Cineplex heralds new era in Tawau cinema industry

Published on: Sunday, January 28, 2007 by Daily Express

Tawau: The opening of the Star Cineplex here on Friday night heralded a new era in cinema entertainment in the district.

Tawau MP Shim Paw Fatt noted that the cinema industry had been in the doldrums since the late 1980s, with the advent of television and videotape and eventually the VCDs and DVDs.

The rampant sale of pirated copies of movies in video cassettes and VCDs finally put the final nail on the industry, he said, after officiating at the opening of the cineplex.

Shim recalled that the cinemas were the popular centres of entertainment in the 1960s and 1970s, giving rise to the Empress, Empire, Hoping and Kong Fah.

In this respect, he commended Hock Star Entertainment Industry Bhd for taking a bold step in reviving the cinema entertainment industry in the Tawau district, giving the people, particularly the younger generation, a taste of a new form of entertainment.

He also hoped that there would be more movies featuring local talents that could help boost the film industry in the country.

The opening also marked the premiere screening of the movie “Possessed”, directed by Bjarne Wong, with an international cast, including Tawau home-grown celebrity, model and actress Amber Chia.

The film, shot on location in Kuching, Sarawak, with a budget of RM2 million, is being screened throughout Malaysia, as well as in China, Taiwan, the Philippines and Singapore.

Sabah east coast more secure with new system

Published on: Tuesday January 26, 2010 by The Star

TAWAU: An integrated coastal surveillance system is now operational on Sabah’s east coast to effectively detect and check intrusions into the state.

Chief of Armed Forces Jen Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin said the sophisticated system was put in place through a joint effort with the United States, and included a radar system, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), planes, helicopters and patrol ships.

“I am confident that the availability of such modern equipment will further enhance the round-the-clock operations of the Joint Military Force II in the defence and security of Malaysia,” he told reporters after opening the Force II building at the army’s Kukusan Camp here.

He added that the modern hi-tech equipment would further strengthen the country’s defences against any intrusion.

A week ago, the US issued a travel advisory to its citizens to avoid Sabah, and Azizan said the area, covered under Ops Pasir, was under control, with round-the-clock surveillance to ensure security remained at the highest level.

However, Azizan stressed the need to continue to be alert, despite the current peaceful situation as different threats could develop.