Cultural fair
Island Plaza in Penang is holding a Japanese Fair from 10am to 10pm until Sunday. Activities include drawing demonstration, handicraft, traditional dance and kendo performances. All are welcome.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Monday, 22 March 2010
Heritage boost for Penang
PENANG’S UNESCO world heritage site will soon boast of having the country’s first ‘cultural hotel’.
Property owner K.H. Seah said three pre-war houses along Jalan Pintal Tali would be restored and re-opened as a high-end hotel to be named ‘1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel’.
“These triple storey buildings, which have been around for over a century, is located in where I hope to develop as Penang’s Chinatown.
“We want to revive that area and make sure that it becomes a living heritage,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Big plans: The three pre-war houses along Jalan Pintal Tali will be restored and reopened as a high-end hotel to be named ‘1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel’.
Seah, who owns a stretch of 13 other heritage houses in the area, said he would refurbish the other premises which he planned to rejuvenate and promote as Chinatown.
“We have Little India and the Malay Kapitan heritage enclaves here but no Chinatown.
“This cultural hotel will be a start for us to create a specific area where everyone can come and learn about Chinese culture,” he said.
Work on the cultural hotel will start at the end of the month and is expected to complete by the end of the year.
Seah said he was hoping to get the Unesco Conservation Award for his efforts, adding that the uniqueness of the cultural hotel was that it would have a library, mini cafe and museum featuring extensive antique collections dating back to the 18th century.
“I am an antique collector and have received many pledges from other collectors to help stock up the library and museum.
Priceless piece: The intricately carved wooden door in one of the three houses will be preserved.
“The library resources and exhibition area will be free for everyone because one of our main objectives is to propagate the Chinese culture brought here by our ancestors,” he said.
Seah and his partners have invested RM2mil to purchase the three lots and will need another RM1.5mil to refurbish the place in accordance to heritage guidelines.
“The interior is termite-infested and there are trees growing within the building causing the structure to crack.
“Think City Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Khazanah Holdings (a federal investment arm), has agreed to assist with the funding,” he said.
“They will meet on Wednesday to decide on how much allocation the project will receive,” he said.
Cultural Heritage Advisory Group member and project consultant Tan Yeow Wooi said the 19th century buildings had many unique features including Venetian windows and intricate Chinese motifs of peonies, dragons and cockerels on the facade.
“There is also a very nice Cantonese-style sliding door with intricate carvings,” he said. — CHRISTINA CHIN
-News courtesy of The Star-
Property owner K.H. Seah said three pre-war houses along Jalan Pintal Tali would be restored and re-opened as a high-end hotel to be named ‘1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel’.
“These triple storey buildings, which have been around for over a century, is located in where I hope to develop as Penang’s Chinatown.
“We want to revive that area and make sure that it becomes a living heritage,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Big plans: The three pre-war houses along Jalan Pintal Tali will be restored and reopened as a high-end hotel to be named ‘1881 Chong Tian Cultural Hotel’.
Seah, who owns a stretch of 13 other heritage houses in the area, said he would refurbish the other premises which he planned to rejuvenate and promote as Chinatown.
“We have Little India and the Malay Kapitan heritage enclaves here but no Chinatown.
“This cultural hotel will be a start for us to create a specific area where everyone can come and learn about Chinese culture,” he said.
Work on the cultural hotel will start at the end of the month and is expected to complete by the end of the year.
Seah said he was hoping to get the Unesco Conservation Award for his efforts, adding that the uniqueness of the cultural hotel was that it would have a library, mini cafe and museum featuring extensive antique collections dating back to the 18th century.
“I am an antique collector and have received many pledges from other collectors to help stock up the library and museum.
Priceless piece: The intricately carved wooden door in one of the three houses will be preserved.
“The library resources and exhibition area will be free for everyone because one of our main objectives is to propagate the Chinese culture brought here by our ancestors,” he said.
Seah and his partners have invested RM2mil to purchase the three lots and will need another RM1.5mil to refurbish the place in accordance to heritage guidelines.
“The interior is termite-infested and there are trees growing within the building causing the structure to crack.
“Think City Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Khazanah Holdings (a federal investment arm), has agreed to assist with the funding,” he said.
“They will meet on Wednesday to decide on how much allocation the project will receive,” he said.
Cultural Heritage Advisory Group member and project consultant Tan Yeow Wooi said the 19th century buildings had many unique features including Venetian windows and intricate Chinese motifs of peonies, dragons and cockerels on the facade.
“There is also a very nice Cantonese-style sliding door with intricate carvings,” he said. — CHRISTINA CHIN
-News courtesy of The Star-
New Lane goes one way
From today New Lane will be turned into a one-way street with traffic going towards Macalister Road between 4pm and midnight daily.
Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik said the one-way traffic proposal was tabled during the Penang Municipal Council’s Infra-structure and Traffic Committee meeting on Jan 21 and endorsed during a full council meeting on Feb 25.
“The proposal was mooted following several road accidents and complaints about the traffic congestion in New Lane which had been given a temporary hawkers’ site status by the council.
“The one-way traffic system will start from 4pm when hawkers start their business and end at midnight except for Wednesday because the stalls are closed on that day,” he told reporters during a visit to the area yesterday.
New direction: Rela personnel will be on hand to direct traffic at New Lane in George Town.
“We had earlier sent out 300 notices to residents in the area, traders, hawkers and the Sunway Hotel. We only received two objections and this is why the council decided to impose the one-way system only from 4pm.”
He said residents, traders, hawkers, hotel guests and motorists could drive into the hawker site at New Lane via Kek Chuan Lane or Jalan Datuk Keramat.
“The hawker site went back some 20 years when about 40 illegal hawkers were relocated there from their Macalister Road,” he said.
Ng said the one-way system would be implemented on a trial basis for a month.
“During the trial run, Rela personnel will be stationed there from 4pm to midnight to help re-direct traffic and four ‘No-Entry’ signs will be placed at the New Lane/Macalister Road junction.
“If the trial exercise goes on smoothly, then the one-way system will be a permanent feature,” he said.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik said the one-way traffic proposal was tabled during the Penang Municipal Council’s Infra-structure and Traffic Committee meeting on Jan 21 and endorsed during a full council meeting on Feb 25.
“The proposal was mooted following several road accidents and complaints about the traffic congestion in New Lane which had been given a temporary hawkers’ site status by the council.
“The one-way traffic system will start from 4pm when hawkers start their business and end at midnight except for Wednesday because the stalls are closed on that day,” he told reporters during a visit to the area yesterday.
New direction: Rela personnel will be on hand to direct traffic at New Lane in George Town.
“We had earlier sent out 300 notices to residents in the area, traders, hawkers and the Sunway Hotel. We only received two objections and this is why the council decided to impose the one-way system only from 4pm.”
He said residents, traders, hawkers, hotel guests and motorists could drive into the hawker site at New Lane via Kek Chuan Lane or Jalan Datuk Keramat.
“The hawker site went back some 20 years when about 40 illegal hawkers were relocated there from their Macalister Road,” he said.
Ng said the one-way system would be implemented on a trial basis for a month.
“During the trial run, Rela personnel will be stationed there from 4pm to midnight to help re-direct traffic and four ‘No-Entry’ signs will be placed at the New Lane/Macalister Road junction.
“If the trial exercise goes on smoothly, then the one-way system will be a permanent feature,” he said.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Handicraft attraction
Handicraft attraction
SOUVENIRS and handicraft of Penang will soon be available under one roof, said state Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law.
“We are thinking of setting up a night market at the Esplanade selling such items and also women’s accessories and clothing,” he said.
“Our concept is simple. We want to have a place where tourists in Penang can source for the best bargain in souvenirs and handicraft.
“For a start, we plan to have 30 stalls operating during weekends. The stalls will be placed in front of the 30-odd Celebrity Walk trees along Light Street.”
Law said countries like Thailand, Taiwan and China boast night markets which are deemed must-visit sites.
He added that his office and the Penang Municipal Council had started looking for traders.
“We hope that these traders will come out with unique, distinctive and homemade handicraft and souvenirs which cannot be found elsewhere,” he said.
Those interested can call his office (04-2619012.
He said talks would also be held with cruise operators to bring their passengers to the market.
“Cruise passengers will have another attraction to visit while stopping over on the island,” he said.
“It is just a short walk to the night market from the Tanjung City Marina where the vessels are berthed.
“I will submit a layout plan to the council for approval.
“We have yet to fix the operating hours but they are likely to be from 6pm to 10pm or 7pm to 11pm.”
-News courtesy of The Star-
SOUVENIRS and handicraft of Penang will soon be available under one roof, said state Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law.
“We are thinking of setting up a night market at the Esplanade selling such items and also women’s accessories and clothing,” he said.
“Our concept is simple. We want to have a place where tourists in Penang can source for the best bargain in souvenirs and handicraft.
“For a start, we plan to have 30 stalls operating during weekends. The stalls will be placed in front of the 30-odd Celebrity Walk trees along Light Street.”
Law said countries like Thailand, Taiwan and China boast night markets which are deemed must-visit sites.
He added that his office and the Penang Municipal Council had started looking for traders.
“We hope that these traders will come out with unique, distinctive and homemade handicraft and souvenirs which cannot be found elsewhere,” he said.
Those interested can call his office (04-2619012.
He said talks would also be held with cruise operators to bring their passengers to the market.
“Cruise passengers will have another attraction to visit while stopping over on the island,” he said.
“It is just a short walk to the night market from the Tanjung City Marina where the vessels are berthed.
“I will submit a layout plan to the council for approval.
“We have yet to fix the operating hours but they are likely to be from 6pm to 10pm or 7pm to 11pm.”
-News courtesy of The Star-
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Jazz concert
Jazz concert
Jazz musicians WVC TRiO+1 comprising Tay Cher Siang, Vincent Ong, Adam Osmianski and Benjamin Lee are having a concert at the Cititel Penang from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Sunday. Tickets are priced at RM15 for students and RM25 for adults and ticket holders are entitled to attend a workshop from 4.30pm to 6pm. For details, call Jammin Senzation at 04-6595122.
Jazz musicians WVC TRiO+1 comprising Tay Cher Siang, Vincent Ong, Adam Osmianski and Benjamin Lee are having a concert at the Cititel Penang from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Sunday. Tickets are priced at RM15 for students and RM25 for adults and ticket holders are entitled to attend a workshop from 4.30pm to 6pm. For details, call Jammin Senzation at 04-6595122.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Motorcycle show
Motorcycle show
Vintage motorcycles will be on show at the Jury Autocity on March 27. The 8pm ‘2Wheels Classic Showcase’ will feature a lineup of rare motorcycles. Call 017-5231688 for details.
Juru Autocity
http://www.autocity.com.my/
Vintage motorcycles will be on show at the Jury Autocity on March 27. The 8pm ‘2Wheels Classic Showcase’ will feature a lineup of rare motorcycles. Call 017-5231688 for details.
Juru Autocity
http://www.autocity.com.my/
Bus 102 to ply Teluk Bahang
‘Rock Route’ 102 to ply Teluk Bahang tourism belt
BUS passengers can now ride Rapid Penang buses direct from Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas to the tourism belts of Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang respectively, effective yesterday.
With the new route, commuters no longer have to transit at the Weld Quay bus terminal to take the journey to Teluk Bahang.
The direct route, described as the ‘Rock Route’ since the bus would be passing by Hard Rock Hotel on its way to Teluk Bahang, would only cost a flat rate of RM5 from the airport to Teluk Bahang and vice versa.
Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said residents living in Bayan Lepas, Bayan Baru and Gelugor area who were working in Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, as well as those living in Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang but working in the Free Trade Zone in Bayan Lepas, would be the ones to benefit from this service apart from airline passengers.
The first bus for the Rock Route — 102 — starts at 5.30am while the last departs at 10pm.
“Rapid Penang hopes to reduce the use of private vehicles. This would ease the traffic congestion on Penang island,” he said after launching the new route at Hard Rock Hotel yesterday.
Azhar said Rapid Penang had also extended its Route 306 from the airport to Penang Hospital by plying through the Paya Terubong and Air Itam areas.
“The residents here can now travel to Penang Hospital conveniently.
“This is in line with our initiative as a caring and responsible corporate company that also oversees the social needs of our commuters,” he said.
The first bus for Route 306 starts at 6am while the last departs at 10.30pm.
“Four buses will ply the 102 and 306 routes respectively, with the frequency of an hourly interval,” he said.
The journey from the start to end point of both routes will take around one hour and 30 minutes, depending on the traffic flow.
Azhar said Rapid Penang would also be ceasing operations of its Route 401A from the airport to Weld Quay.
“However, commuters at the airport will still be able to commute on the Route 401 and 401E buses from Balik Pulau to Komtar and Weld Quay,” he said.
Rapid Penang's website
-News courtesy of The Star-
BUS passengers can now ride Rapid Penang buses direct from Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas to the tourism belts of Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang respectively, effective yesterday.
With the new route, commuters no longer have to transit at the Weld Quay bus terminal to take the journey to Teluk Bahang.
The direct route, described as the ‘Rock Route’ since the bus would be passing by Hard Rock Hotel on its way to Teluk Bahang, would only cost a flat rate of RM5 from the airport to Teluk Bahang and vice versa.
Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said residents living in Bayan Lepas, Bayan Baru and Gelugor area who were working in Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, as well as those living in Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang but working in the Free Trade Zone in Bayan Lepas, would be the ones to benefit from this service apart from airline passengers.
The first bus for the Rock Route — 102 — starts at 5.30am while the last departs at 10pm.
“Rapid Penang hopes to reduce the use of private vehicles. This would ease the traffic congestion on Penang island,” he said after launching the new route at Hard Rock Hotel yesterday.
Azhar said Rapid Penang had also extended its Route 306 from the airport to Penang Hospital by plying through the Paya Terubong and Air Itam areas.
“The residents here can now travel to Penang Hospital conveniently.
“This is in line with our initiative as a caring and responsible corporate company that also oversees the social needs of our commuters,” he said.
The first bus for Route 306 starts at 6am while the last departs at 10.30pm.
“Four buses will ply the 102 and 306 routes respectively, with the frequency of an hourly interval,” he said.
The journey from the start to end point of both routes will take around one hour and 30 minutes, depending on the traffic flow.
Azhar said Rapid Penang would also be ceasing operations of its Route 401A from the airport to Weld Quay.
“However, commuters at the airport will still be able to commute on the Route 401 and 401E buses from Balik Pulau to Komtar and Weld Quay,” he said.
Rapid Penang's website
-News courtesy of The Star-
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