Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said Sabahans especially the Kadazandusun and Murut communities should be proud of the Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) celebrated each year as it is original and unique to Sabah.

Salleh said the Pesta Kaamatan was not just ‘made in Sabah’ as it was only found there and should also be celebrated as it had all sorts of positive messages for all people.

“We in Sabah must celebrate Pesta Kaamatan as it has certain objectives. We should be grateful for what we have because we work hard in this blessed land,” he said when launching the Pesta Kaamatan organised by the chairmen of Village Development and Security Committees of the Kadamaian state constituency in Kota Belud, Friday

The Tourism and Culture Ministry is committed to promoting Sabah and Sarawak as tourism destinations.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz cited strategic cooperation with airlines as among the efforts to promote the two states.

In this regard, he said, Tourism Malaysia inked a memorandum of understanding with Singapore Airlines (SIA) at the Berlin International Tourism Fair in Bursa in March to bring in more European visitors to Malaysia this year.

“Sarawak and Sabah are iconic Malaysian products which are very attractive to visitors who appreciate nature or culture that carries some adventure. And in Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak fit the bill.

“The cooperation between Tourism Malaysia and SIA which was launched in March has borne fruit. I understand that many tourists from Europe have gone directly to Sabah and Sarawak without the need to stop over in the peninsula.”

“We also have good cooperation with AirAsia…they have had many flights between China and Malaysia. This year, we are targeting to receive four million visitors from that country.

“We hope AirAsia would fly these visitors in as they are tourists with spending power,” he said.

The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) wants the government to review the policy of income calculation for a housing loan to simplify and qualify the civil servants to buy a house.

Its president Datuk Azih Muda said this included taking into account the fixed allowances as a part of the salary in calculating the income for a housing loan, whether through the government or bank loan.

“This is because, today, only the basic salary is taken into account in calculating the income for a housing loan. It will cause many civil servants to be unable to afford a house,he said in Kota Kinabalu.

A ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of the Mt. Kinabalu earthquake tragedy that claimed 18 lives last year will take place on June 5 at Kinabalu Park in Ranau.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said a monument measuring 4 feet X 2 feet made from falling rocks collected from the quake site would be launched at Kiau gate about one kilometre from the climb start-off point at Timpohon gate.

“The monument is to remember the 18 people who lost their lives in the June 5 earthquake last year and is a historical record of the event. We will ensure the plague remains in good condition at all times.