JUNE 2015
PPH 317/08/2012(031294)
FREE
COACH IMAGO NOW OPEN AVANGIO HOTEL LOCATED AT METRO TOWN HOT SPOTS SPEAK EAZY
ONE IN A MILLION ESTHER APPLUNIUS
ISSUE
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JUNE IN SABAH
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Sunset Music Fest at the Northern Most Tip of Borneo, Kudat 5 - 6 Jun 2015
2nd FCAS Dragon Boat Race 2015 13 - 14 Jun 2015
X3 Challenges 5 - 7 Jun 2015
Kudat World Turtle Day Celebration 2015 (In conjunction with World Turtle Day) 13 June 2015
Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIF) 2015 5 - 11 Jun 2015
Charity Reverse Run by Rumah Terbalik 14 June 2015
Remembering Double Six 6 June 2015
Sago Day Exhibition 18 June 2015
The Reef Day 6 June 2015
Local Brews Exhibition 20 June 2015
National-level Kaamatan Celebration 7 June 2015
Sandakan Founding Day 21 June 2015
The Launch of Magahau Rungus Festival 13 June 2015
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HAPPENING EXCITING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JUNE
Sunset Music Fest at the Northern Most Tip of Borneo, Kudat Embark on a musical journey at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in the northern-most district of Kudat. Be serenaded with classical favourites and contemporary tunes as the sun sets in the horizon. Charity Reverse Run by Rumah Terbalik Rumah Terbalik Tamparuli (Tamparuli Upside Down House) will be organizing a Charity Reverse Run event. The charity run is 2 km distance from Rumah Terbalik towards the roundabout to Tamparuli town and back to the starting point. And yes, you’ll be running backwards! All proceeds will be used to purchase portable chairs used during blood donation campaigns by Pertubuhan Komuniti Penderma Darah Malaysia (Malaysian Blood Donors Community).
Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIF) 2015 Movie screenings from the ASEAN region and Europe, filmmakers’ competition, workshops and presentations about filmmaking – the 7th KKIFF is a great event for anyone who loves films. The film festival’s purpose is to encourage the understanding of other cultures through the art of cinema, to facilitate the meeting of filmmaking professionals and to stimulate the filmmakers’ industry in Kota Kinabalu and throughout Sabah.
Kudat World Turtle Day Celebration 2015 (In conjunction with World Turtle Day) World Turtle Day is an annual opportunity to reflect on the myriad of threats facing turtles and tortoises and what we can do to protect them. World Turtle Day was initiated in 2000 by the American Tortoise Rescue, a turtle and tortoise rescue organization founded in 1990 in Malibu, California. X3 Challenges Organised by Asia Xtreme Adventure (AXA), X3 challenges the athletes and casual fans out there to try something different. Start the 1st day of the 3 day challenge with a run, followed by a Bike-run on the second day and then swimbike-run on the 3rd day. You can also choose to challenge yourself for just one day, 2 days, 3 days or any combination of the 3 days. Various distances for athletes of all levels so that no one is left out. Join us for this amazing challenge! Remembering Double Six A ceremony to commemorate the tragedy ‘Double Six’ of the crashed plane crash on 6 June 1976 at 3.50pm. The Nomad aircraft crash during its flight back from Labuan, killing 11 people including Tun Datuk Hj. Mohd. Fuad Stephens, Sabah’s Chief Minister.
Sandakan Founding Day The founding of Sandakan on 21 June 1897 ushered in a period of development that turned this coastal village into a booming center of trade, industry and tourism. Get an insight into Sandakan’s fascinating history and its modern-day accomplishment.
2nd FCAS Dragon Boat Race 2015 Organised in conjunction with the Duan Wu festival, this Chinese tradition has evolved throughout the years into one of the main sporting events in Sabah. The 2nd Sabah FCAS International Dragon Boat Race 2015 will continue to invite teams from overseas and local. The Reef Day In keeping with their tradition of events focused on environment awareness, Mataking Island hosts its annual Reef Day to raise consciousness on the conditions of Sabah’s waters and how to improve conservation efforts.
Sago Day Exhibition Sago Palm is traditionally used for many things and no part of the palm is discarded. The leaves can be used as roofing and the palm itself can be used to build walls in traditional houses. Visit Monsopiad Cultural Village to find out more about this amazing plant.
The Launch of Magahau Rungus Festival The Magahau Rungus Festival is an annual event showcasing traditions and culture of the Rungus people. During the launch,rituals are held including the Mongingivit and Mongirik dot Bambarazon as well as a display of their traditional sport, Hontira.The merriment continues with a performance of the traditional Rungus dance, the Mongigol Sumundai. National-level Kaamatan Celebration Ranau will play host to this year’s national-level Kaamatan celebration which is expected to be graced by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Meant to foster goodwill as well as to encourage unity among all ethnic groups in Sabah, this celebration is held every year with different districts take turn hosting. The event will start at 3pm and will be held at the old Ranau Airport.
Local Brews Exhibition Sabah is known for its variety of traditional brew, many of which are home-made using age-old methods. Sample the rice wine, talak and bahar during the exhibition at Monsopiad Cultural Village. Learn unique methods of brewing these local beverages, often used in traditional recipes as well.
Events listing courtasy of Sabah Tourism Board
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Editor Jonathan Tse Writers Keys Abraham Gordon Horace Chin Sharmila Asha Syed Rusydie Hadie Affendie Jonny Dragon Rachel Hee Creative Director Razie Alfiedan Productions Advertising Vekky Stewart Marketing/Events Manager Becka Robert Contact Us Website: www.bwmag.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/BandWidthMag Facebook: www.facebook.com/bandwidthstreetpress Instagram: @bandwidthmag Phone: 016 833 9482 F: Save paper, email us instead For Editorial/Distribution/Advertising inquiries, email us at: kkbandwidth@gmail.com
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m o r f r e t Let r o t i d E the
“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.” - Bob Marley The month of June is an eventful one. We decided to print slightly later too. Bandwidth would like to dedicate this issue to the unsung heroes and victims of the recent earthquake in Sabah and theme this issue as STRENGTH. We have our usual articles in this month of June with a new HOTSPOT in Kuching, Speak Eazy, a new series of articles on skateboarding, and interviews with two retro DJs in Sabah, DJ K-Man and DJ Bengazzi. On our front cover, we have the beautiful and talented singer songwriter, Esther Applunius. A wise king once wrote: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Let’s be strong =)
Printed by Percetakan Kolombong Ria Sdn Bhd (290030-P) Lot 3A & 5, Neutron Park, Mile 5 1/2, Tuaran Road, 88450 Kolombong, Sabah, Malaysia. Recycle Bandwidth supports Recycling. Once you’re done reading, either dispose of this publication responsibly or pass it to the person next to you so they can read this wonderful Magazine. Supported By
Jonathan Tse EDITOR,
BANDWIDTH STREET PRESS
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COVER STORY 22 ESTHER APPLUNIUS INTERVIEW 14 DJ K MAN 24 DJ BENGGAZI NEWS 28 AVANGIO HOTEL 29 COACH IMAGO STYLE 36 ONE MAN’S TRASH... ARTICLE 34 CAN MONEY BUY HAPPINESS HOT SPOTS 18 SPEAK EAZY HAPPENINGS 20 SUNSET MUSIC FEST HEALTH 38 VITAMIN C
34 BANDWIDTH PICK UP AND READING SPOTS
RESTAURANTS & CAFES • Starbucks Palm Square • Starbucks Warisan Square • Starbucks Suria Sabah • Starbucks 1Borneo • Starbucks City Mall • Starbucks The Spring • Starbucks Kuching International Airport • Starbucks Bintang Plaza Miri • Ming Cafe • Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Damai • Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Palm Square • Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Wisma Merdeka • Aubergine 88 Marketplace • Patrick’s Restaurant Lintas Plaza • Party Play Lifestyle Cafe Gaya Street • Hyatt Regency Hotel
CLUBS & PUBS • Shenanigan’s Fun Pub Hyaat • BED Waterfront • The Loft Waterfront • Shamrock Irish Bar • Mynt • Lush • Club Celebrities • Loving MUSIC SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, STUDIOS • RAM Production Damai • Refuge Music Academy City Mall • SIDMA College Bundusan SHOPPING MALLS • City Mall • Wisma Merdeka • Suria Shoping Mall • Star City Shopping Mall • 1Borneo Hypermall
FASHION/BEAUTY BOUTIQUES • Loft Clothing Warisan Square • Quicksilver/Roxy Warisan Square • Quicksilver/Roxy Warisan 1Borneo • The Body Shop Wisma Merdeka • The Body Shop Suria Sabah • The Body Shop Centre Point • The Body Shop1Borneo • The Body Shop Megalong • The Body Shop One Place LABUAN • Tiara Hotel Labuan • Popin Entertainment Centre Labuan • Blue Wave Lounge Labuan • Grand Dorsett Labuan • Lazenda Hotel • Havoc Entertainment
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JUNE IN SARAWAK
HAPPENING
Pesta Babulang June 5 - June 7
tHe Spring’s Live Active Run June 14
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HAPPENING EXCITING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JUNE Pesta Babulang The highlight of the festival is the buffalo race involving teams from Limbang, Sabah and Brunei trying to outrace each other, riding on bare buffalo back. Activities include various activities such as cultural performances, cooking contest, beauty pageant, handicrafts exhibition and lucky draws. Another highlight of the festival is ‘Ratu Babulang’ that draws many Bisaya lasses to vie for this annual beauty crown. Pesta Babulang is an festival significant to the Bisaya community in Batu Danu, Limbang. Organized by the Bisaya Association, this annual event is a means to promote tourism for Limbang.
tHe Spring’s Live Active Run tHe Spring’s Live Active Run 2015 is coming back bigger and better and the annual event will once again flag off at tHe Spring Shopping Mall’s premier carpark on 14th June, Sunday to raise fund for the three charitable organizations, which are Kuching Autistic Association (KAA), Special Olympics Sarawak and Persatuan Dialisis Cahaya Kuching. Currently, there are four different exciting categories for the public to choose from, which includes 1KM Kids Dash (Boys & Girls), 5KM Fun Run (Men & Women), 10KM (Men & Women) and last but not least, 21KM (Men & Women). With these options which are catered for all ages and abilities, Kuchingites can simply select a category which is suited to their strength, stamina and endurance and run with their family and friends. A total of over RM30,000 in prize money will be awarded on the event day and this includes RM3,000 first place payout for both the men’s and women’s half marathon champions.
Events listing courtasy of Sarwak Tourism www.bwmag.net 11
INTERVIEW
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NEWS
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INTERVIEW
dj K-Man
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INTERVIEW What has changed over the years? Any struggles with how the music has evolved? The club scene has changed a lot I must admit. The scene now is cool but in my opinion it was much better back in the days because honestly people actually dressed up when they go party unlike now (lol). Struggles? I don’t think so. To me, music has changed over the years and that’s how it’s supposed to be. But, no matter how it changes it will always come back to the old school elements. It’s a circle of life I guess. Being a DJ that has been playing a long time, it’s always homework with anything new and the rest is easy.
K-Man! Tell us your story. How long have you been a DJ? I’ve been a DJ for almost 25 years and loved music since I was a kid. I started off being a DJ in the late 80s. Kicked off as a broadcasting DJ in supermarkets, roller skate rinks, shopping malls, house parties and of course it was with cassette decks before moving on to vinyl. I started playing in the club scene in the 90s, which I think is always one of the best eras, not forgetting the 80s of course with the awesome music.
Are you a full time DJ? What are you busy with now? How is business? I was a full time DJ until about 5 years ago. I’m currently busy as a freelance entertainer. I’m a DJ, Emcee, event organizer and do digital advertising. Business is good, but of course a bit of ups and downs due to the current economy scenario. Shout out! Big shout out to all my DJ friends everywhere with the message, “Keep rocking ya’ll”. Also to the new and upcoming DJs, learn everything and anything because that’s that makes you better and different from the rest. Finally to my brotha’ DJ Bengazzi coz he’s the man with the retro plan.
What are some highlights in your many years of being a DJ? Too many good ones to actually recall but there are a few that are worth the mention. I had the opportunity to spin and share the stage with big names like Jakeman Hitz.fm, DJ Nesh, Partyman, DJ Rink (Mumbai), DJ Terrence Khairul and of course our talented local DJs. I was also able to spin in awesome clubs like Lifestyles Discotheque, Musictheque Hotel Istana, Rootz Micasa, Mixx Kuala Lumpur, Tong Tong Discotheque Shanghai China to name a few. I also had fun playing at beach parties, boat parties, penthouse parties, clubs and even dinner parties.
Photos by Radzie Rahman
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INTERVIEW
The Skateboarding scene in Kuching is a close-knit one; here, regulars to a self-constructed skatepark gather around to receive details on an upcoming renegade event It’s nothing to brag about, but neither is it something to be ashamed of - I am a skateboarder. Having been at it on and off for almost 15 years, I am a proud and avid participant in this oft-frowned-upon activity – a perception that dates back to the early 90’s that inadvertently culminated in associations to drugs, rowdiness and vandalism (thank you, America). However, in recent years the world has seen skateboarding for what it truly is – a past time that promotes unity, dedication, perseverance and good vibrations. Enter the skateboarding scene here in Malaysia. If you’ve been keeping tabs on the goings-on amongst the youth, you’ll know that skateboarding is on the rise and is taking over the indie scene through means of fashion, extracurricular activity and large-scale competitions with backing from renowned franchises such as ESPN, Red Bull, Monster, and Nike to name a few. Unless you’ve been living under a rock (which we respect - to each his own), but more so a rock without a viable connection to the internet, you are most likely unaware of this takeover and the reasons behind its inevitability.
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Here are some missing pieces to the puzzle as to how your girlfriend’s newest celebrity crush is a professional skateboarder and not that freshfaced movie star that’s been on the front of the tabloids. We’re Humble as Pie Even among the top ranks of the skateboarding competition scene, most if not all skateboarders in the field are humble to the bone. No matter how heated it gets there is always some friendly banter between shoulders and highfives all around that suggest skateboarding’s unforgettable roots; one of camaraderie and endearment. A humble lot. How can we not be? We’re reminded of our frailty and humility in our actions - or rather, the consequences of them - in our everyday lives, which leads me to the next point.
Photos by Syed Rusydie and varoius sources
INTERVIEW We Fall Down.. A Lot. The occupational hazard is that there is plenty of falling down (also known as taking a “bail” or “slam”) that takes place behind what’s shown on camera - and with good reason. Skateboarders go the distance and risk life and limb to do the things we love and achieve the goals we set for ourselves. We weather the direst of bails that the average onlooker would deem us downright stupid for even attempting.
through hours a day of practice and discipline. As such we all respect one another not by measure of ability, but by measure of dedication.
We Share The Hype The enthusiasm skateboarders have for their discipline is carried through to the way they approach things outside of the activity. Having done something wrong a thousand times before getting it right does wonders for the ego. Those around us benefit greatly from this improvement in attitude. A dedicated skateboarder would probably be the happiest person you’d ever meet, and exudes the kind of happiness that is likely to rub off on you whether or not you notice it.
.. And We Get Right Back Up Again Which would suggest that we can take a beating. Ever witnessed a video clip of a skateboarder performing the stunts of his art, landing trick after trick in all his grace and finesse? Looks easy enough, hmm? What’s not shown, and is probably 99% of his time behind that very 10 second clip, are hours or days and maybe even weeks of attempting said trick after picking themselves up after the harshest of injuries (guilty as charged). “What doesn’t kill you..” We’ve Got Heart Above all, skateboarders take pride in a hidden bond that we all share; comparable to a common struggle of a people fighting for the same goals – the pursuit of success and self-satisfaction. We know what it takes to acquire a certain skill:
Scatter on top of all this the forward-thinking marketers and designers behind skateboarding’s top brands that pioneer style in apparel and footwear such as HUF and Nike, next-generation shoe technology found in DC’s and the marketing genius brand identity of Girl Skateboards (who’s logo is that of a female toilet sign!), you have the makings of an industry that has undeniable sway on the taste buds of the youth of today, with respect to the generation before who have sowed these roots. It’s no surprise then that the keenly-dressed individual, skateboarder or no, walking down the street is wearing at least one article from the aforementioned brands.. And so is the girl eyeing him from across the street. www.bwmag.net 17
hot spots
The Speak Eazy
The Alternative Bar Soft Spoken, Easy Going Penned by Syed Rusydie
A visitor walks his bicycle towards his next destination after stopping by for a cool Stout at the Speak Eazy Alternative Bar/Bistro, located conveniently along tourist- friendly Carpenter Street.
Warm lights and warm greetings. The sound of speaking over the sound of blaring music. Living up to its namesake, The Speak Eazy has a laidback feel to it uncommon in the slightly misplaced glitz and glam to be found in most new taverns that map out Kuching city’s culture centre and grid of heritage, Carpenter Street. A harsh perception would be to say that the place needs some sprucing up. Flash, bang and all that jazz. Nonsense. The Speak Eazy craves not these things. Where plush leather sofas and a series of modern/traditional art pieces could be are instead a humble barkeep, close-fit tables meant to encourage some one-onone (an endearing charm to this one’s understanding), and what’s grown to become the main attraction of the place, an impromptu jam circle - or rather, square.
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“Turns out some of the guys who frequent the place had spare musical equipment lying around.” Bobo, co-proprietor of The Speak Eazy and all-around good guy comments when asked how the humble but effective open-mic set-up had come to be. The assembly consists of two semielectric acoustic guitars, a semi-electric bass guitar, a couple microphones and
Photos by Syed Rusydie and taken from Speak Eazy’s FB Page
hot spots
two amplifiers to widen the range if ever a large enough crowd warranted that extra oomph. The writer’s first time there had a shapely impression on these observations thus far; from its comfortable space inside to the waist-high stool section outside that cater to the smokers; from the friendly and accommodating staff to the impressive, musically-inclined clientele that frequently grace the aforementioned jam square; all these elements add up to a fresh attempt at a hangout den.
And what do you know - the lights here are bright enough such that you can actually see who you’re talking to - a complementary layer of tone to the bar’s already grungy appeal.
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HAPPENING
Sunset Music Fest2015 The Sunset Music Fest at the Tip of Borneo is back to take centre stage at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat, the northern-most tip of Borneo, on the 5th and 6th of June 2015 (Friday and Saturday) from 5:00pm to 8:30pm on both days. Held for the ninth year, the Sunset Music Fest is Sabah’s biggest open air concert featuring a line-up of performers presenting a broad repertoire of music and songs. Popular local singers will be performing their rendition of current and evergreen local hits that will get the audience on their feet. The annual Sunset Music Fest is also a platform for up and coming local singers to showcase their talents. Performing at the most unconventional of venues can be an unforgettable and memorable experience for both musicians and audience. Attendees will enjoy a repertoire of performances by award-winning dance group Flexible Crew, singers Norbert Bin Andilah, Francis Landong, The Deep 20 www.bwmag.net
Buskers, La Cantabile – Classical Voices, and Apprilissa Sue Ann. Also featured in this year’s festival is Permata Seni Muzik – a group dedicated to harnessing the musical talents of 8 to 14 year olds, under the purview of Istana Budaya. Handicraft, souvenir, food and drink stalls are also set up on both days. Kindly note that during the two-day event, access to the venue and its surroundings, which include the pathway from the parking lot to the Globe, will be open to concert ticket holders only from 3:00pm to 10:00pm. This is a litter-free event brought to you by Sri Pelancongan
Photos taken from SABAH, Malaysian Borneo Facebook page
HAPPENING
Sabah Sdn. Bhd, wholly-owned subsidiary of Sabah Tourism Board. Concert-goers are encouraged to take the opportunity to explore Kudat during this weekend. Make your way to the Sidek Esplanade participate in the various activities held during the Kudat Festival from 11th to 14th June this year. Visitors who are interested in experiencing a stay in a traditional Rungus longhouse can visit Kampung Bavanggazo. Other notable places of interest include the Kg. Sumangkap Gong-making Factory and Honey Bee Farm at Kg. Gombizau. Tickets to the Sunset Music Fest are priced at RM50 for one-day entry and RM80 for two-days passes. Return transportation is available on both days for ticket holders at only RM30.00 per person. Transportation departs from the Sabah Tourism Board office along Gaya Street at 2:00pm. Closing date for transport reservations is Tuesday, 3rd June. www.bwmag.net 21
FEATURE
feature:
esther applunius
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FEATURE How has your career been since your success on ‘One in a million’? Hi Bandwidth Magazine, Hi Borneo! After the contest, my singing career has progressed greatly. I’ve worked with many people and it has opened many opportunities and given me a chance to be involved in acting. My first TV show is called “Sitcom Lembah Hijau” aired on TVi Astro channel 180. Tell us about your albums, singles and upcoming projects. I am in the process of producing a full scale album. I’ve recently recorded my latest single, “If only you knew” and it will be release on radio very soon. In spite of your busy schedule, how do you find time for leisure and love life? Tell us about your love life! This question is too complicated to be answered. All I can say is... I’m still waiting for my true love. Lol You’re an inspiration to many young talents in Borneo, what are some advice you could give to budding singers here? For those who want to pursue singing, my advice is to continue working and do not give up. Stay humble. Do not stop learning and 3 things you must keep doing, practice, practice and practice. Where is your favourite hangout spot? When are you performing soon? We want to be there! My favourite hangout spot is none other than Upperstar, Kota Kinabalu. Great food, reasonable prices and most importantly, I love the environment. If you had to make a choice, what is your favourite local food here in Borneo? My favourite local Sabah food must be their Hinava and fish ampap.
Photos by Radzie Rahman
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INTERVIEW
DJ gazzi Ben 24 www.bwmag.net
INTERVIEW
DJ Bengazzi, Kinabalu Kings, all these years in the music industry, what’s going on now? Hi guys, nothing much really. I’m still DJing but no more commercial club gigs and residencies. I only do part time gigs and private functions mostly. As for the Kings, we’re still on our long break till further notice. How do you see yourself now in the industry here in Borneo, knowing that you’ve been involved for a while now? I’m not so much in the industry nowadays but I do get involved if a certain project appeals to me. How do you see the music scene evolving? Good music is making a comeback. A lot of good music now compared to a few years back when everything sounded the same and lack feel. What do you think of the mushrooming of young DJs in our region? I think it’s good nut only some will stand out because most of the new guys play exactly the same stuff and it’ll be hard to differentiate who’s good. So this is some advice for the new and aspiring DJs out there. Don’t be scared to be different and creative in terms of song selection and style. You must have your own identity. Siok bah jadi DJ! Lol. Any plans for an album soon? Any wise words for those wanting to be a DJ/artist in Borneo? No plans yet. If it happens, you guys will be the first to know. Photos by Radzie Rahman
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NEWS
A STATE-OF-THE-ART NEW FOUR STAR HOTEL HAS ARRIVED IN METRO TOWN
Nestled within Kolombong’s prominent retail and eatery precinct of Metro Town, a new luxurious four-star hotel debuted in Metro Town mid-May – shifting the industrial space and introducing a new lifestyle experience for the people of Kota Kinabalu. Avangio Hotel Kota Kinabalu, Managed by Accor, is ideally located next to a worldclass medical centre, Jesselton Medical Centre. Headed by General Manager, Mr. Wan Enderi, this hotel features 103 wellappointed guest rooms and suites. The comfortable guest rooms exude modern luxury, featuring exclusive amenities and are equipped with modern technologies. The hotel has four avant-garde spaces for food and drinks including the allday-dining restaurant Mercato featuring local and international favourites; the lobby lounge and bar serving marvellous cocktails and canapés, the pub with live entertainment every weekend and an elevated open-air pool bar. Avangio Hotel Kota Kinabalu’s event and meeting facilities include three spacious meeting rooms that can be combined into a 291-sqm hall with the capacity of 5 to 400 people. A team of event planners is on hand to ensure the perfect event every time. Business facilities include a business centre and an executive lounge. Ample secure hotel parking is also available at the hotel. 26 www.bwmag.net
Photos taken from Agoda
The hotel’s remarkable recreational facilities comprise of an outdoor swimming and wading pool on the patio terrace overlooking the surrounding Sabah landscape. The fitness centre features top-of-the-range equipment as well as an exercise room with Zumba, aerobic and yoga classes. The spa and wellness centre features six private rooms for guest to indulge in luxurious holistic spa treatments. ABOUT AVANGIO HOTEL KOTA KINABALU, MANAGED BY ACCOR Located at Metro Town in the heart of Kolombong Industrial Estate, Avangio Hotel Kota Kinabalu is 15 minutes by car to KKIA and 10 minutes to the city centre. It has 103 rooms and suites featuring modern rooms designed to cater to business and leisure travelers. Enjoy sumptuous meals at Mercato all-day-dining restaurant, unwind at the Lobby Lounge and Bar, listen to live music at the Pub or simply chill out by the pool bar. Guests who wants to exercise can also check out the Gym or relax at the Spa and Wellness Centre.
NEWS
OPENING OF COACH IMAGO
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ARTICLE
I love Creamo better than Oreo
That song sound’s better Glee version Those forever alone meme’s don’t speak to me at all.
That guy who catcalled me, I’d so date him.
The Great Gatsby and I’ve watched like, a m
Profile: Dark wavy hair, blue eyes, 6’1. Looking for someone I can have a nice conversation with. Never been on Omegle.
I don’t mind t following m
Lies people tell and th 28 www.bwmag.net
Illustration by Razie Alfiedan
ARTICLE
I didn’t cry watching Bridge to Terabithia. And that Korean movie isn’t all that sad. Nope. I know the lyrics to that Fall Out Boy number.
y is my favourite book, d Breakfast at Tiffany’s million times. I can’t eat that, too much cholestrol
that shopkeeper me around.
#nofilter #allnatural #nomakeup
Oh no, we’re just friends.
I don’t know any of Taylor’s Swift’s songs, they’re so not catchy.
hings people never say Written by Sharmila Asha
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ARTICLE
Cahaya lilin di
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ARTICLE
di bawah Bayu
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NEWS
Why Not Everyone Is A Belieber By Keys Abraham
“What do you get when you give a teenager 200 million dollars? A bunch of has-beens calling you a lesbian for two hours”. One of Justin Bieber’s better comebacks at the end of the night of The Roast Of Justin Bieber, put together by Comedy Central end of March this year. Hannibal Buress, Chris D’Elia, Jeffrey Ross, Ludacris, Martha Stewart, Pete Davidson, Natasha Leggero, Shaquille O’ Neal and Snoop Dog all joined forces with Roast Master Kevin Hart in throwing dirt right in Bieber’s face (and at each other), in front of an audience of celebrities and possibly adoring fans. Needless to say, most of the humour was highly NSFW. To his credit, the man of the night took the lambasting all in good humour, culminating with him trying his own hand at stand-up. Martha Stewart was impressively venomous, with quips like “Let’s get to the reason I’m here tonight which is to give Justin Bieber some tips to use when he inevitably ends up in prison. I’ve been in lockup and you wouldn’t last a week, so pay attention...” and (of Snoop Dog), “Snoop, I see that you’ve been following my beauty regimen. You’d never know that Snoop is 43 now, which is twice as long as most dogs live and twice as long as most of his friends.” Another unexpected gem from the 73-year old: “One of the highest-rated episodes of my show
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‘Martha Stewart Living’ was when Snoop and I made brownies together, and I’ve used his recipe ever since. As a matter of fact, I ate three of them right before they called and asked me to do this roast”. ‘Nuff said. Shaq was equally irreverent with comments like (of Bieber’s egg throwing incident), “You caused $20,000 in damages. Imagine the damage you could have caused if you threw like a boy.” Which got me thinking about the subject of this article. Why does everyone enjoy taking the mickey out of Justin Bieber? Ever since the world began to hear the prepubescent tones of Bieber via YouTube in 2007, much of the music world has been divided over this 21-year old Canadian. Maybe it was the voice. Or the look. Both. The androgyneity of it all threw the world into confusion as to his chromosomal status. Apparently it worked with the young girls. Still works though – take one look at K-Pop. But I digress. Of late, however, Justin has frequently
NEWS taken to stripping down to his boxer briefs in public. Most likely, I gather, to put the whole matter of uncertainty to rest. Again, I digress. Then again, there was the hair. The unkemptness of it became a catch phrase for parents to successfully coerce their sons to get a haircut. Dad: “Nice Justin Bieber haircut son.” Son: “ Yeah, I know, I’m getting a haircut today...” Then came the dance moves. Mentored by Usher himself (who incidentally outbid Justin Timberlake to sign Bieber), the teen quickly moved from boy-next-door to wannabe swag and this did not sit well with many. To be fair to the boy, Usher took it upon himself to provide a “swagger coach”, to create a “streetwise look” for the singer which consisted of baseball caps, hoodies, dog chains and flashy sneakers, citing Bieber’s abrupt success as need for guidance. As if matters could not get any worse. Probably oblivious to the existing lack of general regard for him, Bieber went along and got himself in trouble with the law on one too many occasions. Beginning with reckless driving, he went on to add a spate of horrors in his already crumbling public image, including vandalism, DUI (various substances), assault, the confiscation (and subsequent) abandoning of a monkey in
Germany, urinating into a mop bucket as he left a nightclub before swearing at picture of a former US president and (alleged) spitting on fans, not to mention the earlier mentioned egg-throwing. This effectively moved him to bad-boy status, labelled as 2014’s most annoying celebrity by the Toronto Sun. Some prefer the term pop brat - remember that he wrote “Hopefully she would have been a belieber” after visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. The main reason, though, probably stemmed from his meteoric rise to fame. For a generation of music lovers and music makers who believed in paying dues to make it, this whole YouTube superstar business was too much to handle. Throw in the (perceived) ambiguity of gender, pretty boy looks, coiffure, swagger and the sheer amount of wealth accumulated at a young age – minus the low-paying bar gigs, demanding pub owners, drunk audiences and (recently) talent shows and there you have it – someone everyone loves to hate. It just feels unnatural. Having said that, one cannot deny that he is a talented individual. Who knows, he may sober up, grow up and surprise the world. The Roast appears to be a promising start. But hey, it’s Bieber.
Pictures courtesy of mashable.com and abcnews.com
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FEATURE
Can Money buy
Happiness? By Jonny Dragon
“I wanna be rich!” This is often the common answer people give to the question – What do you want in Life? Some will answer differently, and many might also answer that they want to to be - happy. But how many of us would be truly happy with very little money? I know I wouldn’t be. You see, we may not openly admit it but we actually know, that money can buy happiness. Let’s dig a little deeper and play with this subject for a bit. Let’s assume that at the end of the month, we can’t pay our electricity, water bill, phone bill and car installment. We might not get cut off immediately but the problem doesn’t go away. It just accumulates to the point where eventually we could lose all or some of these first world conveniences which in turn, would make us quite unhappy. So by default, avoiding such problems would make us happier, and the reason we are happier is because we have money and can afford to be. This is logical and difficult to dispute. However we are not made up entirely of Logic, so we tend to lend emotion to material things, people and situations. And one of them is money.
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Illustration by Razie Alfiedan
For all intents and purposes, money is worth as much as the paper it’s printed on. When the Euro was introduced, the value of many European currencies automatically became worthless, worth even less than that paper. As early as 9000 BC both grain and cattle were used as money or should we say barter. But it was soon realized that bartering has its limitations, the most obvious being that it requires a “coincidence of wants”. So from cows, to beads, to shells, to copper, silver and gold coins; we eventually arrived at paper which slowly but surely, is being digitally transformed into something intangible such as an E transaction. But let’s not lose ourselves in its history or future. Let’s look at what money might really mean to us.
FEATURE
Initially, it’s about survival and self-preservation – our first and most powerful instinct. Having progressed to living in villages, suburbs, towns and big cities, we no longer fear that at anytime or place we might be attacked and eaten. In order to survive in this jungle, we have to buy things. Without money, we are unable to do so and this causes stress, frustration and unhappiness. Now let’s assume that we have managed to achieve this to a comfortable, content standard of living. What does money become then? It becomes Freedom and Power. This is what it buys us, and having these two things amplifies not only our survival, but also how we survive. They are seductive and deliciously appeal to our greedy nature. So we strive to accumulate more and more money, believing it will make us more powerful, buy us more freedom and make us happier. But sometimes it’s never enough. We compete with strangers, with friends and even family… to make money. We show each other what we have bought, produced or built. Some of us spend wisely, some of us hoard and some of us just can’t save a dollar. Often, when such accumulation has reached ridiculous amounts, it can become an obsession, a dreadful addiction – make more money to make more money. It’s widely acceptable to live as such. Some are very
successful and others crash and burn. Lives are ruined, countries destroyed while nature gets raped. This can bring about much unhappiness it’s true and back up the old adage that “Money is the root of all Evil”. If anyone truly believes this though, then please get my contact from the editor and pass me all your money. I will absolve you. In this writer’s opinion we actually do believe money can buy happiness. But many are in denial of that fact because to admit it might show us in an unfavorable, materialistic and unspiritual light. But if we can welcome the idea, we realize that there may be a much easier way to find happiness with money than to strive to be stinking, filthy rich? Perhaps we just have to make damn sure we aren’t really poor, whatever that may mean to any individual. To want what we have rather than have what we want? According to David Lee Roth – ex front man of the super rock group Van Halen – “Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a yacht big enough to pull up right alongside it.” There is certain logic to that, which I have to concur with. I’m not poor and I feel like a billionaire. I just wish sometimes that I had more money. Do you? www.bwmag.net 35
STYLE
Zass Puravida
When and how did you decide to start your company and what’s the story behind it? 2008 is the birth year of Zass. Actually, Zass is a project band back in those days and we came up with the idea of making band tees. Due to the lack of clothing brand in Kuching that time, we tried to be creative, to earn some money for us to enjoy and to give Kuching something. The very first event we participated in was ‘Hello Kuching’. We still remember about those days, where it made us feel stronger than ever.
In the year of 2010, we stopped production cos we had to focus on some personal things. Some of us were not here, some of us had to study, some of us had to work at that time.
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2014. Everyone was back in town. We met, talked about the old days. We decided to finish what we started and yea, that’s what happened. Besides, we still had a lot of leftover designs not in print yet from 2008 that was usable. We think Zass Puravida can be the platform for us to showcase our abilities and achieve our dreams.
STYLE What’s the message you try to spread with Zass Puravida designs? We try to play whats everyone in our scene have not played with. We try to go to analyse every concept, every idea, every part of what we love. Every season we have a new concept. We won’t stick to only one concept as Zass consists of many types of people with different ideologies. What we try to say through our designs is let’s be creative, try not to be the same and never forget where we came from. We want people to be creative, we want people know that art comes in different forms. Do not be afraid to do what you really love, don’t be scared of the struggle. You’re not alone. Let’s help each other because in this world we can’t move on out own. Let them know we Borneo kids live on tree tops, with style.
Who designs your tees and who is also involved in Zass adventure?
We Have Zen Hashim (instagram: @znhshm) & Husni Zuhairin aka D2k (Instagram: @ d2kzuhairin), our house designers. We love collaborating with other designers. Right now for our upcoming season we are collaborating with Adam Jamal a.k.a Rakus. Cant wait.
Zass Adventure is a convoy of friends from high school and some of us are people whom we met along our journey. Ezi, Aaron, Fendi, Aniq, Aziq, Bernard, Ezzat, Didiq, Mock, Mimik, Naim, Paan, Raziman, Zen & Zul. Everyone behind of Zass Puravida they have they own dreams. We try to achieve them by moving together and helping each other through “Zass Adventure” .
What would you say – who is a typical Zasser (or do you have another name for your fans)? In other words – who mainly buys your stuff and what is their profile? Yea! We call them Zassers! Zzzzzzzzssss!! And shhhh, we also have a secret handshake. Hahaha! Honestly, we do not aim for specific scenes of people. That is why we have lots of different people who are into Zass Puravida.
Do you expect to broaden your line to other items, too? OF COURSE, why not! We actually plan on having our very own coffee beans and cigars too. (Laughs)
What is the future looking like for ‘Zass Puravida’ from your perspective? We are getting close to our dreams. Very very soon. Written by Sharmila Asha
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HEALTH
TO C OR NOT TO C? The Truth About Vitamin C Mega-dosage By Dr. Knott A. Kvack
(This is the third of a series of articles looking at health and medical ideas that have popped up over the last few years and what one should consider before jumping into something. Note that this article is not for consultation purposes and anything one chose to consume or subscribe to should be done after discussion with your personal physician)
Recently overheard in a café in Tanjung Aru: Guy : Did you catch a cold? Girl : Yup Guy : You should take Vitamin C Girl : I did. I took 1000mg. Guy : That’s not enough. 1000mg is just for health. You need 2000mg to cure your cold. (Doctor at next table looks up, smiles an evil smile and casts surreptitious glance). The End.
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So, how much vitamin C is safe really? Does vitamin C help when you catch a cold? And am I the only one who thinks of orange-flavoured chewables when I hear the words “vitamin C”? Modern shamans generally believe that while vitamin C helps to prevent illnesses like catching a cold, it is quite useless once it has already been caught. There has however, been talk of vitamin C mega-dosage that help with not just the common cold, but with other diseases like cancer, heart disease, burns and even polio. This kind of chatter is not even recent. Some people
HEALTH started dabbling with high doses of vitamin C as early as the 1940s, believing that we need about 2300mg a day. Let’s work that grey matter a little: Vitamin C, as we know, helps to build collagen, which in turn helps with wound healing. This vitamin helps your immune system as well. Vitamin C is an excellent anti-oxidant, which helps in fighting cancer and preventing aging. We all know how troublesome free radicals can be. This seems to be the logic behind the idea that vitamin C can sure cancer. Unfortunately, there is no conclusive evidence that vitamin C is beneficial for the treatment of cancer. For prevention, yes indeed.
In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) set the limit as 2000mg per day as the cap for how much vitamin C one can take. At high doses, vitamin C can have a laxative effect. Warning: Excessive popping will result in pooping.
Humans, unlike certain animals, are unable to produce this vitamin within the body. So we need vitamin C from an external source. On average, your body requires only 90mg of Vitamin C a day. People who smoke need about 35mg more than their non-smoking friends. Chilli peppers (yes, chilli!), guava, parsley, kiwifruit, broccoli, lychee, papaya and lemon are excellent natural sources of Vitamin C.
The good news about vitamin C (and B) is that these are water-soluble (unlike their counterparts A, D, E and K which are fat-soluble). This means that excess vitamin C will be flushed out in urine. And whatever money you paid to buy the extra pills. This is why the public hospitals give out a daily dose of merely 150mg of this vitamin when prescribed. It is not because they are being tightwads; large doses are seen as a waste. As for effervescent (fizzy) vitamin C tablets, a study at the University of Helsinki on eight types of these found they could all have corrosive effects on teeth. Most of these has a pH 0f 2.7 to 3.0, just a little less acidic than cola drinks, at a whopping 2.5. They also may contain a great deal of sugar. Some people swear by these, but as I said – there just isn’t any proof. My take: Sure, take your 1000mg of vitamin C a day. 2000 even. Pills or fizzy drinks are fine. Just don’t overdo it. You might end up with some expensive urine. Next month: Vitamin C injections : Worth it or not? www.bwmag.net 39
WELLNESS
T U O K R O W FOOD FOR By Hadie Affen
die
Pre-, during and post-workout nutrition is the key to get optimal results from a workout and for growth and recovery. Pre-workout nutrition is necessary for performance in the gym and postworkout nutrition is necessary for growth. In this edition, I am going to share about pre-workout nutrition.
PRE-WORKOUT NUTRITION
Pre-workout nutrition is of great importance before a workout as it determines whether or not you can achieve your maximum potential during your workout session and achieve your goals for the workout. Getting an extra couple of reps or increasing the weight is possible with proper pre-workout nutrition. It can be done by eating a proper pre-workout meal one to two hours before (depending on your metabolism and how much you eat) as well as taking a supplement 15 to 45 minutes before a workout. These pre-workout meals and supplements will allow you to have increased muscle strength, better endurance, give you increased energy, give you better pumps, burn more calories and fat as well as improve concentration. There are two things to consider before a workout: 1. Having a meal one to two hours before. 2. Taking a proper supplement thirty minutes before.
A PROPER MEAL SHOULD CONSIST OF: FRUIT
Fruit should be eaten at all times throughout
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Illustration by Razie Alfiedan
the day. They dilate the blood vessels, reducing stress on the heart. Fruits are packed with vitamins and some carbohydrates or simple sugars to fuel your workout. Two of the best fruit you can have are bananas and oranges as your pre-workout food.
MODERATE TO LOW GI CARBOHYDRATES
These carbohydrates will fuel your body with energy throughout the entire workout. If you eat a high GI carb before a workout, you will have a lot of energy at the start but quickly start to deplete. Carbohydrates are the main source energy in a workout. I would recommend brown or white rice, brown bread or pumpernickel bread, whole wheat bagels or whole wheat pasta or oatmeal.
Protein (Essential Amino Acids)
Proteins are the essential building blocks of muscles. Without it, your muscles would not grow. They also ensure proper nitrogen balance
WELLNESS in the muscles. I would recommend eggs, which has a very high biological value. Other good protein sources are chicken and fish which both contain Omega 3.
EFA
Essential fatty acids are necessary for maintaining high testosterone levels. They also keep the energy levels up and are necessary for fat soluble vitamins. They take a long time to digest and so they are great for people that are hungry all the time because it keeps them full even during workout. You can get this from salmon, mackerel, almonds, whole grain food etc‌
important as it helps release energy and also contains anabolic properties.
CREATINE
It is a great muscle volumizer and provides energy for the muscle in the form or ATP. This protein is safe and retains water inside the muscle.
CAFFEINE & EPHEDRINE HCL
Caffeine is a great stimulant to provide your body with higher levels of energy. It is great when stacked with Ephedrine HCL since it helps you burn more fat and have enormous energy levels.
BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
OTHERS
Peanut butter or Power Butter (which is peanut butter with flax) would be great on a bagel. Cooking with olive oil or sesame oil which contains sesamin is also beneficial. A proper pre-workout meal should be something that is completely digested 15 to 30 minutes before a workout so the blood can leave the stomach and enter the muscles.
PROPER SUPPLEMENTATION
Supplementation before a workout is also necessary for enhancing your workout. Supplements, especially stimulants should be cycled so your body does not build up a tolerance. Most supplements should be taken 30 minutes before a workout on an empty stomach. Here are some great supplements to use before a workout: This also depends on your goal of workout, whether for muscle building, lean muscles, endurance training, fat loss program and more.
MULTIVITAMINS
Although food does provide some vitamins and minerals, it may not be adequate therefore multivitamins before a workout or in the morning are required for proper functioning of the body.
BCAAs are great for maintaining nitrogen balance. They are digested in the skeletal muscle and spare muscle breakdown.
NO2
Some love it, some hate it. They provide great muscle pumps for some and also open up the blood vessels so more blood can be delivered to the muscle. This means more oxygen and nutrients can be delivered to the muscle. There are many NO2 supplements out there which contain ingredients such as arginine AKG, citrulline malate and ornithine ethyl ester.
FAT BURNERS
Fat burners are great for stimulating the body, increasing energy levels as well as burning fat. They are usually vasoconstrictors and should not be stacked with a NO2 product, which do the opposite. They work well and are effective in doing their job.
FOCUS SUPPLEMENTS
Ingredients such as tyrosine, Ginkgo biloba and N-acetyl-Carnitine provide your body with mental focus when working out in the gym. It is great for people who take breaks that are too long in between sets, or give up too easily.
STAMINA & ENDURANCE
The best supplement for this is ginseng. It will help sustain energy levels for longer periods of time. It is very common in sports and some multivitamins and is safe when taken in correct dosages. Look for Panax Ginseng only, as it has a high number of ginsenosides.
Choosing a multivitamin high in B-vitamins is www.bwmag.net 41
NEWS
Mah Sing Chief Operating Officer Andy Chua and Deputy General Manager Michelle Ho officiates Tower 3 of The Residences at Sutera Avenue with Harith Iskander.
MAH SING LAUNCHES TOWER 3 OF THE RESIDENCES AT SUTERA AVENUE, KOTA KINABALU
GODFATHER OF STAND-UP COMEDY HARITH ISKANDER AND MISS SABAH TOURISM 2015 BEAUTIES ADD ZEST TO LAUNCH Premier lifestyle developer, Mah Sing Group Berhad (Mah Sing) recently launched Tower 3 of The Residences at Sutera Avenue on 16-17 May 2015 at Kota Kinabalu Convention Centre (KKCC) Show Gallery at Tanjung Lipat. In conjunction with the launch, Mah Sing also unveiled a new show unit where the serviced apartment’s contemporary lifestyle offerings were showcased. The newly launched 11-storey Tower 3 contemporary serviced apartments consists of 100 units and offers two types of layouts, namely 1+1 and 2+1 bedrooms with built-ups ranging from 726 sq ft – 1,220 sq ft priced from RM605,000 onwards. Tower 3 is the second tower launched following encouraging response from the first launch of Tower 2. In total, The Residences consists of 3 towers offering 320 units. The Residences sit atop the 2-storey Festive Retail Mall, allowing residents the convenience of shopping for their daily needs right at their doorstep. The Festive Retail Mall will offer shoppers a first-of-its-kind street mall retail concept with a 50-ft wide pedestrian boulevard on the ground floor coupled with wide frontage units served by escalator access to each floor.
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In conjunction with the launch, Mah Sing held a a two-day event where over 500 interested respondents were treated to a comedy show by Harith Iskander- the Godfather of Standup Comedy in Malaysia. Further to this, the launch was also graced by the 12 finalists of the Miss Sabah Tourism 2015 Pageant. Mah Sing is the presenter for both Harith Iskander- Laugh Malaysia stand-up comedy show in Sabah and the Miss Sabah Tourism 2015 Pageant in Sabah. THE SUTERA AVENUE ADVANTAGE Sutera Avenue is an integrated commercial development with a gross development value (GDV) of RM502 million. Located just across Sutera Harbour Resort, the development offers the view of the emerald green fairways and the turquoise blue waters off Kota Kinabalu’s coast. In addition to this, Sutera Avenue is designed
NEWS
With 1+1 and 2+1 bedrooms, The Residences afford comfortable living quarters within an affordable RM605,000 onwards. to be Kota Kinabalu’s new vibrant hotspot surrounded by mature neighbourhoods which allow for natural catchment for businesses and established public amenities for residents. Since its launch in September 2012 Sutera Avenue has gained the attention of the East Malaysia market due to its strategic location. The project is well located on 4.26 acres prime land in Kota Kinabalu fronting Kota Kinabalu’s Coastal Highway, just 3.9km away from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Among the other leisure destinations around Sutera Avenue are Riverson, Imago Mall, Oceanus, Centre Point Sabah, Warisan Square and Kota Kinabalu’s Waterfront, which allow for a good tourist crowd into Sutera Avenue. Meanwhile, healthcare centres like the upcoming Gleneagles Medical Centre and the pre-existing Queen Elizabeth Government Hospital look into the health and wellbeing of all
who dwell within Sutera Avenue. Unsurprisingly, Mah Sing has expanded its presence in Kota Kinabalu with the 8.33-acre Kota Kinabalu Convention City (KKCC), another world-class waterfront mixed development set to offer a business hotel, luxury hotel, hotel suites, office towers, shop offices, lifestyle retail, F&B outlets and serviced residences. This visionary KKCC is poised to be Sabah’s own KLCC, and is positioned next to the upcoming Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), which can accommodate 5,000 delegates. Kota Kinabalu is one of the popular tourism spots in the Asia region. Last year, there were 996,522 international tourists which visited Kota Kinabalu. Amongst them, more than 80% are from Asia countries, namely Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, the Philipines, Brunei and Singapore.
12 finalists of Miss Sabah Tourism 2015 Pageant with Mah Sing Chief Operating Officer Andy Chua and Deputy General Manager Michelle Ho. www.bwmag.net 43
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