Freddie Coleman (third from left) and his team receiving one of the two Best ASEAN awards. 30 January 2026 KOTA KINABALU: Borneo Nature Tours won two prestigious honours at the 35th ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) Tourism Awards of Excellence held in Cebu, the Philippines. At the presentation ceremony on 27 January, the Yayasan Sabah Group subsidiary secured the Best ASEAN Cultural Preservation Effort Award and the Best ASEAN Eco-Lodge Award, marking a significant achieve

30 January 2026 SINGAPORE: Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report reveals a significant shift among business travellers across Asia-Pacific, with an increasing number blending work commitments with leisure pursuits. An impressive 76% of surveyed professionals intend to combine business trips with personal leisure, with some markets seeing interest rates exceeding 90%, signalling a fundamental change in how corporate travel is approached, transforming airport layovers into extende

30 January 2026 KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Government has launched the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 Direction for the 2026–2030 period, aiming to significantly enhance the state’s competitiveness, productivity and economic value. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said SMJ 2.0 is a continuation of SMJ 1.0, which focused on recovery, stabilisation and restructuring in the post-pandemic period and following the 17th Sabah State Election. “SMJ 2.0 is not merely a

30 January 2026 KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor, has emphasised the importance of civil servants alerting their superiors if they feel unable to effectively carry out their responsibilities. Speaking at the Sabah International Convention Centre, he stated that such transparency allows for redeployment and organisational improvement, ultimately benefiting the public. Hajiji highlighted that public officers are strategic partners in translatin

30 January 2026 CEBU, Philippines: Malaysia has reiterated its full support for the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2026–2030, with Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing describing the plan as a clear and strategic framework to strengthen regional tourism and prepare ASEAN for the future. “The ATSP gives ASEAN a clear direction to strengthen tourism and prepare for what lies ahead. Malaysia fully supports this plan and is ready to work with all

29 January 2026 KUALA LUMPUR: As we stand on the cusp of a new year, The BrandLaureate proudly presents the BrandLaureate Brand of The Year Awards 2025–2026, a celebration not only recognising outstanding achievement but also illuminating the path ahead. For The BrandLaureate, each new year signifies more than a calendar change; it is a reaffirmation of purpose, resilience, and excellence. This year’s awards honour brands and leaders who have forged their own unique paths wit

29 January 2026 KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President David Ong today called on the relevant authorities to take immediate action to address worsening road conditions across Sabah, warning that deteriorating urban roads are posing serious safety risks to the public. Ong said the problem is no longer confined to rural areas, noting that major cities such as Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau are experiencing increasingly damaged roads. “Roads in towns and

29 January 2026 PENAMPANG: In an era where wellness takes centre stage, many are discovering that true wellbeing goes beyond physical health. It’s about nurturing the soul, calming the mind, and allowing emotions to find balance. Cleopatra Lajawai, a seasoned traveller and wellness advocate, shares her insights on how Sabah, Malaysia’s natural haven, offers spaces that foster genuine mental and emotional serenity. “Wellness doesn’t require elaborate settings or constant activ