Tawau, Sabah — The “Discover Tawau Bah” event was successfully launched at Teck Guan Cocoa Village, marking a significant milestone in promoting Tawau as a premier eco-tourism destination in Sabah. This inaugural engagement was organised by the Tawau Tourism Society in special partnership with and support from the Sabah Tourism Board.
The event was officiated by Guest of Honour, YB Dr. Andi Md Shamsureezal Bin Mohd Sainal, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment. Also in attendance as Special Guests of Honour were the Chief Executive Officer of Sabah Tourism, Mr. Julinus Jeffrey Jimit, and the President of the Tawau Tourism Society, Mr. Tham Ban Fatt.
In his address, YB Dr. Andi highlighted Tawau’s unique natural attractions, including the pristine primary rainforest of Tawau Hills Park, home to rich biodiversity such as gibbons and helmeted hornbills. He also underscored the significance of Sebatik Island, a rare island shared between two countries, as well as the presence of elephants in Kalabakan and Irrawaddy dolphins in Cowie Bay.
Looking ahead, several key development initiatives were announced. These include plans to introduce a dedicated tour guiding course in Tawau to make certification more accessible for locals, as current programmes in Kota Kinabalu can cost between RM8,000 and RM20,000. Additional developments include the construction of a new public jetty and upgrades to accommodation facilities at Tawau Hills Park, in collaboration with private sector partners and conservation groups.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of the proposed Tawau Elephant Sanctuary. The Sabah Ministry is currently in ongoing discussions with the Teck Guan Group, led by Mr. Avito Hong, and conservation organisation 1StopBorneo Wildlife. The sanctuary is expected to be a transformative project for Tawau, creating thousands of jobs, boosting the local economy, and significantly improving the welfare of elephants currently in captivity across Sabah. Designed as a world-class facility, the sanctuary will prioritise conservation and animal welfare.
The event also featured the launch of Tawau tourism promotional materials, including videos, maps, and posters. Exhibitors included Tawau Ole-Ole, Borneocado, Eco Valley Balung (a stargazing destination), Bergosong Kecil (a new lodge in Sebatik), 1StopBorneo Wildlife, and the Borneo Clown Convention 2026.
Attendees participated in several site visits, including the new Waterfall Café Tawau, guided by Mr. Avito Hong and Mr. Tham Ban Fatt. This was followed by a tree-planting initiative at the Teck Guan Wildlife Corridor, a collaborative effort between Teck Guan Group and 1StopBorneo Wildlife aimed at reconnecting fragmented forest reserves. A visit to the proposed site of the Tawau Elephant Sanctuary was also conducted.
Among the distinguished attendees were Brigadier General Datuk Jagjit Singh and Mr. Chun Xing Wong of 1StopBorneo Wildlife, alongside tourism stakeholders, conservation partners, and community representatives.
The “Discover Tawau Bah” initiative underscores a shared commitment to sustainable tourism development, conservation, and community empowerment in Tawau.
