Astounding! Simply - BorneoTalk Official Website

More documents

Recommendations

Info

People Borneo Talk congratulates and talks to Keith Pointer on his appointment and role as the Chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels Sarawak Chapter 1. As the new Chairman what would the priorities be for the association in the coming years? Firstly, the position allows for the person to sit in the Sarawak Tourism Board, which presents an opportunity to voice the industry’s needs and concerns more directly, especially like the need to strengthen the human capital base in the state to meet the challenges of the coming years. MAH Sarawak Chapter will be very focused on how we can assist and develop human capital for the industry and strengthen our corporate and social responsibility thus strengthening our ties with the local community in particular those who are less fortunate than ourselves through the proper channels. 2. The current international economic situation doesn’t augur well for tourism industry as a whole. Do you think it will be of concern for the hotel industry in Malaysia, Sarawak? If so, what are the options that the association will take to overcome the effect? While the international outlook may be less than rosy, nevertheless the situation in ASEAN is less critical and Malaysia by and large is still at a healthy stage. Locally, Sarawak tourism industry is very dependent on connectivity and this is the most critical aspect that must be constantly upgraded for the industry to grow and mature. 3. There are more budget hotels coming up in the state as well as B&B operations. Are these healthy for the industry and is there a need for some form of control on the numbers? Competition is always healthy in any industry; more important is that the standard of the industry must be continuously strengthened to ensure that it will continue to progress. Safety and security are aspects that should be ensured in the industry here which will in the long term help it grow. 4. How will the association further enhance the standard of the industry in the state? Should there be a more stringent standard for hotels in the state and who should be the monitoring agent? Currently the industry is well monitored and this has ensured that a high standard is maintained which augurs well for the people involved. 5. The changes are coming forth in the state with the minimum wage policies. Will the association be implementing these or will it continue to pursue a different approach? Generally, any industry will have to follow the laws of the nation it is operating in and we are no different here. The national chapter of MAH has sent its views on the matter to the relevant authorities concerned with regards to the uniqueness of the industry per se and so we have to wait for the respond from them before deciding on next course of action. 6. What are some of the most pertinent issues that the association would like the state/nation to undertake for the betterment of the hotel industry here? As mentioned, human capital development is crucial for the industry here and we have now started to bring our message even to school going children to give them better understanding of the industry as a whole. Such early steps are necessary if we want to be able to get the necessary people in future as the growing demand in the service industry will continue to rise worldwide and we have to be prepared more than others due to the unique situation here where there is always a lack of human resources. The state and nation currently needs quality people in many industries and the option on foreign labours should be given serious thoughts if progress is to be assured. 7. On a personal note, you have been in the state for a long time and have grown to understand the situation here better than some of the newcomers. What would be your advice to those who are here for the first time and what will be your advice for those contemplating to go into the industry? Having been through the early years of establishing an international hotel in Bintulu, I see tremendous opportunities in Sarawak; the only thing is that the uniqueness of the state with its diversity of ethnic races and cultures can be a challenging tasks for newcomers here. New comers too can bring in new ideas and concepts, which will bring us to the next stage of development and so ensure the continuous improvements necessary for any industry to progress. 72 | <strong>BorneoTalk</strong>Jan-Mar2012
People Francis Nyurang Ding Fighting Spirit Sarawak Sports Council Director envisioned state to be at top in country by 2020 is very proud of our 25 athletes “Sarawak who were part of the Malaysian team at the recent SEA Games in Sumatra, Indonesia where Malaysia emerged in 4 th place overall among the 11 participating nations,” began Francis Ding, Director of Sarawak Sports Council. “From the 25 athletes, Malaysia managed to secure 5 gold, silver and 6 bronze which is quite an achievement. I dare say that if the sports were limited to just Olympic ones, Malaysia could have finished even higher!” On that matter, the Director also stated that for Sarawak and the country to achieve world standard in sport activities, athletes must be exposed to bigger competitions like SEA Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics. To do that, the infrastructures must be there and this is where the government has to be generous in building world-class venues and facilities to provide the necessary training grounds. Locally, sports associations should be the leading agents in guiding their sports forward and the government’s role is to assist in supporting them where necessary; government should not be in the business of leading sports bodies in international or national arenas, he opined. Fortunately, the State government has put in place a 10-year Sports Development Plan, which envisioned Sarawak to be amongst the sports powerhouse in the nation by 2020, Francis remarked. This is something, which gives every sports association aspiration to achieve their best and to improve on their performances. “For Sarawak the battle cry ‘Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban’ (As Long As I Live, I Will Fight), will always be in the spirit of our athletes as this is our own way of making us distinctly different from the rest by the fighting spirit that our athletes will show in competitions. As long as the government is strongly behind us, the Sports Council and associations will continue to excel in their work of producing exemplary athletes for our state and nation,” he concluded. For the record, Francis revealed that his position would soon be handed over to another person as he is expected to retire in the near future. However, he has no regrets or misgivings as he said he had given his best and has also made many new friends during the course of his work to forever cherish those memories. Jan-Mar2012<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 73
Page 1 and 2:
ISSN 1823-9625 | PPK380/03/2012(029
Page 3 and 4:
Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Abang Joh
Page 5 and 6:
• ST3 (Retail Mall + Serviced Apa
Page 7 and 8:
Development It’s fun! it’s exci
Page 9 and 10:
Development Riveria, Kota Samarahan
Page 11 and 12:
The obvious choice for property Own
Page 13 and 14:
Open for Booking Privileges • On
Page 15 and 16:
Development SaveTime, SaveFuel, Saf
Page 17 and 18:
Development Medan Satok Niaga - Eve
Page 19 and 20:
Home WHB Furniture shop has wide ra
Page 21 and 22: Home AmHome provides superb wooden
Page 23 and 24: Home Blinds sparkle up your rooms L
Page 25 and 26: Home The New Year is coming! Make i
Page 27 and 28: Make this Chinese New Year truly
Page 29 and 30: wish to pursue tertiary education i
Page 31 and 32: Education The Centre for Pre-Univer
Page 33 and 34: Education Uniworld Bookstore is a u
Page 35 and 36: Info no academic qualifications or
Page 37 and 38: MAJL IS SUKAN NEGERI SARAWAK Info F
Page 39 and 40: Development tment Tabuan Jaya Baru
Page 41 and 42: Info Through such belief, Sibu Muni
Page 43: Medical www.kcsh.kpjhealth.com.my p
Page 47 and 48: Food Chinese New Year Family Reunio
Page 49 and 50: Food It is a mere walking distance
Page 51 and 52: Food The interior of this new estab
Page 53 and 54: Celebrate this Chinese New Year wit
Page 55 and 56: Food Durian Cheese Cake Black Fores
Page 57 and 58: Big bold flavours at Food • Grill
Page 59 and 60: • Batang Ai HEP Food other ingred
Page 61: Food Happy New Year! Liansin, Saraw
Page 64 and 65: The Paramount Hotel is the choice h
Page 66 and 67: Hotel Facilities and Amenities: Ens
Page 69 and 70: Hotel A new exciting 4 Star hotel i
Page 71: Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos
show all

Astounding! Simply - BorneoTalk Official Website

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?