Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Sarawak hotels recognised for green practices | The Borneo Post ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

<b>Sarawak hotels</b> recognised for green practices | The Borneo Post <b>...</b> - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

<b>Sarawak hotels</b> recognised for green practices | The Borneo Post <b>...</b>

Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:44 PM PST

Friday, 24 Jan 2014

Post by on Focus, Highlights 112

By Jude Toyat
@judetbpseeds
 
Riverside Majestic

Riverside Majestic

KUCHING: Riverside Majestic Hotel Kuching and Miri Marriott Resort & Spa were among the 10 hotels in Malaysia that received the Asean Green Hotel Award (AGHA) 2014 during the award night on Jan 19 at Pullman Hotel, Kuching.

These two hotels in Sarawak received the auspicious awards together with other hotels from Malaysia which include The Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa (Penang), Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa (Sabah), Shangri-La's Rasa Ria Resort (Sabah), The Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Kuala Lumpur), The Andaman Langkawi (Kedah), Nexus Resort Karambunai (Sabah), and Renaissance Kuala Lumpur.

Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said, "The primary objective of this award is to provide the well-deserved recognition to hotels that go beyond conventional practices and embark on green and environmental friendly measures in support of responsible tourism."

Miri Mariott Resort & Spa

Miri Mariott Resort & Spa

Nazri added that there was an increasing demand by tourists for hotels which adopt green practices.

Recognising this global trend, Asean developed the Asean Green Hotel Standard. This standard establishes a professional green hotel operation comprising an environmental plan, green products, human resource and environment management – all of which enable all involved to reap benefits from a collective approach to operational professionalism. 

This bi-annual award is presented to hotels which adhere to green and sustainable practices, are environmentally friendly, and adapt energy conservation measures based on the criteria and requirements enshrined in the Asean Green Hotel Standard.

The AGHA was first started in 2008 with Thailand as the host country. This year 86 hotels across the Asean member states were awarded the AGHA for being environmentally-friendly and adopting energy conservation measures while being respectful of sustainable consumption of resources.

This Asean Green Hotel programme is also seen as an integral initiative to support the current work of ASEAN to develop the ASEAN Ecotourism Strategic Plan which promotes tourism and green practice in the tourism industry.

The ceremony is also held as to recognise the mutual benefits and opportunities derived through networking, collaboration and working in partnership within the Asean member states, the private sector and NGOs.

Studies have shown that this increase fetches a premium in their hotel rates. Beyond this, the green hotel management practices will, in the long run, also reduce the cost of operations and enhance revenue.

10 <b>hotels</b> from M&#39;sia receive Asean Green <b>Hotel</b> Award - The Borneo <b>...</b>

Posted: 19 Jan 2014 11:22 AM PST

by Jeremy Veno reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 20, 2014, Monday

KUCHING: Riverside Majestic Hotel Kuching and Miri Marriot Resort and Spa were among the 86 hotels across the Asean region to receive the prestigious Asean Green Hotel Award 2014 yesterday.

The bi-annual award ceremony which is held in conjunction with the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2014 held at Pullman Hotel also saw another eight hotels from Malaysia receiving the recognition.

"This award is presented to hotels which adhere to green and sustainable practices, are environmentally friendly and adopt energy conservation measures based on the criteria and requirements in the Asean Green Hotel Standard," said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz.

He also said the primary objective of the award is to provide the well-deserved recognition to hotels that go beyond conventional practices and embark on green and environment friendly measures in support of responsible tourism.

The award presentation which started in Thailand in 2008 was also held in Brunei Darussalam in 2010, followed by Indonesia in 2012.

According to Nazri, there is an increasing demand by tourists for hotels which adopt green practices as proven by studies which showed that demand is higher than the supply of green hotels.

"Hence, these green hotels fetch a premium in their hotel rates as well as reduce the cost of operations and enhance revenue in the long run," he added.

Recognising this global trend, Asean has decided to develop the Asean Green Hotel Standards which comprises an environmental plan, green products, human resource and environment management.

He also said that the move can also be seen as an integral initiative to support the current work of Asean to develop the Asean Ecotourism Strategic Plan which promotes responsible tourism and green practices in the tourism industry.

The award was given to ten hotels from Malaysia, Myanmar (10), the Philippines (5), Singapore (10), Thailand (10), Vietnam (10), Laos (10), Cambodia (10), Indonesia (10) and Brunei Darussalam (1).

Each of the awards was presented by the respective country's own minister of tourism in a ceremony witnessed by more than 250 attendees.

Also present during the ceremony were Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Datuk Rashid Khan.

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ATF (ASEAN Tourism Forum) 2014 at <b>Kuching</b> Malaysia | Press <b>...</b>

Posted: 26 Jan 2014 10:30 PM PST

ATF is the largest ASEAN based trade show for tourism development, every year it is hosted by one country of ASEAN. This year was Malaysia in Kuching Sarawak.
The Lombok Hotel Association decided that for the purpose of tourism growth and development in NTB, Lombok had to be visible in the tourism professional circle and took a double booth at ATF 2014 for the promotion of Lombok where 8 hotel managers presented our great island..
The 28 hotels members of the association were presented to various buyers and media from around the world, but foremost the destination was presented to make sure Lombok become a name on everybody's lips when talking about Indonesia as a tourism destination
Last year in October the LHA supported by BPPD and PHRI, took a booth at ITB Asia, the largest B2B exhibition in the region, but unfortunately, the other two most important shows in the region could not be supported, and LHA finance itself for ATF2014 and next month for the Perth Travel Expo.
The ministry was very pleased to see for the third time in 6 month the Lombok Hotel Association taking initiative to do what matters for the growth of tourism in NTB.
Our only hope is that NTB BPPD will take on the responsibility to do professional shows with the right industry for the right market in order to ensure proper tourism growth in the region.
February some of Lombok hotels will join the Ministry of Tourism in Singapore for NATAS, the largest consumer show for holiday in Singapore, but before that LHA will be in Perth for the Perth Travel Expo to promote our great Island.

Photo 8 Hotel Managers from Lombok Hotel Association with Ibu Nia Niscaya (Dirgen Pemasaran Luar Negeri Ministry Tourism Indonesia)

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Accor to triple stable of <b>hotels</b> by 2015 - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 20 Jan 2014 10:02 AM PST

by Jonathan Wong, jonathanwong@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 21, 2014, Tuesday

KUCHING: Accor has announced plans to expand its hotel network in Malaysia with an additional 15 properties comprising 2,600 rooms throughout the country over the next two years.

This will amount to tripling its current stable of hotels to 20 hotels across all segments.

Gerard Guillouet, senior vice president for Accor Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore has highlighted the move as strategic and said, "Accor sees Malaysia as one of the top tourism destinations in Southeast Asia. The country is full of potential and has plenty of room for Accor to grow.

"We are focusing our energy to aggressively develop more hotels in the country across all market segments and with strong support from our hotel owners, tourism authorities as well as local communities, we are excited about the future prospects for our hotels in Malaysia."

The move was also opportune for the company as it was "just in time for Visit Malaysia Year 2014" and Guillouet further elaborated that, "We expect to open at least four hotels in both peninsular and East Malaysia this year including Novotel Melaka, Mercure Kota Kinabalu Eton, Ibis Styles Ipoh and Ibis Styles Sandakan Waterfront."

The momentum of new hotel openings would lead the group to achieve its target of 20 hotels by 2015, boosting job opportunities and economic benefits for the communities surrounding the hotel.

"It will allow us to become one of the leaders transforming the country's hospitality industry into the future," he added.

Accor, which owns and operates Pullman hotels, continues to open hotels across the spectrum to meet the needs of the different market segments visiting Malaysia with the mix of hotel segments in upscale (15 per cent), midscale (40 per cent) and economy (45 per cent).

"The network will also be geographically balanced with hotels in strategic business and leisure destinations throughout the country.

"Our long term strategy has been to emphasise development in central Malaysia first eventually expanding into other regions including Penang, Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak," Guillouet enthused.

"Apart from promoting our own hotels, we will also promote the site where our hotels are at. We are promoting the different destinations in Malaysia inclusive of Sarawak (Kuching), Sabah (Kota Kinabalu) as well as Kuala Lumpur (Putrajaya) and we are also linked to the Tourism Malaysia website."

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<b>Hotel in Sarawak</b> Blog: Police launch bicycle crime prevention unit <b>...</b>

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 11:24 AM PST

by Anasathia Jenis, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 14, 2014, Tuesday

KUCHING: Kuching district police yesterday launched a pilot bicycle crime prevention unit with the concept of patrolling from hotel to hotel in the city to ensure safety for tourists.

Launching the unit at the Merdeka Palace Hotel, its chief ASP Roslan Bek Ahmad said it would consist of some 24 police officers.

"At the same time, they will also cover other areas along their journey, including the road sides, markets, shop houses and places of attraction.

"They will also have a meet-and-greet session with tourists staying at the hotels as well as hotel staff to see if there is anything they can do to help regarding their safety."

Pointing out that the cycling unit is a new and friendly way to engage with the public, Roslan is optimistic that it will be more effective in crime prevention.

"Our Kuching City is a safe city. But with the setting up of the team, it will send a warning to the potential offender.

"We want to make sure the city is a safe place for tourists as we don't want to give a bad image to the city particularly and our country at large," Roslan said, adding that the concept was welcomed by most hotels in the city.

To hotels that did not understand the concept, he said they would approach them to give explanation.

"We do not have the intention to cast fear on the public with the presence of the police at the premises, but it is only to ensure the safety of the people. Early crime prevention is better," he reiterated.

He also said the unit would be an addition to the bicycle patrolling unit launched previously.

Roslan also said that there would be a weekly post-mortem on the pilot project to get feedback from the hotels on its effectiveness.

Also present were Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) member Datuk Wee Hong Seng and Merdeka Palace Hotel resident manager Andrew Peter Law.

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18-ft-long Dragon Yee Sang kicks off CNY celebration – BorneoPost <b>...</b>

Posted: 22 Jan 2014 11:23 AM PST

by Georgette Tan, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 23, 2014, Thursday

KUCHING: Hotel Grand Continental kicked off their Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration in grand style by creating an 18-foot long dragon Yee Sang.

The delicious dragon was put together in the hotel lobby on Tuesday by the culinary team led by executive chef Idris Benjamin.

Both hotel staff and guests then tossed the yee sang for prosperity.

According to general manager Gerard Sta Maria, Hotel Grand Continental is also celebrating their 18th anniversary this year.

"We have so many good years to come," he told reporters and guests.

The hotel also previewed their Chinese New Year menus, aptly named 'Grand Prosperity', 'Golden Horse' and 'Imperial Fortune'.

They combine fresh, quality ingredients with great taste and flavour, resulting in harmony on a plate.

The 'Grand Prosperity' set is RM588+ per table (10 pax). The menu includes Rainbow Yee Sang, Sea Cucumber with Crabmeat Soup, Crispy Roasted Chicken, Deep Fried Seabass with Nyonya Sauce, Asparagus with Pacific Clams, Buttered Prawns with Nestum, Mixed Mushroom Fried Rice and Chilled Four Treasure Longan Dessert.

'Golden Horse' is RM 688+ per table and features Rainbow Yee Sang, Shark's Fin with Crabmeat Soup, Pa'Lo Duck, Steamed White Pomfret with Supreme Sauce, Salted Prawns, Braised Imperial Lamb with Steamed Bun, Golden Mushroom Fried Rice and Chilled Four Treasure Longan Dessert.

Meanwhile, 'Imperial Fortune' is geared towards those with discerning taste. Priced at RM888+ per table, the menu has Rainbow Yee Sang, Prosperity Cold Dish Combination, Eight Kingdom Shark's Fin Soup, 'Grand Horse' combination of chicken and duck, Steamed White Pomfret with Supreme Sauce, Sarawak Black Pepper Prawns, Asparagus with Pacific Clams and Chilled Four Treasure Longan Dessert.

All menus come with free flow of Chinese tea and soft drinks.

The three Chinese New Year menus were created by the hotel's experienced culinary team, led by their new executive chef Idris Benjamin.

With more than 30 years of experience, Idris hones his culinary skills in various international hotels, resorts and offshore catering.

His resume includes notable establishments such as Singapore Hilton, Kuching Hilton and Crown Plaza Hotel, Kuching.

Idris won many medals in regional cooking competitions, including the Silver Medal at the 1988 Malaysia All-Star Teppanyaki Competition.

Bookings for the Chinese New Year menus can be made for lunch or dinner.

Private rooms are available for a minimum booking of three tables.

These menus are available from now until Feb 13 and are ideal for both company dinners as well as family reunions.

To book, call 082-230399 or email sales_kuching@ghihotels.com.my.

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Sunday, 19 January 2014

Ben Fogle's Sarawak Adventures - Bako National Park hotel ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Ben Fogle&#39;s <b>Sarawak</b> Adventures - Bako National Park <b>hotel</b> <b>...</b> - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Ben Fogle&#39;s <b>Sarawak</b> Adventures - Bako National Park <b>hotel</b> <b>...</b>

Posted: 22 Sep 2013 08:11 PM PDT

In this five minute video we see adventurer and explorer Ben Fogle heading out by boat, firstly, to Salak river and the Kuching Wetlands with Rahim H Bugo the Managing Director. En route they see crocodiles, monkeys, crabs and one of six species of dolphin that can be found in the river — the Irrawaddy dolphin. As he visits a long established charcoal factory he notes that "the incredible thing about the rainforest is that it really is like nature's own supermarket — it supplies just about everything you could need: fruit, food, water, wood for boats and shelters and materials for rattan as well as turning the wood into charcoal.

Get SPECIAL ~  Sarawak hotels discount rate up 75% off  from Agoda.com
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Saturday, 18 January 2014

Marriott opens tallest hotel in New York as demand rises ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Marriott opens tallest <b>hotel</b> in New York as demand rises <b>...</b> - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Marriott opens tallest <b>hotel</b> in New York as demand rises <b>...</b>

Posted: 11 Jan 2014 08:03 AM PST

Marriott International Inc, the owner of brands including Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance Hotels, is opening the tallest US hotel building in New York as tourism in the city reaches a record.

The 68-story tower at the corner of Broadway and 54th Street houses a 378-room Courtyard hotel and a 261-room Residence Inn. The property reaches almost 753 feet (230 meters), making it the tallest hotel without accompanying offices or residential space in the US, said Kathleen Duffy, a spokeswoman for Marriott's hotels in New York City.

The two-tower Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, a mixed-use development with a Mandarin Oriental hotel, is 750 feet.

"I'm certain either one of them would have done fine on their own," Marriott chief executive officer Arne Sorenson said at the opening of the two hotels.

"But here you've got a great location, an A-plus location, with two distinct products that will appeal to two distinct kinds of stays."

Marriott is opening the property as hotel demand in the city soars. New York had a record 54.3 million tourists last year, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on December 10.

The city is likely to have 55 million visitors in 2014, said Bloomberg, the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP.

Marriott has about 100 hotels across the US that offer as many as three Marriott brands within one property, and the company is looking for more opportunities to pursue such projects, Sorenson said.

Franchise agreement

The New York hotel property, which began serving travelers on December 29 and had its official opening, cost US$320 million to build. It's operated under a franchise agreement between Marriott and builder Granite Broadway Development LLC, the property's owner, and is managed by Arlington, Virginia-based Interstate Hotels & Resorts Inc.

Granite bought the land in 2001 for US$32 million, when it had three "non-distinct buildings" with a restaurant, a pornography shop and a clothing store, chief executive officer (CEO) Harry Gross said at today's event. New York-based Granite took several years to decide to build a hotel, after also considering a mixed-use project with a hotel at the bottom and residential condominiums in upper floors.

"But at the time, the condominium market went to pieces," Gross said. "So therefore, seeing that, two hotels would make sense, especially if they catered to two different segments."

Highest Occupancies

Hotel occupancies of 85 per cent and average room rates of US$254.32 last year through November in New York were the highest among the top 25 US markets, according to data from Hendersonville, Tennessee-based STR. Occupancies were at a 13-year high in the city, according to the research company.

Occupancies at New York City hotels probably will decline slightly in the next two years as more hotels open, increasing competition, STR said. About 12,000 rooms will be added in 2014, bringing the city's total to about 120,000 and causing occupancies to drop to 83 per cent this year, the firm said.

Demand from events like the National Football League's Super Bowl on February 2 and an influx of business and leisure travelers throughout the year will help fill rooms, Duffy said.

"There is plenty of demand in this city for all of us," she said.

Edition sale

Marriott's other properties in New York include an Edition hotel, part of a luxury boutique brand it's been developing with hotelier Ian Schrager. The company in August announced the planned sale of the Manhattan development at Madison Square Park, expected to open in the first half of 2015, as well as an agreement to sell an Edition project in Miami Beach and a London location that opened in September.

The company said today that it sold the London Edition, and the total purchase price for all three properties is expected to be about US$815 million.

The Marriott property opening today will have a shared entrance and lobby on 54th Street for both its hotels. Courtyard rooms are on floors six through 33, and Residence Inn rooms are the 37th through 65th stories, with public areas on the levels in between the two hotels. The Courtyard hotel will target leisure and business travelers, while the Residence Inn rooms are geared toward longer-term customers, Duffy said. — Bloomberg

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<b>Hotel</b> di <b>kuching</b> - Come <b>Sarawak</b> - Come - Blogger

Posted: 03 Jan 2014 07:19 PM PST

How Taib Family Built Huge Housing Wealth In The Name Of Kuching's Poor

This post is also available in: Iban, Malay

1/2 million ringgit price tags on CMS built homes in Bandar Samariang

1/2 million ringgit price tags on CMS built homes in Bandar Samariang

The Taib family company CMS proudly boasts of its "vast land bank" in its annual reports and has started selling off chunks for tens of millions in Kuching.

Commercial centres and grand housing estates are also being developed in two key areas, Bandar Samariang, where CMS has 5,200 acres, valued around half a billion ringgit, and of course on the Kuching Isthmus, where land is even more expensive.

But, how did CMS acquire all this property and who has benefitted?

Sarawak Report has acquired shocking information about the way Taib and his family members have profited from this land, which was forcibly taken (official term is 'alienated') from local people and state ownership.

We did it to help the poor

The story that the Chief Minister told from the start was that this was land that difficult and expensive to develop, but that his family company was kindly determined to provide housing for poor people.

Back in 2001, he even made out that CMS was doing this supposed favour in Bandar Samariang entirely "for the people's benefit" for "not much profit", because other developers didn't want to get involved in such a loss-making venture!

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud denied yesterday that the development projects implemented in the state had benefited him personally as alleged by some quarters. Stressing that the projects were for the people's benefit, he urged them to think rationally all allegations of nepotism and cronyism which were levelled at him before making any conclusion….he cited as an example the low-cost housing project in Rampangi, Semariang of which he was accused of benefiting personally. Taib.. said the project did not bring much profit to the developer Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd due to the peat soil condition. Not many companies wanted to invest in the project because of the high cost involved to prepare the site for the project, he said. But in the interest of the people, the project had to be carried out to provide housing to the low income group, he said. "We do not want them to remain without houses and live far away from the city. That's why we continued with the project," he said.[Bernama Sunday, April 08, 2001]

Such a kind old fellow!

Chief Executive and key shareholder at the time, Taib brother Onn Mahmud

Chief Executive and key shareholder at the time, Taib brother Onn Mahmud

Interestingly no mention has ever been made again of these poor soil conditions by CMS.  This is probably, not least, because in every other country in the world, developing tropical peat soil has been banned, because of the severe environmental consequences.

To gain a sense of the value of this land handed to CMS in the guise of helping the poor, consider the recent news that the company has decided to sell on a parcel of 500 acres for over RM45million to Sentoria Group to build a theme park.

Suddenly, another developer has been found willing not only to take on the job of developing the land, but to pay big money for the plot.

However, this time of course the money has gone to CMS, not the government or the people from whom the area was 'alienated'.

At the time CMS got this land for free it was largely owned and run by Taib's brother Onn Mahmud, who shortly after passed on his shares to Taib's wife, with the remainder being largely in the hands of the Chief Minister's four children.

No nepotism at all then!

Sucking money out of pensions too

Robert Geneid, the Head of CMS Property Development and husband of Taib's sister Raziah Mahmud.

Robert Geneid, the Head of CMS Property Development and husband of Taib's sister Raziah Mahmud.

But, of course, the Taibs didn't really want to invest their own money in this mission to assist the poor with 'quality low cost housing'.

Far better to use their influence to encourage the government controlled Employee Provident Fund (EPF) to put in the money instead.

After all, this fat milk cow has been used to pour vast sums of money into endless pet projects to benefit BN politicians, meaning public employees can look forward to far lower pensions, despite being forced to pay a quarter of their salaries into the obligatory savings fund controlled by the government.

EPF therefore was dragged into a joint venture with CMS and the investment in the "low cost housing" in Bandar Samariang began.

But, in fact, low cost housing was only ever planned to form a small part of the project from the very start.  The original terms of agreement, as explained in CMS's own annual reports, made clear just 1/3 of the area was to be housing for the less well-off.

Housing for the poor?

Housing for the poor?

The rest of the huge site was to be developed as an ambitious commercial enterprise.

CMS's 1997 Annual Report was certainly not bashful about the profit-driven nature of CMS's latest housing project or the ambitions of its new Property Development Division, headed by the new husband of Taib's sister Raziah, the Lebanese Australian, Robert Geneid.

It also reveals that, thanks to Taib's ability to pull the strings, that the State Housing & Development Commission had already been tasked with buying whatever 'quality low cost housing' CMS Property produced on the site, ensuring a guaranteed profit.

1997 Annual Report

Property Development

"This is a new growth area for the Group, and CMS Properties Sdn Bhd has been set up to develop and manage the Group's vast land bank, with the long-term objective of becoming Sarawak's principal property developer and a major player throughout Malaysia and the ASEAN region. The Group's strategy is based on using the natural synergy between the infrastructure, finance and property divisions….

Bandar Baru Samariang is a joint venture with the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and will be the largest low-cost housing project ever undertaken in Sarawak, and the first housing development project undertaken by the Group. 

The 13,500 low cost houses (approximately 36 percent of the project) will be sold to the Housing & Development Commission……The remaining 64 percent of the project will comprise medium-cost homes, commercial centres and ancillary buildings, providing a total of 42,200 housing units on the vast 5,200 acre site just 15 km from Kuching. Phase 1 of the township is currently being implemented, to provide over 4,000 units of low-cost housing, as well as hundreds of other residential and commercial properties."[Ann Rpt 1997]

So, in fact, a mere 4,000 units of the token low cost housing have been included in the first phase of the project, all promoted in the beginning in a blaze of positive publicity, before CMS moved speedily to the much more lucrative "medium cost" housing, where units are currently being sold for the very fancy prices of anything up to half a million ringgit!

Bandar Samariang Phase I Plan

Phase 1 - including 4,000 low cost housing units guaranteed to be purchased by the Housing Committee

Phase 1 – including 4,000 low cost housing units guaranteed to be purchased by the Housing Committee

Of course, the fact that the state has ploughed in major infrastructure, in terms of roads and amenities into the area, has made the development potential of this project ever more lucrative.  Yet, the Chief Minister is still justifying his handing of it all to his family in the name of charity for Kuching's poor!

Presiding over his family's vast profitable land venture.

Presiding over his family's vast profitable land venture.

However, this mother of all land grabs from the Sarawak people is just the start of the story of how the Taib family set about enriching themselves from this project.

In 'Phase 2′ of our investigation we will be looking at how individual members of the Taib inner family circle, set about using the massive housing project to develop profitable businesses for themselves, with disastrous consequences for the very poor people in whose name the Bandar Samariang land grab was executed.

"The new township boasts a myriad of vibrant features such as improved road connectivity between central and South Kuching" Borneo Post

"The new township boasts a myriad of vibrant features such as improved road connectivity between central and South Kuching" Borneo Post
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Friday, 17 January 2014

Police launch bicycle crime prevention unit - The Borneo Post Online - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Police launch bicycle crime prevention unit - The Borneo Post Online - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Police launch bicycle crime prevention unit - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 13 Jan 2014 11:51 AM PST

by Anasathia Jenis, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 14, 2014, Tuesday

KUCHING: Kuching district police yesterday launched a pilot bicycle crime prevention unit with the concept of patrolling from hotel to hotel in the city to ensure safety for tourists.

Launching the unit at the Merdeka Palace Hotel, its chief ASP Roslan Bek Ahmad said it would consist of some 24 police officers.

"At the same time, they will also cover other areas along their journey, including the road sides, markets, shop houses and places of attraction.

"They will also have a meet-and-greet session with tourists staying at the hotels as well as hotel staff to see if there is anything they can do to help regarding their safety."

Pointing out that the cycling unit is a new and friendly way to engage with the public, Roslan is optimistic that it will be more effective in crime prevention.

"Our Kuching City is a safe city. But with the setting up of the team, it will send a warning to the potential offender.

"We want to make sure the city is a safe place for tourists as we don't want to give a bad image to the city particularly and our country at large," Roslan said, adding that the concept was welcomed by most hotels in the city.

To hotels that did not understand the concept, he said they would approach them to give explanation.

"We do not have the intention to cast fear on the public with the presence of the police at the premises, but it is only to ensure the safety of the people. Early crime prevention is better," he reiterated.

He also said the unit would be an addition to the bicycle patrolling unit launched previously.

Roslan also said that there would be a weekly post-mortem on the pilot project to get feedback from the hotels on its effectiveness.

Also present were Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) member Datuk Wee Hong Seng and Merdeka Palace Hotel resident manager Andrew Peter Law.

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Thursday, 16 January 2014

VA presents 'Boy Cliff with The Acoustic Velvet' on ... - my Sarawak - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

VA presents &#39;Boy Cliff with The Acoustic Velvet&#39; on <b>...</b> - my <b>Sarawak</b> - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

VA presents &#39;Boy Cliff with The Acoustic Velvet&#39; on <b>...</b> - my <b>Sarawak</b>

Posted: 16 Jan 2014 10:56 AM PST

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Cliff (centre) performing Wednesdays in an acoustic showcase with The Acoustic Velvet at Victoria Arms of Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites.

KUCHING: A talented Malaysian artiste Cliff Umar aka 'Boy Cliff' is the latest artiste to perform at Victoria Arms (VA) of Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites.

The acoustic showcase taking place every Wednesday from 8pm onwards will feature him together with local band 'The Acoustic Velvet'.

Cliff, currently under Neo Worldwide Entertainment, is the lead singer of Malaysia's well-known rock band 'Projek Pistol'.

He came up with his new self-titled single, which is stylistically a softer expansion of Projek Pistol heavy rock with hints of pop.

His eponymous album contains two songs in Bahasa Malaysia, 'Cahaya' and 'Hanya Kau'. The songs are written by Cliff himself and co-arranged by producer Jason Voo and Fariz Aslan, the two best young pop rock producers in the industry.

Cliff is also a seasoned stage performer of 10 years around the best live venues Kuala Lumpur has to offer, including Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood.

This is not his first performance in Sarawak and he is thrilled to have a chance to meet his fans here.

Every week he would choose a concept and perform the songs he handpicks, that range from top 40s to late 60s.

"Everywhere else, there is a live band and the music is loud. Here we introduce a softer raw music to enable the audience to relax, chit chat and at the same time enjoy the music," he said at a press conference at VA on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Acoustic Velvet comprises four members who have backed up several big events in town such as Anugerah Muzik Dayak and they are also teaching music at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

VA said in a press release that it has always been keen to support any local artistes regardless of music genre.

The introduction of 'Cliff Umar and The Acoustic Velvet' marks VA's support in promoting aspiring Malaysian bands.

Category: Sarawak

Car2u.asia

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Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Sarawak Cultural Village | Scott's Journey to Ithaca - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

<b>Sarawak</b> Cultural Village | Scott&#39;s Journey to Ithaca - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

<b>Sarawak</b> Cultural Village | Scott&#39;s Journey to Ithaca

Posted: 15 Jan 2014 07:13 AM PST

Hello My Friends

My last full day in Kuching had no scheduled tours or events so I went exploring on my own. It really wasn't completely unplanned. Near to Kuching, about 45 minutes by car from the city on the Santubong [SA1] Peninsula is the Sarawak Cultural Village. A center to display traditional life of the people of Borneo and Sarawak in particular. It collected some of the few traditional Longhouses which were the traditional living arrangements of the tribal groups that once existed on the Island. The long houses were large communal living spaces for tribes where extended family groups or clans would live and work under one roof.

Since it isn't easy to reach without a car, bus companies offer minivan service there. One of these companies picked up passengers at a hotel about a 10 minute walk from my hotel. I could have taken a tour but that would basically be the same thing except they would pick me up at my hotel and bring me back, for a much higher fee.

Since the Cultural Village held a native dance show twice a day, I planned to get there in time for an hour or so to walk around before the 11:30 performance. The minivan schedule was every two hours starting at 07:15 so I planned for the 09:15 bus. I took a leisurely walk to the hotel where I bought a return ticket (round trip ticket) from the concierge of the Grand Margherita Hotel which was the pick-up-point, for RM24 (about US$7). I was a little early so had about 20 minutes to wait. The hotel is next to the Sarawak River and I took a walk on the promenade along the river. A wide and well maintained paved walkway which is a fine focal point and leads past the Main Bazaar area to the hotel and shopping area of the city; it is well used by locals and tourists alike.

It was a dry and calm Sunday morning with just a few joggers and strollers on the promenade. On the river there were no large shrimp boats going down to the sea and one lone wooden rowboat with two fishermen on the calm waters. I watched as one man stood rowing with two oars at the stern of the boat as another man in the bow worked the net. I was so fascinated I lost track of time and had to hurry back to the Hotel. I needn't have rushed, at 09:15 the van was there parked but the driver seemed in no hurry to start collecting passenger. Finally about 09:25 he opened the door to the van and walked slowly to the hotel. I took that as my cue, with my prepaid ticket in my hand, I boarded the empty van to wait for the driver's return. About 5 minutes later I saw him at the hotel doors talking with the concierge and then he herded 9 Chinese tourists to the van. After they were squeezed into the 12 passenger van we were finally off. The driver maneuvered through side streets and finally got back to the main street along the promenade going in the opposite direction. We stopped at another hotel where a South Korean tourist squeezed into the last fold down seat. Since the A/C in the van didn't seem to work, I was finally able to open the sliding window on my side which offered a welcome blast of air in the crowded, stifling van.

We headed out of town, going along a fine highway that eventually turned into a not so fine two lane country road with very well worn and rough stretches, interspersed with rubble zones where 6 or so very low speed bumps were laid out across the highway as speed control devices. Finally we arrived at the Cultural Village on the edge of the resort area around Damai beach. Most of the passengers piled out there, the few others continued on in the van to the beach.

The entrance fee for the park was RM60 (about US$17) and for that I got a Passport which explained what the sites were and spaces to be stamped at each stop on the circuit. Each stop represented a village of one of the 7 tribal groups of Sarawak plus Chinese farmers who arrived in the early 1900s. These are built around a manmade lake which is symbolic of the fact all the groups originally built their villages and homes near rivers and the ocean. A paved or wooden board walk circles the lake with the large, raised wooden building housing the restaurant and theater between the lake and the entrance.

I didn't stop at all the exhibits but did visit most of them. All were buildings moved onto the site and are probably the only examples of original buildings of their type tourists are likely to see in the Sarawak. Any buildings like them that do exist have been modernized with plumbing, electricity and modern interiors so even though it is pretty cheesy, it's worth the visit.

There were displays of workshops and living spaces with people from the tribal groups in traditional clothing and doing traditional crafts and to talk with visitors and answer questions. Leading to the first house was a traditional bamboo bridge, the trail led around it for those too squeamish to walk across the seemingly fragile and flexible structure. I walked across on the two large bamboo logs that made up the walkway of the bridge, only occasionally grabbing the rail that due to the crossed bamboo supports were just at the end of my reach on either side. I thought I was doing fine until the young Chinese lady following me asked if I needed a hand. I said no and sped up my pace.

Inside the Iban tribe's Longhouse, a lady was slowly weaving a traditional design on a very simple loom. I also saw a traditional tribal mask, I liked that because I had something to look for in a mask. Unfortunately I never did find a mask that looked anything like it in any of the souvenir shops I looked through during my stay in Sarawak and found one that I think is of traditional design, I'm sure it isn't a real antique but I wouldn't expect to find an original tribal mask in my price range.

I did climb the three flights of stairs to the Orang Ulu Longhouse, I hate wooden steps almost as much as stone steps, but it did get me out of the rain that started coming down in buckets just as I got to the bottom of the stairs and there was no other sheltered area nearby. Inside the Longhouse a very pretty lady was kneeling behind a small table selling a few souvenirs. Seeing her was worth the long climb up the stairs. Standing on the covered porch waiting for the rain to stop or at least let up a little, all I could think of was the smiling Chinese gentleman from the minivan who had told me he and his family were headed to the beach; I hoped they were able to find shelter. Around the lake, the Melanau Longhouse also had long stairs leading to it, so I just took a picture and walk on, it had stopped raining by then.

The Malay House had one flight of stairs so I climbed those but just poked my head in through the door to take a picture because you had to remove your shoes to enter; I had worn my hiking shoes and not sandals so took my pictures and stamped my Passport before going back down the steps.

My last stop was the Chinese Farmhouse. Divided into two parts and built at ground level, the farmhouse contained the family living area with beds, kitchen, etc. on one end and at the other end where work took place were farming tool displays including small, wooden, hand powered thrashing and cleaning machines for pepper, one of the major crops farmed by the early Chinese.

By that time I was getting hot and tired from walking in the heat and humidity so I retreated to the Theater/Restaurant building. It was still about 20 minutes before the cultural dance performance so I found a seat in the shade outside the restaurant and relaxed, watching the other tourists coming and going. I had brought my own bottled water so didn't buy anything to eat or drink.

When one of the workers began ringing a gong, I guessed the doors to the theater were about to open so I moved over to a seat near those doors while the other visitors queued up at the door; the line quickly stretched out from the shade of the overhanging roof to the direct sunlight. I figured there would be plenty of empty seats so decided to wait in the shade. Shortly thereafter the South Korean young man who was the last to board my minivan came over and sat down beside me. He didn't speak much English, and I don't remember any Korean, but we had a rough conversation anyway. Finally a tiny, skinny man dressed like a forest ranger opened the doors and the now much longer line of people moved inside. When the end reached the shade my Korean friend and I got in line. To my surprise the theater was air conditioned, built like a building within a building, the traditional wood and thatched roofed building hid a 400 seat theater with tiered, cushioned seats. The crowd spread out into separate groups scattered throughout the seating area, I followed my friend to the front row and on the left side was a nearly empty row of seats; we were about 1 meter from the stage. The doors opened a little after 11:30 and it was at least 11:45 before the curtains finally pulled back.

I can't describe the entire dance show. I could barely hear and understood nothing the announcer said about each performance. I just enjoyed the choreographed routines of the dancers in colorful costume on the stage as they performed traditional dances. The last and longest routine was by two men in leather hide jumpers and cotton loin clothes carrying blowpipes and shields dancing a routine of hunting in the forest. It was very graceful and a crowd pleaser as they would make like they were aiming at something in the trees then lower the blowpipes to point into the audience. They picked out one lady in the front row who they acted like they took offense with and kept going back to her throughout the dance like she was their next target, all to great laughter. Finally one of the men demonstrated his accuracy by popping balloons on the wall of the right side of the stage from the far left side. With one balloon left, the two men went down into the audience and brought a pretty young lady up to the stage. After a drawn out and funny routine the men popped the balloon for her and the show was nearly over. All of the dancers came out on stage and invited people from the audience to come dance on the stage and then it was over.

Back outside the crowd dispersed, my friend from Korea and I ate lunch in the restaurant and then went to the front gate to wait for our ride back to Kuching; it was supposed to be there at 1:15 PM. A different van than the one we came in pulled up and a group who didn't arrive with us clambered in, filling it to the hilt. It left and a man came over and told us that it had been our van but was full and they were trying to get a second van to come for us. About 15 minutes later the van and driver we came in arrived and we were told to get in. Just as we settled in the first van reappeared, it had taken some people to the beach and came back. There were two empty seats left, the two fold down seats. However when we got on, two others also boarded. I was in the second fold down seat, my friend in the one in front of me and the two others sitting on the engine hump behind the driver's seat facing backward. The A/C worked in this van but not enough for the 14 passengers in a 12 passenger van. The suspension was overloaded and hitting the rumble zones and rough patches on the highway bounced the van so much that the Scottish gentleman in the 4th row seat finally yelled at the driver to slow down, which he did for a while. By the time the 45 minute drive was over, mine and my friend's backs were about broken from the terrible seats and the grumbling from the back row was getting louder. At the hotel everyone got out, even those going to other hotels. For the first time ever, I complained to the driver about the ride, little good it did, I'm not sure he understood a word I said. But it made me feel better and the Scottish man agreed loudly.

I was hot, my back hurt and I needed to do a bit of souvenir shopping before going back to the hotel. I walked about 20 minutes down the now lively promenade to the main bazaar. There I went through several shops before finding the few things I needed, including the mandatory mask for my collection. Only then did I head back to my hotel and a couple of well-earned Gin and Tonics.

My journey across Borneo was over, in the morning I would leave for Bali and will tell about that next time.

Enjoy the Journey

Scott

I am retired and travel the world, living my dream and letting anyone and everyone know what I see and do. Enjoy the Journey Since I am both a Sailor and a Traveler, I think Emily Dickinson's words are for me: We do not mourn for Traveler, or Sailor, "Their Routes are fair — But think enlarged of all that they will tell us Returning here —" Emily Dickinson Ithaca When you start on your journey to Ithaca, then pray that the road is long, full of adventure, full of knowledge. Do not fear the Lestrygonians and the Cyclopes and the angry Poseidon. You will never meet such as these on your path, if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine emotion touches your body and your spirit. You will never meet the Lestrygonians, the Cyclopes and the fierce Poseidon, if you do not carry them within your soul, if your soul does not raise them up before you. Then pray that the road is long. That the summer mornings are many, that you will enter ports seen for the first time with such pleasure, with such joy! Stop at Phoenician markets, and purchase fine merchandise, mother-of-pearl and corals, amber and ebony, and pleasurable perfumes of all kinds, buy as many pleasurable perfumes as you can; visit hosts of Egyptian cities, to learn and learn from those who have knowledge. Always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind. To arrive there is your ultimate goal. But do not hurry the voyage at all. It is better to let it last for long years; and even to anchor at the isle when you are old, rich with all that you have gained on the way, not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches. Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage. Without her you would never have taken the road. But she has nothing more to give you. And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not defrauded you. With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience, you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean. -K. P. Kavafis (C. P. Cavafy), translation by Rae Dalven
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