ESSCOM, Kinabalu mountain rangers among recipients of minister’s special award

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KOTA KINABALU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and Kinabalu mountain rangers were among the four recipients of the Minister’s Special Award at the 10th Sabah Tourism Awards 2015 here last night.

Other recipients of the award presented by Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environtment Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun were low cost airline AirAsia and Kinabalu Mountain guides involved in the Ranau earthquake rescue operation last June.

The Sabah Tourism Awards, organised by Sabah Tourism Board and Sri Pelancongan Sabah, are being held every two years to recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations in the tourism industry.

Masidi in his speech commended the Kinabalu mountain rangers and guides for their rescue efforts and courage during the Ranau quake, particularly senior park rangers Martin Moguring, Gregory Duanis and Mithun Jay Langgim.

“Our mountain guides and rangers are some of the bravest people in this part of the world. They were not only hardworking but able to deliver in the nick of time during the Ranau earthquake crisis,” he said.

Masidi expressed gratitude to ESSCOM for their efforts in defending, enforcing and boosting maritime security in the east coast of Sabah to prevent terrorist activities in Malaysian waters.

He also commended AirAsia, which was named best airline at last night’s event for increasing visitor arrivals to the state and developing business opportunities.

“AirAsia will launch daily direct flights from Wuhan, Hubei province in China to Kota Kinabalu soon following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on establishing friendly ties between both cities in May this year,” he said.

Masidi called on the tourism sector to forge ahead with confidence in the face of challenges in the coming years and treat problems as opportunities.

Another 31 winners in 12 other categories also received their award respectively. –Bernama