Sabah News Flash

Sabah Popular in China as Tourist Destination

The ten delegates of the Sabah Legislative Assembly concluded its nine-day visit to China Monday on a positive note.  State Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang, head of the delegation, said that Chinese officials have noted the increasing popularity of Sabah as a tourist destination of its citizens because of its natural beauty, clean environment and various attractions, especially its beach front resorts and local delicacies.

In Hangzhou, they are expecting the formalization of the Hangzhou-Kota Kinabalu Friendship city pact which would definitely increase tourism activities between the two cities.  An airline, AirAsia, already has daily flights between these two localities.

In Beijing, the delegates met with the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Lin Yi, vice chairman of the association, discussed plans for establishing friendship ties with Sabah.  This move will further improve the relationship of the two localities as well as their tourism activities.

In Linxia, the delegates met with Shang Jinxi, Muslim majority Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture deputy governor, where they discussed promoting Islamic tourism. In Lanzhou, the delegates were told that the city’s travel agencies are planning to arrange tour packages to Sabah.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Doors in Sabah

Over 500 Chinese-speaking faithful joined the third and last lap of the pilgrimage leading to the Holy Doors in Sabah Sunday.  They started with a prayer at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kota Kinabalu then on to St Peter Kudat.  Riding in 13 buses, the group was led by Archbishop John Wong and Fr Joshua Liew.  Along the way, the prelate talked about the sacraments, the Malaysian dioceses, the purpose of the Year of Mercy and how to receive the Jubilee Indulgence.  The group gathered at the De Wit Memorial Hall upon arrival, had a procession to the Holy Door and celebrated Mass.

The first lap of the pilgrimage was last March 13 (Membakut and Limbahau) and the second lap was last July 6-8 (Ranau and Sandakan).

Fr Cosmas to Mark 40 Years of Priesthood

Fr Cosmas Lee will celebrate his ruby jubilee (40 years) of priesthood on December 27 although it will be celebrated a day early with a 6pm mass at St Simon Likas.

The eldest son of Francis Lee and Francisca Wong, Fr Cosmas entered the seminary in 1968 and was ordained priest by the late Bishop Simon Fung in 1976.  Among his accomplishments was the construction of the Sacred Heart Parish Centre in Kota Kinabalu and the publication of 100 Years of Good News during the centenary foundation of the Sacred Heart Cathedral.  In addition to his duties as a priest, he is the Liturgy Commission head and a College of Consultors member.

Facon Fair on December

Malaysia’s longest running education fair, the Facon Education Fair, will hold its 41^st edition on December 17 – 18 at the Kuala Lumpur Exhibition Center and at the Persada Convention Centre, Johor Baru.  The purpose of the fair is to provide parents and students with information on tertiary studies.  Representatives from 1,000 globally recognized institutions will be there to explain and answer questions on courses offered, requirements for admission, scholarships and financial aid.  Aside from local universities, this year’s fair will be participated in by universities from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia and the UK.

Activities during the fair include academic presentations, special talks, career personality testing, games and gift redemptions, among others.  Interested parties may visit their website www.faconedufair.com