Sabah delegation to KL festival earns lucrative revenue, helps tourism

 By Olivia Miwil - December 13, 2021 @ 12:07pm

Among the entrepreneurs were Koondos by Juddy Lasius, Koko Loko by Armand, Kraftangan Persatuan Wanita Pulau Omadal(WAPO), Kraftangan Kelarai Batu Lunguyan by Emily Jeneble, Saring Handmade Borneo Natives Jewelry by Jassica Lintanga as well as Pengkraf Manik Murut Boakan by Rasmah Rumambai. - Picture courtesy of SCENIC

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's participation in a recently concluded national-level festival in Kuala Lumpur had been beneficial to the the state economy.

Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic), an initiative under the state government to drive industry technology, innovation and creativity, was invited to be part of the KLWKND festival.

Scenic's Eva Chris Anthony, who is the Sabah delegation manager for the festival, said the collaboration with the Cultural Economic Development Agency was one of the state's initiatives to help the tourism industry.

"Scenic sees this collaboration as an opportunity to revive Sabah's economy, especially in the tourism sector that was affected by the pandemic, by bringing Sabah's cultural wealth and handicrafts to Kuala Lumpur.

"It will indirectly attract more tourists to visit Sabah and help its tourism sector," she said in a statement.

During the festival between Nov 25 and 28, the centre took part in three main segments which are the Best of Malaysians Artisans, Nature Healing and Forest in the city.

Eva said Sabah entrepreneurs, who were sponsored by Scenic and Sabah Cultural Board (SCB) to the event, managed to get sales revenue of RM45,050.

Among the entrepreneurs were Koondos by Juddy Lasius, Koko Loko by Armand, Kraftangan Persatuan Wanita Pulau Omadal(WAPO), Kraftangan Kelarai Batu Lunguyan by Emily Jeneble, Saring Handmade Borneo Natives Jewelry by Jassica Lintanga as well as Pengkraf Manik Murut Boakan by Rasmah Rumambai.

The centre had also engaged experts from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Borneo Eco Tours to present a 360 degree "The Healing Spirit of Kinabatangan" video during the event for "forest in the city" segment.

UMS spokesperson associate professor Dr Jidon @ Adrian Janaun said they promoted Kinabatangan as the serenity of the forest has the natural healing power for busy and tired minds.

"Furthermore, this is in line with the theme of the forest in the city, one of the KLWKND events, where natural forests would help to bring peace and calmness.

"We received very positive feedback. Visitors were thankful for the opportunity to experience the show," he added.