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'Like A Breath of Fresh Air' says the heading of the caption story on the front page of the Daily Express, Sabah's leading English broadsheet daily, on Tuesday Oct 2, 2007, a day after the launch of MASwings' services to Sabah and her east Malaysian neighbour on Borneo island, Sarawak.
'Greater Heights for Tourism in Sabah' screamed the banner headline on the front page of the New Sabah Times on the same day. In fact, the state's only English tabloid daily devoted the entire front page to this story including a picture; except for advertisements of course.
The Sabah edition of the Borneo Post, a Sarawak-based English broadsheet daily, also gave frontpage treatment to the launch; with the heading 'MAS Wings launches flights to better link Sabah to world' with another story titled 'Air Services to Boost Rural Sabah Tourism: CM' and a large photograph of the launch by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman squeezed in between the two stories.
'Sarawak's Wings of Hope, says CM' was the heading on the front page of the Sarawak edition of the Borneo Post, with a picture of Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud launching the service in Sarawak. The Sabah and Sarawak editions of the Borneo Post combined make up the largest English daily in Borneo or East Malaysia.
Just as a picture paints a thousand words, the headlines say it all. The headings reflect the aspirations and hopes of Sabahans and Sarawakians over the new service provided by MASwings and perhaps at the same time even the frustration over the lack of and unreliable service of its predecessor, FAX.
Although after reading the Daily Express story twice I still could not establish who said 'Like A Breath of Fresh Air' and therefore it was probably put there by the editor, it does not matter. What is more important is the heading sums up the frustration over the poor service in the past one year which hampered tourism promotion and at the same time new hope (fresh air) with the new service provider, MASwings.
The frustration on the part of the Sabahans and Sarawakians is understandable. Both States have been trying hard to push tourism especially since the start of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 in January. Sabah's main tourism draw include Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage site; Sipadan island, billed one of the best diving spots in th world; and the Orangutan Rehabilitation centre. Sarawak's attractions include the famed Mulu Caves and the Cultural Village in Kuching which stage the annual Rainforest International Music Festival. But the lack of and unreliable flights have put the spanner in the works, with many potential tourists canceling their trips.
Hence, the Borneo Post's heading, Sarawak's Wings of Hope, could not have been more apt. 'Hope' for a new start, now that the Visit Malaysia Year had been extended to 2008 as well. It's better late than never, they say. 'Wings' as a vehicle to attain the hope to be provided by MASwings. With the entry of MASwings, Sabah and Sarawak can once again go about promoting their tourism products confidently to the overseas markets. The fact that the Sarawak launch was done in Mulu (next to the caves) again reflects the seriousness and enthusiasm the state government places on promoting the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism, after all and if managed properly, can be a major revenue earner that racks in millions and perhaps even billions of dollars yearly. In fact, certain countries' main revenue come from tourism!
In conclusion while both the Malaysian, Sabah and Sarawak governments as well as MAS (the parent company) are to be congratulated for bringing in MASwings to both States, special mention should perhaps also be made of one particular person for making it possible. This man is none other than Datuk Idris Jala, the MAS CEO and chairman of MASwings who happens to be a Sarawakian. Although he is from Sarawak, we in Sabah too are proud of him for it takes a east Malaysian to understand the needs and aspirations of the people of Borneo.
Even Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud mentioned Idris in his speech at the launch in Miri. Saying that the (Malaysian) government does not want to see the rural people left behind, the RAS (Rural Air Service) pioneered by MAS had enabled the rural children to go for higher education like MAS CEO Datuk Idris Jala. "I am very touched to see a Kelabit (a Sarawak native) there," said Taib, referring to Idris who was made the national carrier's top man on Dec 1, 2005 and has turned the once financially ailing company around.
Well, to wind up, I must say that the Datukship given to Idris by the Malaysian government is too small. He should have been given a Tan Sriship. What he has achieved for the national interest within a short span of time far out-weighed what some Tan Sris had done. I hope the Malaysian government would consider it next year. Similarly, the Sarawak government should confer on Idris at least Datuk Amar if not Datuk Patinggi. There may not be another MAS CEO from Sarawak within our lifetime.
To Idris, congratulations and please keep up the good work. Don't care what other people say. Just do your work and make Sabah and Sarawak even prouder of you. May God bless you and your family. And of course, may God bless Sabah and Sarawak too, not forgetting MASwings. (For more infor on MASwings' services including fares and schedules, please visit http://www.maswings.com.my)
Sabah CM Musa (2nd right) with MAS chairman Dr Munir Majid (3rd right) at the MASwings launch in Kota Kinabalu on Oct 1. On the right is Sabah Tourism Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.
'Greater Heights for Tourism in Sabah' screamed the banner headline on the front page of the New Sabah Times on the same day. In fact, the state's only English tabloid daily devoted the entire front page to this story including a picture; except for advertisements of course.
The Sabah edition of the Borneo Post, a Sarawak-based English broadsheet daily, also gave frontpage treatment to the launch; with the heading 'MAS Wings launches flights to better link Sabah to world' with another story titled 'Air Services to Boost Rural Sabah Tourism: CM' and a large photograph of the launch by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman squeezed in between the two stories.
'Sarawak's Wings of Hope, says CM' was the heading on the front page of the Sarawak edition of the Borneo Post, with a picture of Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud launching the service in Sarawak. The Sabah and Sarawak editions of the Borneo Post combined make up the largest English daily in Borneo or East Malaysia.
Just as a picture paints a thousand words, the headlines say it all. The headings reflect the aspirations and hopes of Sabahans and Sarawakians over the new service provided by MASwings and perhaps at the same time even the frustration over the lack of and unreliable service of its predecessor, FAX.
Although after reading the Daily Express story twice I still could not establish who said 'Like A Breath of Fresh Air' and therefore it was probably put there by the editor, it does not matter. What is more important is the heading sums up the frustration over the poor service in the past one year which hampered tourism promotion and at the same time new hope (fresh air) with the new service provider, MASwings.
The frustration on the part of the Sabahans and Sarawakians is understandable. Both States have been trying hard to push tourism especially since the start of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 in January. Sabah's main tourism draw include Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage site; Sipadan island, billed one of the best diving spots in th world; and the Orangutan Rehabilitation centre. Sarawak's attractions include the famed Mulu Caves and the Cultural Village in Kuching which stage the annual Rainforest International Music Festival. But the lack of and unreliable flights have put the spanner in the works, with many potential tourists canceling their trips.
Hence, the Borneo Post's heading, Sarawak's Wings of Hope, could not have been more apt. 'Hope' for a new start, now that the Visit Malaysia Year had been extended to 2008 as well. It's better late than never, they say. 'Wings' as a vehicle to attain the hope to be provided by MASwings. With the entry of MASwings, Sabah and Sarawak can once again go about promoting their tourism products confidently to the overseas markets. The fact that the Sarawak launch was done in Mulu (next to the caves) again reflects the seriousness and enthusiasm the state government places on promoting the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourism, after all and if managed properly, can be a major revenue earner that racks in millions and perhaps even billions of dollars yearly. In fact, certain countries' main revenue come from tourism!
In conclusion while both the Malaysian, Sabah and Sarawak governments as well as MAS (the parent company) are to be congratulated for bringing in MASwings to both States, special mention should perhaps also be made of one particular person for making it possible. This man is none other than Datuk Idris Jala, the MAS CEO and chairman of MASwings who happens to be a Sarawakian. Although he is from Sarawak, we in Sabah too are proud of him for it takes a east Malaysian to understand the needs and aspirations of the people of Borneo.
Even Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud mentioned Idris in his speech at the launch in Miri. Saying that the (Malaysian) government does not want to see the rural people left behind, the RAS (Rural Air Service) pioneered by MAS had enabled the rural children to go for higher education like MAS CEO Datuk Idris Jala. "I am very touched to see a Kelabit (a Sarawak native) there," said Taib, referring to Idris who was made the national carrier's top man on Dec 1, 2005 and has turned the once financially ailing company around.
Well, to wind up, I must say that the Datukship given to Idris by the Malaysian government is too small. He should have been given a Tan Sriship. What he has achieved for the national interest within a short span of time far out-weighed what some Tan Sris had done. I hope the Malaysian government would consider it next year. Similarly, the Sarawak government should confer on Idris at least Datuk Amar if not Datuk Patinggi. There may not be another MAS CEO from Sarawak within our lifetime.
To Idris, congratulations and please keep up the good work. Don't care what other people say. Just do your work and make Sabah and Sarawak even prouder of you. May God bless you and your family. And of course, may God bless Sabah and Sarawak too, not forgetting MASwings. (For more infor on MASwings' services including fares and schedules, please visit http://www.maswings.com.my)
Sabah CM Musa (2nd right) with MAS chairman Dr Munir Majid (3rd right) at the MASwings launch in Kota Kinabalu on Oct 1. On the right is Sabah Tourism Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.
Sarawak CM Taib launching MASwings at Mulu. Behind him (in long-sleeved Batik) is Idris. Looking on are Sarawak Ministers.
The route map of the services provided by MASwings between major towns in Sabah and Sarawak using the Fokker-50 aircraft.
The route map of the Rural Air Service using the Twin-Otter aircraft provided by MASwings in Sabah and Sarawak. (For larger view, click on maps.)
1 comment:
I WAS WONDERING "BREATH OF FRESH AIR" HUH, SOUNDS FAKE. DESPITE BEING INDEPENDENT FOR THE 50TH YEARS, WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE SEVENTIES WHERE AIR-TRANSPORTATION IS NOT EFFICIENTLY AVAILABLE. SADLY RURAL AIR TRANSPORTATION AND AIRPORT COULD NOT BE IMPROVED OR ADDED. I THOUGHT BY NOW, THERE WILL BE AN AIRPORT AT KENINGAU EVEN BECAUSE THE AIRPORT STILL AVAILABLE UNTOUCH. AIR ASIA, FAX NOW MASWINGS, WHAT WILL BE NEXT. I'M PRAYING OUR GOVT' WILL DO MORE TO IMPROVE THE RURAL AIR TRANSPORTATION AND NOT SPENDING ON DEVELOPMENT OF BUILDINGS, ETC,
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