Sabah News Flash

Sabah Eyed for World’s First Bio-Butanol Plant

GS Caltex, a conglomerate jointly owned by the GS Group of Korea and Chevron of the US and South Korea’s second largest oil refiner, is eyeing Sabah as the site for the world’s first bio-butanol commercial plant.  Together with Biomass Green Technology (BGT) based in Malaysia, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed Thursday for the conduct of a feasibility study of bio-butanol production from biomass in Sabah.   Sabah was identified by the National Biomass Strategy 2020 (NBS 2020), launched in 2011, as the center for production of second generation biofuel from biomass.

Bio-butanol, a bio-fuel similar to fossil fuel, involves extracting sugars from biomass.  Through the years, the Sabah Government have been advocating biomass utilization for industrial activities.  Sabah Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, who was present during the signing, said that with GS Caltex in Sabah, the efforts of the State Government in biomass development will be put to good use.

Nurses with Degrees Choose Work Outside Malaysia

With the low pay they receive working in Malaysia, nurses with degrees opt to work elsewhere, such as in Singapore, Brunei and Saudi Arabia, where they are given a much higher compensation, even as much as triple than what they are receiving if they work here.  This was revealed by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Head of Nursing Department Associate Professor Dr Zabidah Putit in an interview Thursday at the nursing conference.

A disparity exists between salaries of degree holders in the country.  Upon graduation, doctors and engineers get paid according to their educational attainments.  This is not the case with the nursing profession wherein nursing degree holders get equal pay with nursing diploma holders.  Thus, the lure of high pay outside the country is hard to ignore.

Despite the government’s lack of support, Dr Zabidah said that Unimas will continue its nursing programmes to meet the needs of Malaysia for nurses as well as those of the international community.

In contrast, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun is calling on nurses to participate in continuous professional education in order to provide quality health care, one of the components of an ideal integrated health care system.

State National Sports Day Slated October 8

The Hockey Stadium, Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex will be the venue for the State National Day on Saturday, October 8 and a turn-out of about 20,000 spectators is expected.  Various activities and events have been lined up on that day like aerobics and cycling.  According to Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, all sports facilities of the ministry will be free of charge from 6am to 12midnight.

Best Cities to Invest in Property

Recent developments in Southeast Asia have attracted investors due to their economic growth.  One of the cities recommended for those looking for real estate investments is Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, or KK for short.  Considered as one of the fastest growing cities in the region, KK offers great shopping and awesome attractions (like the sunset) without the hustle and bustle of city life, very ideal for foreigners with a nice vacation in mind.

Real estate projects are everywhere which target both the local and foreign markets.  Since cost of living in KK is not that high, residential units and apartments can be purchased at a low price with a good prospect for a return on investment.