SABAH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

Paving the way for a new MICE destination .....

Yayasan Sabah Group as it stands today has been a substantive part of the socio-

economic development of Sabah. As part of its efforts to intensify the MICE

activities, Yayasan Sabah Group has aggressively positioned itself as one of the

organisers for international conferences. In 2005, Yayasan Sabah Group successfully

organised the first International CEOs Conference (ICC2005) which drew more than

650 participants from 32 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Africa

and China. The ICC2005 has profiled Sabah as a viable destination for international

conferences and investment hub. The ICC2005 created a rare occasion for many

Sabahans to see CEOs, businessmen and politicians from overseas converging in

Kota Kinabalu for a three-day conference.

According to the Director of Yayasan Sabah cum Executive Chairman of ICSB, Tan Sri

Datu Khalil bin Datu Haji Jamalul, the success of the ICC2005 has inspired the Group

to host another international conference, the International Women Executive

Congress in 2007 (IWEC2007).

“The IWEC2007 has managed to attract a distinguished panel of experts and

outstanding speakers. Subsequently, the Group also organised the International

CEOs Conference in 2008 followed by the Blue Ocean Strategy Conference in 2009,”

he said.

“The participation of international delegates and speakers itself is an endorsement

of our ability to organise international conferences. Our commitment in organising

international conferences is to ensure that guests leave with everlasting memories

and the satisfaction of having attended a professionally managed event,” he added.

Against this backdrop, Yayasan Sabah Group took the initiative to develop Sabah’s

first world class purpose-built international conference and event venue in Kota

Kinabalu - the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).

Overlooking the South China Sea and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, the SICC enjoys a

prestigious location with the majestic Mount Kinabalu on its eastern side and the

sunset on its western side. Located strategically at the tail-end of the proposed

Jesselton Waterfront Development, it is surrounded by the sea on both sides and the

main road Jalan Fuad Stephens. The development area of the SICC is 15 acres or

60,703 m2. Being at the tail-end of the Jesselton Waterfront Development and at the

fringe of Kota Kinabalu City has given the opportunity for the SICC to be located at a

premier address.

Tan Sri Khalil said, SICC is poised to be one of the highly specialised venues for

conventions, trade shows, banquets and conferences.

“The multipurpose convention, exhibition and banquet facilities will be fully

equipped with various high-tech facilities to ensure smooth and efficient running of

MICE activities. It will employ the latest event technology with a capable team to

handle every aspect of event technical and production requirements. Its state of the

art multi-purpose exhibition and convention facilities, complete with world-class

communications network and cutting-edge presentation technology ensures

effective deliverance of information and communication,” he elaborated.

Equipped with nearly 1,000 parking bays, it comprises of a 5,000 seating capacity

convention hall, exhibition hall, auditorium, ballroom, theatre, restaurants, shops,

offices and meeting rooms. Designed to be ahead of its generation, the SICC will be a

representation of the best-featured convention centre derived from the world's

leading MICE venues.

“With the completion of these myriad of facilities, Sabah will be a major MICE

destination. The SICC will provide a venue for MICE activities and the 'happening

place' for concerts, summits, indoor games and music/film awards of an

international standard. This is in-line with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima

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Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Razak’s vision of developing Malaysia into a high-end

tourist destination,” said Tan Sri Khalil.

In his keynote address at the opening of the Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching,

Sarawak on 2 March 2010, the Prime Minister said, “Malaysia has set a target to be

among the top five Meetings, Incentives, Convention and Exhibition (MICE)

destinations in the Asia-Pacific region by 2015.”

Based on the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Statistics

Report 2011. Malaysia was ranked seven in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions

and twenty-nine in the world ranking.

Malaysia has all the inherent ingredients to be successful, such as growing

accessibility, competitive pricing, leading edge infrastructure, multicultural

attraction and professional expertise. “With the establishment of the Malaysia

Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) under Tourism Malaysia in 2009, the

country’s ranking in the Asia-Pacific region could be improved. We are confident

that with the combined efforts of all stakeholders led by MyCEB, our international

and regional rankings will improve further in the future,” said Datuk Seri Panglima

Mohd. Najib.

Tan Sri Khalil further said, “Sabah, a land that is characterised by both ethnic and

cultural diversities where love and unity prevail has been undergoing rapid social

and economic transformations. The policy adjustments undertaken by the Federal

and State Government in response to the ever changing global economy have

proven to be highly successful. This in turn has catapulted Sabah to enjoy

comparatively high rates of economic growth and brought about confidence to local

and foreign investors.”

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According to him, today we see marked improvement in the transportation,

communications, public utilities, housing and health services due the series of

development plans implemented by both the State and Federal Government.

Sabah’s diverse ethnic races have contributed to many traditions and customs,

however, these ethnic groups have been able to live together harmoniously and yet

preserve their own identity, culture, customs, festivals and traditions. Although

modernisation has changed the landscape of Sabah, the local festivals and historical

customs have remained little changed and can still be experienced by visitors to

Sabah.

Moving forward, Sabah is blessed with natural diversity ranging from the towering

mountain peaks to deep seas with crystal clear waters. With this unique

environment backdrop, together with the current tourism-boom in Sabah, the State

Government promulgated the idea of developing MICE activities in Sabah.

Through MICE activities, the various international events have paved the way for

the convergence of the best minds from all over the world, as well as introduce

Sabah as a land for investment opportunities and a venue for events organising.

Indeed, the main selling point for Sabah as a MICE destination in this region is its

wealth of eco-tourism hotspots which are currently being developed.

“With the development of the SICC, the true potential of eco-tourism activities plus a

strategic niche market would equip Sabah as a MICE destination not only from this

region but also globally,” he said.

Tan Sri Khalil praised the Federal and State Government for the strong backing

towards the development of the SICC. “The Federal and State Government are the

backbone of the SICC development. The Federal Government has allocated a sum of

RM250 million through the facilitation fund to finance the project infrastructures

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while the State Government has provided a 15-acre land for the project,” he

explained.

SICC will be realised through smart partnership with interested investors. To

sustain its businesses and gain worldwide exposure, the SICC will be managed by a

reputable partner enriched with a world-wide network and superior global

distribution.

“With strong backing from the government and established networks with

prominent industry players, SICC is poised to provide thrills and excitements to top

corporate executives globally to the many facets of Sabah,” he added.

Presently, Sabah is more on leisure tourism whereby tourists would have to spend

their own money. On the same note, for international tourists, especially on a

business trip, their stays are very short but for MICE tourism, it has been proven to

bring in high value to tourism products with the same number of tourists because of

the pre and post events.

Tan Sri Khalil explained, with the multiplying effect created by MICE activities

through SICC, it would further benefit and widen Sabah's economy. It will have

ripple effects and a major spin-offs boost to the hotel, food, shopping,

transportation, property and service industries.

“With SICC, Sabah is poised to become the venue for top global CEOs to congregate,

this augurs well for Sabah’s economy as they are part of our potential investors and

business partners in undertaking mega-projects in the future,” he said.

Further to that, SICC would be the catalyst for further development in the State and

would be complemented by modern infrastructures that indirectly propel the

State’s entire tourism industry up in the value chain. “The development of SICC will

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also help Sabah to tap the full advantage of its strategic location and be an important

business player in the BIMP-EAGA region,” he added.

According to him, SICC is a new catalyst for the state tourism industry as it would be

able to transform Sabah’s economy from a resource based economy to knowledge

and information based economy. “SICC will also empower the society, bridge the

income gap, reduces socio-economic imbalance and enhance the quality of life of the

people,” he said.

To a question, why Yayasan Sabah Group? Tan Sri Khalil explained “Yayasan Sabah

Group has long been known as a financial provider. Through its educational

programme, many students were able to further their study and contributed

meaningfully to Sabah. However, Yayasan Sabah Group’s role has always in been in

producing ‘brain’ and stop short in creating employment opportunities. Hence, it is

time for Yayasan Sabah Group to think of ways in creating job opportunities to these

‘brains’. These efforts are also in-line with the Government’s emphasis on human

capital development.”

He said, once the SICC is completed, around 1,500 people are expected to be

employed full time as well as on a casual basis across major departments such as

events and sales, human resources, marketing communication, finance, property,

banquet set-up, housekeeping, maintenance and engineering besides food and

beverage.

Being a PEOPLE organisation and the people is its business, Yayasan Sabah Group

will continue to play its role in uplifting the standard of living of Malaysians in

Sabah, not only in terms of educational and socio-economic but total human capital

development, in-line with its mission in uplifting the quality of life of the people.

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An artist rendition of the Sabah International Convention Centre.

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The official handing over of the letter of offer of the RM250 million from the Federal Government by Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak to Datuk

Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman on 16 February 2012.

Photos taken during the IWEC2007

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Examples of photos in Service Section

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