SIPADAN NEEDS MORE VOTES TO BE ONE OF NEW 7 WONDERS OF NATURE

KOTA KINABALU (Malaysia), April 23 (Bernama) -- Pulau Sipadan, a diving
haven off East Malaysia state of Sabah's east coast, needs more votes to qualify
as one of seven new wonders of nature.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun said that as
of Monday, Sipadan ranked 14th in the island category of the New 7 Wonders of
the World Project, after climbing from 17th place a week before.

"Sipadan has been nominated to compete with 30 nominees in the island
category.

"We need to climb three more places to qualify to the next preliminary
round," he said at the Vote For Sipadan Campaign here Thursday. His speech was
delivered by his assistant, Bolkiah Ismail.

He said all that a voter needed was a valid email address to cast a vote via
www.new7wonders.com.

"By being one of the seven new wonders of nature, it would boost the
country's tourism industry, especially Sabah," he said, adding that the last day
for voting was July 7.
-- BERNAMA