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Upgrading of SEDC hotels gains momentum |
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Thursday, 14 May 2009 00:00 |
KUCHING: Marked improvements can now be felt and seen at Sarawak Economic Development Corporation’s (SEDC) newly re-branded hotels, Grand Margherita Hotel and Riverside Majestic Hotel.
They include new beds in all the guestrooms as well as flat-screen LCD television sets fitted in selected guestrooms.
These improvements are the results of SEDC’s continuous upgrading and refurbishment work to provide quality products and services.
On the food and beverage front, equally notable improvement efforts done were the revamp of the menus at Grand Margherita Hotel’s Orchid Garden Coffee House and Meisan Szechuan Restaurant as well as Riverside Majestic Hotel’s Cafe Majestic to give diners a wider menu variety and more value.
From the service aspect, both hotels have launched their hotel-wide brand service training programme recently.
Aimed at improving the hotel staff’s interactions with their guests, the training focused on building effective relationship and extending a differentiated and consistent guest experience.
The upgrading plans will gain more momentum in the third quarter and through 2009 with the repainting of the exterior of Grand Margherita Hotel.
The work which has commenced and scheduled to be finished by the middle of July is to give the hotel a fresh and new look facade.
The major makeover for both hotels will also include the lobby, entrance areas, all-day dining outlet, lounge and public amenities.
Reflective of its pledge to help enhance the state’s tourism industry, the refurbishment and upgrading are part of SEDC’s re-branding of the hotels to ensure their continued competitiveness in the domestic and regional markets, in addition to providing greater comfort for guests.
As tourism is one of the key state development strategies, these efforts by SEDC will further complement the state’s efforts in promoting Sarawak as a premier tourist destination.
Borneo Post
14/05/2009 |
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RM150,000 for finalists of technopreneur workshop |
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KUCHING: The finalists who manage to earn a place in the last workshop of “Pre-seed Submission Workshop” will be awarded a grant of RM150,000 for their business plan.
“Pre-seed Submission Workshop” is the last of a series of technopreneur workshops organised by Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) with the financial support from the Ministry of Enterpreneur and Cooperative (MeCD) and technically assisted by Multimedia Development Corporation (MDEC). The first being the ‘Technopreneur Academy Programme’ which was held yesterday at a local hotel here.
Some 200 participants comprising of university students, unemployed graduates, working adults, would-be enterpreneurs and those who are currently running a business attended the workshop.
The objectives of the workshop were to enhance knowledge and share experience on the management and administration of a company.
The workshop also held with the objective to expose entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs to Information Technology businesses.
“It is also held so that we can achieve the aim of nurturing 3,000 Bumiputera techno entrepreneurs by 2010. We are already in 2009.
“If we do not work hard, we would not be able to achieve the target set,” said the Chairman of SEDC, Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip at the opening speech.
Talib narrated on the importance of information technology and stressed that knowledge of information technology was crucial in opening up many opportunities.
He challenged the participants to change their mindsets and make attempts to venture in the field of technology entrepreneurship.
However, he reminded those present that to be a successful entrepreneur or technopreneur, the fundamental factor was still hard work, which was a personal choice that the participants would have to make themselves.
Fifty out of the 200 participants would be chosen to attend the “Idea Generation Workshop” which will be held from April 8 to 10.
From the “Idea Generation Workshop”, another run of selection will be made of which 30 participants will be chosen to go on for a 5-day “Preliminary Pre-Seed Workshop”.
Out of the 30 participants, a last selection of 20 will be made.
The chosen 20 will be invited to attend the final workshop “Pre-seed Submission Workshop” which will be held in May. The Eastern Times
07-04-2009 |
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Advice from Talip |
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Talib (second left) presents a letter of offer to Ibil Jaya (right) from Betong as General Manager of SEDC, Laura Lee (third left) and senior staff look on. PHOTO: WILFRED PILO.
KUCHING : Be prepared to work long hours, especially if you own the business for its success depends on you. SEDC Chairman and State Assembyman for Jepak, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, gave these words of advice when presenting offer letters to 97 participants of the PUTERA (Program Peningkatan Usahawan Bumiputra) at the SEDC office yesterday. He told the participants that SEDC would continue to support and help them in the business until they were
“comfortable.”
He added that the Government encouraged Bumiputras to be involved in business so that they would be better off. “If you are rich, the nation will be rich,” he said.
Creative in business
Talib also advised the participants to be creative in business and to have a good foresight so that they would be able to sustain their business during bad times.
They must also be willing to change in order to progress. “Don’t get into petty habits that may hurt your business,” Talip added.
He also reminded them to take good care of the machines and equipment given to them by SEDC.
Talip urged those present to emulate Mohd Saiful Abdullah, a participant of the programme who is now the owner of Megabumi Mechatronics Service Centre. Present at the ceremony was the General Manager of SEDC, Laura Lee. The Eastern Times
07-04-2009
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Pastikan kursus bersesuaian dengan pasaran kerja: Talib |
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Pemilihan kursus yang tepat beri peluang kerja yang cerah
BINTULU: Lepasan sekolah perlu memastikan kursus yang bakal mereka ikuti di institusi pendidikan tinggi bersesuaian dengan keperluan pasaran kerja pada masa ini.
Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Jepak Datuk Talib Zulpilip berkata, lepasan sekolah yang ingin melanjutkan pengajian mereka ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi perlu meneliti sama ada kursus yang bakal diikuti dapat memenuhi keperluan pasaran kerja atau sebaliknya.
“Pemilihan kursus atau pengkhususan pengajian yang tepat amat penting supaya peluang untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan pada masa depan cerah,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian semasa berucap di Majlis Perasmian Pameran Pendidikan Sarawak dan Penyampaian Hadiah Cemerlang Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) dan Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) Yayasan Sarawak di Dewan Suarah di sini semalam.
Kata Talib lagi, penguasaan ilmu pengetahuan amat penting memandangkan dalam dunia yang bertamadun hanya mereka yang menguasai ilmu sahaja akan dapat maju serta dapat mennguasai bidang ekonomi, kejuruteraan, pembinaan dan arkitek.
“Kita lihat tamadun negara China yang lebih maju daripada negara lain (pada masa lampau). Mereka ada ilmu matematik, fizik, kejuruteraan serta maju dalam persenjataan,” katanya sambil menambah tamadun Eropah dan Jepun turut ke hadapan dengan rekaan-rekaan milik mereka membanjiri pasaran seluruh dunia.
Melihat kepada kemajuan tamadun negara luar itu, Talib berkata, rakyat negara ini harus menjadikannya sebagai satu cabaran besar untuk mereka mengikutinya dan ia boleh dicapai melalui penguasaan ilmu pengetahuan.
“Manakala anak-anak pula perlu diterapkan dengan budaya menimba ilmu supaya mereka tidak tercicir dan ketinggalan,” katanya.
Dalam perkembangan lain katanya, kejayaan anak-anak sebenarnya bermula daripada usaha dan cita-cita mereka sendiri dan bukannya daripada guru memandangkan guru hanya berperanan membantu ke arah proses kejayaan itu.
Beliau berkata, anak-anak sekarang juga sangat bertuah memandangkan mereka tidak melalui proses yang ketat untuk meneruskan pembelajaran mereka di peringkat sekolah rendah berbanding tahap pendidikan pada masa dulu.
“Mereka juga ditawarkan biasiswa serta disediakan dengan kemudahan pembelajaran seperti universiti dan pusat pengajian tinggi,” jelasnya.
Justeru katanya, anak-anak perlu merebut peluang pendidikan yang disediakan oleh kerajaan dan untuk ibu bapa pula, mereka perlu memastikan peluang anak-anak meneruskan pendidikan sehingga ke tahap yang lebih tinggi tidak terjejas.
Seramai 99 pelajar yang cemerlang dalam UPSR tahun lepas menerima insentif masing-masing daripada Yayasan Sarawak yang berjumlah RM100 dalam bentuk Sijil Simpanan Premium (SSP) Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) dan 101 pelajar lagi yang cemerlang PMR masing-masing menerima SSP BSN berjumlah RM200.
Timbalan Pengerusi Yayasan Sarawak Datu Abdul Rashid Aziz, Pegawai Pejabat Pelajaran Gabungan Bintulu Fatimah Matair, dan Penolong Pegawai Daerah Alex Liaw turut hadir pada majlis itu. The Borneo Post
07-03-2009 |
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Good response to blood donation drive |
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KUCHING: More than 60 persons registered to donate blood at Dewan Kenyalang, Menara SEDC yesterday.
The campaign which collected 42 pints of blood was conducted by officers from the Kuching General Hospital Blood Bank. Donors comprised staff of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and its subsidiary and associate companies namely Grand Margherita Hotel, Damai Golf and Country Club, Cahya Mata Sarawak (CMS) Road Sdn Bhd, CMS Groups, CMS Pavement Technology and Sara Worldwide Vacations Sdn Bhd.
SEDC Social and Recreational Club (PEDAS) organized the event which is held once every four months.
Meanwhile, four boxes of used clothes were donated by staff members to the fire victims of Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar.
They were delivered to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Semariang office.
The Borneo Post
07-03-2009 |
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Tingkatkan nilai tangkapan untuk hasil berkualiti: Talib |
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Cara penangkapan, pembekuan ikan dapat hasilkan tangkapan yang lebih segar, berkualiti dan bernilai tinggi
BINTULU: Nelayan-nelayan di bahagian ini perlu melakukan cara penangkapan dan pembekuan ikan lebih baik supaya hasil tangkapan mereka dapat dijual dalam keadaan lebih segar, berkualiti dan bernilai tinggi, kata Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Jepak Datuk Talib Zulpilip.
“Kita perlu mengubah cara pengendalian ikan yang ditangkap supaya hasil laut tersebut sentiasa segar dan berkualiti tinggi untuk dijual kepada orang ramai,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, Malaysia memiliki teknologi setaraf dengan negara lain dalam pembekuan ikan, namun kita tidak mengguna pakai kaedah itu dengan sebaiknya walaupun ia senang dikuasai oleh para nelayan.
“Hasil laut yang segar dan berkualiti akan mampu meningkatkan harganya ke tahap lebih tinggi khususnya untuk pasaran eksport,” ujarnya.
Talib berkata demikian dalam majlis penutupan rasmi Kursus Asas Pelayaran Untuk Nelayan di bawah Program Pembangunan Usahawan
Dalam Bidang Perikanan anjuran Perbadanan Pembangunan Ekonomi Sarawak (PPES) dan Jabatan Perikanan Laut Sarawak di Hotel Regency Plaza petang semalam.
Kursus yang bermula 21 Februari lalu dan berakhir semalam itu disertai oleh 41 nelayan di bahagian ini.
Talib yang juga Pengerusi PPES berkata, kaedah pengendalian ikan yang ditangkap secara sistematik amat perlu pada masa sekarang misalnya permintaan hotel-hotel besar pada masa kini yang sudah semestinya mahukan ikan-ikan untuk sajian di hotel mereka lebih segar dan berkualiti.
“Walaupun harga ikan tangkapan nelayan tempatan murah berbanding, namun kadang-kadang ikan-ikan yang ditangkap nelayan tempatan telah rosak dan busuk menyebabkan pihak hotel tiada pilihan lain melainkan mendapatkan ikan segar import,” katanya sambil menambah tindakan tersebut bertujuan menjaga perniagaan hotel terbabit di mata pelanggan.
Beliau berkata, nelayan juga perlu mempelbagaikan perniagaan mereka bagi memberi nilai tambah kepada hasil laut yang mereka peroleh.
“Dengan perubahan ekonomi dan corak kehidupan moden hari ini, para nelayan boleh mengusahakan perniagaan berkaitan hasil laut segar contohnya pembuatan ikan salai, `pais’ atau umai bagi menambah pendapatan mereka,” jelasnya.
Katanya, pihaknya (PPES) akan menyokong usaha seumpamanya serta akan mengiklankan perniagaan seperti itu bagi membuka peluang perniagaan untuk para nelayan.
Mengenai kursus itu, Talib berkata penganjurannya diharap akan dapat meningkatkan ilmu pengetahuan nelayan supaya lebih berkeyakinan untuk menangkap ikan di laut dalam dan memperoleh lebih banyak tangkapan.
“Kini pasaran ikan semakin meluas dengan mengambil contoh negara Jepun, Thailand, Papua New Guinea dan Australia yang melakukan cara penangkapan lebih baik dan segar sehingga nilai pasaran eksport mereka ke negara luar begitu tinggi,” katanya.
Berhubung permintaan nelayan untuk mengadakan lawatan sambil belajar ke Terengganu bagi mempelajari cara penangkapan ikan lautan dalam, Talib berkata:
“Kami akan membantu nelayan di sini mengadakan lawatan sambil belajar tetapi bukan di Terengganu sebaliknya ke PPES Kuching untuk melihat kaedah pengendalian ikan dan ternakan udang di sana,” katanya.
“Permintaan nelayan di perkampungan Sebiew untuk mendapatkan tapak baru bagi menjaja ikan disebabkan tapak sedia ada sempit pula akan dirujuk kepada Pejabat Residen dan Daerah di sini bagi mencari tapak baru yang sesuai,” katanya.
Timbalan Residen Bintulu Sirai Daha, Pegawai Daerah Bintulu Bujang Budin, Temenggong Abang Suhaili Abang Mohamad dan Ketua Pemuda Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Jepak Pandi Suhaili adalah antara tetamu yang hadir dalam majlis itu.
Dalam majlis yang sama para peserta turut menerima sijil dan bantuan peti simpanan ikan sejuk beku daripada pihak penganjur yang disampaikan oleh Talib.
Utusan Borneo
24-02-2009 |
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SEDC hotels change image |
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Taib thinks rebranding presages positive devt of state’s tourism sector
KUCHING: The rebranding of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) hotels augurs well for the present and future growth of the tourism industry in the country and the state, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said last night.
He believed the exercise would lead to the arrival of more middle-income tourists into the state.
“For Sarawak to be better known, it’s better for us to tap more tourists who will spend not less than US$100 for a hotel room, especially those from Australia and the neighbouring markets,” he said at the official rebranding of Grand Margherita Hotel and Riverside Majestic Hotel here.
Taib said to tap tourists with higher spending power or rich tourists would require more aggressive marketing efforts which the Sarawak Convention Centre would be doing soon.
The chief minister said hoteliers could approach the tourism market more aggressively with new strategies when the current global recession was over.
“Let’s develop with minimum risk and tap people who are keen to come to Sarawak,” he said.
He congratulated SEDC for taking the quantum leap to manage its own hotels after over 30 years in the hospitality industry.
Taib said he was confident that the new management would be able to adapt to present and future tourism developments in the country, adding that it should also enhance the local workforce.
SEDC chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip said the rebranding of the two hotels was part of the corporation’s three-pronged strategy to cushion the impact of the current economic slowdown and future economic uncertainties.
The other two measures were cost-saving and revenue enhancement of SEDC’s associate and subsidiary companies in facing the overall economic situation, he said.
“Essentially, our decision to mutually discontinue the hotel management agreement with the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) is based on commercial consideration and we decided to rebrand both hotels for long-term sustainability,” Talib explained.
He said if they were to meet IHG’s new brand standards, the proposed capital cost was an exorbitant RM65 million which could take up to 11 years to recoup.
Besides, over the years they had spent some RM53 million in hotel refurbishment and upgrading work, while another RM22 million would be spent in the coming two years towards this end, he added.
SEDC, Talib said, had worked well with IHG for over 30 years and the transfer of knowledge to the hotel staff had been successful in that the hotels still had the same pool of professionals with the necessary skills to continue managing them.
He said in fact, all along, the local workforce had been the backbone of the core management team and staff, except for the general manager who was appointed by the international operator. Borneo Post
20-01-2009 |
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Aim for moderate-spending tourists, advises Taib |
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KUCHING: Hotels in Sarawak, whose rates are among the lowest in the region, should target the “moderate-spending tourists”, said Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud.
He noted that moderate-spending tourists normally spend within USD100 (RM353) for a room per night.
“We have to cater to a market that is neither too luxurious nor too cheap so that local hotels in Sarawak can grow,” he said when launching the rebranding of Grand Margherita Hotel and Riverside Majestic Hotel here last night.
Taib added that tourists, especially from Australia, were still coming to Malaysia as it had many attractions.
“This rebranding is not the first time we have done this. In fact, we have grown with the time,” he said, adding that he was confident that local hotel chain, such as those owned by SEDC, would be able to maintain its growth in the long run.
Taib was also confident that home-grown hoteliers would be able to shoulder the responsibility of leading the two hotels.
“With this kind of setting, we can find our own niche,” he said.
He pointed out that for the high end market, the Sarawak Convention Bureau would be able to assist in terms of marketing after the recession is over.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Chairman, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, said the rebranding exercise formed part of SEDC’s three-pronged strategy to cushion the impact of the current economic slowdown and future economic uncertainties.
“The two measures are cost-saving and revenue enhancement of SEDC’s associate and subsidiary companies in facing the overall economic situation,” he said.
He added that the decision to mutually discontinue the Hotel Management Agreement with the Inter Continental Hotels Group (IHG) was based on commercial consideration.
“To meet IHG’s new brand standards, the proposed capital cost is an exorbitant RM65 million, and it would take at least 11 years to recoup the investment.
“We see similar Crowne Plazas or Holiday Inns elsewhere. They are comparable, or if not worse, yet they charge from RM800 upwards. We can only get an average of less than RM200,” he said. Talib said even though the operators might have changed, the staff remained the same.
“Today, we have the same pool of talents and professionals who have the necessary skills and aptitude to continue to manage the hotels well.
“In fact, all along, the local workforce has been the backbone of the core management team and staff of the hotels, except the general manager who was appointed by the international operator,” he said. He disclosed that SEDC had spent some RM53 million on the two hotels over the years, and it would spend another RM22 million for the two hotels in the near future. Another RM24 million would be spent on Damai Beach Resort.
“As part of the rebranding plan to project a vibrant and more refreshing image for the hotels, and to ensure quality standard to meet guest satisfaction, Grand Margherita and Riverside Majestic hotels will undergo refurbishment and upgrading works in the second quarter of 2009.
“The refurbishment will cover the lobby, entrance areas, food and beverage outlets, bar lounge, public amenities and guestrooms,” he said.
At the function, Talib also introduced Authur Yeap, the newly-appointed General Manager of Grand Margherita Hotel and Riverside Majestic Hotel, and Zulkifli Othman - the new Resort Manager of Damai Beach Resort.
“Both of them have more than 50 years of experience in the hotel industry,” he added.
Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu ak Numpang, Housing Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Haji Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, Urban Development and Tourism Minister, Datuk Michael Manyin Jawong and Chairman of Kuching Hotels Sdn Bhd Tan Sri Bujang Mohd Nor.
Eastern Times
20-01-2009 |
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Hotel rebranding to cushion slowdown |
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KUCHING: The rebranding of hotels being managed by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is part of a three-pronged strategy to cushion the impact of the current economic slowdown, its chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip said yesterday.
He said the other measures were cost-cutting and readjusting the projected annual revenues of SEDC's 36 associate and subsidiary companies throughout the state in facing the overall economic situation.
"SEDC's investments in the key industries are still profitable because we took an early precautionary step since the 1997 financial crisis when it affected the country," he told reporters after flagging off the `World Harmony Run 2009' at the Grand Margherita Hotel.
As part of its rebranding exercise, two hotels under SEDC, namely Holiday Inn Kuching and Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching, have been renamed Grand Margherita Hotel and Riverside Majestic Hotel.
Two other hotels - Damai Beach Resort and Damai Puri Resort in Santubong, which were previously under the international Holiday Inn chain - are now also under the direct management of SEDC, which is also a shareholder of the Grand Mulu Resort at Mulu National Park and the Parkcity hotels in Bintulu and Miri.
As at Dec 31, 2007, SEDC's total group asset was estimated at RM1.1 billion through investments in the tourism and leisure as well as agro-food based sectors besides property development, roads and works, and entrepreneurial development. - BERNAMA
Borneo Post
07-01-2009
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SEDC acts to sustain performance of group of companies |
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KUCHING: The Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) will be taking several special measures this year to maintain the performance of its group of companies in the face of the current economic uncertainty.
Its chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip said yesterday these measures included reducing operation costs, reviewing targets and adopting new ways to achieve the targets that had been set.
"Since the end of 2007, we have seen the happening of an unhealthy trend (weakening economy) and the sudden hike in oil prices. According to prediction, our gross domestic product index will drop due to the weakening, economy," he said when met at the launch of the World Harmony Run
here.
To achieve the targets that have been set, Talib said SEDC would need to work very hard to maintain the performance of its group of companies.
"That's the only way," he stressed, adding that SEDC has also planned to diversify into other sectors and improve its current business performance.
"We will diversify our businesses if there is an opportunity. But this is not the right time for us to do so now because in this difficult period we need to be more effective and efficient," he said.
Talib said there are 37 associate and subsidiary companies still operating under SEDC and the majority of them are still generating continuousincome.
"To maintain this status, we are prepared with several precautionary measures to face the current economic situation," he added.
SEDC has investments in several industries such as leisure and tourism, mineral and mining, agro-food based (livestock breeding, plantation, agriculture), property development, entrepreneurship development, and road and works.
Among the companies under the SEDC flagship are PPES Works Sdn Bhd, Damai Golf and Country Club Bhd, Sedidik Sdn Bhd, PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd, Cahya Mata Sarawak Sdn Bhd, Sarawak Concrete Industries Bhd and CMS Resources Sdn Bhd.
Borneo Post
07-01-2009
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