Bangkuai (seated, third left) with Ng and Yeo (seated, left and second left), Yee, Chin and Seet with the star studded cast of Mediacorp’s
‘Legal Eagles’ drama series, standing from left, Huang, Quek, Zhang and Ho.
KOTA KINABALU:Mediacorporation Studios (M) Sdn Bhd’s ‘Legal Eagles’ drama is poised to help bring in more visitors from Singapore to Sabah this year.
Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai revealed arrivals from Singapore into Sabah were 21,764 for 2015.
However, he said the January to March arrivals recorded around 4,800 from the country in 2016, a 17.2% dip compared to the f irst quarter of last year.
“This drama will mostly cover the West Coast of Sabah, from Tanjung Aru Beach to the islands and the Highlands of Kundasang where our iconic Mount Kinabalu is located, all of which are our main attractions within a short drive from the city,” said the STB Chairman.
“I would like to think, the fact that Mediacorp is coming to Sabah again illustrates that we have the best natural setting and products for filming of rustic drama and movies that suits all budgets.
“I believe this drama is a result of our previous partnership with MediaCorp Singapore for the successful f ilming of ‘Beyond Words’ which was shot in Kota Kinabalu for 30 days last year,” he added.
Bangkuai is positive that the drama series will help put the spotlight on Sabah’s natural beauty and pull in more Singapore arrivals into the state through the 14 direct Airasia and Silk Air f lights between Singapore and Kota Kinabalu.
“We wish to welcome the MediaCorp crew from Singapore to Sabah for the f ilming of yet another future blockbuster, the 30 episode inspirational drama ’Legal Eagles’ which will feature 10 episodes in Sabah. If I may say, the result will be a project that is Made by Singaporeans in Sabah,” he said.
“We will continue to open our doors for Singapore and Singaporeans to bring Singapore and Sabah even closer. Many Singaporeans probably still need to familiarize themselves with Sabah, its beautiful beaches, world-famous sunsets and dive sites, from Singapore to Kota Kinabalu, slightly over 2 hours’ fl ight away.
“On behalf of the State Government, we would like to acknowledge MediaCorp for their efforts in bringing the warmth of Sabah to every household and living room in Singapore and Malaysia, which bodes well in our efforts to promote domestic tourism,” emphasized Bangkuai.
Sabah Tourism Board of Directors member Alexander Yee Kok Tsen and one of the board’s deputy general manager, Kevin Chin Kui Vun, and Avangio Hotel’s general manager, Gordon Seet were among those at the press conference.
In addition, Mediacorp’s law and order ‘Legal Eagles’ drama series executive producer Ng Lai Huat and its star studded cast, China national actor Zhang Zhen Huan, Malaysian actor/singer Huang Qi Ming, Malaysian born actress Phyllis Quek as well as Malaysian artist Aric Ho also met with the media during the event.