Sunday 30 March 2014

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

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

Sarawak hotels recognised for green practices | The Borneo Post ...

Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:44 PM PST

Friday, 24 Jan 2014

Focus, Highlights 352

By Jude Toyat

@judetbpseeds

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

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.

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Friday 28 March 2014

Kin of Chinese passengers of MH370 reluctant to leave hotel rooms ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Kin of Chinese passengers of MH370 reluctant to leave hotel rooms ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Kin of Chinese passengers of MH370 reluctant to leave hotel rooms ...

Posted: 26 Mar 2014 09:45 AM PDT

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BANGI: The next-of-kin of Chinese passengers of a lost Malaysian airliner staying at the Bangi-Putrajaya Hotel near here have been reluctant to leave their rooms since late last night, according to a security officer who declined to be identified.

He told Bernama they did not want to meet anyone unless there was fresh information on the search for the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft that is believed to have gone down in the southern Indian Ocean.

Meanwhile, Kam De Zheng, the private secretary to the Prime Minister's special envoy to China, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed that no briefing had been scheduled today for the families of MH370 passengers putting up at the hotel.

He, however, declined to confirm rumours that the families would be moving to Everly Hotel in Putrajaya to be with the families of other passengers. The families of passengers from China were transferred to the Bangi-Putrajaya Hotel on Saturday from Cyberview Hotel which had been booked for the Malaysia F1 Grand Prix from March 28 to 30 at Sepang International Circuit.

The hotel was under heavy guard yesterday after an incident yesterday when media photographers rushed to take the pictures of a man believed to be a family member of a Flight MH370 passenger at the hotel lobby. — Bernama

Category: Nation, Sarawak

About the Author (Author Profile)

Hotel di kuching - Come Sarawak

Posted: 22 Mar 2014 07:31 PM PDT

I am going to take you to a country which is full of islands. Any guess? Yes, you are right. It's Malaysia. There are878 islands in Malaysia. This country is known for its stunning sights and attractions. We are going to explore its astounding natural beauty that magnetizes vacationers/ tourists or visitors attraction. It's a country of exclusive culture and tradition. It's one of the best places on the globe with delicious cuisine and hospitable people. Kuala Lumpur is its capital with charming iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Malaysia has many offshore geographical places. There would be around 510 which include ridges, sandbank and rocks. It's a multicultural state with many festivals and celebrations. Tour to Malaysia, is really a unique and pleasant experience.

There're lots of choices to stay in Malaysia, so it's tough to decide where to stay?

Mid-range hotels and 5 stars hotels with Chinese, Indian or Malaysian traditional cuisine and cozy rooms are easily available for vacationers/visitors anywhere in cities. You can enjoy luxury hotels or resorts located on islands. Accommodation is so cheap in Malaysia, you can easily get a room for $ 3 to $ 9 USD/night. Private rooms are available for $ 11 to $ 20 USD/night. You can camp in Taman Negara and can save lodgings cost.

Anyways, here're some suggestions.

Lone Pine Hotel, located Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, posses welcoming staff, stunning swimming pool, lip-smacking food, and calm atmosphere with beautiful sea views. You can get a huge variety of cocktails in bar corner.

Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La, located on Batu Ferringhi beach, Penang Island, is a fantastic family resort, offers services such as water sports, tennis court, delicious food, pools, cozy rooms, hospitable staff and family entertainment center. Its cuisine includes Bar & Grill pizzas and seafood, tea/coffee, snacks, pastries.

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, is a fantastic hotel with superb services. Welcoming staff, comfortable rooms, suspended pool and delicious Malaysian food make it more worthy staying.

Tanjong Jara Resort, located on Batu, Dungun, is one of the top 25 hotels in Malaysia, offers services such as Spa village, Pools, tennis court, delicious dining out, air-conditioned rooms, seafood and bar. You can spend a relaxing morning with coffee and newspaper on the beach.

Berjaya Tioman Resort, located in Pulau Tioman, is a traditional Malay style resort, offers services like pools, golf, tennis court, spa, coffee, snacks, global drinks, tasty food, air-conditioning cozy rooms and water sports including diving, fishing, snorkelling etc.

The Majestic Hotel, Majestic Malacca, Cameron Highlands Resort and Sama-Sama Hotel, in Kuala Lumpur, Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa and Four Seasons Resort in Langkawi, Miri Marriot Resort & Spa, Mega Hotel, Grand Palace Hotel and Imperial Palace Hotel in Miri, Seven Terraces, Yeng Keng Hotel, Museum Hotel and Hotel Panega are also wonderful places to stay in Malaysia.

As far as meal is concerned, you can have it in restaurants, western hotels , cooking own when living in camping or as a street meal and just have to pay $1 to $3 USD /head for street meal, $4 to $6 USD/head in restaurants while western food is a bit expensive. Malaysia is a Muslim country that's why drinks are expensive here. Anyways, here are some suggestions of restaurants for you.

Dining in the Dark, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, is an amazing restaurant deeply into darkness and offers delicious food including soups, desserts etc.

Black Forest, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, offers German cuisine.

Kebaya, located on Stewart Lane, Georgetown, Penang Island, offers good services and food.

Living Room Cafe Bar & Gallery, located on Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, is a good place for families, lovebirds, special occasion or groups. You can enjoy Bar, Asian and Eclectic cuisine here until late night.

Top Spot Food Court, located Bukit Mata Kuching, Kuching is a family restaurant, offers best seafood and opens until late night.

Jambu Restaurant and Lounge, located on Crookshank Road, Kuching is a restaurant offers best pasta in town. It also deals with Bistro, Bar for cocktails and Tapas etc.

Black bean, The Heritage, Tribal Stove and Bella Italia are also superb restaurants in Kuching with the fantastic setting near river.

La Casa Kuantan, Crocodile Rock Pizza & Grill Restaurant, Satay Zul, and Dallah Restaurant in Kuantan offer great services with superb cuisine.

Malaysia is a country with many attractions or points of interests and more exciting thing is those are quite cheap. Here're some suggestions, and you must visit those places once you are in Malaysia.

Birch Memorial Clock Tower, located in one of the biggest cities of Malaysia named "Ipoh". Here're plenty of attention-grabbing sights such as museums, temples and historical buildings.

Galeria Perdana, Rice Museum, and Padi Langkawi, in Langkawi, are amazing places with precious stuff and collection, to visit. Langkawi is a beautiful island with lovely beaches and plenty of interesting sights. Ave Stella Maris Catholic Chapel is a beautiful church. Langkawi Wildlife Park and Underwater World are educational and exciting places with lots of fun.

The Islamic city "Kota Bharu" is a great city with royal places, museums, and plenty of other eye-catching sights.

Taman Negara National Park is a beautiful park in oldest rainforest Taman Negara. It's a place with lots of activities like trekking, safaris, and canopy walks.

Islamic Art Museum, Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya Bridge, Petrosains Science Discovery Centre, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Thean Hou Temple, and Lake Garden Parks are some suggested amazing places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.

Mount Kinabalu National Park, is the best choice for hiking, this Park is full of fun and will never disappoint you on your visit.

Malaysia is a land of festivals and celebrations as multicultural people exist here. Tourists or vacationers can enjoy these festivals almost every month of the year. Here are some suggestions for our visitors.

Tamil Community celebrates festival named "Thaipusam". It's a unique festival that is worth seeing. It can be best observed at Batu Caves in Selangor or Penang, in Januanry.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in February and last for 15 days. You can enjoy lion dances, fireworks, and delicious Chinese meal.

In April, Good Friday and Malaysia Water Festival are celebrated.

Wesak Day, and Harvest Festival are celebrated in May.

June is a month with amazing festivals like Hari Gawai and Dragon Boat Festivals.

July and August are the months with festivals such as the Rainforest World Music Festival, Independence day, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hungry Ghost Festival.

September becomes more colorful with Malaysia Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali Festivals of Lights, and Christmas are celebrated in October, November and December.

Malaysia is not less than a heaven for shopaholics. Super international brands have covered Malaysian market and have luxury stores here. Sales at shopping mall attract many tourists every year. Mega Sales held on Christmas and Independence Day and last up to two months.

Utama, BB Plaza, Fahrenheit88, Lot10, Plaza Low Yat, Suria KLCC and Sogo are some remarkable shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur.

ICT@Komtar, Island Plaza, Midlands One Stop, Plaza Gurney, Prangin Mall, Queensbay Mall and Straits Quay are some suggested shopping centers in Penang.

Langkawi Fair is a beautiful place for a shop in Langkawi.

Malaysia is a country with beaches. Therefore, beach holidays can be enjoyed all around the year. Summer season is mild, and usually climate is pleasant in Malaysia so you can visit it in all seasons. Anyhow, December and January are two peak tourists' seasons. From June until August is also a good time to enjoy beaches activities.

I assure you, your vacations to this country holding natural beauty, would be a treasured and unforgettable experience.

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Perkasa Allowed IN / PKR Kicked OUT – Sarawak's Tin Pot 'Election ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Perkasa Allowed IN / PKR Kicked OUT – Sarawak's Tin Pot 'Election ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Perkasa Allowed IN / PKR Kicked OUT – Sarawak's Tin Pot 'Election ...

Posted: 25 Mar 2014 11:50 AM PDT

Perkasa Allowed IN / PKR Kicked OUT – Sarawak's Tin Pot 'Election' EXCLUSIVE

Allowed into Sarawak - Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali last week. Banned - PKR opposition politicians

Allowed into Sarawak – Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali last week spent several hours here in the Restaurant of the Harbour View Hotel on the night of March . Meanwhile legitimate PKR opposition politicians were banned.

Sarawak Report can demonstrate that the statement by the Immigration Department that the Perkasa leader, Ibrahim Ali did not visit Sarawak last week is untrue.

We have the proof of Ibrahim Ali's own hand that he was indeed in Sarawak, because he personally signed for drinks and snacks at the Harbour View Hotel in Kuching, where he stayed for two nights in Room 307.

Sarawak Report has received exclusive photos of those receipts

We can confirm that the visit to Kuching last week was arranged under the name of the Malay supremacist group (which calls itself an NGO) by its its Secretary General, Syed Hassan Syed Ali.

Syed Ali booked four rooms under the name of Perkasa at the Harbour View, which costs approximately RM150 a night, for the nights of the 20th and 21st of March.

We have copies of those registrations.

The group then spent several hours drinking and talking till midnight in the hotel restaurant area with members of the group PKMS – Persatuan Kebangsaan Melayu Sarawak (National Association of Sarawak Malays), who reportedly invited the right-wing extremist Perkasa group over to address their organisation.

Ibrahim Ali at Kuching's Harbour View Hotel dining with Malay supremacist colleagues from Perkasa and PKMS

The proof – EXCLUSIVE!

'Dato' Ibrahim Ali' of Room 307 signed the bill at the Harbour Hotel

Following outrage over the visit and reports that the Perkasa leader is preparing to launch a new chapter of his notorious, right-wing 'hate organsation' in Sarawak the state Immigration Department yesterday issued a stout denial that he had visited the state.

This misinformation has apparently been backed up by police and special branch and was reported in the local press.

However, we can demonstrate that a carbon copy Ibrahim Ali look-alike was not only sitting in the Harbour View Hotel with Perkasa colleagues on Friday night, but he signed the bill in his own name, proudly using his title Dato' Ibrahim Ali (left).

We also have a copy of his hotel booking which was made out in the name of Perkasa and its Secretary General Syed Hassan Syed Ali.

So, either the entire visit was an extraordinary stunt, complete with false press statements and a highly convincing Ibrahim Ali celebrity look-alike, who signed in his name, or the Sarawak authorities are beginning to look like foolish disseminators of false information.

Booked in by Perkasa's Secretary General Syed Ali

Copy of the hotel booking in by Perkasa's Secretary General Syed Ali

Tin pot dictators running Sarawak 'election'

The extremist agitator Ibrahim Ali's unwanted visit to the state could not have come at a more provocative time, given the extraordinary actions of the state government this week in barring legitimate opposition figures from entering Sarawak.

Saifuddin Nasution – one of the legitimate opposition spokesmen banned from campaigning in Balingian

The order to the immigration authorities represents a blatant attempt by the ruling PBB/BN state government to prevent PKR from legally campaigning in the Balingian by-election.

Yesterday, three senior members of PKR Rafizi Ramli, Tien Chua and Saifudden Nasution were all turned away when they arrived from West Malaysia and it has emerged that in all 8 members of PKR, which is fighting the Balingian seat on behalf of the PR opposition alliance, have been blacklisted from Sarawak.

It is a classic abuse of internal border controls by the tin pot dictator, Taib Mahmud, who has regularly banned anyone who he fears might criticise, expose or challenge his stranglehold over Sarawak.

The editor of this blog is likewise barred along with many others from legitimately entering the state.

But, not only does this mass banishment make a laughing stock of the supposedly 'democratic' by-election taking place in Taib's former state assembly seat in Balingian, it also exposes shocking hypocrisy, given the opposite treatment of the highly provocative extremist Malay supremacist, Ibrahim Ali.

Outrage in Sarawak over the news that the Perkasa leader was in the state last week

After all, when the puppet chief minister, Adenan Satem, first raised fears in a speech last Saturday of the planned ban against opposition politicians, his public excuse was that he would invoke border controls to keep out 'bigots' and 'divisive elements':

"As a responsible government, we will invoke the immigration power given to us by the Federal Constitution to prevent outsiders who are known to be religious bigots, communal racists and trouble-makers from coming into territory or to deport them if they are already in Sarawak.

"This is to prevent peaceful Sarawakians from being infected by racism and religious bigotry. This is done only in the best interest of the peaceful people of Sarawak, who are known to be hospitable and moderate in their views and actions." Satem told a bemused audience on the Balingian campaign trail.

Yet it has turned out that it is regular politicians who have been prevented from spreading their peaceful messages, while it is a racist and divisive Malay bigot who has been allowed in and permitted to start organising a base in the state.

Satem – Taib puppet and UMNO catspaw?

Perhaps it is time that more people in Sarawak understood the lie and realised that Taib and PBB have not kept UMNO out of the state, which is Adenan Satem's favourite message of this election?

Instead, his party has for all these years acted as UMNO's active agent in the state, milking Sarawak's resources for the benefit of West Malaysia's ruling party and themselves.

And now that the BN/UMNO government has admitted that it is funding Perkasa to threaten its opponents it appears Satem too is allowing this outfit to set up in Sarawak.

Phoney elections in a phoney democracy

So far, Adenan Satem has not had the courage to go the whole way and ban the PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim as well, as was widely anticipated, evidently because of the world attention this would undoubtedly receive.

Instead he has contented himself with crude threats that Anwar should not be "naughty" when he comes, which is the favoured patronising phrase of Satem's real boss, the Governor Taib Mahmud:

"Sarawak does not need outsiders to interfere on its future direction and to come to the state to create trouble," he said at a meet-the-people session at the Kampung Teh Hall in Mukah here today.[New Straits Times]

Creating trouble, of course, means upsetting BN's stranglehold of Sarawak and like all rural elections in Sarawak, this Balingian by-election is phoney.

Threats of 'curses' brought back memories of Taib's 'witch' at the previous Balingian election, 2011

Threats of 'curses' brought back memories of Taib's own 'witch' who appeared at the previous Balingian election, 2011

Indeed, Malaysia BN party is now the world's oldest 'democratic' regime, thanks to seats delivered from the rural regions of Sarawak and PBB will spend the 14 days of the paltry 'campaign' period abusing the resources and administration of the state to force through its own victory.

Likewise, the refusal to allow the opposition to even present their case in Balingian is all about showing voters 'who is boss' and Satem issued threats from the start, informing voters they would be 'cursed' if they did not show 'gratitude' to Taib Mahmud by voting PBB.

PBB will follow up this 'show of power' in coming days by tossing a few meagre ringgit around the village communities and a nice bonus to their salaried headmen, in order to confirm the message they want to convey, which is that "PBB/BN is the boss, so don't mess with us".

This has nothing to do with democracy, because in a democracy the people are the boss. Therefore Sarawak is not a democracy.

Reform not extremism

Balingian is voting in this by-election for a candidate who will sit 16 days a year in the State Assembly. Taib has turned this 'elected' body into a farce by reducing its days of operation to two sessions of just 8 days each, most of which are occupied by the opening and closing ceremonies.

All dressed up with nowhere to go – DUN's high-salaried assemblymen

Any assemblyman who asks a proper question, for example about why the majority of the state budget is now secret, is simply removed from the chamber by Taib's strongmen.

In return for the loss of their representative powers Taib last year kindly trebled the salaries of these cardboard cut-out parliamentarians, who have all agreed to wear uniforms as if they were obedient soldiers rather than independent politicians.

Having silenced the politicians Taib has also silenced the media by the simple method of making it illegal to print, broadcast or join a club or political party without a licence.

No one who is not authorised by Taib can get that licence, which is why not only this blog, but also our sister radio station Radio Free Sarawak are treated as if they were 'illegal' in the State of Sarawak.

However, against the standards of international law it is PBB, the State of Sarawak, its Governor and this phoney election that are illegal and the Malaysian Government should be enforcing the legitimate rights of free citizens and their political representatives in the state and not secretly subsidising the likes of extremist groups like Perkasa to enter Sarawak to cause even more trouble for its people.

Monday 24 March 2014

Brutal Insult – Staff Families Are Treated As 'Worth Less' By Malaysia ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Brutal Insult – Staff Families Are Treated As 'Worth Less' By Malaysia ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

Brutal Insult – Staff Families Are Treated As 'Worth Less' By Malaysia ...

Posted: 24 Mar 2014 08:05 AM PDT

Brutal Insult – Staff Families Are Treated As 'Worth Less' By Malaysia Airlines – EXCLUSIVE

After two weeks of disastrous mishandling of events it appears that Malaysian Airlines has now committed a further act of gross insensitivity, according to exclusive information obtained by Sarawak Report.

Family members of the crew have confided they have been approached by the airline with the offer of 'hardship money' in recognition of the appalling situation involving their closest relatives.

However, they claim it is only half the sum that has been offered to families of passengers on board.

Some of the relatives were reportedly so upset that they told officials to keep the money, which is being presented by the airline as a goodwill payment.

"Imagine how this makes them feel" a close friend of the family told Sarawak Report. "They know that the family members of passengers have already been offered US$10,000 'hardship money' and now they get this call to offer them US$5,000!

"Do they think that the lives and suffering of staff on their airline are of less value and importance than the lives and suffering of passengers? It has added immense and unnecessary added pain at this unbearable time"

Another close relative of one of the family members, who have been kept separately from passenger relatives in the Marriot Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, explained to Sarawak Report that the money was being presented as a one-off payment, as a form of hardship allowance, whist the search and rescue is being carried out.

"it adds salt to the wound. It is about how life is valued. It is not the amount that matters, it is the difference in amount. If it was just one ringgit compared to 50 cents it would be just as hurtful. Who could have sat down and come to such a callous distinction between people's worth, especially when we are talking about Malaysia Airlines own loyal staff members?"

Time for more transparency from Malaysia Airlines

Marriott Hotel KL, where the relatives of the crew have been closely managed by the airline

So far Malaysia Airlines staff have failed to deny any of these concerns, say relatives of the crew.

Yet, if the information that they have been offered less is untrue, then the surely airline should have spared no time in reassuring them that are being treated equally?

Instead, it has emerged that airline official, who are closely managing the cabin staff relatives in their segregated hotel, have resorted to warnings about confidentiality and apparent threats.

Sarawak Report has learnt that at a briefing earlier this evening airline officials warned the relatives that they had detected that there have been 'discussions' about this sensitive matter.

The officials went on to tell the relatives that the hardship payments have been volunteered by the airline as a matter of 'goodwill' and that they are a 'confidential matter', which should not be spoken about.

The relatives were then individually warned by the airline's 'Care Advisors' that it would not do them any good to 'turn against' the company, which was trying to help them, because "at the end of the day it is the company that will be looking after them".

This has struck fear amongst a good number of the relatives, Sarawak Report understands, because of the thinly veiled threat implied against their future financial well-being.

This is especially so after tonight's dreadful announcement by the Prime Minister Najib Razak that the plane is now officially being declared as lost and the passengers deceased.

UK£67million (RM365million) insurance was paid to airline for hardship money

Under these painful and upsetting circumstances such a patronising and controlling stance by the airline appears scarce credible, as does the demand for secrecy over payments made to relatives.

The world's press has already covered the fact that insurers have forked out £67million to the airline in order to cover hardship payments, meaning the 'goodwill' payments so far remain far short of the sums to which relatives ought to be eventually entitled.

With 239 affected passengers each family should be looking at a sum of around £1.5million by these sums alone. So, why the demands for confidentiality and self-serving claims about 'generous goodwill' by the airline?

Given the airline's performance so far it is highly unlikely that secrecy and confidentiality in this matter is in any of the relatives interests. Nor are bullying and threats acceptable towards people who are suffering so badly as a result of the airline's failure to detect its own missing airplane.

Malaysia Airlines should say sorry to the relatives and come clean on this issue. Have they or have they not differentiated in their payments to different families so far and if so why?

At least eight civilians killed in Kabul hotel attack - Borneo Post

Posted: 20 Mar 2014 11:45 PM PDT

KABUL: At least eight civilians, including children and foreigners, were killed in a Taliban attack on a luxury hotel in Kabul, the spokesman for Afghanistan's interior ministry said Friday.

In a brazen assault just weeks before Afghanistan's presidential election, four teenage gunmen with pistols hidden in their socks managed to penetrate several layers of security at the Serena hotel, a prestigious venue favoured by foreign visitors to the capital, on Thursday night.

One of the civilians killed in the attack was a former Paraguayan diplomat who was in Afghanistan as an election observer, Paraguay's foreign minister Eladio Loizaga said.

The Taliban, who have vowed a campaign of violence to disrupt the election on April 5, claimed responsibility for the attack.

"8 civilian (sic) including, 3 women (2 foreigners), 3 men and 2 children were killed during the terrorist attack on Serena Hotel Kabul last night," interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on his official Twitter feed.

Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Ayoub Salangi gave a death toll of nine — five Afghans and four foreigners.

The four attackers were gunned down by Afghan security forces. - AFP

We encourage commenting on our stories to give readers a chance to express their opinions; please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. While the comments here reflect the views of the readers, they are not necessarily that of Borneo Post Online. Borneo Post Online reserves the right not to publish or to remove comments that are offensive or volatile. Please read the Commenting Rules.

Sunday 23 March 2014

ROUTES ASIA: Sarawak Heritage on Show at Networking Evening ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

ROUTES ASIA: Sarawak Heritage on Show at Networking Evening ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

ROUTES ASIA: Sarawak Heritage on Show at Networking Evening ...

Posted: 10 Mar 2014 07:35 AM PDT

ROUTES ASIA: Sarawak Heritage on Show at Networking Evening

Delegates at this year's Routes Asia forum gained a clear view of the richness of Sarawak's unique and timeless cultural heritage as they arrived at the event's networking evening at the Hotel Pullman in Kuching. From the balconies of the hotel leading to this majestic ballroom hosting dinner, co-host, Ministry of Tourism Sarawak made every effort to afford the network planning community with a true Borneo experience.

Speaking at the event, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, chairman of fellow event host Malaysia Airports Holding Company, paid tribute to the opportunities the forum has provided. "Routes Asia is one excellent opportunity for the state government and stakeholders like Malaysia Airports to galvanise their efforts to allow many enablers in the aviation value chain to emerge, so that tourism and trade can flourish through the increased liberalisation of air services activities into and out of Kuching and Sarawak," he said.

"The positive economic effect of greater flight connectivity into Sarawak is undisputable and Malaysia Airports is very eager to render our full support towards the Sarawak government in order to promote Kuching and the many interesting destinations in Sarawak on the world and regional tourism maps," added Tan Sri Wan Aziz.

Tan Sri Dato' Sri Dr Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah, chairman of event co-host Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad

Despite the inevitable modernisation that a city has to embrace as part of its advancement, it is clear that Kuching has not lost any of its heritage. "It is heart-warming to know that such cultural legacy in Kuching and its interiors are still bountiful; and l am certain that Kuching has managed to capture the hearts and minds of those who have spent a few nights here," he said.

According to Tan Sri Wan Aziz, the hope now is that the record level of attendees at this year's Routes Asia will now become ambassadors for the city and Sarawak region, especially the airline delegates. "To our dignitaries of foreign airlines, you now have a verified knowledge of Kuching's tourism abundance and I hope you will return to your office with raised vigour and enthusiasm to see your airline flags flying to this city and develop the city linkages between your country and Sarawak and Malaysia," he said.

To meet the hoped for growth in demand, Tan Sri Wan Aziz also made a commitment to ensure the local aviation infrastructure would be prepared to meet any additional demand the event's host meetings may bring into Sarawak. Whilst we endeavour to lure the international tourists and more airlines into the heartland of Sarawak, Malaysia Airports will ensure that Kuching International Airport is always ready in terms of capacity and capabilities to cater to the passengers and airlines requirements," he said.

"We will ensure that it meets if not exceed, the global airport operations standard to facilitate the demand and growth of passengers passing through this important international gateway. To demonstrate our firm commitment to continuous operational service excellence, the airport will undergo a terminal improvement project not too far from now to provide a heightened travelling experience for users of this airport," he added.

Look below to see some photographs from the Routes Asia Networking Evening...

Routes Asia Networking Evening

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About The Author... Richard Maslen, Editor, Routesonline

Richard leads the Routesonline community delivering content every day and the weekly The HUB e-newsletter. With over 16 years in the industry working for a number of aviation publications he brings the team a wealth of experience and insight. Questions? Leave a comment below or send him a tweet!

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Friday 21 March 2014

1,150 flood victims in Beaufort receive aid from Felda, Grand Borneo ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

1,150 flood victims in Beaufort receive aid from Felda, Grand Borneo ... - Hotel in Sarawak Blog

1,150 flood victims in Beaufort receive aid from Felda, Grand Borneo ...
At least eight civilians killed in Kabul hotel attack | my Sarawak ...
Hotel in Sarawak Blog: ROUTES ASIA: Sarawak Tourism Works on ...
Hotel di kuching - Come Sarawak

1,150 flood victims in Beaufort receive aid from Felda, Grand Borneo ...

Posted: 16 Mar 2014 03:30 PM PDT

BEAUFORT: A total of 1,150 families affected by the recent floods in the Beaufort district received aid from the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and the Grand Borneo Hotel yesterday.

Felda Sabah regional general manager Juany Salleh said the aid, in the form of daily needs for the victims here and in Lumadan was part of Felda and the hotel's social responsibility initiative.

"The assistance given was based on village heads' information involving 16 villages," he told Bernama after the presentation of the flood relief aid at Kampung Poring here.

Meanwhile, Mejabai village head, Sanin Tananak, 49, said the aid was a relieve after his village was hit badly by the floods and had affected the livelihood of villagers.

Selinsing's village head, Musthani Jusdeh, 51, said the aid would help ease the burden of 44 families who have been badly affected by the floods.

More than three quarters of the Lumadan area was hit by the floods last month and many of the victims could not be relocated to evacuation centers since their village was inaccessible. — Bernama

At least eight civilians killed in Kabul hotel attack | my Sarawak ...

Posted: 20 Mar 2014 11:45 PM PDT

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KABUL: At least eight civilians, including children and foreigners, were killed in a Taliban attack on a luxury hotel in Kabul, the spokesman for Afghanistan's interior ministry said Friday.

One of the civilians killed in the attack was a former Paraguayan diplomat who was in Afghanistan as an election observer, Paraguay's foreign minister Eladio Loizaga said.

The Taliban, who have vowed a campaign of violence to disrupt the election on April 5, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Ayoub Salangi gave a death toll of nine — five Afghans and four foreigners.

The four attackers were gunned down by Afghan security forces. - AFP

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Hotel in Sarawak Blog: ROUTES ASIA: Sarawak Tourism Works on ...

Posted: 12 Mar 2014 11:35 AM PDT

ROUTES ASIA: Sarawak Tourism Works on Reimaging Kuching

The current project of reimaging Kuching as a destination is part of a five-year Tourism Industry Transformation Program which began in 2010 with one thought in mind – to improve the visitor experience in a very niche market and to position Sarawak as a home of adventure with elements of culture and nature. Ahead of Routes Asia, The HUB Daily sat down with Dato' Rashid Khan, chief executive officer, Sarawak Tourism Board to learn more about his vision.

Sarawak is situated on the third largest island in the world and that makes accessibility a major challenge but the Tourism Board are aware they need to make it easy for travellers to get to the region, thus the reason to host Routes Asia. "The key challenge is to improve air-connectivity so that visitors are able to experience the well kept secrets of Borneo," said Dato' Rashid Khan.

The first phase of this process has been to enhance the visitor experience and work with airline partners operating through hub airports such as Kuala Lumpur International and Singapore Changi and increase air connectivity through these facilities. "The very least was to make the journey more comfortable through reducing transit and waiting time to connect to not only Kuching airport in Sarawak but also to airports such as Sibu, Miri and Bintulu," explained Dato' Rashid Khan.

The Tourism Board has also collaborated with the airlines to create more city pairs to enable travellers to fly direct to Sarawak, a project that has proved fruitful. "On the domestic front, AirAsia is forthcoming and aggressive in developing city pairs such as between Kuching or Miri and Penang, Kota Bahru, Kuala Trengganu and Johore Bahru and Langkawi bypassing Kuala Lumpur altogether. Similarly in terms of regional flights we have helped bring in Xpress Air and MASWings to Kuching from Pontianak," said Dato' Rashid Khan.

The second phase of the plan has been to engage with partner airlines like Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Silk Air and Malindo Air to operate more frequencies on their existing routes and Dato' Rashid Khan believes the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community will help it succeed. "We are preparing for the eventual ASEAN Economic Community that will open up opportunities for airlines within ASEAN member countries to capitalise on the Visitors the implementation of the ASEAN Open Sky Policy Roadmap by 2015 with more liberal aviation agreement of a single market," he said.

Outside ASEAN the Sarawak Tourism Board have identified other key markets with development opportunities, most notably Taiwan, Hong Kong and China where there is a demand for outbound and inbound travel to and from Sarawak.

"Despite the lack of direct flights, visitor arrivals figures from these countries are growing at a healthy growth rates," said Dato' Rashid Khan. "We are targeting idle planes lying overnight in major airports in these countries and attract them to fly either scheduled or non-scheduled charters into Kuching or Miri airports and back- something which can be easily achieved within an eight to ten hour time frame and sweat their assets without compromising on their normal schedules and operations."

A key part of the strategy has been an investment in marketing communication messages to reimage Sarawak as a business and leisure tourism destination with a strong focus on adventure with elements of culture and nature to offer visitors different experiences in one place.

Sarawak's multicultural capital city, Kuching, has a long history, but offers visitors more. There are four nature parks on both land and water – Bako National Park, Kuching Wetland National Park, Kubah National Park and Talang Satang National Park all within 40minutes to 90 minutes radius. Most visitors are aware of the Mulu Caves but Kuching also has the Wind Cave and Fairy Cave among others that are just 40 minutes from the city center. The city also has Gunung Santubong, Damai Beach and the Sarawak River, all providing very different adventure and nature experiences to the visitor.

"Accessibility to tourism attractions will be made easier for visitors to move around as we are looking into ways in which people can enjoy the city using different modes of transport. As Kuching is not very big city, visitors who come here are used to going on foot and take walking tours to discover the city. Of course, other mode of transportation such as buses and taxis are only used for longer distances such as going to the airport or to go out of town," said Dato' Rashid Khan.

The Tourism Board is also starting to look at how the Sarawak River which runs through Kuching can enhance the visitor experience. "With the ferry and water taxi services, you can get from one place to another and also have a different view of the city, see new places and enjoy the peace and calm of a river running through the city," said Dato' Rashid Khan. The Kuching Waterfront is currently being expanded and very soon we will have a pedestrian bridge connecting both banks of the river near the State Assembly Building.

Alongside accessibility, the transformation plan also identified that tourists visiting Sarawak were becoming more varied and coming to the region to experience different product offerings. Where previously there were only two types of hotels – business class hotels and backpacker hotels – both of which are located in the city centre- now different types of hotels are being added to the mix to cater to different types of visitors.

For those who prefer mid-priced boutique hotels, there are several to choose from located around the city with four new hotels are being planned to offer more variety and add 1,500 – 2,000 more rooms by 2016. A 400 room hotel will also be built next to the airport; the UCSI Hotel Kuching will be built near the Borneo Convention Center for those who are in town for an event, while there are also a few ultra luxury hotels being built near the historical part of town.

"While we are still at the infancy stage in terms of tourism infrastructure, we have always been welcoming and hospitable," said Dato' Rashid Khan. "It is our second nature to be friendly to visitors. We hope build on this and bring in the visitors to experience first-hand this warm and friendly city. And this is the image we want to project to airlines and tour operators from all over the world attending Routes Asia 2014."

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About The Author... Richard Maslen, Editor, Routesonline

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