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Borneo Post
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Film to protect endangered Bornean pygmy elephants
Liew, flanked by Mohd Soffian (right) and Chong, during the courtesy call. KOTA KINABALU (June 22): A feature film to protect and raise awareness about the endangered Bornean pygmy elephants will start filming in Sabah this year. 'Agatis : A Borneo Story' (AABS) has the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) to ensure its success. Its minister, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, said her ministry has every reason to lend a hand, given the film's potential as a wildlife tourism booster. 'We will render the necessary assistance through our agency, Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL). Firstly, it is a feature film to protect and raise awareness about the endangered Bornean pygmy elephants. Secondly, it would be the first ever film in Malaysia filming in close proximity to these majestic animals under supervision,' she said after a presentation on the film project by the director of Mondo Ab Films Sdn Bhd (MABF), Jeanette Chong Tze Ling, recently. MABF is a Kota Kinabalu-based production company in Sabah. Present was the director of JHL, Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar. Agatis (left) and Aki at the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary in Kinabatangan. Chong, a Sabahan scriptwriter, film director and producer, concurred that the ministry's support is the key to success of AABS, a 90-minute movie featuring Agatis, a four-year-old female pygmy elephant and Aki, a two-year-old male pygmy elephant, from the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary (BES) within the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. 'I thank the minister for her personal assistance. The support from the ministry and Sabah Wildlife Department will bolster the confidence of potential funders and sponsors to come forward to contribute within their capacity. 'This film, my fourth screenplay, is intended not only to be screened in cinemas but also to make its debut at some film festivals,' she said, adding that the move will attract potential local and international filmmakers to produce films in Sabah. Briefing the minister, the lawyer-turned film producer who is also a martial artist, said: 'Agatis : A Borneo Story' is created with the collaboration of more than 50 years of combined experience in storytelling, wildlife cinematography, and high-quality film-making with very experienced and established production teams. 'This is the logline of the film. Both orphaned children – a young lost boy (Dhiren) and a baby pygmy elephant (Agatis) from two different worlds – found each other in the magical Borneo jungle where they bonded and became entangled in a battle to protect Agatis's species from greedy poachers,' explained Chong who has a passion for filmmaking. On her rationale behind 'Agatis : A Borneo Story', the film producer stressed that there is a pressing need to raise the level of awareness of the existence of the Bornean pygmy elephant, and emphasise the importance of coexistence through the film production. 'I met Jibius Dausip (the elephant whisperer) in 2023 to learn more about the Bornean elephant and encountered baby Agatis for the very first time,' Chong recalled. Asked why Sandakan is given the priority for casting (choosing of actors), she attributed this to the location (Kinabatangan), saying it is ideal for the main cast and baby Bornean pygmy elephant to bond before filming starts, together with supervision from BES and their caretakers living in Kinabatangan. 'In July, we are going to do an open casting for the children in Sandakan. We are open to more NGO groups being involved as well as the local people in Kinabatangan.' Once we have successfully secured the funding needed, we hope to commence filming in mid-August or September, Chong added.
Borneo Post
04-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
James Ritchie ‘a towering figure in Malaysian journalism', says fellow veteran newsman
James Ritchie KUCHING (May 3): Veteran newsman Joseph Joswan Bingkasan has hailed the late James Ritchie as 'a towering figure in Malaysian journalism, and a personal mentor'. Expressing deep sadness in hearing about Ritchie's passing on Saturday, Joseph said their close friendship was forged during their time with the New Straits Times (NST). Joseph recalled that when Ritchie left NST, he was posted to Kuching after returning from a stint at the NST London bureau, taking up the role of news editor in December 1999. 'We were both staff correspondents for the NST, in which he was in Sarawak, and myself in Sabah. 'My first day in Kuching, he brought me to Sarawak Golf Club, and we spent the rest of the day visiting his friends. 'I lost a journalist 'big brother',' said Joseph, 70, when contacted by The Borneo Post today. The Sabahan newsman also revealed that Ritchie was still actively writing up until the morning of his death, as the two had been collaborating on a series of articles for Joseph's online portal, on Ritchie's family history from Europe to Sarawak. Joseph also said they had been planning to co-author a biography of a Sabah politician. 'He started writing at 1.55am yesterday (Saturday, May 3), and his last message to me came in at 9.41am. 'I was waiting for him to continue the article; instead, I received news of his passing from a journalist friend in Kuching. 'We were also working on a biography of a Sabah politician. 'After his death, that project can no longer continue.' Joseph regarded Ritchie's body of work, particularly his more than 40 books on Sarawak's indigenous culture and history, as 'his greatest contribution to journalism'. 'He proved journalism to be more than just about reporting news. For him, it's also about documenting stories for future generations.' Joseph, in his personal view, believed that Ritchie's contributions merited recognition at the national level, noting that he had yet to be conferred a Datukship. Additionally, Joseph noted that another friend of Ritchie, Kota Kinabalu-based writer John Toft, passed away on the same day. 'Both were 'Mat Salleh' (of European or Eurasian descent), and both left behind their own legacy in writing,' said Joseph, a former NST Sabah and Sarawak editorial head. Ritchie, 75, passed away in Kuching on Saturday, at age 75. The funeral service will take place at the St Thomas' Cathedral here this Tuesday, followed by cremation at Nirvana Memorial Park. condolences James Ritchie Joseph Joswan Bingkasan lead media fraternity
The Star
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Making a splash the safe way
THE waters off Tanjung Aru, just south of Kota Kinabalu, shimmered under the mid-morning sun as paddleboards skimmed across the calm sea. Some steered by confident instructors, others by beginners still finding their balance. But beneath the serene setting was a week-long effort to elevate safety and professionalism in Sabah's growing watersports scene. Among the curious newcomers was a Hong Kong tourist, who only wanted to be known as Monica. She had never tried stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) before and described herself as 'not a strong swimmer'. But under the guidance of newly trained instructors, she found herself standing on the board within 45 minutes. 'I felt calm and balanced, even though I was nervous at first. 'The instructors explained everything so clearly and gave me the confidence to try. I will definitely do it again,' said Monica, who now resides in Singapore. Monica's experience was made possible through Sabah's first International Surfing Association (ISA) Flat Water SUP Instructor and Aquatic Rescue Course, which wrapped up recently at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort. The course, led by ISA presenter Jonni Morrison-Deaker, equipped 17 local instructors with essential technical skills and rescue knowledge to keep guests safe on the water. Stand-up paddleboarders showing off their skills. — Tim Hain/ASC Media Over seven days, participants, many from Kota Kinabalu-based watersport operators, went through both classroom theory and real-world sessions. From drills on calm beachfronts to more dynamic island and river settings, the participants practised SUP techniques, rescue strategies, communication as well as risk management. Apart from Tanjung Aru, participants also trained along the shores of Mamutik Island, where they took part in a beach clean-up, collecting bags of rubbish as part of their hands-on learning experience. They also received first aid training as part of the course. 'Sabah offers an incredible variety of watersports environments. We wanted participants to gain experience in different conditions, so they can respond confidently and competently in any situation,' said Morrison-Deaker. Morrison-Deaker, who also runs the Rip Curl School of Surf in Bali, has been an ISA course presenter across Asia since 2016. His goal is not just to train instructors, but to build a safety-first mindset in the region's watersports industry. The ISA, founded in 1964, is the world's recognised governing body for surfing and all paddle-based disciplines, including SUP racing, para-surfing, bodysurfing and more. It supports national federations in over 100 countries and is known globally for setting the benchmark in water safety and technical training. For Sabah, this course marks a significant first. First aid training being taught during the course. — Tim Hain/ASC Media 'We initiated this programme to encourage more operators to prioritise safety. We want visitors to know that when they enjoy our rivers and seas, they are in safe hands,' said Datuk Josie Lai, the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) permanent secretary, who presented certificates to the course participants. Lai added that the ministry would continue supporting such initiatives, especially as watersports play a key role in Sabah's tourism landscape. The course was organised by Waterfly Borneo in collaboration with the ISA and Asian Surf Cooperative (ASC). For co-organiser Sam Fernandez, one of only two women in the group, the training opened her eyes to the importance of emergency planning and risk assessment. 'Before this, we did not realise how much we did not know. Now, we feel better prepared, and I hope more women will join this field and raise the standard further,' she said. As part of the closing activities, over 50 people, including hotel guests, joined complimentary SUP sessions, guided by the newly trained instructors. For Monica, it was more than just a holiday experience. It was a safe, empowering introduction to a sport she never thought she would try.
Daily Express
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Mantera casts a spell on big screens nationwide, Brunei
Published on: Thursday, April 24, 2025 Published on: Thu, Apr 24, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Syafie (left) and Jovenea, the lead cast of Mantera. - Pic by Ricardo Unto | Daily Express KOTA KINABALU: The much-awaited horror thriller Mantera began screening in over 50 cinemas nationwide and in Brunei on Thursday (April 24). Kota Kinabalu-based Pro-Merge Vision produces the RM1.2 million film. Spanning 120 minutes, Mantera fuses supernatural horror with ancient Dusunic traditions rooted in Sabah's cultural heritage. It follows Tana, a young woman who inherits mystical powers from her bobolian ancestry. When malevolent forces descend upon her village, Tana is drawn into a chilling chain of deaths and paranormal events. With the help of Inspektor Zaf, they work together to confront the darkness threatening their community. The cast features Jovenea Jim as Tana and Syafie Naswip as Zaf, alongside Namron, Eva Sandra Duin, and Devey Grayc. Jovenea, a 2011 State Unduk Ngadau first runner-up, won Best Actress for the short film Ninavau in 2019. Syafie, a veteran Malaysian actor, is a Best Actor winner at the Malaysian Film Festival and Anugerah Skrin. Mantera marks director Chester Pang's debut feature and showcases Sabah's landscapes and Dusunic spiritualism with striking cinematography by Tim Stephen of Sinakagon fame. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
