<b>Sarawak hotels</b> recognised for green practices | The Borneo Post - Hotel in Sarawak Blog |
- <b>Sarawak hotels</b> recognised for green practices | The Borneo Post
- <b>Hotel in Sarawak</b> Blog: Perkasa Allowed IN / PKR Kicked OUT <b>...</b>
- <b>Hotel in Sarawak</b> Blog: Kin of Chinese passengers of MH370 <b>...</b>
- Kin of Chinese passengers of MH370 reluctant to leave <b>hotel</b> rooms <b>...</b>
| <b>Sarawak hotels</b> recognised for green practices | The Borneo Post Posted: 30 Mar 2014 11:29 AM PDT 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. You might also like: |
| <b>Hotel in Sarawak</b> Blog: Perkasa Allowed IN / PKR Kicked OUT <b>...</b> Posted: 02 Apr 2014 11:26 AM PDT  This post is also available in: Iban, Malay  By the sea side and several hours drive from the Baram region – Casuarina Hotel KK Forest Department staff, who are supposed to monitor the activities of timber companies, regularly concoct false reports from seaside hotels, instead of conducting genuine ground checks, Sarawak Report has learnt. Insiders have confessed to the practice, which they say is orchestrated by the major timber companies, who spend thousands of ringgit a week entertaining the Forest Department officials and paying them 'pocket money' to keep them from doing their job of guarding against illegal logging. One former worker at a major timber company operating in the Baram region told us that the vast majority of the company's logging in the area is unauthorised and that in order to keep Forest Department staff from viewing the extent of their illegal operations the company would go to extreme lengths to keep them out of the area. Can you give us a lift? A key weakness in Forest Department practice, which the company is happy to exploit, is the willingness to allow its officials to rely on company transport to get to the areas they are supposed to be checking. Before every inspection trip the Forest Department official rings the company to notify they would like transport and then a discussion takes place.
The group of officials from the Forestry's 'Preventative Department' would then spend the entire week enjoying casinos, drinking and other forms of entertainment at the resort, thanks to regular 'pocket money' supplied by the timber company. A timber industry insider told us that the timber company's top managers were well aware of what was going on and that the petty cash department would allow them to take thousands of ringgit to cover each trip. The Chief Executive of the company was well aware too:
According our sources all the major timber companies in Sarawak employ similar tactics to subvert reports by Forest Department ground staff. These have an official salary of RM3-4,000 a month, but can inflate their earnings up to RM20,000 through cash bribes.
On certain occasions one timber industry worker admitted, his company would even fly a group of forest guards to Manila to keep them away from their proper duties. Asked if he felt guilty he responded :
 Log pond – no traceability to show whether the timber came from authorised or unauthorised areas. On paper everything is proper, but 90% of it is lies Ludicrously, our informant described how during the course of their week at the seaside the forest officials would retire to their rooms to do their "homework", in order to complete the paperwork required of their trip.
One fundamental flaw in the system is clearly the Forestry Department's reliance on exacting penalties to resolve unauthorised logging practices by Sarawak's major concession holders.  Severe erosion all over the Baram area caused by unsustainable practices and unauthorised logging – which represents 90% of the logging. This practice is so open to abuse that it has become a standard method for bribing officials and represents a mere tax on the companies' illegal transgressions, rather than any form of deterrent. According to our informants 90% of the logging in Baram is conducted outside of the authorised concession areas, which have already long since been exhausted by unsustainable practices. Habitual offences include the logging of coups within concession areas where Permission To Enter permits have not yet been issued. In such cases the timber company camp managers will merely provide misleading information about the source of the logs. By the time the logs have reached the log pond their origin is impossible to trace, owing to the poor practices in monitoring by the state. Most of these logs are then sent down river and the majority are exported to Japan, where buyers and government departments are still willing to accept Sarawak's certification practices at face value.  Logged out – unsupervised logging is visible all along the roads in Baram region. The only counter activity carried out by the Forest Department guards and monitors is the subsequent counting of stumps left in unauthorised areas, which have clearly been stripped by companies that have transgressed their concessions. These incursions even include protected forest areas in Baram, such as native lands, national park areas and river buffer zone and valuable protected species, such as the Tapang tree are also being cut down and then mislabelled to disguise the illegal activity. To penalise such violations the Forest Department will count the illegal stumps (or pretend to count them, in the case of the guards who are actually partying in KK) and then calculate a fine on the company on the basis of around RM200 for a normal tree and up to RM2,000 for a protected species like Tapang. Can you do us a deal? However, the penalty is always a matter for 'negotiation', insiders have explained to Sarawak Report. The timber company will always ask for a 'discount', which will involve the halving at least of the fine and large cash kickbacks for the official themselves and their bosses. As the officials have often not even visited the area at all the numbers of 'counted stumps' are often completely made up to begin with and way beneath the real extent of the problem. According to the industry source:
It is a state of affairs which sums up the poor governance of the timber industry in Sarawak and explains why the EU trade negotiations have stalled with Malaysia over timber, specifically from Sarawak.  What remains of Baram's once unparalleled jungles. The state government has refused to amend its practices, in order that such abuses could be addressed and so that the origin of Sarawak timber can be properly accounted for. Little surprise therefore that Sarawak is still the world's biggest exporter of timber, providing more hardwood than the rest of the world's tropical timber exporters added together. Local inhabitants say that the current state of the forests in the Baram area have reached such critical levels of depletion that the major company in the area has started cutting down protected trees that were once left alone in visible areas near to roads. Levels of erosion in this hilly region have reached disastrous levels, with hillsides collapsing in mudslides into the once pristine rivers below, killing the river life and removing the thin soil layer from the jungle regions. Sarawak is facing an environmental catastrophe thanks to the lazy officials who prefer the beach to their jobs and to the ruthless timber companies responsible for corrupting them. But, above all, the responsibility lies with the deliberate negligence of the State Government of Taib Mahmud. No one has benefited more from the lucrative backhanders willingly provided by the major timber companies to anyone willing to turn a blind eye than the Chief Minister of Sarawak, who described his own personal wealth of billions as being "more than I could ever spend".
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| <b>Hotel in Sarawak</b> Blog: Kin of Chinese passengers of MH370 <b>...</b> Posted: 28 Mar 2014 11:25 AM PDT
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. |
| Kin of Chinese passengers of MH370 reluctant to leave <b>hotel</b> rooms <b>...</b> Posted: 26 Mar 2014 09:45 AM PDT 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  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. |
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