New Documentary Itam to Boost Sandakan’s Wildlife Appeal

22 September 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s efforts to position Sandakan as a premier gateway to wildlife and nature tourism will be further enhanced by Itam, a new documentary on sun bears, scheduled for release by the end of the year.

Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment cum Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, said the film carries significant educational value and is expected to spark greater interest in Sabah’s rich biodiversity.

“The documentary will showcase how wildlife conservation is undertaken. With that awareness, audiences will be inspired to experience Sabah’s wildlife and natural attractions first-hand,” he said.

Joniston added that Itam: A Sun Bear Story, produced by the Singapore–Malaysian company Brainchild Pictures, also complements STB’s promotional efforts to highlight Sabah as a family-friendly holiday destination, as recently emphasised at the MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur.

He noted that this initiative aligns with STB’s collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, which is currently in discussions with low-cost carrier Scoot to establish a direct Singapore–Sandakan flight route.

On Monday, Brainchild Pictures’ executive producer and director, Raymond Tan, met Joniston to brief him on the project and explore possible collaboration with STB.

Tan explained that the idea for the documentary emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic after he learned about the world’s only Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sandakan and connected with its founder, Dr Wong Siew Te.

The documentary is expected to premiere in Singapore, Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur in either November or December.

Tan added that school principals would be invited to attend the screenings, with the hope that they will encourage parents to watch the film and be inspired to travel to Sabah with their families.

Joniston said STB was delighted to support the initiative, particularly with Visit Malaysia 2026 approaching.

He highlighted that the Visit Malaysia campaign features sun bears as mascots, making the documentary a natural complement to national tourism promotions.

Also present at the meeting were STB senior manager of product development, Effendi Mahany, and STB digital and communications manager, Diana Gaban.