Tip of Borneo Music Fest Returns For Fifth Time

KOTA KINABALU -- The annual Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo is back for the fifth time.

This time, however, it will be held for two days, beginning July 16, instead of one, as in previous years.

And for the first time, Sing Out Asia, a Japan-based non-profit organisation comprising singers and performers from Asia, will participate in the four-hour event, starting 5.30pm.

Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin said, with an additional day, the board expected better turnout than last year's 2,000 domestic and international tourists.

The music fest is a musical experience like no other, performed amidst a dramatic sunset with a spectacular ocean view at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat, the northern most tip of Borneo.

The location is a two-and-a-half hours' ride from Kota Kinabalu.

"We are delighted that Sing Out Asia, has chosen Sabah as their first ever performance in Malaysia.

"Amongst the line-up they brought are an original 18-member Japanese chorus group from Okinawa, N'jami, that blends Japanese folk songs using instruments made of corals and shells, to create a unique Asian sound, and Indonesian trio Lala, Imel and Marko, featuring award-winning singer-songwriter Imela Kei," Tengku Zainal told a press conference at the STB office here today.

Other performers are soul and R&B artist Art Thomya (Thailand), Lang (Laos) and Julianne and Nino (the Philippines).

Sing Out Asia managing director Saburo Hatano, who was also present, said the four-year-old group's performance in Sabah would be the fifth, after Jakarta, Taiwan, Taipei and Tokyo.

On the domestic front, Malaysia's singer-songwriter and musician Amir Yussof, Sabah's accoustic guitarist and award-winning composer Roger Wang, and Sabah's one and only full orchestra Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) will perform,

Continue reading at: Tip of Borneo Music Fest Returns For Fifth Time
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Tip of Borneo Music Fest 2011

Date: 16-17 July 2011
Venue: Simpang Mengayau, Kudat (Tip of Borneo)

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'Centre of Sabah' to be next tourism destination

KOTA KINABALU: The geographical Centre of Sabah, a project undertaken by the Sabah Chapter of the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM), has the potential to be promoted as a tourism product.

“From the Tip of Borneo to the Centre of Sabah, it will provide the most gruelling adventure race in the world,” said Robert Cheng, the ISM Sabah project manager, who is also the Assistant Director of Land and Survey Department.

According to Cheng, the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) is the best body to package it. STB chairman Dato Seri Tengku Adlin Zainal Abidin had recently suggested to the surveyors to work closely with the Sabah Forestry Department and the Wildlife Department to identify the biodiversity of the location so as to attract tourists interested in the flora and fauna.

The coordinates of the point that is determined to be geographical Centre of Sabah is at Latitude 117 degree 7 minute 01.8 second East and Longitude 5 degree +20 minute 38.4 second North which is on a hilltop of the Pinangah Forest Reserve near Telupid.

On May 2009, the ISM Sabah team, led by its then chairman, Alexander Chong, set out to locate and mark the actual point. However, this site is 237m away from the determined point by mathematical calculation, i.e. at Latitude 117 degree 07 minute 10.545 second East and Longitude 5 degree 20 minute 42.752 second North.

“It was then shifted as the actual point was located on a steep hill slope where access is difficult and options for construction of tourism facilities were limited,” explained Cheng.

As this is the first project of its kind in Malaysia, the process moved at a snail’s pace. The Department of Surveying and Mapping was requested to come up with a mathematical calculation.

“In theory,” Cheng said, “if you thread a string through the centre of a cut-out cardboard map of Sabah, the cardboard should hang flat in the balance. This is how the Centre is pinpointed.”

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Tip of Borneo music fest listed on Sabah tourism calendar

The music fest that features the performance of Jesselton Philharmonic Orchestra at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in the northern-most tip of Borneo in Kudat District at sunset will, from this year onwards, be one of the four major tourism promotion events for Sabah.

In disclosing this here yesterday, Sitti Damsal, general manager of Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd, the marketing and promotion arm of Sabah Tourism Board (STB), said the other events are the Sabah Fest, Dragon Boat Race and the Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon.

She said all these major tourism promotion events for the state are packaged with tour agents in advance.

The Tip of Borneo music fest last year, she said, attracted a huge crowd of international tourists and local visitors and received raving praise.

“You can’t find this kind of outdoor orchestra performance it anywhere, to enjoy the ambience. Other such performances are all indoors.

“However, the feedback is that the programme is too short.

“So we are going to strengthen the programme slightly, adding more musical items before and after presenting the orchestra performance that would remain as the main attraction,” she said.

The Tip of Borneo event for this year would be a two-day affair, scheduled for July 16-17.

The Sri Pelancongan GM said a new stage will be constructed for this year’s show, in the form of an amphibian theatre overlooking Tanjung Simpang Mengayau and the sea.

“This stage can be used by the people and other organisations for other social events, like weddings that are already taking place there.”

As for the Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon, Sitti Damsal pointed out that this year’s event, to be held on Oct 22-23, shall mark its 25th anniversary, drawing the world’s top mountain runners.

“We are affiliated with the International Sky-runners Federation (ISF) based in Italy and we have been working closely with them for the last seven years.

“It is through this association that we receive the world’s top mountain runners to participate in our climbathon that forms part of the international mountain running circuit each year.”

She noted that among all the mountain runs on the world circuit, the Mt Kinabalu International Climbathon is considered the toughest one by the runners.

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Unwinding at the Tip of Borneo

A giant bronze globe marks the location of the Tip of Borneo

Visitors at Simpang Mengayau, the northern most tip of Borneo all smiles for the camera

Holiday-makers enjoying their day out in the sun

Simpang Mengayau chalet for visitors

Unique formation on sandstone rocks carved by the wind and waves

Rocky foreshores reveal their treasure at low tide

Coastline with crystal clear waters

Photos courtesy of and Copyright to NYL and Brunei Press Sdn Bhd.

By NYL

Simpang Mengayau or the Tip of Borneo, a magnificent projection of sandstone that stretches its craggy fingers and parts the South China and the Sulu Seas is more than a spectacular geographical site. In this place where the locals find "the wind that makes you sleep", a historical battle was fought centuries ago.

Although infrequently used, Simpang Mengayau derives its name from the original title: Tanjung Sampang Managazou, referring to a great battle between the resident Rungus tribe and the invading tribe of Sulug descending from the Phillipines.

With the crashing waves breaking on the rocks, the Rungus who defended their land to the end finally prevailed and this sacred cape is preserved till today as one of Sabah's most beautiful sights.

A landscape of jagged cliffs dropping into blue roaring seas and a powdery coastline stretching five kilometres, the Tip of Borneo is irresistibly breathtaking. To think, it must have been even more so centuries ago, when the fleet of world renowned explorer and navigator Ferdinand Magellan docked here for 42 days on the first-ever expedition circumnavigating the globe.

Its highest viewing point is named after Tomanggong Kurantud, a renowned warrior and chief of the Rungus tribe, who signed an agreement of cooperation with the British North Borneo Company in 1881 in return for peace, prosperity and development in the region.

Today, whilst no epic battles are slugged out on these shores, one can expect an experience well worth the drive.

Located in Kudat, just a three-hour drive from Sabah's capital city, Kota Kinabalu, the Tip of Borneo offers stunning vistas and an unrivalled breeze, a perfect place for quiet contemplation.

Locals from the Iranun tribe hawk seashells along the seashore in rustic shelters and coconuts are found in abundance. As gusty winds blow salty sea air across the coast, picnickers and holiday-makers can be seen taking a cool dip in the rolling waves.

Ample parking space is provided at the entrance, as well as some shops selling snacks and gifts. In addition, visitors who prefer a quiet, laidback atmosphere near unspoilt beaches can stay at the Simpang Mengayau chalets situated near the souvenir shop.

The most recognisable landmark is a giant bronze globe marking the location of the Tip of Borneo at latitude 7° North and longitude 116° East, with the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian National Flag) flying next to it.

At the top of the hill, visitors will be presented with its dramatic beauty. Closer inspection reveals sandstone rocks carved by the wind and waves.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend
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Welcome To 'Homestay Without Package' In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU -- Nowdays the 'homestay' programme is getting popular in Malaysia's local tourism industry including that in Sabah which is also known as 'Land Below The Wind'.

Among the districts in Sabah that offers this programme is Kota Marudu where some 1,000 people from 12 ethnic groups are taking part in the homestay programme that began in 2008.

Sabah National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN) officer Jessica Basat said the homestay programme in Kota Marudu can be seen as a positive move to enhance relations between the guests and hosts.

The guests who are Malaysians from the peninsula can also exchange cultures and traditions with their Sabah hosts.

"This programme is on demand by the local community and it is unique as the programme is devoid of any packages as the activities are decided by the hosts and visitors.

"We encourage the villagers to be involved in the homestay programme as Kota Marudu has the potential to be developed as a key tourist destination," she said.

HOMESTAY WITHOUT PACKAGE

The 'without package' homestay programme refers to activities that have no limits and the hosts as well as guests take part in drawing up the activities during the stay. These activities are suited to the guests needs and requests.

What is important is the understanding and experience on the culture and socio-economy of the local community which is made up from people of various ethnic groups. This helps to preserve unity among the population.

Via the integration visits organised by JPNIN, the homestay programme can act as the platform to enhance relations between the people of Sabah and those from nationwide.

The homestay programme also creates positive impact by improving the economy of the rural community in Sabah.

HOLIDAY PACKAGE IN SABAH

Meanwhile, Sabah is well known for its rich natural treasures right from the state's mountains and down to its valleys. As well as the expanse of land between its lush forests to its off-shore attractions.

Its life forms include insects as small as ants right until mammals as big as the Orang Utan and pygmy elephants.

Apart from the homestay packages in Kota Marudu, visitors can also go to Kudat, located some 190 km from Kota Kinabalu.

They can visit Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat which is known as the Tip of Borneo, the tip of land at the most extreme north in Sabah's map. It is located some 200 km from Kota Kinabalu and 30 minutes drive from Kota Marudu.

Tanjung Simpang Mengayau is formed by a 'chain' of hills that headed towards Laut Sulu. It offers breathtaking scenes during dawn and dusk.

In the language of the Rungus in Kudat, Tanjung Simpang Mengayau is called 'Tanjung Sampang Mangazo'. 'Tanjung' means cape, 'Sampang' means junction and 'Mangazo' means war.

Continue reading at: Welcome To 'Homestay Without Package' In Sabah
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