China celebs in Sabah for reality TV shoot

Liew placing a native bead necklace around actor Raymond Lam's neck at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Seven celebrities from Zhejiang TV China are in Sabah to shoot a reality show titled Star Chasers.

The celebrities are singer-turned actor Raymond Lam, actors Wu Chi-Lung, Ding Zhou Jie, Chen Li-Nung, Cai Wen Jing and Zhou Jie Qiong, and singer-actor Ah-Niu (a Malaysian artiste).

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said that the stars would be in Sabah for their nine-day shoot, which was being coordinated by the Federal-level Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

"As state Tourism Minister, I welcome the celebrities to Sabah. I am happy that they have selected Sabah as one of the three Malaysian states (besides Melaka and Pahang) for their film shooting destination.

"They are aware that Kota Kinabalu is one of the best spots in the world for viewing beautiful sunsets," Liew, who met the celebrities here on Monday (April 24).

Liew said the reality show would make Sabah known to a wider audience there and encourage more Chinese tourists to choose Sabah as a holiday destination.

On Sunday (April 23), Liew was at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport to welcome the group who were garlanded with native bead necklaces.

Several hundred fans who gathered there cheered loudly when they emerged at the airport.

The celebrities went to work immediately on arrival, shooting at their first location at Masakan Sedap Restaurant in Hilltop in Luyang here.

The celebrities made a brief stop at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort before departing for Manukan Island for the next shoot before heading for a tour of the Shangri-La Rasa Ria in Tuaran, about 40km from here.

They are expected to head to the Mari Mari Cultural Village (Inanam), Cabana Retreat Resort and 101 Firefly Eco Park (Kawa Kawa Village) during their four-day stay in Sabah before leaving for home on Wednesday (April 26).

Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) president Tan Sri TC Goh said their visit would economically benefit the state and its people.

"They have heard so much about Sabah, so they decided to come and explore the land," he said.