KK & Sabah News-Flash

Grandis Plans to Have 5-Star Resort in KK

Hotel Grandis, a recently proclaimed Blue Ribbon Awardee based in Kota Kinabalu, has plans to build a 5-star resort and a minimum of two hotels that may be classified as three- to five-star ranges.  This was announced by Michael Tan, the hotel’s general manager, during the Appreciation Night held recently.  The location was not divulged but he said that there will be a view of the beautiful sunset and the future resort will be a lot bigger than the existing hotel in the city.

Established in 2015, the hotel’s plans for expansion were in response to the clamor for more quality accommodations because of the increase in tourist arrivals which has passed the 3 million counts.  These visitors are mostly from China and Korea.  Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun had recently made a statement that the state needs more four- and five-star hotels, especially during peak seasons.  His department has always been the recipient of complaints from hoteliers and tourism agencies on this shortage.

According to Michael, training of their hotel workers is just as important for the provision of quality service.  For this purpose, the workers will be sent to English, Mandarin and Korean short classes after their work hours.  There will also be courses on information technology so that their skills can be upgraded to meet the demands of the tourists.

As an overall improvement strategy, Grandis will also upgrade room amenities and the menu.

Grandis is taken from an orchid found in numerous quantities in Mount Kinabalu – the Ascidieria Grandis.

Sabah Completes Corruption-Free Oath

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Sabah deputy director, Hasbilah Mohamad Salleh, announced Tuesday that Sabah is the first state to complete the corruption-free oath and signing of the Corruption Free Pledge (CFP) program. The CFP is an initiative of the MACC to stop corruption in government agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs).

The 92 state government agencies, statutory bodies and GLCs in Sabah had made the commitment to be partners with the MACC in the fight against corruption and abuse of power.  At the same time, these same agencies also see the need to uphold integrity and accountability as they serve the public entrusted to them.

Hasbilah also said that GLCs in Sabah are encouraged to form an integrity unit that will be the lead group in integrity management, especially in compliance and the code of ethics.

Formation Camp for Chinese Students Organized by Cathedral Parish

A formation camp for 150 Chinese students were organized by the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish last December 4-9.  The students’ ages ranged from 6 to 18 years old and were divided into age groups during their learning activities.

The primary school students were taught about Jesus, Mary, the Holy Spirit and the 12 Apostles.  For the teenagers, their sessions were mostly about vocations in life (priesthood, religious, single blessedness and marriage) and a handicraft workshop for the discussion on the gift of self.

Both groups had field trips as part of their learning.  The younger group went to the KKIP Divine Mercy Church while the older ones went to a formation house in Penampang and a convent in Karamunsing.