SABAH TOURISM BOARD MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT State Government of Sabah, Malaysia Location: No. 51, Jalan Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Postal Address: Mail Bag 112, 88993 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysi Tel: +60 (88) 212121 E.mail : info@sabahtourism.com Fax: +60 (88) 212075, 219311 Website : http://www.sabahtourism.com

SABAH ADVISORY UPDATES

As per Friday, 19 April 2013 issued at 1800hours Kopi'vosian and Greetings from Sabah! Sabah had a very successful month of March and Easter Holiday Season. We were the host-venue for an international Bishops Conference and several major global corporate brands from Asia Pacific and Europe for their meetings and incentives events. The Corporate incentives went to Sandakan, visiting the Turtle Islands, the world renowned Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Sanctuary and Kinabatangan wildlife habitat – the favoured filming locations by BBC distinguished naturalist Sir David Attenborough, the National Geography, Discovery Channel to name a few. It is April and we are gearing up for several major April/May Festivals and Events. Next week, we welcome the prestigious PADI CDTC (Course Director Training Course) with participants from 20 countries; their 12th consecutive year in Sabah. The World Amateur Inter Team Golf Championship (WAITGC) 2013 with participants from six (6) countries including teams from Australia (17), Sweden (4), Hong Kong (5) and USA. On 25th April, the Sandakan Anzac Day Service will be held at the Sandakan Memorial Park. As in past years, families, relatives and friends of Prisoners of War (POW) will be attending the Service. Everyone is welcome to attend. On 26th and 27th April the Regatta Lepa Semporna, the annual colourful festival and celebration of life at sea onboard the colourful lepa-lepa boats with their beautiful sails in full regalia. May is the month-long Harvest Festival (Pesta Kaamatan) with weekend celebrations at district levels throughout Sabah, culminating with the State Level Celebrations at the Hongkod Koisaan in Kota Kinabalu. On May 3rd & 4 is the Grand Cultural Celebrations of SABAH FEST. Diving is year-round in Sabah, with April as the start of the popular dive season. Many divers heading to the dive-islands at Layang-Layang, Mantanani and Pulau Tiga on the west coast onward to east coast islands the Lankayan and Selingan Turtle Island; Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking, Pom Pom, Pandanan and the world famous – Sipadan. The Government has further strengthened the armed security personnel based on these islands. Subsequent to the armed intrusions, in March, the Government established the ESSCOM (Eastern Sabah Security Command) along the entire east coast of Sabah from Kudat in the north to Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Semporna and Tawau in the southeast. This is to prevent intrusions, illegal entry and smuggling from neighbouring countries. ESSCOM is similar to the USA Homeland security at its US-Mexico border and the Australian Government’s own ADF against infiltrations/illegal arrivals and smuggling. We wish to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciations to all our friends and business partners all over the world for the support and cooperation during the confusing few weeks in February and March. The Malaysian ‘Ops Daulat’ military offensive against the Sulu intruder-terrorists at the remote coastal villages has mopped up the intruders and the villagers have returned to their homes. These remote villages are not in the tourist routes. A military base is now located in the area. The Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar assured the public, visitors and tourists their safety: "I would like to assure tourists that it is safe to travel to Sabah."

 See You in Sabah! Thank you. Terima Kasih. Datuk Irene Benggon Charuruks General Manager/Board Director Email: Irene@sabahtourism.com

   

Regatta Lepa in Semporna

PADI CDTC Course

Sivia Guangzhou Group