Pulau Sipadan now in 14th place

Pulau Sipadan is now in 14th place in the race to be named one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature.


If the famed diving spot is to remain in contention, it must move up to 11th by July to qualify for the next round of the online election.

The campaign has seven categories, including islands, forests and seascapes.

And destinations from over the world are vying to make it into the top 11 in each section in time for the next round.

At the top of the island category is Bora-Bora Island in French Polynesia, followed by the Galapagos Islands.


Thailand's Ko Phi Phi is in 12th place.

Yesterday, the state Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry launched a campaign to get university students and staff to vote for the island on Sabah's east coast, as part of an effort that started more than a month ago to get more support.

Assistant Minister Bolkiah Ismail, who launched the campaign at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah campus in Sepanggar, said he is scheduled to meet with federal authorities next week to begin an awareness programme in the peninsula.

"If Sipadan is eventually categorised as a new natural wonder it will have a great impact on tourism, not only for the island itself but for other destinations in Sabah and all over Malaysia."

Bolkiah said islands like Galapagos are not as diverse in marine life as Sipadan.

And getting Malaysians to participate in the online vote should be viewed as a "national duty".

To vote for Sipadan, go to www.new7wonders.com


Source : NST
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