FAVSTYLE Essentials

Photo courtesy to Sri Pelancongan Sabah A t the edge of Borneo, where turquoise tides meet ancient shores, Sabah quietly holds one of nature’s most sacred responsibilities. It is here that time returns, carried on the backs of marine turtles. Four extraordinary species move through these waters with silent grace, the green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) , the hawksbill ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) , the olive ridley ( Lepidochelys olivacea ) , and the leatherback ( Dermochelys coriacea ) . Protected under the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, they are not merely species. They are living emblems of continuity. Sabah’s coastline unfolds as a sanctuary of purpose, where nesting beaches, feeding grounds, and migratory paths form an intricate ecological tapestry. Beyond their environmental role, these ancient navigators shape Sabah’s tourism identity and echo deeply within its cultural soul. And yet, even timeless journeys require protection. A Defining Moment of Commitment On 14 ...

In the quiet intersection between heritage and artistry, The Last Tantagas: Keeper of the Sacred Texts emerges not merely as a theatrical production, but as a cultural legacy reimagined with grace and intention. At the helm of this evocative masterpiece is Judeth John Baptist, a visionary cultural custodian and founder of the Southeast Asia Music Education Exchange (SEAMEX). At 63, her journey is one shaped by devotion to heritage, refined through years as a curator at the Sabah Museum, and elevated by a lifelong commitment to preserving the intangible soul of Sabah’s traditions. Born in Tuaran and rooted in Kadazan heritage, Judeth’s narrative is deeply intertwined with the very culture she seeks to protect. Her earlier works, Huminodun: Myth and Its Magic – The Musical and The Hidden Charms of Sabah , have already set a precedent, earning accolades while redefining how indigenous stories are experienced in contemporary spaces. This latest production stands as her most intimate and ...

Sabah, Malaysia — Lucky Go officially enters the e-hailing landscape as Sabah’s first 100% locally developed e-hailing platform , setting a new benchmark for fairness, transparency, and community-first innovation. Built by Sabahans, for Sabahans, Lucky Go is designed with a clear mission: to empower local drivers while delivering safe, comfortable, and reliable rides for passengers across the state. At the core of this mission is a bold yet simple promise — a fixed RM1 commission per trip , regardless of ride fare. Unlike conventional commission-based models, Lucky Go ’s flat-fee structure allows drivers to retain more of their earnings, encouraging sustainability and long-term participation within the platform. This approach not only benefits drivers, but also elevates service quality for passengers, fostering a more accountable and people-focused e-hailing experience. “ When drivers earn fairly, service naturally improves. Lucky Go is built on that belief, creating a platform ...

Every year, as calendars thin toward December, offices grow louder in a peculiar way. Not with celebration, but with whispers. “I might resign after bonus.” “I’m looking, but quietly.” “Next year, I’ll decide.” Resignation has become an annual ritual. Sometimes intentional. Sometimes accidental. Sometimes born out of exhaustion rather than ambition. As we step into 2026, the question no longer belongs only to employees. It belongs equally to employers. Can companies still sustain talent, or are they quietly preparing for turnover? Do organisations truly want retention, or are they increasingly open to new blood, fresh energy, and cheaper recalibration? The Private-Sector Reality For private-sector employees, the bargaining table is uneven. Unlike the public sector, there is no promise of permanence, no pension safety net, no fixed ladder. What remains is a constant negotiation between salary, stress, and survival. We often assume the decision to stay or leave revolves around m...

As a Sabahan who travels frequently between Kota Kinabalu and Peninsular Malaysia, I often get asked a simple but layered question: In 2026, should we travel domestic or international ?   My answer is not romantic, but it is honest. Before we chase borders, currencies, and passports, we should look closely at what our own country already offers and how intelligently we travel within it. From Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur and onward to George Town , domestic travel in 2026 is not a compromise. It is a strategic choice. Why domestic travel still makes sense in 2026 Domestic routes from BKI to KUL and Penang are mature, frequent, and competitively priced. For Sabahans, this means less friction, shorter planning cycles, and more control over budget and time. When schedules are tight or travel is purpose-driven — work, family, short breaks — domestic travel delivers consistency. International travel still has its place, of course. But it demands more planning, higher costs, and t...

On the last day of the year, there is often a natural pause, between what has passed and what has yet to unfold. On this New Year’s Eve, it feels timely to consider the kind of work that deserves time and patience in the years ahead. Many of today’s social challenges, particularly those related to ageing, community life, and how societies organise care and support, do not have simple or immediate solutions. They are are influenced by context, lived realities, and long-standing assumptions about how responses should be designed. Research, analytical writing, and conceptual exploration provide room to think carefully about what might work, what may not, and why. Taking time at this stage allows ideas to mature before they are carried forward. Where Ideas Meet Ideas do not develop in isolation. Even in reflective phases, they benefit from thoughtful exchange and exposure to different perspectives. In this context, platforms such as Life+ Expo 2026 can serve as useful venues where research...

In a world crowded with apps that do one thing well and everything else poorly, YONO SuperApp arrives with a clear promise:  You Only Need One Developed for Sabah and rooted in local needs, YONO is more than a payment tool. It is a financial and lifestyle super-app designed to simplify how people transact, manage money, and connect with everyday services, all within a single digital ecosystem. One App. Many Possibilities. At its core, YONO brings together essential financial functions into a clean, accessible platform. From cashless payments and QR transactions to bill settlements and integrated services, the app removes friction from daily life. Whether you are paying for food, shopping locally, or accessing services, YONO keeps the experience fast, intuitive, and secure. Built for Sabah, Powered by Trust Click frame to see video What sets YONO apart is its local relevance. Designed with Sabah’s communities, businesses, and users in mind, the platform supports inclusive digital ad...

In an era dominated by speed, swipes, and shrinking attention spans, it is tempting to dismiss blogs as a relic of an earlier digital age. Yet, beneath the noise of algorithms and trend cycles, blogs continue to perform a role few platforms can replace: they endure . Blogs are not designed for momentary applause. They are built as evergreen assets , quietly accumulating value long after publication. While social media posts enjoy brief moments of visibility before fading into digital oblivion, a well-structured blog article remains searchable, readable, and relevant. It becomes part of the internet’s long memory. From an SEO perspective, blogs remain one of the most powerful organic tools available. Search engines reward depth, clarity, and authority—qualities that short-form content cannot sustain. Blogs allow brands to own narratives, capture long-tail search intent, and establish subject-matter credibility. Every article is a permanent digital footprint, capable of resurfacing month...

Across Sabah, conversations about ageing are becoming more visible and more urgent. As life expectancy improves and family structures continue to evolve, the question facing policymakers, developers, and communities is no longer whether Sabah is ageing, but whether our living environments are evolving quickly enough to support this shift. While healthcare often dominates public discourse on ageing, housing, particularly private rental housing, plays a quieter yet equally critical role. For many older adults in Sabah, rental homes are increasingly the foundation that enables independent living, ongoing connection to family and community, and the continuity of daily routines that sustain dignity and wellbeing. A changing role for rental housing Sabah has traditionally placed strong emphasis on home ownership. However, a growing number of older adults are now choosing, or needing, to rent. Some downsize after children move out. Others relocate closer to healthcare facilities, essential...