PLUS: Plan your Raya trip
Two million vehicles are expected to be on the highways during the peak period of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season and those heading back to their hometowns are advised to plan their trips well.
PLUS Malaysia Bhd (PLUS) managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said he expected traffic volume to increase by 18% from the usual 1.7 million vehicles on normal days.
PLUS, he said, would also issue its travel time advisory (TTA) schedule to help people plan their balik kampung and balik kota travel between May 30 and June 10.
“PLUS has made various preparations in terms of highway operations and traffic distribution strategy to help drivers travel safer and more comfortably this festive season,” Azman said at a media briefing yesterday.
Those who are heading to nearer locations such as Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Selangor are advised to enter the highway after 10am.
Motorists can also get the TTA schedule via the PLUS mobile application.
The application also has an “SOS” button which allows help to be channelled immediately when turned on.
It provides real time CCTV footage from over 1,400 CCTV cameras on the highways.
“You can state your starting point and destination and it will show the traffic conditions.
“The CCTV footages are also updated every 10 seconds,” said Azman.
Motorists are advised to top up their Touch ‘n Go cards as the reload lanes on the highways will be closed from May 30 to June 11 to avoid congestion.
PLUS chief operating officer Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi advised the public, especially motorcyclists, to avoid using the emergency lanes on the highway.
“We would like to advise motorcyclists to wear bright-colour clothing to make themselves more visible, and if possible, travel during the day for better visibility,” he said.
PLUS will also place about 5,000 of its personnel on the North-South Expressway to help motorists.
Drones will also be used to facilitate traffic management at strategic locations on the highways.
Earlier, PLUS also unveiled its Hari Raya Aidilfitri video titled Tumpang which signifies the concessionaire’s endeavour to provide a meaningful journey for its customers.
Tumpang is about two men whose lives are unexpectedly intertwined.
The video also highlights the concept of silaturahim (friendship).
It can be viewed through all PLUS social media platforms as well as on YouTube.
~Courtesy of The Star~
Saturday 25 May 2019
Duty-free shopping for cruise travellers
Duty-free shopping for cruise travellers
Great potential: Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal is an important entry point for international tourists in Penang, making it an obvious location for duty-free shopping.
GEORGE TOWN: Cruise ship passengers visiting Penang will be able to buy duty-free items such as perfume, liquor and chocolates come July or August.
Penang Port Commission chairman Jeffrey Chew Gim Ean said the initial shopping space at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal of about 74sq m would be near the CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) area.
“This shop will cater only to cruise ship passengers. Perfume, liquor and chocolates will be sold.
“There is a possibility of adding more outlets if space permits.
“The duty-free shop will operate behind the immigration checkpoint for this phase. Phase Two will be announced later,” he said.
Chew said the initiative was in line with the announcement by the Finance Ministry in Budget 2019.
He said this was a good start to the pier’s tourism retailing.
“Last year, there were 1.02 million passengers coming into Penang through the pier.
“With this first facility, we will also be able to attract other outlets at Phase Two to offer non-duty-free products that are produced here in Penang.
“Phase Two is set to be located in the warehouse area at the pier,” he said.
Chew said there was demand for a duty-free facility as international passengers were always on the lookout for duty-free goods and locally made products.
He said port concessionaire Penang Port Sdn Bhd was managing the Phase One duty-free operator.
Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said cruise tourism was an important sub-sector here as it could bring in higher-end tourists with spending power.
“In addition, we believe the facility will complement the RM155mil expansion plan to make the pier more attractive, on top of its strategic proximity to the city centre and make it a preferred cruise destination,” he said.
The RM155mil expansion is the extension of the berth and pier building to accommodate larger cruise ships.
Upon completion, the joint venture project between Penang Port Sdn Bhd (60%) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (40%) would be able to handle 1.7 million passengers a year by 2021.
~Courtesy of The Star~
Great potential: Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal is an important entry point for international tourists in Penang, making it an obvious location for duty-free shopping.
GEORGE TOWN: Cruise ship passengers visiting Penang will be able to buy duty-free items such as perfume, liquor and chocolates come July or August.
Penang Port Commission chairman Jeffrey Chew Gim Ean said the initial shopping space at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal of about 74sq m would be near the CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) area.
“This shop will cater only to cruise ship passengers. Perfume, liquor and chocolates will be sold.
“There is a possibility of adding more outlets if space permits.
“The duty-free shop will operate behind the immigration checkpoint for this phase. Phase Two will be announced later,” he said.
Chew said the initiative was in line with the announcement by the Finance Ministry in Budget 2019.
He said this was a good start to the pier’s tourism retailing.
“Last year, there were 1.02 million passengers coming into Penang through the pier.
“With this first facility, we will also be able to attract other outlets at Phase Two to offer non-duty-free products that are produced here in Penang.
“Phase Two is set to be located in the warehouse area at the pier,” he said.
Chew said there was demand for a duty-free facility as international passengers were always on the lookout for duty-free goods and locally made products.
He said port concessionaire Penang Port Sdn Bhd was managing the Phase One duty-free operator.
Penang Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said cruise tourism was an important sub-sector here as it could bring in higher-end tourists with spending power.
“In addition, we believe the facility will complement the RM155mil expansion plan to make the pier more attractive, on top of its strategic proximity to the city centre and make it a preferred cruise destination,” he said.
The RM155mil expansion is the extension of the berth and pier building to accommodate larger cruise ships.
Upon completion, the joint venture project between Penang Port Sdn Bhd (60%) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (40%) would be able to handle 1.7 million passengers a year by 2021.
~Courtesy of The Star~
Monday 20 May 2019
Bus tickets from Penang to east coast sold out
Bus tickets from Penang to east coast sold out
No more ticket home: Rafida (inside the counter) explaining to customers that tickets to Kota Baru have been sold out since May 4 at Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal in George Town.
GEORGE TOWN: Balik kampung bus tickets from here to Kota Baru in Kelantan and other towns in the east coast are all sold out at the Sungai Nibong bus terminal.
Transnasional sales clerk Rafida Mohd Ali said tickets for travel to the east coast between May 29 to June 4 were sold out since early this month.
“The tickets were all snapped up since May 4, but tickets to Kuala Lumpur and other destinations are still available,” she said.
A check at the Perdana Express counter found that the tickets to the east coast were also sold out within four days.
Checks at other counters such as SP Bumi Express and Konsortium Mutiara Express also revealed that tickets to the east cost were sold out.
Meanwhile, ticket counters were orderly at Penang Sentral terminal in Butterworth, with a smooth flow of customers queuing up to buy their tickets.
Technician Mohd Kassim Ismail, 32, was among those buying tickets for his family to head home to Kuala Terengganu.
“Tickets are still available for between RM70 and RM80.
“If there was a train, we would take it, but the bus is our only option,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
No more ticket home: Rafida (inside the counter) explaining to customers that tickets to Kota Baru have been sold out since May 4 at Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal in George Town.
GEORGE TOWN: Balik kampung bus tickets from here to Kota Baru in Kelantan and other towns in the east coast are all sold out at the Sungai Nibong bus terminal.
Transnasional sales clerk Rafida Mohd Ali said tickets for travel to the east coast between May 29 to June 4 were sold out since early this month.
“The tickets were all snapped up since May 4, but tickets to Kuala Lumpur and other destinations are still available,” she said.
A check at the Perdana Express counter found that the tickets to the east coast were also sold out within four days.
Checks at other counters such as SP Bumi Express and Konsortium Mutiara Express also revealed that tickets to the east cost were sold out.
Meanwhile, ticket counters were orderly at Penang Sentral terminal in Butterworth, with a smooth flow of customers queuing up to buy their tickets.
Technician Mohd Kassim Ismail, 32, was among those buying tickets for his family to head home to Kuala Terengganu.
“Tickets are still available for between RM70 and RM80.
“If there was a train, we would take it, but the bus is our only option,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Wednesday 8 May 2019
Friday 3 May 2019
Penang asks Tourism Ministry to submit its hawker culture for Unesco listing
Penang asks Tourism Ministry to submit its hawker culture for Unesco listing
The Penang government has sent a letter to the National Heritage Department to nominate its hawker culture to the Unesco Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
State Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin (pic) said the letter was sent to the National Heritage Department and the Deputy Tourism Minister's office in hopes that the authorities could recommend Penang and Singapore to be jointly nominated to introduce hawker culture.
"The state government has informed the National Heritage Department of the state's intention to apply for a joint nomination with Singapore under 'Hawker Culture in Singapore and Malaysia'," he said in his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here Thursday (May 2).
He added that Unesco had stated that nominations could only be submitted by the member country and that was the reason the nomination was for hawker culture in Singapore and Malaysia, instead of Penang.
He said the Penang Veterinary Department, Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) and the Department of Environment had conducted an integrated operation on pig farms at Kampung Selamat in Tasek Gelugor from April 18 to 21.
"The operation was carried out following complaints that waste from the farms were discharged directly into the river at Kampung Selamat. During the operation, 48 of the 75 pig farms were inspected, " he said. -Bernama
The Penang government has sent a letter to the National Heritage Department to nominate its hawker culture to the Unesco Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
State Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin (pic) said the letter was sent to the National Heritage Department and the Deputy Tourism Minister's office in hopes that the authorities could recommend Penang and Singapore to be jointly nominated to introduce hawker culture.
"The state government has informed the National Heritage Department of the state's intention to apply for a joint nomination with Singapore under 'Hawker Culture in Singapore and Malaysia'," he said in his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here Thursday (May 2).
He added that Unesco had stated that nominations could only be submitted by the member country and that was the reason the nomination was for hawker culture in Singapore and Malaysia, instead of Penang.
He said the Penang Veterinary Department, Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) and the Department of Environment had conducted an integrated operation on pig farms at Kampung Selamat in Tasek Gelugor from April 18 to 21.
"The operation was carried out following complaints that waste from the farms were discharged directly into the river at Kampung Selamat. During the operation, 48 of the 75 pig farms were inspected, " he said. -Bernama
Thursday 2 May 2019
Yummy season is coming soon
Yummy season is coming soon
Red Prawn and Black Thorn were among the species favoured by durian lovers, said Bao Sheng Durian Orchard owner Chang Teik Seng.
“The trees of these two species are much older, grown in the 1960s,” he explained.
The Balik Pulau durian is generally believed to be tastier due to the favourable weather conditions as the trees are planted on the hills and facing the sea.
The MyIPO is an agency under the purview of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
Durian Rumah Batu Balik Pulau owner Tan Hock Hoe said the durian season should start from the last week of this month.
“The durians are not yet ripe as the flowers only began to bloom around March this year,” he said, adding that those sold now were mostly from outside Penang.
In George Town, trader Teoh Nai Teik said they were selling durian from Kuala Kangsar and some from Thailand, while waiting for the Balik Pulau durian season to start.
“Customers will always want to know where the durians are from. Some prefer to wait for Balik Pulau durian,” he said.
At the Penang state assembly yesterday, all the Yang Berhormat savoured a durian feast which featured Musang King, Black Thorn, D101, D24, D12 and D15, among others.
“This puasa month will see durian feasts happening,” said state Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin.
“We expect an abundant supply this season.”
On the export of Penang durian, Dr Afif said since the fruits were best eaten fresh, travel agencies had been marketing durian eating tours overseas.
Thus, the thorny attraction is expected to lure crowds of durian-loving tourists to Penang soon.
The feast for state legislators, government officers and the press were prepared by the state Agriculture Department.
Assistant agriculture officer Abdul Halim Abdul Aziz said the fruits were gathered from mainland orchards in Machang Bubok and near the southern border of Kedah.
“The Balik Pulau durian is not ripe yet. Give them another week or two,” he said.
It has been eight months since the Penang durian hit the streets, unlike last year which saw the longest durian season in recent memory in northern Malaysia.
Durian stalls mushroomed in late February last year. The fruits were sold till May, followed by another round in late June.
The market was so satiated last year that by late July, the price of Musang King plummeted to just RM28 per kilo from about RM60 per kilo.
In Machap, Melaka, Alan Yap, who helps his father manage their four-hectare orchard named Sim Koa Yen, said durian fans would get to enjoy the fruit beginning July.
“The fruit will be ready for harvest sometime in mid or late June. But the first week of harvest is usually not stable in terms of taste and quality. So we normally don’t sell them.
“Starting July, most of the species will give a consistent and tasty flesh throughout the season, which is expected to last for two to three months,” he said.
Yap, whose family orchard has 30 durian species, said the Jiabili and Green 15 types were considered premium fruits after the famed Musang King.
The start of the durian season would see species such as D7, D14 and D3, he said.
“In the mid-season, popular ones such as Musang King and D24, as well as other premium species like Jiabili and Green 15, will be more easily available.
“And before the season reaches the end, we will see more of Ang Bak and Hong Ren in the market,” he added.
With a stable supply expected, he said durian prices would likely maintain this season.
“Last year, Musang King was sold for RM60 per kg while Jiabili and Green 15 were RM45 per kg.
“The harvest will be good as long as there’s no excessive rain,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Red Prawn and Black Thorn were among the species favoured by durian lovers, said Bao Sheng Durian Orchard owner Chang Teik Seng.
“The trees of these two species are much older, grown in the 1960s,” he explained.
The Balik Pulau durian is generally believed to be tastier due to the favourable weather conditions as the trees are planted on the hills and facing the sea.
The MyIPO is an agency under the purview of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
Durian Rumah Batu Balik Pulau owner Tan Hock Hoe said the durian season should start from the last week of this month.
“The durians are not yet ripe as the flowers only began to bloom around March this year,” he said, adding that those sold now were mostly from outside Penang.
In George Town, trader Teoh Nai Teik said they were selling durian from Kuala Kangsar and some from Thailand, while waiting for the Balik Pulau durian season to start.
“Customers will always want to know where the durians are from. Some prefer to wait for Balik Pulau durian,” he said.
At the Penang state assembly yesterday, all the Yang Berhormat savoured a durian feast which featured Musang King, Black Thorn, D101, D24, D12 and D15, among others.
“This puasa month will see durian feasts happening,” said state Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin.
“We expect an abundant supply this season.”
On the export of Penang durian, Dr Afif said since the fruits were best eaten fresh, travel agencies had been marketing durian eating tours overseas.
Thus, the thorny attraction is expected to lure crowds of durian-loving tourists to Penang soon.
The feast for state legislators, government officers and the press were prepared by the state Agriculture Department.
Assistant agriculture officer Abdul Halim Abdul Aziz said the fruits were gathered from mainland orchards in Machang Bubok and near the southern border of Kedah.
“The Balik Pulau durian is not ripe yet. Give them another week or two,” he said.
It has been eight months since the Penang durian hit the streets, unlike last year which saw the longest durian season in recent memory in northern Malaysia.
Durian stalls mushroomed in late February last year. The fruits were sold till May, followed by another round in late June.
The market was so satiated last year that by late July, the price of Musang King plummeted to just RM28 per kilo from about RM60 per kilo.
In Machap, Melaka, Alan Yap, who helps his father manage their four-hectare orchard named Sim Koa Yen, said durian fans would get to enjoy the fruit beginning July.
“The fruit will be ready for harvest sometime in mid or late June. But the first week of harvest is usually not stable in terms of taste and quality. So we normally don’t sell them.
“Starting July, most of the species will give a consistent and tasty flesh throughout the season, which is expected to last for two to three months,” he said.
Yap, whose family orchard has 30 durian species, said the Jiabili and Green 15 types were considered premium fruits after the famed Musang King.
The start of the durian season would see species such as D7, D14 and D3, he said.
“In the mid-season, popular ones such as Musang King and D24, as well as other premium species like Jiabili and Green 15, will be more easily available.
“And before the season reaches the end, we will see more of Ang Bak and Hong Ren in the market,” he added.
With a stable supply expected, he said durian prices would likely maintain this season.
“Last year, Musang King was sold for RM60 per kg while Jiabili and Green 15 were RM45 per kg.
“The harvest will be good as long as there’s no excessive rain,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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