 2008, 03:05 PM

I have written to MPS president Mr Yeo before about getting a new coat of paint for the town but he he refuted my suggestion saying the economic is bad blah blah blah and the owner of the shops will not have money to do that..what to do?

^^:ohno: sad to hear that....Can the government allocate a budget to repaint the town city??if the owners of those buildings could not afford to paint due to businesses no good (indirectly showing the governemnt incapability to revive Sandakan's economy). could it be done?? I hope so..:lol:

Sabahkid

January 17th, 2008, 08:00 AM

I have written to MPS president Mr Yeo before about getting a new coat of paint for the town but he he refuted my suggestion saying the economic is bad blah blah blah and the owner of the shops will not have money to do that..what to do?

at least he still bothered to reply u haha.....

a lot of things got to be market driven, lead by private enterprise..... govt shd concentrate on policy formulation i think..

cheers

rizalhakim

January 24th, 2008, 08:33 AM

Sandakan jadi hab pendidikan
Oleh Hassan Omar

Kerajaan negeri majukan kawasan seluas 542 hektar merangkumi IPTA, IPTS

KOTA KINABALU: Koridor Pembangunan Sabah (SDC) yang dirangka dan dilaksanakan dengan iltizam meningkatkan sosioekonomi setiap lapisan masyarakat sama ada di bandar atau luar bandar, tidak mungkin berjaya tanpa dukungan modal insan berkualiti tinggi.

Bagi memastikan pelbagai sektor ekonomi Sabah mampu dimajukan, tenaga kerja masyarakat tempatan harus dibangunkan, sejajar penekanan yang sering diberikan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi kerana tanpa modal insan berkualiti, usaha mencapai Wawasan 2020 tidak mampu direalisasikan.

Untuk tujuan itu, Kerajaan Sabah memajukan program pendidikan tinggi sama ada membabitkan institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA) atau swasta (IPTS) dengan menjadikan Sandakan sebagai hab pendidikan.

Hab Pendidikan Sandakan yang sedang dalam pembinaan bakal berfungsi sebagai pusat pembangunan modal insan, bertujuan melahirkan tenaga kerja berpendidikan tinggi, berkemahiran dan berkualiti yang membantu pembangunan negeri.

Menjelaskan mengenai program itu, Menteri di Jabatan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Nasir Sakaran, berkata hab pendidikan di kawasan seluas 542 hektar itu merangkumi pembangunan IPTA dan IPTS.

"Kerajaan negeri berhasrat menjadikan Pantai Timur Sabah sebagai hab pendidikan yang dilengkapi kemudahan awam dan infrastruktur moden, setaraf institusi pendidikan antarabangsa.

"Selain IPTA dan IPTS, Hab Pendidikan juga akan berfungsi sebagai pusat latihan tenaga kerja dalam bidang pertanian dan perindustrian," katanya.

Antara IPTA berkenaan ialah Sekolah Lestari Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Politeknik Sandakan, Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) dan Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman (Kolej TAR).

Selain itu, kerajaan negeri turut mewartakan tanah Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN) untuk mewujudkan pusat latihannya di kawasan berkenaan.

"Bagi memastikan Hab Pendidikan Sandakan sempurna, kemudahan pembangunan secara menyeluruh akan dilaksanakan dengan dilengkapi prasarana seperti pusat Islam, pusat kesihatan, kawasan riadah dan ruang komersial.

"Setakat ini, IPTA yang sedang dibina ialah MRSM, politeknik dan Sekolah Lestari UMS melalui konsep reka dan bina," katanya.

Dengan kemudahan jalan raya menghubungkan Sandakan ke bandar raya ini dan Lahad Datu serta Tawau, katanya, Sandakan berupaya berfungsi sebagai hab pendidikan.

"Kemudahan penerbangan secara terus dari Kuala Lumpur ke Sandakan juga menjadikan Sandakan berpotensi sebagai pusat berkenaan," katanya.

Pembinaan pusat itu juga sejajar hasrat kerajaan negeri memajukan pelbagai kawasan di negeri ini dan tidak hanya tertumpu di bandar raya ini, sekali gus menggalakkan pertumbuhan ekonomi sampingan di kawasan berkenaan.

Hab Pendidikan Sandakan yang dijana melalui pelan strategik SDC akan menjadikan Sabah antara negeri yang mampu melahirkan tenaga kerja mahir dan berkualiti tinggi pada masa depan, sekali gus kekal berdaya saing dengan negeri lain di Semenanjung.

Ia juga bakal menghasilkan lebih ramai tenaga kerja separuh mahir untuk mengisi ruang pekerjaan dalam sektor perindustrian, pertanian dan pelancongan berfungsi sebagai landasan utama pembangunan Sabah mengikut SDC.

Langkah itu juga mampu mengurangkan kadar pengangguran di Sabah. Berdasarkan angka dikeluarkan Jabatan Statistik, seramai 73,318 orang dicatat tidak mempunyai pekerjaan manakala 1.190 juta mempunyai pekerjaan dalam pelbagai sektor pada 2006.

Program Hab Pendidikan Sandakan juga sejajar dengan peningkatan jumlah penduduk di Sabah. Penyediaan IPTA/IPTS di daerah berkenaan akan memastikan anggota masyarakat berpeluang memperoleh peluang melanjutkan pengajian tanpa perlu ke Semenanjung atau luar negara.

Tahun lalu, Sabah dianggar mempunyai 3.1 juta penduduk berbanding 2.603 juta pada 2000.

Antara 2000 hingga 2005 saja, Sabah mencatatkan purata pertumbuhan penduduk 2.29 peratus setahun dengan 80 peratus daripada jumlah itu adalah mereka yang berusia kurang 39 tahun.

Jelaslah, SDC yang memberi penekanan kepada pembangunan modal insan bukan bersifat retorik sebaliknya, Hab Pendidikan Sandakan adalah bukti komitmen tinggi Kerajaan Sabah dan Kerajaan Pusat menjadikan SDC sebagai realiti.

TWK90

January 24th, 2008, 11:24 AM

January 23, 2008 12:24 PM

Sandakan To Be Educational Hub For Eastern Sabah

By Haslin Gafor

SANDAKAN, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- This once prosperous district because of its timber produce, is now a well-known tourist destination and will in the future emerge as an educational hub for eastern Sabah.

The educational hub is being planned for development on a 542.36-hectare site at Km16 Jalan Labuk in Sungai Batang, north Sandakan, close to the main route to the western part of Sabah.

The projects involved will be built in stages within 10 years, with construction of the first project, the Mara Junior Science College buildings, to begin next month.

The creation of an educational hub here is seen to be in tandem with the Sabah Development Corridor plan which will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Jan 29 at Sepanggar Port, near here.

Sandakan Municipal Council president Yeo Boon Hai said a number of public and private higher learning institutions as well as the training centre of a government agency and other facilities.

He said besides the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM), other institutions that would set up branches at the site included Universiti Sabah Malaysia's (UMS) School of Agriculture, Sandakan Polytechnic, Tunku Abdul Rahman College and Residential College.

The site would also accommodate the Inland Revenue Board's training centre and a smart school for secondary and primary levels there, making it Sabah's largest centre of knowledge, he added.

Last December, Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced that the government had allocated RM87.5 to build the biggest MRSM for 1,050 students, at the educational hub. It is expected to be completed in 2010.

Yeo said the educational hub would not only benefit the people of eastern Sabah but everybody in the state.

He said the hub, situated in the Sibuga state constituency represented by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, could also be the catalyst for economic growth for Sandakan and the surrounding districts.

Meanwhile, Jorjy Juana, 58, a contractor from Karamunting, here, also believes that the educational hub will have a big impact not only on education but also on the local economy.

He said when the project is completed, students from here and other nearby districts like Kinabatangan, Beluran and Lahad Datu would have more choices in continuing their studies and needed not go far away for the purpose.

The hub project also showed that the state government's leadership under Musa was sensitive to the people's needs, especially in the field of education, he added.

Former Sandakan district education officer Abdul Rahman Omar, 71, regards the creation of the educational hub as apt and timely.

He said besides giving Sabah students more choices in pursuing higher education, the hub would also help the government produce better quality human capital to meet the employment market demands.

Faizal Jumalin, 20, from Kampung Sungai Kayu, sees the educational hub as a very positive sign for educational development in Sabah, while giving students more choices in choosing a public or private higher learning institution where they could continue their studies.

"They need no longer depend too much on Kota Kinabalu and Peninsular Malaysia in pursuing higher education," said Faizal who recently sat for the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia examination.

Sandakan, which is about 335km from Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, currently has two branches of higher learning institutions, namely the Open University Malaysia at Km2 Jalan Utara and UMS in Sepilok.

-- BERNAMA

tbc

January 24th, 2008, 02:55 PM

..... the government had allocated RM87.5 to build the biggest MRSM for 1,050 students, .....
What cheapskates !
Either that or they're getting a bargain of unimaginable magnitude !
(yes, I'm well aware it's more likely a typo error !)

AhChuan

January 24th, 2008, 02:57 PM

^^:lol:

Tht muz be typing error...

ntly1

January 31st, 2008, 03:59 PM

31-01-2008: Sime Darby allocates RM25m to forest conservation

by Lim Shie-Lynn
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Bhd is contributing RM25 million to the conservation of Ulu Segama Forest Reserve, Sabah over a 10-year period, making it the single largest private contributor to the project.

“This is a long-term partnership and a 10-year commitment. Basically we are contributing to 50% of the Sabah Forestry Department’s budget for the restoration of degraded forest,” Sime Darby’s president and group chief executive Datuk Seri Ahmad Zubir Murshid said in a statement yesterday.

The rehabilitation of the Ulu Segama which spans 250,000ha has one of the highest concentration of orang utan in Borneo.

Sabah Forestry Department’s director Datuk Sam Mannan said the RM25 million would be primarily spent on greening the forest reserve. “We may spend some on improving the infrastructure and staff recruitment but greening is priority.”

“We will second people to work on the project so this will raise awareness of the need to conserve and protect the environment,” Ahmad Zubir said.

Meanwhile, Sime Darby signed a memorandum of understanding with Sawit Kinabalu Sdn Bhd at the launch of the Sabah Development Corridor on Jan 29 to develop the Sawit Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in Sandakan.

The diversified group has some 45,000ha of plantations in Sandakan and Tawau. It is keen to expand its investment in bulking facilities where Sabah may become a staging point for exports to China and Japan.

The company is also mulling possibilities in setting up downstream facilities such as refineries, oleochemical and biodiesel plants

“There will also be investments in agricultural related education programmes,” it said.

TWK90

January 31st, 2008, 04:33 PM

http://www.tunehotels.com/

From that site, it seems the Sandakan Tune Hotel will be opened in December...

ntly1

January 31st, 2008, 04:52 PM

http://www.tunehotels.com/

From that site, it seems the Sandakan Tune Hotel will be opened in December...

^^ Do you have any idea where it is ? :)

TWK90

January 31st, 2008, 05:06 PM

^^

No idea, when i was in Sandakan, i can't see which place that will become that hotel...

Sabahkid

February 3rd, 2008, 03:22 AM

I will not be surprised if it is located in the SHS........

TWK90

February 3rd, 2008, 09:56 AM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=55678

RM315m terminal to boost S'kan as economic hub
Kota Kinabalu: The RM315million Sandakan Integrated Trade Exchange Terminal (SITExT) is expected to generate an economic multiplier effect to both domestic and surrounding region, said Windsor Trade Sdn Bhd (WTSB) Chief Executive Officer Tengku Shaifful Bahri Tengku Zainal Abidin.

Tengku Shaifful said the inception of the SITExT would take advantage of Sandakan's strategic location to tap the lucrative barter trade industry that has existed in Sabah with trading partners from Indonesia and Philippines over the last two centuries.

Realising this vast untapped potential, WTSB with assistance of the Chief Minister's office, State Economic Planning unit, BIMP-EAGA promotion unit, Industrial Development Department and the Customs and Excise Department, had mooted the idea of developing SITExT, he said.

Hence, a partnership between WTSB and Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco) was established to set up the trade exchange terminal that was penned during the recent launch of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Sapangar Bay Container Port on Tuesday. Tengku Shaifful said the terminal is scheduled for completion within two years and promising a strong synergy to put Sandakan as well as Sabah in the New Economic Hub of the region.

In the partnership, WTSB offers an established programme encompassing basic trade education to provide a better understanding of barter trading within the BIMP-EAGA Region as well as the surrounding regions, he said.

"Indeed we are all fortunate by the marvels of modern technology which enable all levels of traders, both from the private and public sectors to have the equal chance in pursuing the ultimate market of their dream by facilitating the services through SITExT," he said.

Regulated by the State Ministry of Finance, Department of Port and Harbour and the Malaysian Customs and Excise Department, WTSB would also be working closely with the State Economic Planning Unit, BIMP-EAGA Promotion Unit, Sabah Agricultural Ministry, Department of Immigration and Marine Police.

"WTSB plays a significant role as an intermediary between traders and relevant agencies. The company is highly aware of its role and responsibility to dispense quality Integrated Trade Exchange Terminal services that must comply with the expectations of the regulators and the traders," he said.

Tengku Shaifful said they were also determined to provide innovative and trader-friendly cargo and product handling processes using technological advancement and procedural improvement.

Backed by an experienced and competent workforce, he said WTSB was well-equipped to operate the state-of-the-art Trade Exchange Terminal in Sandakan that would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week the whole year to meet the demand and expectations of traders.

"WTSB will continuously upgrade its system to provide professional services to its clients to ensure satisfactory results," he said, adding that constant focus would also be given on updating its business process to ensure trader-friendly services.

WTSB and Sedco are also building the SITExT Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Park that would act as a catalyst to the barter trade industry providing opportunities in agro-based Industries, timber-based processing, spices processing, cocoa processing, food/fruit processing, animal feed, livestock, floral (orchids), marine resource-based industries as well as handicraft, garments and leather industries.

The SITExT SME Park of which WTSB is holding a 51 per cent equity and the rest by Sedco, entrepreneurs operating from the Park would also enjoy various facilities and services in addition to the various incentives given by the government.

Among them, he said are cheaper cost of raw materials or feedstock through bulk purchase, discounted advertising rates at all advertising space within SITExT, discounted rates for storage facilities, shipping and forwarding charges and that SITExT would act as intermediaries between entrepreneurs and relevant Governmental Agencies in obtaining various incentives and special grants.

The SME Park is geared up on the mentor-mantee approach facilitating SMEs in production, marketing of value-added downstream activities in manufacturing, agro-base and services and to enable them to focus on product quality, improve technology efficiency and cost effectiveness through assured market.

Other components of the business cycle would be undertaken by the trade exchange terminal.

TWK90

February 12th, 2008, 08:49 AM

Source : http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=30977

UMS campus in Sandakan to be operational by 2010

KOTA KINABALU: The RM200 million Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) School of Sustainable Agriculture Campus at the Education Hub in Sandakan, is expected to be completed by 2010.

The Dean of the School, Prof Dr Ridzwan Abdul Rahman disclosed this at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UMS and Indonesia’s Bogor Agriculture University yesterday to forge cooperation in implementing various activities and programmes.

UMS was represented by Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin and Bogor Agriculture University by Rector Dr Herry Suhardiyanto during the signing at the UMS campus, which was witnessed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Ridzwan said works on the School of Sustainable Agriculture project under the current Ninth Malaysia Plan would commence after the final negotiation with the contractor next week. The project, on a 90-acre site, involves the construction and development of the school’s facilities such as the main administrative complex, estate complex, lecture rooms and conference halls, research laboratory and supporting facilities, dormitories that can accommodate 500-1,000 students, staff quarters and security office.

Ridzwan said the school’s first batch of students, who are now in their second year, would be in time to move to the school’s campus in Sandakan before completing their degree courses.

He said the school currently offered about half of its various programmes, and with the completion of the campus in Sandakan, all the programmes would be offered to students in effort to complement the State government’s initiative to create an adequate pool of skilled and knowledgeable manpower in the agriculture sector.

Mohd Noh, meanwhile, said the MoU would involve the sharing of existing teaching, learning and research resources between the two institutions; exchange of academic staff and students; cooperation in programme development or academic courses, particularly those related to tropical agriculture and biology which are the specialisations of Bogor Agriculture University.

The Indonesian university is recognised as among the 500 best universities in the world.

In his speech, Musa said the partnership between UMS and Bogor Agriculture University was timely and augured well for the State’s quest in developing the agriculture sector as one of its main economic drivers.

He said agriculture was one of the focuses under the implementation of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) programme, launched recently by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Sabah had been associated with Bogor Agriculture University since 1977 when the State government started sponsoring students to pursue tertiary studies in agriculture discipline there, he said.

libragal

February 16th, 2008, 10:22 AM

Does anyone have an updated map on Sandakan suburb & town? Care to share the map with us?

Sabahkid

February 22nd, 2008, 09:10 AM

Anyone has any idea what & where is this??

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5161/stbypasssd6.jpg

libragal

February 22nd, 2008, 06:56 PM

Is this related to this article dated 2006?
http://www.nilim.go.jp/english/conference/asia2006/7-5.pdf

Sabahkid

February 23rd, 2008, 03:52 AM

Is this related to this article dated 2006?
http://www.nilim.go.jp/english/conference/asia2006/7-5.pdf

The article just mentioned about the northern ring road & sibuga bypass...... both are not new...... the northern ring road should be completed by middle of this yr

libragal

February 23rd, 2008, 02:48 PM

Could it be related to the proposed new network lines (in jotted broad lines) within town area then? http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/SDK_Maps/LP_Ga.jpg

Sabahkid

February 24th, 2008, 08:13 AM

Could it be related to the proposed new network lines (in jotted broad lines) within town area then? http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/SDK_Maps/LP_Ga.jpg

To me, a "town bypass" refers to a link that connect point A to point B without having the need to drive thru the city street.

So could it be........

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9386/bypass1nc3.jpg

A bridge across the Sandakan Harbour.....

or
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1286/bypass2cc5.jpg
an elevated highway snaking across the city....

or

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2752/bypass3ri0.jpg

an underground circular link to the north??

haha....... jus to stir up some imagination.......

cheers

libragal

February 24th, 2008, 01:31 PM

:lol:^^:lol:
First 2 suggestions are good ideas!
Underground project would be too costly though.

TWK90

March 1st, 2008, 10:47 AM

Photos of SITEXT and the SME park during SDC unveilling....

http://sitext.net/gallery_sdcExpo.html

Anyway, nice imaginations on the town bypass, but the first one, i don't know whether it would match the current town skyline or not, if the bridge and i suppose, reclaimed "island", would not match the skyline as the town skyline still looks short unless the SHS hotel and mall complex is constructed, and there's TLDM base as well....

The second one, good idea, but since the town centre is pretty compact, i think the width and size of the overpass would determine how much shadow it would cast to the town...

Still, i like the first and second idea, the third one looks unlikely because the number of vehicles does not warrant an underground construction...

I think we'll just wait for the SHS to be completed in full phases, then we might know the traffic in town centre...

tbc

March 2nd, 2008, 01:34 PM

There is or going to be a TUDM base in Sandakan ?

libragal

March 2nd, 2008, 02:41 PM

Hope that Sandakan can retain its beautiful nature & Nature City status, with all the ongoing town developments.
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=56193

TWK90

March 2nd, 2008, 04:53 PM

Ops, sorry, i mistype it, it should be the TLDM "KD Sri Sandakan" not the TUDM..... :)

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:43 AM

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/Joeyer/DSC_5228F.jpg
ILP Sandakan view from air

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:43 AM

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n286/Joeyer/DSC_5189F.jpg
View from air

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:45 AM

http://www.ilpsdk.gov.my/Prasarana/images/surau/IMG_0339.JPG
Floating Surau in ILP Sandakan

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:45 AM

http://www.ilpsdk.gov.my/Prasarana/images/surau/MG_0386%20(37).JPG
View form Surau Minaret

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:47 AM

http://www.ilpsdk.gov.my/Prasarana/images/dku/Pemandangan%20DKU.JPG
The most sophisticated auditorium in Sandakan.

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:48 AM

http://www.ilpsdk.gov.my/Prasarana/images/dku/Pentas%20DKU.JPG
Inside the auditorium

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:50 AM

http://www.ilpsdk.gov.my/Prasarana/images/cafeteria/Pemandangan%20Kafeteria%201.JPG
Floating cafeteria

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:51 AM

http://www.ilpsdk.gov.my/Prasarana/images/asrama/Pemandangan%20Asrama.JPG
STUDENT'S HOSTEL

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:52 AM

http://www.ilpsdk.gov.my/Prasarana/images/dewan%20besar/Ruang%20Dewan%20Besar%202.JPG
Full air-conditioned Dewan Besar

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:53 AM

http://www.ilpsdk.gov.my/Prasarana/images/kemudahan%20sukan/IMG_0372.JPG
Sport Facilites

Joeyer

March 3rd, 2008, 06:54 AM

http://www.ilpsdk.gov.my/Prasarana/images/asrama/Kemudahan%20Pengangkutan.JPG

TWK90

March 6th, 2008, 12:39 PM

Source : http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=56278

More water now for S'kan residents
Sandakan: An additional five million litres of water per day (MLD) have been available to residents here, thanks to the completion of the Emergency Water Supply Scheme (EWSS) for Gum Gum recently.

Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan said, among others, the EWSS is aimed at supplying additional raw water to the Hill Top and Sibuga water treatment plants.

He said this involved the construction of four boreholes (at Hill Top area, Jalan Borehole, Jalan Cecily and Jalan Batu Sapi) and the pond intake station in Jalan Cecily.

Each borehole is capable of producing 1MLD of raw water to be treated at the treatment plant before distribution to consumers, he added.

"With the complete implementation of three EWSS projects here, of which two were launched in May 2007, the total production of water supply has increased by 20MLD.

"Not only has it managed to boost the overall water supply in Sandakan, but most notably it has solved the water shortage problem at Grandview and Sunny Estate permanently," Tan said.

He said, also under this EWSS project, a new raw water pipeline has been laid to connect the Hill Top and Sibuga plants, adding water production in the past was disturbed by occasional borehole breakdowns.

"With the new pipeline, it ensures a better management of raw water in terms of distribution to the plants to avoid major water disruption at certain areas," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, he said with the new packaged treatment plant, Hill Top, designed to produce 10MLD of treated water to Sandakan town, will be able to produce 15MLD of water for distribution to the town areas and, most importantly, a constant supply to Grandview and Sunny Estate that suffered from water shortages previously.

Sabahkid

March 8th, 2008, 01:42 AM

The "hot" issue at the current election campaign is that the govt is "planning" to spend 80 million ringgit to upgrade the Sandakan Airport to international airport status under the Sabah Development Corridor........

Where are the international flights going to come from??

cheers

libragal

March 8th, 2008, 03:28 AM

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_e335b194-cb73c03a-19214b10-8363eee1

It seems that more flights are expected from the Far East (e.g. HK, China, Korea, etc) and Australia.

:)

libragal

March 8th, 2008, 05:38 AM

Sabah plans train service for whole state

Sabah intends to expand its 134km railway service to cover the entire state.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan said a railway linking the east coast districts of Sandakan, Lahad Datu and Tawau, and Keningau in the interior would help ensure success of the Sabah Development Corridor.

“The railway is a key component in the transport and logistics sector. We cannot afford to neglect it,” he said after meeting a group of senior officials from the China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Industry Corporation here yesterday. Currently, Sabah Railway’s line runs from Tanjung Aru near here to Tenom in the interior.

Tan said his ministry, through a consultant firm, had recently invited China South Locomotive officials to carry out a feasibility study on the proposed Sabah Railway expansion programme. He said the expansion would include the service being extended to the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park as well as to the other districts. Tan pointed to China South Locomotive’s enormous expertise and experience in the locomotive and rolling stock manufacturing industry.

The company’s Overseas Business Department head Wang Gang earlier said its credentials include its involvement in the construction of the world’s highest railway project, the Qinghai-Tibet or Qingzang Railway.

Tan said a modern railway terminal, called the Aeroport terminal, similar to KL Sentral would be constructed at the existing Sabah Railways headquarters in Tanjung Aru. It would be unveiled with the launching of the corridor by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Jan 29.

The project estimated to cost RM600mil would be a privately-funded initiative and include facilities like shopping arcades, hotels and an art gallery when completed in about five years. “The whole idea of the Aeroport project is basically to create a transport hub for Sabah where one can get connected to almost every part of Sabah through various modes of transportation,” he added. The project has been awarded to SP Setia Bhd.

TWK90

March 8th, 2008, 05:53 AM

^^

The only question, if the railway service to east coast does materialise, i wonder if they would build it through Crocker range or travel south first, then to the east....

TWK90

March 8th, 2008, 06:28 AM

Source : http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/arkib.asp?y=2008&dt=0216&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=sabah%5F%26%5Fsarawak&pg=wb_05.htm&arc=hive

Loji Air Segaliud siap September ini
SANDAKAN 15 Feb. – Pembinaan Loji Bekalan Air Segaliud bernilai RM440 juta dekat sini kini 84 peratus siap dan dijangka beroperasi sepenuhnya, September ini.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah berkata, projek membabitkan kawasan seluas 600 hektar itu merangkumi kolam takungan air, loji tapisan, bangunan jana kuasa, bangunan pentadbiran serta paip air sejauh 33 kilometer ke bandar Sandakan.

‘‘Apabila beroperasi kelak, loji itu mampu membekal 125 juta liter air sehari sekali gus mengatasi masalah bekalan air di daerah ini,” katanya kepada pemberita pada majlis taklimat Projek Pelaksanaan Bekalan Air Sandakan Fasa 11 dekat sini.

Raymond berkata, daripada taklimat tersebut, projek itu siap mengikut jadual yang ditetapkan iaitu dalam tempoh 30 bulan daripada pembinaan yang dimulakan pada Mac 2006 hingga September 2008.

Katanya, Loji Air Segaliud mampu menyimpan 40 bilion liter air dan dua kali ganda lebih besar dari Loji Babagon, di Kota Kinabalu.

Menurut beliau, dengan adanya projek mega yang dikhususkan untuk daerah Sandakan itu, ia akan menyelesaikan kekurangan 40 juta liter air sehari yang dialami oleh penduduk hari ini.

Katanya, keperluan pengguna di Sandakan hari ini sekitar 130 juta liter sehari.

Raymond berkata, loji itu juga penting sebagai persediaan peningkatan jumlah permintaan pengguna yang semakin bertambah berikutan kepesatan pembangunan di daerah ini.

“Ini bererti Sandakan tidak akan lagi dibelenggu masalah kekurangan bekalan air dengan siapnya projek ini. Ia juga membolehkan kita menampung beberapa lagi projek mega seperti projek Koridor Pembangunan Sabah (SDC) melibatkan Hab Pendidikan dan pembesaran lapangan terbang baru Sandakan,” katanya.

Beliau yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Tanjung Papat berkata, kesemua projek itu adalah untuk kemajuan dan pembangunan rakyat di daerah ini.

Dalam perkembangan sama, beliau yakin masalah bekalan air sudah dapat diatasi dengan adanya sokongan daripada beberapa sumber air bawah tanah yang mampu membekal 60 juta liter air sehari.

Menurutnya, melalui projek infrastruktur seperti itu, ia secara tidak langsung dapat menarik minat pelabur luar untuk melabur di Sabah.

So, it seems the expansion/ upgrade of the Sandakan airport may become true, if so, realistically, in my opinion, maybe the first international flights would be those from neighbouring countries?