Sabah will not rush to get more sites recognised by Unesco as it is chosen to host the 7th Malaysia UNESCO Day celebration, in Kundasang.

The celebration at Kundasang town on Sept 9-10, will be officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, as announced by Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun during a press conference at his ministry office in Wisma Tun Fuad here yesterday.

Invited guests include Education Minister cum Malaysia National Commission for UNESCO (SKUM) Dato' Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Unesco Jakarta Office director and representative Dr Shahbaz Khan.

"Bringing Malaysia Unesco Day celebration to Sabah, particularly at Kundasang, Ranau is timely and essential.

"This is to ensure the public and local communities are well informed of the government's serious effort to ensure the wellbeing of our public and local native communities through conservation of the environment and its associated social-cultural elements" said Masidi on Sabah's recognition by UNESCO since after more than 50 years Malaysia became a member.

He added that 10 years ago the federal and state governments through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and Sabah Parks had channelled over RM52.3 million to ensure the natural environment and biodiversity of Sabah is safeguarded and simultaneously catalysed the enhancement of nature-based tourism development.

And conservation works also included Maliau Basin, Imbak Canyon and Danum Valley which have the potential to be declared a world heritage site.

"The government has assessed these three areas but we are not in a rush to nominate it for the world heritage site because they are now well protected" said Masidi.

In Dec 2000, UNESCO awarded Kinabalu Park as Malaysia's first World Heritage Site for its ‘outstanding universal values' and its role as one of the most important biological sites in the world.

To enable the public to get to know more about Malaysia's involvement and initiative in UNESCO, exhibition booths will be opened for both days.

The event will also highlight the weather forecast announcer competition organised by the Meteorological Department.

Talented musicians will be taking part in the Battle of the Bands on Saturday.

Among local artistes who will be performing are Keningau Youtube stars, Atmosfera long flute performer and champion of the World Performance Art Competition 2016, Kamarul Kowasin, Asmin Mudin, Fabian William, Queennera Kitingan, Deep Buskers, Payukee, Francis Landong, Lydia Kalidin, Eiffel Paul Pailud and Ramin Masidin. Others include student performances organised by the International Coordination Unit of the Macro Planning Sector under the Ministry of Education.

Meanwhile, the members of SKUM consists of permanent sub-committees namely Education Ministry; Higher Education Ministry; Information, Communication and Culture Ministry; Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Also present during the press conference were Sabah Parks director Dr Jamili Nais and Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd general manager Zachary Mobijohn.