KK & Sabah News-Flash

Rare Mt. Kinabalu Documentary Premiers at BEFF 2017

The Borneo Eco Film Festival 2017 will be showing a rare Mt. Kinabalu documentary on its opening night on Friday, September 22, 2017, at Suria Sabah.  Mount Kinabalu-North Borneo 1961 is a historical account of the first scientific expedition made by the Royal Society during that year.  Led by Professor E. J. H. Corner, the expedition made discoveries of new species that justified the designation of Mount Kinabalu as a national park.

The Mt Kinabalu Documentary is 35 minutes long and was originally shot with 16mm handled cameras.  Its original form was that the film and the audio were two separate reels.  Recently, it was the Royal Society that digitized the film.  Keith Moore, head of the library at the Royal Society, said that the film “Mount Kinabalu” is one of their prized possessions.  They are proud that the film will have its digital debut at the Borneo Eco Film Festival this year.

According to BEFF festival director Melissa Leong, the film is very informative and uplifting, showing the wealth of biodiversity and cultural significance that captured the attention of Corner and his companions.  It should be remembered that experts from different scientific fields from Britain, Singapore, Malaysia and Sarawak were in the 1961 expedition.  After the success of the first expedition, a second followed in 1964, during the year that Kinabalu National Park was named.

Other information about this film can be found at www.beff.org.my.

Incentive for Exporting Companies Offered by Matrade

Malaysian companies connecting with international online marketplaces through e-commerce will have the chance to accelerate exports by availing of the RM5,000 financial incentive provided by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) in its eTrade program.

Matrade Sabah director Rashid Mohd Zain made this announcement during a briefing on “Opportunity to Expand Your Market Through E-Commerce:  Alibaba.com” which was organized by the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) and Matrade Sabah regional office at Kota Kinabalu Wednesday.  Rashid said that the incentive will be given to approved companies as e-vouchers or reimbursement.  Aside from this, companies can also avail of advisory services, training and online assistance.  He said that these companies will benefit much from the eTrade program because of reduced cost and added knowledge by attending seminars and workshops on online marketing and cross border e-commerce.

Furthermore, Rashid made clear the requirements for qualifying in the program, such as the incorporation of the company according to the statutes of the land and its current exporting activity.

Rashid also justified why the partnership with Alibaba.com and not with other e-commerce platforms.  He said that Alibaba has more packages shipped per day in 2015 than other companies.  He also announced the establishment of the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) by the Malaysian Government, a first in the world to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the exportation of their products.

Sabah Civil Servants Encouraged to be Active in Sports

Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman said Wednesday that civil servants are encouraged to be active in sports so that they will be in good physical and mental condition to provide fast, accurate and efficient service to those who approach their offices.

Musa was at the closing ceremonies of the JKM Muhibbah Sports Festival.  According to him, the sports meet of the organization was an avenue for improving the teamwork of the employees which will later enhance their performance in their respective offices.