Nature | travelbosing

Sarawak withdraws from Tourism Malaysia after tax spat

Posted on June 12, 2017 by travelbosing

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KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Sarawak is withdrawing its representative from the Malaysian Tourism Board with immediate effect, following the state’s disagreement with the federal government over the introduction of a new tourism tax.

The decision was announced today by the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office.

“The Sarawak state government has decided to withdraw the participation of its representative in Malaysia Tourism Board with immediate effect,” it said in a statement.

“The state government deems that the participation of its representatives in Tourism Malaysia is not necessary as this is duplicating the role and functions of the Sarawak Tourism Promotion Board.”

Sarawak Tourism Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah previously urged Putrajaya to defer the July 1 implementation of the new tax for Sabah and Sarawak, saying the federal government should respect the Malaysia Agreement 1963 when deciding such matters.

This led to a rebuke from Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who yesterday told his Sarawak counterpart not to be confrontational over the matter.

Nazri also said the tax would benefit Sarawak more than it would affect tourism in the state, noting that luxury hotels that would attract the highest tax rate were a rarity in the state.

The new tax will be levied starting July 1 on all patrons at a rate of RM20 per room night in five-star hotels, RM10 at four-star outlets, RM5 for three- and two-star hotels and RM2.50 for orchid and other non-rated accommodation premises (RM2.50).

Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board chairman Datuk Siew Ka Wei previously said the tax would ensure the industry’s sustainable growth and provide financial support for aggressive marketing campaigns.

Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/after-tax-row-sarawak-yanks-rep-from-malaysia-tourism-board

My comment: The tourism tax will be implemented on 1st July 2017 instead of 1st August 2017. What is a tourism tax? Basically tourism tax is a tax that collected from any tourist who will stay in hotels in Malaysia. The purpose of this tax is to contribute to the development and promotion of tourism in Malaysia, so in easiest way to understand is, people come to Malaysia, they will pay for the development of tourism in this country.

Is it logic or illogical? Yet to read bout this matter but personally, this is ridiculous! The government should invest more money to attract more tourist to fill in the hotels. To collect Tourism Tax from them will kill the industry slowly!

Why we need to live with so many tax in this country? We have GST and i heard that the government collected so many under GST. Take small portion from GST for Tourism Development?

For the 1st 9 months, the GST in Malaysia collected almost RM55 Billion revenue. Just assume that the Malaysia Government have collected RM65Bil from GST last year , 5% for the tourism development is more than enough.

I would like to 100% support the move that Sarawak Government has made. That is a very good move! Dont easily get bullied by the federal law makers! Next is Sabah. Just wait and see what Sabah will say?

🙂

Hiking or Jungle Trekking Shoes in Borneo ‘Adidas Kampung’

Posted on June 8, 2017 by travelbosing

Adidas Kampung which is available in local outlets in Sabah

Adidas Kampung is a generic name for cheap black rubber shoes that can be found in local outlets in Sabah. Being made 100% out of rubber, they are waterproof, easy to dry, and thus ideal for trekking in tropical weather. They gained attention when they were featured as having been used by local climbers to win Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon held in Sabah.

Adidas Kampung is up for anything. They are shoes for jungle hiking. Great footwear for tropical water paddling and they make excellent tropical shoes for river crossing and general camp wear.

Why is shoe called Adidas Kampung? Its similarities to the famed stripes on Adidas shoes earned it the moniker Adidas Kampung, or the Village Adidas.

In the Borneo Jungle especially in Sabah, crossing rivers and being drenched by constant rain makes any pair of our normal shoes a nightmare to walk in. This shoes is a very basic footwear but very comfortable. Most of the local communities in the rural areas use this shoes as daily foot wear in their plantation (of playing football in kampung).

Adidas Kampungs are easily found in sundry shops in the villages of Sabah for under RM10.00. I would say 30 times cheaper compared to the hiking shoes in shopping mall LOL.

Kirongulad Water Fall Tambunan, Sabah

Posted on June 7, 2017 by travelbosing

It is nearly 30m high! believe or not? Pack your bag check it out!

Have you been to Mahua Waterfall in Tambunan? It is beautiful right? Would you like to see more about Tambunan? Have you heard about Kirongulad Waterwall? No right! It is a hidden gem located ar Kg Tikolod Tambunan. Yes, Kg Tikolod is famous with Ginger and Traditional Music but recently we have discovered this beautiful waterfall, nearly 30 Metres. Believe or not? Time for you to discover by your self.

Photo with the waterfall. Couldn’t go nearer as the water spalsh is very stong and not safe for camera.

It is not far from the town, around 20km 😂 ? I would like to recommend this beautiful waterfall for adventure seekers out there. To go there, you need to drive 1.5 hours from Kota Kinabalu to Tambunan town. And another 15 minutes to Kg Tikolod Tambunan (Jalan Keningau). Well, the road is paved but going to the waterfall starting point, you need a 4 wheel drive. But don’t worry, you can park your car at the kampung area and the villagers can send you using ‘Pikap’ car. It is 4-wheel drive car (RM5 per person). Please drive slowly and keep an eye on the roaming dogs, buffaloes, chickens and duck, belongs to the villagers. They don’t even bother about approaching cars.

You need to bring light and comfortable backpack.

Comfortable hiking shoes. The journey is mostly wet, so I would recommend Adidas Kampung 😂. A very well-known Sport Shoes by the local community. Less than RM10

The trail’s difficulty is moderate , less hiking, mostly river trekking. The trail is quite flat and wet. Watch out for the slippery mossy surface.
Sounds easy but very challenging.

This area is an important water catchment area. The vilaggers also get a fresh water source from that area, gravity water system and it is free charge.

There is no hut shelters, benches, trash bin and toilet along the trail, so it is kinda back to basic or back to nature kind of things. The only place you can do picnic and barbecue is at the Malugung Sub Station, salt trail starting point which is not far from the waterfall’s starting point.

Ancient tree along the way. It is a very big and interesting fig tree I guess.

It is a virgin forest. So many big trees, lianas, orchids, wild ginger. If you are lucky, you can see wild boar, barking deer, samba deer, monkey, slow loris, western tarsier, hornbill, endemic birds and etc. Easy to see during fruiting season and night time. You also can spot many insects and bugs wandering among the undergrowth, ferns and shrubs along the trail.

Please bring your own food, toiletries and mini 1st aid kit. .