Joniston speaking to Steve Kane, 70, and Sail Malaysia managing director Sazli Kamal Basha.
KOTA KINABALU: In an exciting first-time journey, 70-year-old Steve Kane from Las Vegas, Nevada set foot in Sabah just four weeks ago through the Sail Malaysia rally.
Kane's visit not only marked his first time in the Land Below The Wind, but also his inaugural exploration of Malaysia and South-East Asia.
Delighted by his time here, Kane said the safety and charm of Sabah had left an indelible mark on him.
"It's a picturesque state that's very different from my home country. I'm loving every minute of my time here," he said in a recent interview, noting his sheer delight in discovering Sabah’s unique blend of culture, architecture and natural splendour.
What struck him as particularly exceptional was the state’s commitment to safety, praising the efforts of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and recognising its critical role in providing a safe maritime environment.
“I was impressed with the safety and the Esscom. I have no fear of pirates," Kane confidently declared, adding to Sabah's reputation as a safe destination for tourists seeking peace of mind while indulging in adventure.
Kane's journey here was sparked by an invitation from a friend to join Sail Malaysia, where they set sail from the Philippines to Kota Kinabalu as the starting point in Sabah.
Prior to his visit, Kane admitted he was unaware of Sabah's existence, even mistaking Borneo for an independent country.
"I’ve never been to Malaysia and in fact, this is my first time travelling to South-East Asia. Now, I have learnt that Borneo is a vast island and shared by three nations.
"I had a great time here and we have gone to a few ports. I am very much impressed by what I had seen and experienced,” he said, expressing his enthusiasm to recommend Sabah to friends in the boating and tourism industry.
Kane, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday (Aug 12), stated that he would like to return to Sabah in the future, a desire shared by many of his fellow sailors.
He was among those who were hosted to a cultural dinner for the rally's participants which was attended by state Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister and Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Present were Lahad Datu district officer Firuz Idzualdeen Mohd Dzul, Sail Malaysia managing director Sazli Kamal Basha, Lahad Datu Tourism Association chairman Joe Wong, Rural Tourism Association Sabah (Fertas) president Walter Kandayon, and members of the local community.
This year's Sail Malaysia saw the participation of 20 vessels from the United States, Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, France, and the Philippines.
From this flotilla, 12 sailed into Lahad Datu waters while the rest berthed in Kota Kinabalu’s harbour.
During the dinner, Bangkuai mingled with the participants and listened to tales of their experiences and encounters on their sailing journey.
He emphasised the profound significance of the Sail Malaysia Rally for Sabah, particularly its rural districts, and called on the participants to spread the word about the state's numerous attractions and that it is a safe destination to visit.
“(The rally) showcases not only the natural beauty of Sabah's coastal areas but also provides a unique opportunity for the rural communities to engage with a global audience, fostering cultural exchange and economic growth.
“By consistently attracting the sailing community to Sabah's shores, we can become a prominent hub for maritime tourism activities,” Bangkuai said.
Throughout their journey through Sabah’s waters, participants will stop at various locations to discover the state’s beauty, including Kudat, Kunak, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Semporna.
Bangkuai was in Lahad Datu on a working visit to engage with tourism industry players and stakeholders.
On Sunday (Aug 13), he also met with the Dusun Segamo community and launched their newly-built floating jetty base, which is funded by the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry.
