Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai officiates Lampoopalooza 2025, joined by Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai (2nd right); Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffrey Jimit (right); Vice Consul General of Indonesia Lingga Setiawan; Korean Consul General Yoon Ockchae; and Japanese Consul General Yamashita Yoshito (L-R). – photo courtesy of STB
KOTA KINABALU : – The vibrant Lampoopalooza returned this year with a strong emphasis on inclusivity as the Sabah Tourism Board partnered with the Sabah Society for the Deaf Kota Kinabalu to ensure the celebration was accessible to all.
The celebration of creativity, innovation, and lights took centre stage at the historic Sabah Tourism Board building on Gaya Street.
Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, in a speech delivered by Assistant Minister and Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, highlighted the importance of making tourism events inclusive for everyone.
“We are especially proud to team up with the Sabah Society for the Deaf Kota Kinabalu this year, ensuring that this celebration is welcoming and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of ability,” she said.
Further promoting inclusivity, the Lampoopalooza event saw the participation of students from Politeknik Kota Kinabalu in selling food and beverages.
These students are part of Politeknik Kota Kinabalu’s Program Sijil Khas Operasi Katering, a special programme that offers deaf and hard-of-hearing students the opportunity to start a career in catering operations.
Liew commended their participation, noting that it not only enhanced the event experience but also provided valuable career-building opportunities.
The event also highlighted Sabah’s ongoing success in the tourism sector.
According to Liew, Sabah recorded over 3.14 million tourist arrivals in 2024, surpassing its 3 million target, with 1.26 million international visitors and 1.88 million domestic tourists, generating an estimated RM7.28 billion in tourism receipts.
“These numbers highlight Sabah’s strong appeal as a travel destination. More importantly, they reflect the dedication of everyone in our tourism sector and the confidence visitors have in our beautiful state,” she added.
Since its inception, Lampoopalooza has played a significant role in revitalizing Gaya Street, a historic area that has transformed into a bustling hub of cafes, restaurants, and hotels.
The event first took shape in 2018 when the Sabah Tourism Board celebrated the building’s 100th anniversary with a street event, inspiring an annual tradition that continues to grow.
Now in its third edition, Lampoopalooza has evolved beyond artistic innovation to incorporate social responsibility.
Last year’s emphasis on community engagement earned the Sabah Tourism Board the Best Community Engagement award at the Travel Daily Media Awards.
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“With initiatives like Lampoopalooza, we aim to make our city more vibrant and welcoming to all. Events like these help us create unforgettable memories while strengthening community engagement,” Liew concluded.
Lampoopalooza brought a spectacular fusion of lights, music, and live performances. Local artists included Isobahtos, DJ Yohan, Maasmona, Dabra Sia, and Tuni Sundatang.
The Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Ministry’s permanent secretary, Datuk Josie Lai, and Sabah Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit were present at the event.
