Malaysian Road Sign
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Nature's art on show
Nature's art on show
COLOURFUL petals and sweet flowery scents will greet visitors to the Penang Botanic Gardens in conjunction with the Penang Floral Festival 2011 taking place from today until June 5.
Stall operators have been busy preparing for the festival, such as setting up flowers and plants of all shapes, sizes and colours to be sold at the entrance to the gardens.
Green fingers: Oh Foon May, 15, pruning plants in preparation for the Floral Festival at Botanic Gardens
A stage has been set up for the opening ceremony today by state Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law.
The festival’s organising chairman Ooi Eng Choon, who is from the Penang Arts Society, said that the festival was held to encourage the locals to appreciate nature.
“We want people to develop a love for nature, as nature has the ability to lower stress levels,” he said.
Twelve Penang Arts Society committee members have been preparing for the festival since February.
“We have been holding meetings to plan the event, including arranging with the stall operators and judges for the bonsai and adenium competition,” said committee member Pong Kok Kiong, 37.
Australian tourist John Grafitti, 71, was admiring the flowers at the stalls.
“The flowers on display are stunning. The Botanic Gardens is a beautiful place,” he said.
There will also be a stall by the Friends of the Botanical Gardens selling T-shirts with prints of leaves.
Also on display throughout the nine-day festival are 150 bonsai and adenium plants from the competition.
“The response to the competition has been encouraging. It shows that there is a great interest in bonsai and adenium plants locally,” said committee member Chuah Yeh Pow, 50.
The Floral Festival is from 10am to 7pm daily, and entry is free.
～News courtesy of The Star～
COLOURFUL petals and sweet flowery scents will greet visitors to the Penang Botanic Gardens in conjunction with the Penang Floral Festival 2011 taking place from today until June 5.
Stall operators have been busy preparing for the festival, such as setting up flowers and plants of all shapes, sizes and colours to be sold at the entrance to the gardens.
Green fingers: Oh Foon May, 15, pruning plants in preparation for the Floral Festival at Botanic GardensA stage has been set up for the opening ceremony today by state Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law.
The festival’s organising chairman Ooi Eng Choon, who is from the Penang Arts Society, said that the festival was held to encourage the locals to appreciate nature.
“We want people to develop a love for nature, as nature has the ability to lower stress levels,” he said.
Twelve Penang Arts Society committee members have been preparing for the festival since February.
“We have been holding meetings to plan the event, including arranging with the stall operators and judges for the bonsai and adenium competition,” said committee member Pong Kok Kiong, 37.
Australian tourist John Grafitti, 71, was admiring the flowers at the stalls.
“The flowers on display are stunning. The Botanic Gardens is a beautiful place,” he said.
There will also be a stall by the Friends of the Botanical Gardens selling T-shirts with prints of leaves.
Also on display throughout the nine-day festival are 150 bonsai and adenium plants from the competition.
“The response to the competition has been encouraging. It shows that there is a great interest in bonsai and adenium plants locally,” said committee member Chuah Yeh Pow, 50.
The Floral Festival is from 10am to 7pm daily, and entry is free.
～News courtesy of The Star～
Friday, 27 May 2011
Rendezvous at Rendezvous
Rendezvous at Rendezvous
RENDEZVOUS at Green Hall, Penang, is a rare culinary gem waiting to be discovered, with many passing by the place unaware of the delicious traditional Arab and Mediterranean dishes served there.
Every creation is a labour of love by owner cum chef Abel Zenagui.
“The preparation is time consuming and requires attention to detail, with most of the dishes being cooked over a slow fire. I try to maintain the original taste as much as possible to enable the locals to enjoy authentic Arab and Mediterranean fare,” he said.
The passionate chef, who is very particular about the quality and freshness of his gastronomic interpretations, manages the eight-month-old restaurant with his wife Rifta Ridzuan.
Diners can savour specialties like Mushroom Soup, Paella (a rice dish that originated from Spain and is cooked with tomato puree, green pepper, seafood and chicken), Mixed Grill, Lamb Tajin and Kabsa Chicken.
The Mushroom Soup is somewhat different with its big chunky mushroom pieces but the taste is nevertheless hearty, while the Paella is bursting with flavours and comes with a lemon slice for diners who prefer that extra sourish zing.
Best taken hot, the Mixed Grill consists of beef, lamb kebab and Shish Thoug (chicken). The locals might find this dish too dry to their liking as it is served without any sauce but the meats are surprisingly delectable, having absorbed the spices and herbs they were marinated in. Black pepper sauce is served upon request.
The Lamb Tajin, with the tender lamb soaked in a tomato-based stew-like gravy, tastes simply wonderful. Be sure to relish every mouthful as the dish took three hours to cook, simmering over a slow fire. The Tajin is served with either couscous (moistened semolina wheat coated with finely ground wheat flour) or Arabic bread.
The Kabsa (Middle Eastern rice coated with special mixed herbs) Chicken is yet another palate pleaser, and is served with yoghurt and homemade chilli paste that act as perfect foil to the rice.
More tantalising selections include Maqluba Rice (cooked with herbs and mixed with fried eggplant, potato, carrot and nuts), Steak, Lamb Chop, Spaghetti and Pizza while a must-try dessert is the Algerian Baklawa.
An extremely popular sweet dish in Algeria, the baklawa is a delightful combination of multi-grained nuts like almond, walnut and pistachio mixed with pure honey and layers of crispy pastry that has been baked for two hours.
Set lunch (priced from RM22 to RM36 per person) and dinner (RM24 to RM38) comprising mushroom soup, choice of main course and a drink (coffee, tea or iced lemon tea) are also available.
Rendezvous is housed in a beautifully renovated heritage premises (opposite the High Court) and features a charming and woodsy interior that is tastefully decorated with eclectic pieces, including Chinese antiques.
The first and only Arab and Mediterranean fine dining restaurant in town, patrons can look forward to belly dancing on Saturday nights. The pork-free outlet is also ideal for hosting private functions, with a seating capacity of 80 people and up to 100 for a cocktail reception.
The restaurant has also recently introduced its membership scheme offering special discounts of up to 15%. Happy hours are from 3pm to 8pm with a variety of snacks and appetisers selling at only RM7 per plate.
Operating hours are from 11am to 11pm daily. For further enquiries, call 04-2505066/68.
~News courtesy of The Star~
RENDEZVOUS at Green Hall, Penang, is a rare culinary gem waiting to be discovered, with many passing by the place unaware of the delicious traditional Arab and Mediterranean dishes served there.
Every creation is a labour of love by owner cum chef Abel Zenagui.
“The preparation is time consuming and requires attention to detail, with most of the dishes being cooked over a slow fire. I try to maintain the original taste as much as possible to enable the locals to enjoy authentic Arab and Mediterranean fare,” he said.
The passionate chef, who is very particular about the quality and freshness of his gastronomic interpretations, manages the eight-month-old restaurant with his wife Rifta Ridzuan.
Diners can savour specialties like Mushroom Soup, Paella (a rice dish that originated from Spain and is cooked with tomato puree, green pepper, seafood and chicken), Mixed Grill, Lamb Tajin and Kabsa Chicken.
The Mushroom Soup is somewhat different with its big chunky mushroom pieces but the taste is nevertheless hearty, while the Paella is bursting with flavours and comes with a lemon slice for diners who prefer that extra sourish zing.
Best taken hot, the Mixed Grill consists of beef, lamb kebab and Shish Thoug (chicken). The locals might find this dish too dry to their liking as it is served without any sauce but the meats are surprisingly delectable, having absorbed the spices and herbs they were marinated in. Black pepper sauce is served upon request.
The Lamb Tajin, with the tender lamb soaked in a tomato-based stew-like gravy, tastes simply wonderful. Be sure to relish every mouthful as the dish took three hours to cook, simmering over a slow fire. The Tajin is served with either couscous (moistened semolina wheat coated with finely ground wheat flour) or Arabic bread.
The Kabsa (Middle Eastern rice coated with special mixed herbs) Chicken is yet another palate pleaser, and is served with yoghurt and homemade chilli paste that act as perfect foil to the rice.
More tantalising selections include Maqluba Rice (cooked with herbs and mixed with fried eggplant, potato, carrot and nuts), Steak, Lamb Chop, Spaghetti and Pizza while a must-try dessert is the Algerian Baklawa.
An extremely popular sweet dish in Algeria, the baklawa is a delightful combination of multi-grained nuts like almond, walnut and pistachio mixed with pure honey and layers of crispy pastry that has been baked for two hours.
Set lunch (priced from RM22 to RM36 per person) and dinner (RM24 to RM38) comprising mushroom soup, choice of main course and a drink (coffee, tea or iced lemon tea) are also available.
Rendezvous is housed in a beautifully renovated heritage premises (opposite the High Court) and features a charming and woodsy interior that is tastefully decorated with eclectic pieces, including Chinese antiques.
The first and only Arab and Mediterranean fine dining restaurant in town, patrons can look forward to belly dancing on Saturday nights. The pork-free outlet is also ideal for hosting private functions, with a seating capacity of 80 people and up to 100 for a cocktail reception.
The restaurant has also recently introduced its membership scheme offering special discounts of up to 15%. Happy hours are from 3pm to 8pm with a variety of snacks and appetisers selling at only RM7 per plate.
Operating hours are from 11am to 11pm daily. For further enquiries, call 04-2505066/68.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Penangites celebrate all things French
Penangites celebrate all things French
SHOPPERS walking into Gurney Plaza in Penang will have a chance to be seduced by French culture.
They will be greeted by a 5.5m wooden model of the Eiffel Tower in the atrium of the new wing.
The structure is part of the shopping mall’s French Festival till June 2, which also saw the launching of a French Film Festival to complement the experience.
The festival was launched with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by state Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, Alliance Francaise Penang president Datuk Renji Sathiah, and Gurney Plaza central manager Lawrence Teh.
“Penang is aiming to be an international city, and this festival has come at the right time to show that we are not only a tourist destination but also a place for investors,” said Abdul Malik.
The French Film Festival from Thursday to May 31 will showcase six films from a variety of genres such as action and romance.
“This festival is a great way to promote French culture,” said Renji.
Gurney Plaza will also be holding a ballet and dance performance by MyDance Station and individual talents at 3pm followed by live strolling musicians at 4pm this Saturday and Sunday.
A living statue performance from 4pm to 8pm will also be held on both days.
~News courtesy of The Star~
SHOPPERS walking into Gurney Plaza in Penang will have a chance to be seduced by French culture.
They will be greeted by a 5.5m wooden model of the Eiffel Tower in the atrium of the new wing.
The structure is part of the shopping mall’s French Festival till June 2, which also saw the launching of a French Film Festival to complement the experience.
The festival was launched with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by state Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, Alliance Francaise Penang president Datuk Renji Sathiah, and Gurney Plaza central manager Lawrence Teh.
“Penang is aiming to be an international city, and this festival has come at the right time to show that we are not only a tourist destination but also a place for investors,” said Abdul Malik.
The French Film Festival from Thursday to May 31 will showcase six films from a variety of genres such as action and romance.
“This festival is a great way to promote French culture,” said Renji.
Gurney Plaza will also be holding a ballet and dance performance by MyDance Station and individual talents at 3pm followed by live strolling musicians at 4pm this Saturday and Sunday.
A living statue performance from 4pm to 8pm will also be held on both days.
~News courtesy of The Star~
A divine visit to five temples
A divine visit to five temples
SOME 100 devotees of the Sea Goddess Mazu attended a ceremony in which the Sea Goddess ‘visited’ five selected temples on Penang island.
They were the Tow Boh Keong Temple in Hong Kong Street, Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple (God of Prosperity and Morality) and Lum Yeong Tong Yap Kongsi (consists of adjoining Yap Temple and Choo Chay Keong Temple) in Armenian Street, Chor Soo Keong Temple and Sam Poh Kong Footprint Temple in Batu Maung.
The group was led by the caretaker of the Mazu Temple in Sg Nyior in Butterworth, Wang Siu Tiam, aged 62.
“I have visited several places in Malaysia and found that the Sam Poh Kong Footprint Temple is the only temple with a statue of Ming Dynasty admiral Cheng Ho facing the sea,” he said.
“Cheng Ho is believed to have prayed at Mazu temples each time before embarking on his journeys.
“Devotees who pay homage to Mazu are mainly fishermen or those whose work is related to the sea.
“They would pray to Mazu for the safety of their family members at sea,” he said.
Wang added that he brought Mazu to ‘visit’ the temples because usually, temple deities are only invited out during ceremonial services.
SMJK Phor Tay student Teoh Kai Xin, 16, said she was glad to be given the the opportunity to carry the Mazu statue at the Sam Poh Kong Footprint Temple.
“I pray to the goddess to help me in my studies. I hope my prayer comes true,” she said.
Her cousin Phang Ni Wei, 24, said she too paid homage to Mazu.
Phang, a personal assistant in an insurance company, lives in Batu Maung and her family members are mostly fishermen.
Two lion dance troupes led the crowd of devotees towards the Sam Poh Kong Footprint Temple where firecrackers were let off.
After ‘visiting’ the temple, Mazu was taken onboard a fishing boat back to the Mazu Temple in Butterworth.
~News courtesy of The Star~
SOME 100 devotees of the Sea Goddess Mazu attended a ceremony in which the Sea Goddess ‘visited’ five selected temples on Penang island.
They were the Tow Boh Keong Temple in Hong Kong Street, Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple (God of Prosperity and Morality) and Lum Yeong Tong Yap Kongsi (consists of adjoining Yap Temple and Choo Chay Keong Temple) in Armenian Street, Chor Soo Keong Temple and Sam Poh Kong Footprint Temple in Batu Maung.
The group was led by the caretaker of the Mazu Temple in Sg Nyior in Butterworth, Wang Siu Tiam, aged 62.
“I have visited several places in Malaysia and found that the Sam Poh Kong Footprint Temple is the only temple with a statue of Ming Dynasty admiral Cheng Ho facing the sea,” he said.
“Cheng Ho is believed to have prayed at Mazu temples each time before embarking on his journeys.
“Devotees who pay homage to Mazu are mainly fishermen or those whose work is related to the sea.
“They would pray to Mazu for the safety of their family members at sea,” he said.
Wang added that he brought Mazu to ‘visit’ the temples because usually, temple deities are only invited out during ceremonial services.
SMJK Phor Tay student Teoh Kai Xin, 16, said she was glad to be given the the opportunity to carry the Mazu statue at the Sam Poh Kong Footprint Temple.
“I pray to the goddess to help me in my studies. I hope my prayer comes true,” she said.
Her cousin Phang Ni Wei, 24, said she too paid homage to Mazu.
Phang, a personal assistant in an insurance company, lives in Batu Maung and her family members are mostly fishermen.
Two lion dance troupes led the crowd of devotees towards the Sam Poh Kong Footprint Temple where firecrackers were let off.
After ‘visiting’ the temple, Mazu was taken onboard a fishing boat back to the Mazu Temple in Butterworth.
~News courtesy of The Star~
After work attractions
After work attractions
THE George Town Festival 2011 is just “one piece of the puzzle” in attracting talent back to Penang, says Dell Global Business Centre managing director Datuk Simon Wong.
He feels that a vibrant social environment would help to lure the top brains to the state.
“It’s about making professionals see that Penang is a great place to be, work, play and live.
“Not just somewhere that provides great career opportunities, but also a good social life and a vibrant arts scene — this is part of what quality of life is all about,” he said in an interview.
Wong said he had met festival director Joe Sidek through contacts at investPenang, a state government business entity, and had been invited to get on board for the July festival that commemorates the third anniversary of George Town’s Unesco World Heritage listing.
Seeing the festival as an opportunity to contribute to the local arts scene, Dell gave the thumbs up with a RM100,000 sponsorship — the first to come from the Free Industrial Zone in Penang.
Aside from the funding, Dell is also loaning the committee 10 computers for their use during the festival.
“We also have a workforce of about 3,000 in our Bayan Lepas base who are available as volunteers, or, at the very least, attendees for the festival,” he said with a smile.
Wong said as Penang went from being a traditionally strong manufacturing base to expanding into other business areas, the demands of employees had to evolve as well.
“When the Industrial Zone started, the attractions (for investors) were a great historical landscape, a capable government and an available supply chain.
“Those are reasons Dell invested here in 1995. Now, we have to look at creating a great place to live — more than a place for just a career, but also a vibrant arts environment, a strong social scene and something to look forward to in the evenings,” said the father of five.
Joe, who is leading the team in organising the festival, said it was fantastic to see a growing support base for the event.
“This is the second year we are doing a full month-long festival to celebrate the third anniversary of George Town’s Unesco World Heritage listing.
“Last year, aside from getting some support from the state, several developers stepped in to contribute to the festival.
“This year, we want to target prominent companies in the state, specifically the 10 companies that ‘made’ Penang in the 1970s (at the beginning of the Free Industrial Zone) and the 10 companies that continue to ‘make’ Penang now,” Joe said, adding that Dell fell into the second category.
He said creating a balanced and animated city would help Penang lure young professionals who were in the midst of choosing between the state, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to make their mark.
“We want to make Penang the all-round better choice, not only in the job sense but also ‘out there’ where there are things to do after work hours,” Joe said.
He also hoped the festival would give Penang a boost in its race to catch up with Kuala Lumpur’s art scene.
“If you look back, you’ll see that Penang is historically a strong cultural society.
“In fact, we were predecessors of culture for Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
“Now, we just want to lay back claim to that culture,” he added.
~News courtesy of The Star~
THE George Town Festival 2011 is just “one piece of the puzzle” in attracting talent back to Penang, says Dell Global Business Centre managing director Datuk Simon Wong.
He feels that a vibrant social environment would help to lure the top brains to the state.
“It’s about making professionals see that Penang is a great place to be, work, play and live.
“Not just somewhere that provides great career opportunities, but also a good social life and a vibrant arts scene — this is part of what quality of life is all about,” he said in an interview.
Wong said he had met festival director Joe Sidek through contacts at investPenang, a state government business entity, and had been invited to get on board for the July festival that commemorates the third anniversary of George Town’s Unesco World Heritage listing.
Seeing the festival as an opportunity to contribute to the local arts scene, Dell gave the thumbs up with a RM100,000 sponsorship — the first to come from the Free Industrial Zone in Penang.
Aside from the funding, Dell is also loaning the committee 10 computers for their use during the festival.
“We also have a workforce of about 3,000 in our Bayan Lepas base who are available as volunteers, or, at the very least, attendees for the festival,” he said with a smile.
Wong said as Penang went from being a traditionally strong manufacturing base to expanding into other business areas, the demands of employees had to evolve as well.
“When the Industrial Zone started, the attractions (for investors) were a great historical landscape, a capable government and an available supply chain.
“Those are reasons Dell invested here in 1995. Now, we have to look at creating a great place to live — more than a place for just a career, but also a vibrant arts environment, a strong social scene and something to look forward to in the evenings,” said the father of five.
Joe, who is leading the team in organising the festival, said it was fantastic to see a growing support base for the event.
“This is the second year we are doing a full month-long festival to celebrate the third anniversary of George Town’s Unesco World Heritage listing.
“Last year, aside from getting some support from the state, several developers stepped in to contribute to the festival.
“This year, we want to target prominent companies in the state, specifically the 10 companies that ‘made’ Penang in the 1970s (at the beginning of the Free Industrial Zone) and the 10 companies that continue to ‘make’ Penang now,” Joe said, adding that Dell fell into the second category.
He said creating a balanced and animated city would help Penang lure young professionals who were in the midst of choosing between the state, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to make their mark.
“We want to make Penang the all-round better choice, not only in the job sense but also ‘out there’ where there are things to do after work hours,” Joe said.
He also hoped the festival would give Penang a boost in its race to catch up with Kuala Lumpur’s art scene.
“If you look back, you’ll see that Penang is historically a strong cultural society.
“In fact, we were predecessors of culture for Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
“Now, we just want to lay back claim to that culture,” he added.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Driving home a lesson
Driving home a lesson
Grace period: MPPP enforcement officers waiting for the car owner to turn up after clamping the vehicle that is occupying space reserved for motorcycles in Pulau Tikus, Penang.
THE first day of the wheel-clamping move by the Penang Municipal Council saw nine cars being clamped on the island.
The exercise, which started at about 11.30am in several parts of the Pulau Tikus area, was carried out by nine MPPP enforcement officers.
Council assistant enforcement officer V. Siva Kumar said the exercise attracted curious stares from the public.
He said many motorists removed their illegally parked vehicles upon seeing the operations being carried out yesterday along Lorong Kuching, Cantonment Road and Burmah Road.
“It’s not the council’s objective to cause any inconvenience to anyone but our aim is to clear the roads from any obstruction,” he said, adding that the operations would continue today in other areas of the island.
Read the sign: A car parked on a clamping zone in Burmah Road.
From now until June 1, he said owners of vehicles that were clamped need not pay the RM50 fee to remove the clamp but would be given warning and advice instead.
However, vehicles not claimed within four hours would be towed to the council’s enforcement premises on Jalan Timah in George Town.
“The owners will be billed RM150 as towing charges for cars and RM300 for heavy vehicles,” he said.
The clamping will be enforced round-the-clock, while the time to remove the clamps is from 8am to 10pm daily except public holidays.
A notice will be put up on the vehicle to enable the owners to contact the council to remove the clamps.
As of 3pm yesterday, all nine vehicle owners whose cars were clamped had contacted the council office to get the clamps removed.
While clamping is new on the island, it has been carried out on the mainland by enforcement officers from the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) since July 26, 2005.
MPSP councillor Oon Neow Aun said the operations under the Traffic Ordinance (Parking Coupons) MPSP 1995 were conducted from time to time to ensure the vehicles were parked in the designated places.
He said 1,006 vehicles had been clamped over the first four months this year, and RM50,750 collected in the Seberang Prai area.
“Last year, we collected RM78,100 after clamping 1,530 vehicles all over the mainland,” he said, adding that MPSP had started wheel-clamping and towing since July 26, 2005.
A check revealed that 18 vehicles were clamped in the Jalan Padang Lalang area of Bukit Mertajam yesterday morning.
Most of the owners were seen paying the RM50 fee to remove the clamp without any hesitation.
A motorist who came out of a bank upon seeing his car being clamped immediately rushed back to the automated teller machine (ATM) and withdrew money to pay for the removal of the clamp.
Oon said for those who failed to pay the fee by 6pm, their vehicles would be towed to the MPSP store and the owner would be charged RM200 in towing fees.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Grace period: MPPP enforcement officers waiting for the car owner to turn up after clamping the vehicle that is occupying space reserved for motorcycles in Pulau Tikus, Penang.
THE first day of the wheel-clamping move by the Penang Municipal Council saw nine cars being clamped on the island.
The exercise, which started at about 11.30am in several parts of the Pulau Tikus area, was carried out by nine MPPP enforcement officers.
Council assistant enforcement officer V. Siva Kumar said the exercise attracted curious stares from the public.
He said many motorists removed their illegally parked vehicles upon seeing the operations being carried out yesterday along Lorong Kuching, Cantonment Road and Burmah Road.
“It’s not the council’s objective to cause any inconvenience to anyone but our aim is to clear the roads from any obstruction,” he said, adding that the operations would continue today in other areas of the island.
Read the sign: A car parked on a clamping zone in Burmah Road.
From now until June 1, he said owners of vehicles that were clamped need not pay the RM50 fee to remove the clamp but would be given warning and advice instead.
However, vehicles not claimed within four hours would be towed to the council’s enforcement premises on Jalan Timah in George Town.
“The owners will be billed RM150 as towing charges for cars and RM300 for heavy vehicles,” he said.
The clamping will be enforced round-the-clock, while the time to remove the clamps is from 8am to 10pm daily except public holidays.
A notice will be put up on the vehicle to enable the owners to contact the council to remove the clamps.
As of 3pm yesterday, all nine vehicle owners whose cars were clamped had contacted the council office to get the clamps removed.
While clamping is new on the island, it has been carried out on the mainland by enforcement officers from the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) since July 26, 2005.
MPSP councillor Oon Neow Aun said the operations under the Traffic Ordinance (Parking Coupons) MPSP 1995 were conducted from time to time to ensure the vehicles were parked in the designated places.
He said 1,006 vehicles had been clamped over the first four months this year, and RM50,750 collected in the Seberang Prai area.
“Last year, we collected RM78,100 after clamping 1,530 vehicles all over the mainland,” he said, adding that MPSP had started wheel-clamping and towing since July 26, 2005.
A check revealed that 18 vehicles were clamped in the Jalan Padang Lalang area of Bukit Mertajam yesterday morning.
Most of the owners were seen paying the RM50 fee to remove the clamp without any hesitation.
A motorist who came out of a bank upon seeing his car being clamped immediately rushed back to the automated teller machine (ATM) and withdrew money to pay for the removal of the clamp.
Oon said for those who failed to pay the fee by 6pm, their vehicles would be towed to the MPSP store and the owner would be charged RM200 in towing fees.
~News courtesy of The Star~
‘Tap and go’ bus rides
‘Tap and go’ bus rides
Rapid Penang will test run its E-ticketing system for three months, starting June 1, to enhance the bus fare collection process.
Its media relations manager Mohd Tajudin Mohd Kassim said the system would be put on trial on 50 buses departing from the Weld Quay bus terminal for the Paya Terubong, Air Itam, Farlim and Balik Pulau routes.
“Under the ‘Taptopay’ electronic fare system, commuters only have to tap their bus passes on decoders once they board the bus, and the fare will be deducted automatically.
“The system will cut down the commuters’ boarding time and eliminate the hassle of using cash and coins for every journey,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Mohd Tajudin said once the system is proven to be feasible and able to link to the company’s existing Global Positioning System (GPS), it will be implemented on all the 350 buses statewide.
“Commuters wishing to participate in the test run are required to change to the new microchipped bus pass at our headquaters on Lorong Kulit.”
For more information, call 04-2381313 or visit the company’s website (www.rapidpg.com.my).
~News courtesy of The Star~
Rapid Penang will test run its E-ticketing system for three months, starting June 1, to enhance the bus fare collection process.
Its media relations manager Mohd Tajudin Mohd Kassim said the system would be put on trial on 50 buses departing from the Weld Quay bus terminal for the Paya Terubong, Air Itam, Farlim and Balik Pulau routes.
“Under the ‘Taptopay’ electronic fare system, commuters only have to tap their bus passes on decoders once they board the bus, and the fare will be deducted automatically.
“The system will cut down the commuters’ boarding time and eliminate the hassle of using cash and coins for every journey,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Mohd Tajudin said once the system is proven to be feasible and able to link to the company’s existing Global Positioning System (GPS), it will be implemented on all the 350 buses statewide.
“Commuters wishing to participate in the test run are required to change to the new microchipped bus pass at our headquaters on Lorong Kulit.”
For more information, call 04-2381313 or visit the company’s website (www.rapidpg.com.my).
~News courtesy of The Star~
Exciting fairs coming soon
Exciting fairs coming soon
ICT@Komtar Digital Lifestyle Mall in Komtar, Penang, will be holding five fairs from May to July.
The first one will be the Camera Fair tomorrow.
This will be followed by a Notebook Fair, Broadband, Mobile and GPS Fair and a Components Fair in June.
From July 22 to July 24, a Games, Speakers and Accessories Fair will be held for games enthusiasts.
Excitement awaits visitors to the Camera Fair as there will be an iPad 2 on sale with a purchase-with-purchase offer that gives them a chance to buy the iPad 2 from as low as RM888.
Visitors who spend a minimum of RM5 can take part in a spin-the-wheel contest to buy items at a special price.
ICT@Komtar director Shanley Leong said shoppers will no longer have to wait for PC fairs to buy gadgets at an affordable price.
“Just come here as we offer good deals 365 days a year,” she said at a press conference.
~News courtesy of The Star~
ICT@Komtar Digital Lifestyle Mall in Komtar, Penang, will be holding five fairs from May to July.
The first one will be the Camera Fair tomorrow.
This will be followed by a Notebook Fair, Broadband, Mobile and GPS Fair and a Components Fair in June.
From July 22 to July 24, a Games, Speakers and Accessories Fair will be held for games enthusiasts.
Excitement awaits visitors to the Camera Fair as there will be an iPad 2 on sale with a purchase-with-purchase offer that gives them a chance to buy the iPad 2 from as low as RM888.
Visitors who spend a minimum of RM5 can take part in a spin-the-wheel contest to buy items at a special price.
ICT@Komtar director Shanley Leong said shoppers will no longer have to wait for PC fairs to buy gadgets at an affordable price.
“Just come here as we offer good deals 365 days a year,” she said at a press conference.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Friday, 20 May 2011
Cool place to chill out
Cool place to chill out
THOSE looking for a place to kick back after an arduous day at work need not look further than the Church Street Cafe.
Located along Church Street, the cafe is the perfect getaway spot for many seeking a reprieve after a stressful day at work despite being nestled in the buzzing heart of the inner city.
The cafe, operating since 2004, serves up a mouth-watering array of western dishes such as Santa Fe Enchiladas and Dragon Wings.
The enchiladas is sure to satisfy the appetite of Tex-Mex cuisine lovers with its spiciness, which comes from the peppers used. The spiciness complements the chicken meat chunks meant to be wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Mouth-watering: (clockwise from front) Mushroom Grill Chicken, Santa Fe Enchiladas, Snow Beer and Dragon Wing.
Meanwhile, for those who prefer to sink their teeth into a turkey wing, they can go for the Dragon Wings.
Despite being notoriously known for its dry meat, the turkey wing, as big or even bigger than a human palm, is surprisingly tender. Cooked to perfection and coated in a smoky barbeque sauce, the turkey wing is the perfect dish to be eaten with the cafe’s signature beverage, the Snow Beer.
The Snow Beer is almost similar to an ice-blended beer. The beer and glass are frozen beforehand to give it that refreshing sensation as it runs down the customer’s gullet.
According to cafe owner Yeap Teik Chuan, his place is the only place that sells Snow Beer.
“Many people have tried it at home but failed because the temperature has to be just right to freeze the beer. One has to be creative to survive in the food and beverage business.”
The walls of the outlet are plastered with album covers of musicians like The Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley as Yeap had started the outlet with beer and ‘Rock n Roll’ in mind.
“I will be the one choosing the music and I will not allow any of my staff to tamper with the playlist featuring my favourite bands like Guns N’ Roses, Queen and The Beatles.
Every Wednesday, the cafe will have Dart Game Night where customers can come in and play with each other. The outlet is also equipped with a pool table.
The prices here are reasonable and the service, ambience and cleanliness are second to none, and this makes customers want to come back for more! Moreover, there will also be a new menu soon.
In addition to that, the outlet also has a private room equipped with musical instruments like guitars and drum sets for a jamming session or a private party which can accommodate up to 20 people.
Church Street Cafe (04-2639422) is open from noon to 3am on weekdays and 5pm to 3am on weekends and public holidays.
~News courtesy of The Star~
THOSE looking for a place to kick back after an arduous day at work need not look further than the Church Street Cafe.
Located along Church Street, the cafe is the perfect getaway spot for many seeking a reprieve after a stressful day at work despite being nestled in the buzzing heart of the inner city.
The cafe, operating since 2004, serves up a mouth-watering array of western dishes such as Santa Fe Enchiladas and Dragon Wings.
The enchiladas is sure to satisfy the appetite of Tex-Mex cuisine lovers with its spiciness, which comes from the peppers used. The spiciness complements the chicken meat chunks meant to be wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Mouth-watering: (clockwise from front) Mushroom Grill Chicken, Santa Fe Enchiladas, Snow Beer and Dragon Wing.Meanwhile, for those who prefer to sink their teeth into a turkey wing, they can go for the Dragon Wings.
Despite being notoriously known for its dry meat, the turkey wing, as big or even bigger than a human palm, is surprisingly tender. Cooked to perfection and coated in a smoky barbeque sauce, the turkey wing is the perfect dish to be eaten with the cafe’s signature beverage, the Snow Beer.
The Snow Beer is almost similar to an ice-blended beer. The beer and glass are frozen beforehand to give it that refreshing sensation as it runs down the customer’s gullet.
According to cafe owner Yeap Teik Chuan, his place is the only place that sells Snow Beer.
“Many people have tried it at home but failed because the temperature has to be just right to freeze the beer. One has to be creative to survive in the food and beverage business.”
The walls of the outlet are plastered with album covers of musicians like The Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley as Yeap had started the outlet with beer and ‘Rock n Roll’ in mind.
“I will be the one choosing the music and I will not allow any of my staff to tamper with the playlist featuring my favourite bands like Guns N’ Roses, Queen and The Beatles.
Every Wednesday, the cafe will have Dart Game Night where customers can come in and play with each other. The outlet is also equipped with a pool table.
The prices here are reasonable and the service, ambience and cleanliness are second to none, and this makes customers want to come back for more! Moreover, there will also be a new menu soon.
In addition to that, the outlet also has a private room equipped with musical instruments like guitars and drum sets for a jamming session or a private party which can accommodate up to 20 people.
Church Street Cafe (04-2639422) is open from noon to 3am on weekdays and 5pm to 3am on weekends and public holidays.
~News courtesy of The Star~
French fest to enliven the weekend
French fest to enliven the weekend
PENANG will come alive with a French passion this weekend in conjunction with the 10th French Art and Film Festival.
First on the list of activities is a French reading contest that will take place at the Gurney Plaza old wing concourse tomorrow and Sunday.
Justine Esteve, the director of Alliance Francaise de Penang who is co-organising the festival, said all French speakers were welcome to join the competition that would start at 4pm on both days.
“We have many students from our language school competing but everyone who can read in French is welcome.
“There will be selected texts available for the participants to choose from but they are welcome to bring their own books and poetry as well,” Esteve said.
She added that each participant would be allowed three minutes to read.
She said the participants would be judged based on three main criteria — pronunciation, rhythm and fluency.
“The first place winners on both Saturday and Sunday will win one free term of French classes at Alliance Francaise de Penang.
“There is no registration fee for the competition and those who want to join can just show up at Gurney Plaza before the sessions begin,” Esteve said.
The second activity lined up for the festival is an Indonesian cultural performance with a French twist.
“Didik Nini Thowok, an accomplished Indonesian dancer, will be performing in the dance and poetry recital entitled ‘Centhini — Empat Puluh Malam dan Satunya Hujan’.
“The performance is based on an old Java-nese literature that has been translated into French by author Elizabeth D. Inandiak,” said Esteve.
“Inandiak, a noted translator who specia-lises in Southeast Asian languages, will be reading extracts from the text in Malay du-ring the performance,” she said, adding that English translations would projected on a screen.
She said the performance would be held in Penang’s Town Hall at the Esplanade on Sunday at 7.30pm.
Tickets are priced at RM20 with a RM5 discount for Alliance Francaise members.
They can be obtained from Alliance Fran-caise de Penang at 46, Jalan Phuah Hin Leong or at the Town Hall before the perfor-mance.
The French Art and Film Festival will also see the screening of six French movies at GSC Gurney Plaza from May 26 to May 31.
A special appearance by Merzhin, a French Celtic Rock band, is also on the cards with the band performing at the Hard Rock Cafe Penang on June 26.
The festival, that started this month in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, is organised by Alliance Francaise and the French Embassy in Malaysia.
For the movie screening schedule and more information about the festival activities, visit www.faff.com.my, check out Alliance Francaise de Penang’s Facebook page or call 04-2276008.
~News courtesy of The Star~
PENANG will come alive with a French passion this weekend in conjunction with the 10th French Art and Film Festival.
First on the list of activities is a French reading contest that will take place at the Gurney Plaza old wing concourse tomorrow and Sunday.
Justine Esteve, the director of Alliance Francaise de Penang who is co-organising the festival, said all French speakers were welcome to join the competition that would start at 4pm on both days.
“We have many students from our language school competing but everyone who can read in French is welcome.
“There will be selected texts available for the participants to choose from but they are welcome to bring their own books and poetry as well,” Esteve said.
She added that each participant would be allowed three minutes to read.
She said the participants would be judged based on three main criteria — pronunciation, rhythm and fluency.
“The first place winners on both Saturday and Sunday will win one free term of French classes at Alliance Francaise de Penang.
“There is no registration fee for the competition and those who want to join can just show up at Gurney Plaza before the sessions begin,” Esteve said.
The second activity lined up for the festival is an Indonesian cultural performance with a French twist.
“Didik Nini Thowok, an accomplished Indonesian dancer, will be performing in the dance and poetry recital entitled ‘Centhini — Empat Puluh Malam dan Satunya Hujan’.
“The performance is based on an old Java-nese literature that has been translated into French by author Elizabeth D. Inandiak,” said Esteve.
“Inandiak, a noted translator who specia-lises in Southeast Asian languages, will be reading extracts from the text in Malay du-ring the performance,” she said, adding that English translations would projected on a screen.
She said the performance would be held in Penang’s Town Hall at the Esplanade on Sunday at 7.30pm.
Tickets are priced at RM20 with a RM5 discount for Alliance Francaise members.
They can be obtained from Alliance Fran-caise de Penang at 46, Jalan Phuah Hin Leong or at the Town Hall before the perfor-mance.
The French Art and Film Festival will also see the screening of six French movies at GSC Gurney Plaza from May 26 to May 31.
A special appearance by Merzhin, a French Celtic Rock band, is also on the cards with the band performing at the Hard Rock Cafe Penang on June 26.
The festival, that started this month in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, is organised by Alliance Francaise and the French Embassy in Malaysia.
For the movie screening schedule and more information about the festival activities, visit www.faff.com.my, check out Alliance Francaise de Penang’s Facebook page or call 04-2276008.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Monk’s vision realised
Monk’s vision realised
The four-storey tower is topped by a dome, pagoda and bell.
SOME 5,000 devotees gathered at Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple on Burma Lane, Penang, for the grand opening of the Golden Pagoda Bell Tower.
Chants filled the air as the devotees paid homage to Buddha.
Joining the devotees were busloads of tourists and shutterbugs.
The opening of the 33m-high four-storey tower costing RM3mil started with a solemn procession.
It was led by the temple’s chief monk U Pannya Vamsa who was followed by some devotees carrying golden umbrellas, holy relics, precious items and other Buddhist artifacts.
Devotees from Myanmar were also seen in their traditional costumes, making the procession even more colourful and eye-catching.
Many of the devotees had a good time at the event which had traditional Myanmarese dances in front of the tower.
Temple trustee Yeap Theam Kwee, speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony yesterday, said that luckily, it was a nice and sunny day and this had attracted a large crowd.
“About 150 monks from countries such as Myanmar, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom were also at the event.”
Thai Consul-General Voradet Viravakin and his Japanese counterpart Tetsuro Kai were also present at the grand opening.
The tower, which was completed last month, was the brainchild of the chief monk who had a vision three years ago to bring in replicas of Buddhist shrines from other countries and feature them all under a single roof.
At the tower, visitors were able to admire the white marble wall sculptures of ancient Buddhist shrines from 22 countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tibet, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongolia and Malaysia.
The tower occupies a built-up area of 697sq m in the temple grounds.
Its first three floors house Buddhist artifacts, relics, ornaments and Buddha images while the top floor has the dome, pagoda and temple bell.
Myanmarese devotee Khin Htay Nyunt, 58, said she came to Penang just to witness the golden tower’s opening.
“The tower is really beautiful and I feel blessed after praying in this place,” she said.
Visitors to the temple in the evening were treated to multi-cultural dance and song performances.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The four-storey tower is topped by a dome, pagoda and bell.SOME 5,000 devotees gathered at Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple on Burma Lane, Penang, for the grand opening of the Golden Pagoda Bell Tower.
Chants filled the air as the devotees paid homage to Buddha.
Joining the devotees were busloads of tourists and shutterbugs.
The opening of the 33m-high four-storey tower costing RM3mil started with a solemn procession.
It was led by the temple’s chief monk U Pannya Vamsa who was followed by some devotees carrying golden umbrellas, holy relics, precious items and other Buddhist artifacts.
Devotees from Myanmar were also seen in their traditional costumes, making the procession even more colourful and eye-catching.
Many of the devotees had a good time at the event which had traditional Myanmarese dances in front of the tower.
Temple trustee Yeap Theam Kwee, speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony yesterday, said that luckily, it was a nice and sunny day and this had attracted a large crowd.
“About 150 monks from countries such as Myanmar, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom were also at the event.”
Thai Consul-General Voradet Viravakin and his Japanese counterpart Tetsuro Kai were also present at the grand opening.
The tower, which was completed last month, was the brainchild of the chief monk who had a vision three years ago to bring in replicas of Buddhist shrines from other countries and feature them all under a single roof.
At the tower, visitors were able to admire the white marble wall sculptures of ancient Buddhist shrines from 22 countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tibet, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongolia and Malaysia.
The tower occupies a built-up area of 697sq m in the temple grounds.
Its first three floors house Buddhist artifacts, relics, ornaments and Buddha images while the top floor has the dome, pagoda and temple bell.
Myanmarese devotee Khin Htay Nyunt, 58, said she came to Penang just to witness the golden tower’s opening.
“The tower is really beautiful and I feel blessed after praying in this place,” she said.
Visitors to the temple in the evening were treated to multi-cultural dance and song performances.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Wat Chaiyamangalaram (Thai temple)
Wat Chaiyamangalaram, Burma Lane (Lorong Burma), was founded in 1845. A Thai-style Buddhist temple that is famous for its reclining Buddha (33 m), one of the world's longest. The temple was built on a piece of land given by Queen Victoria to 4 women trustees as a gesture of goodwill to boost trading relations with Thailand. The guardian dragon and statue at the entrance are both ostentatious and spectacular.
~Info courtesy of Wikitravel~
Burmese Buddhist Temple
Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple located opposite of Wat Chaiyamangalaram, Burma Lane, was founded in 1803. A pair of white elephants (sacred beasts in Buddhism) guard the entrance while within a bodhi tree and wishing pond greets the visitor.
～Info courtesy of wikitravel～
Eateries still not up to par
Eateries still not up to par
TWO eateries on Jalan Sungai Pinang in Penang are still not up to mark, more than four months after they failed inspections by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP).
The council has now issued six summonses to one of the outlets and three to the other.
The offences included having dirty premises and contaminated food, placing raw material on the floor, disposing of leftover food in the drain and failing to get typhoid injection for workers.
MPPP Public Health Standing Committee alternate chairman Ong Ah Teong said the council issued both eateries with a total of 14 summonses in the last inspections on Dec 24 for various offences, including having cockroaches in the premises.
Health concerns: Ong checking the cleanliness of a container at a Chinese food outlet at Sungai Pinang
He, however, said both eateries had improved in their overall grading since then but were still below the optimum Grade A of 80 to 100 points.
He said one of the eateries only recorded a slight improvement from 41 points to 52 points while the other, which was closed for three days by the Health Ministry last month, jumped from 40.6 points to 75.5 points.
Ong said that both eateries were entitled to a 50% discount for the summonses if they settled the fines within two weeks, except for the dumping of leftover food in drains which carries a RM250 fine.
The other offences carry fines of RM20 to RM100.
He said the council had also written to the Health Ministry to request it to check four dirty eateries in Bayan Lepas and three in Air Itam.
“I urge all food outlet owners to improve and maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of their outlets.
“It is important to provide customers with clean food and good service. Don’t tarnish the name of your own outlet,” he said yesterday.
~News courtesy of The Star~
TWO eateries on Jalan Sungai Pinang in Penang are still not up to mark, more than four months after they failed inspections by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP).
The council has now issued six summonses to one of the outlets and three to the other.
The offences included having dirty premises and contaminated food, placing raw material on the floor, disposing of leftover food in the drain and failing to get typhoid injection for workers.
MPPP Public Health Standing Committee alternate chairman Ong Ah Teong said the council issued both eateries with a total of 14 summonses in the last inspections on Dec 24 for various offences, including having cockroaches in the premises.
Health concerns: Ong checking the cleanliness of a container at a Chinese food outlet at Sungai PinangHe, however, said both eateries had improved in their overall grading since then but were still below the optimum Grade A of 80 to 100 points.
He said one of the eateries only recorded a slight improvement from 41 points to 52 points while the other, which was closed for three days by the Health Ministry last month, jumped from 40.6 points to 75.5 points.
Ong said that both eateries were entitled to a 50% discount for the summonses if they settled the fines within two weeks, except for the dumping of leftover food in drains which carries a RM250 fine.
The other offences carry fines of RM20 to RM100.
He said the council had also written to the Health Ministry to request it to check four dirty eateries in Bayan Lepas and three in Air Itam.
“I urge all food outlet owners to improve and maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of their outlets.
“It is important to provide customers with clean food and good service. Don’t tarnish the name of your own outlet,” he said yesterday.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Bus park for foothill station
Bus park for foothill station
A parking area for buses will be created near the bottom station of the Penang Hill funicular train.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the bus park and a bridge linking it to the station was one of the first projects needed to be implemented to upgrade and improve facilities at the place and atop Penang Hill.
Lim said there was an available empty space next to a neighbouring Chinese temple about 30m away that could be used for the purpose.
“That space can accommodate 20 to 30 buses and if all goes well, we can build the bridge in the next four to five months,” he said, adding that initial estimates put the bridge cost at RM100,000 to RM150,000.
He also said he would hold a meeting tomorrow with relevant government agencies to quicken the implementation of small projects at Penang Hill.
“I am dissatisfied with the progress and have decided to intervene. People are coming to Penang Hill but many small projects have yet to get off the ground,” he said after visiting the bottom station yesterday.
Lim said on the top of the list of pertinent issues that needed to be addressed was traffic congestion at the station.
He said buses were unable to turn at the roundabout at the station’s entrance where there was only space for one or two buses to stop.
Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the state government had promised RM40mil to develop Penang Hill over a five-year period.
“For this year, RM8.5mil has been allocated for development, out of which RM1.5mil will go into upgrading projects for the bottom station,” he said, adding that equipping an administrative office and building a shelter at the entrance courtyard were among proposed upgrading projects.
~News courtesy of The Star~
A parking area for buses will be created near the bottom station of the Penang Hill funicular train.Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the bus park and a bridge linking it to the station was one of the first projects needed to be implemented to upgrade and improve facilities at the place and atop Penang Hill.
Lim said there was an available empty space next to a neighbouring Chinese temple about 30m away that could be used for the purpose.
“That space can accommodate 20 to 30 buses and if all goes well, we can build the bridge in the next four to five months,” he said, adding that initial estimates put the bridge cost at RM100,000 to RM150,000.
He also said he would hold a meeting tomorrow with relevant government agencies to quicken the implementation of small projects at Penang Hill.
“I am dissatisfied with the progress and have decided to intervene. People are coming to Penang Hill but many small projects have yet to get off the ground,” he said after visiting the bottom station yesterday.
Lim said on the top of the list of pertinent issues that needed to be addressed was traffic congestion at the station.
He said buses were unable to turn at the roundabout at the station’s entrance where there was only space for one or two buses to stop.
Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the state government had promised RM40mil to develop Penang Hill over a five-year period.
“For this year, RM8.5mil has been allocated for development, out of which RM1.5mil will go into upgrading projects for the bottom station,” he said, adding that equipping an administrative office and building a shelter at the entrance courtyard were among proposed upgrading projects.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Hot spell likely to ease next week
Hot spell likely to ease next week
THE rising temperature now is caused by reduced air humidity and rainfall in the region caused by tropical storm Aere in northern Philippines that blew hot air to the country, said Malaysian Meteorological Department (Met) weather forecasting director Saw Bun Liong.
Saw told Bernama that the current hot spell in the peninsula was only temporary and likely to ease next week.
He said the hot spell was, however, normal in May and the temperatures recorded were lower than during the same period in 1998.
The country has beem experiencing warm weather since May 6. The highest temperature recorded throughout the country since May 6 is 36.2°C.
Cooling off: Children playing at the pool at Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers due to the hot weather recently. — By AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star.
The department will continue to monitor the situation continuously round the clock and will alert the National Security Council if any action needs to be taken.
Saw advised the public to avoid open burning, reduce outdoor activities and drink a lot of water.
According to information posted on the department’s website, Malaysia is now experiencing inter-monsoon season which will last until the end of the month..
During this period the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah will occasionally experience thunderstorms and heavy rain in the afternoon and fair weather over the eastern states of the peninsula.
Subsequently, the South-West Monsoon is expected from June to September. The South-West Mon-soon is comparatively drier throughout the country and this is attributed to relatively stable atmospheric condition due to less intense convective development.
It was also stated that the current La Nina condition is expected to continue weakening in the coming months and the weather will be back to normal by June.
The hot spell has resulted in more people staying indoors and drinking more water and switching on the air-conditioners.
Electrical product retailers like Courts and Harvey Norman confirmed that they had recorded an increase in sale of air-conditioners in recent weeks.
Consumers are spoilt for choice as the retailers are running promotions by air-conditioner brands like Panasonic, York, Mitsubishi and LG.
A spokesman from the Seri Andalas Fire and Rescue Department in Klang said they had received instructions to monitor the Kampung Johan Setia area, which is prone to peat fires during a drought and farmers conducting open burning of jungle waste.
“We have yet to receive any complaints about fires in the area.
“But the department has recorded fewer forest fires this year compared with previous years because we have taken early preventive measures and carry out regular monitoring,” he said.
At press time, Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd could not be contacted for comments on the water level at the dams in Sungai Langat, Klang Gates and Tasik Subang.
~News courtesy of The Star~
THE rising temperature now is caused by reduced air humidity and rainfall in the region caused by tropical storm Aere in northern Philippines that blew hot air to the country, said Malaysian Meteorological Department (Met) weather forecasting director Saw Bun Liong.
Saw told Bernama that the current hot spell in the peninsula was only temporary and likely to ease next week.
He said the hot spell was, however, normal in May and the temperatures recorded were lower than during the same period in 1998.
The country has beem experiencing warm weather since May 6. The highest temperature recorded throughout the country since May 6 is 36.2°C.
Cooling off: Children playing at the pool at Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers due to the hot weather recently. — By AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star.
The department will continue to monitor the situation continuously round the clock and will alert the National Security Council if any action needs to be taken.
Saw advised the public to avoid open burning, reduce outdoor activities and drink a lot of water.
According to information posted on the department’s website, Malaysia is now experiencing inter-monsoon season which will last until the end of the month..
During this period the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah will occasionally experience thunderstorms and heavy rain in the afternoon and fair weather over the eastern states of the peninsula.
Subsequently, the South-West Monsoon is expected from June to September. The South-West Mon-soon is comparatively drier throughout the country and this is attributed to relatively stable atmospheric condition due to less intense convective development.
It was also stated that the current La Nina condition is expected to continue weakening in the coming months and the weather will be back to normal by June.
The hot spell has resulted in more people staying indoors and drinking more water and switching on the air-conditioners.
Electrical product retailers like Courts and Harvey Norman confirmed that they had recorded an increase in sale of air-conditioners in recent weeks.
Consumers are spoilt for choice as the retailers are running promotions by air-conditioner brands like Panasonic, York, Mitsubishi and LG.
A spokesman from the Seri Andalas Fire and Rescue Department in Klang said they had received instructions to monitor the Kampung Johan Setia area, which is prone to peat fires during a drought and farmers conducting open burning of jungle waste.
“We have yet to receive any complaints about fires in the area.
“But the department has recorded fewer forest fires this year compared with previous years because we have taken early preventive measures and carry out regular monitoring,” he said.
At press time, Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd could not be contacted for comments on the water level at the dams in Sungai Langat, Klang Gates and Tasik Subang.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Drinks cost the same despite sugar price increase
Drinks to cost the same despite sugar price increase, say restaurant operators
GEORGE TOWN: Muslim restaurants will not be increasing the prices of their drinks although sugar now costs an extra 20 sen per kilo.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said its 3,700 members would not increase the prices of drinks.
“We can easily absorb the cost,” he said yesterday.
He said restaurant operators had already reduced the amount of sugar in drinks following the Government's call for the public to consume less sugar.
“Our customers are also asking for less sugar in their drinks,” he added.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom had announced that the price of coarse and fine sugar would be increased by 20 sen to RM2.30 per kilo.
Coffeeshops in Sibu have also pledged to maintain the prices of their drinks for the time being.
However, Sibu Coffeeshop and Restaurant Owners Association chairman Tong Ing Kok said it would have to consider any appeal from members for a price increase.
“The prices of other ingredients for drinks such as condensed milk, evaporated milk and coffee powder have also increased,” he added.
Tong said the per-carton price of condensed milk had increased from RM124.40 to about RM148 and evaporated milk from RM105.80 to about RM127.
He added that the price of coffee powder had increased from RM17 to RM22 per kilo.
“With or without a price increase, I strongly urge our members to maintain standards and not reduce the quality of their drinks, which can result in them losing customers,” he said, advising members to comply with the association's price list on drinks.
Malaysian Chinese Food Consumers Association vice-chairman Chia Yuk Koay said he had not received any feedback from his members on the sugar price increase.
~News courtesy of The Star~
GEORGE TOWN: Muslim restaurants will not be increasing the prices of their drinks although sugar now costs an extra 20 sen per kilo.
Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma) president Noorul Hassan Saul Hameed said its 3,700 members would not increase the prices of drinks.
“We can easily absorb the cost,” he said yesterday.
He said restaurant operators had already reduced the amount of sugar in drinks following the Government's call for the public to consume less sugar.
“Our customers are also asking for less sugar in their drinks,” he added.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zain Mohd Dom had announced that the price of coarse and fine sugar would be increased by 20 sen to RM2.30 per kilo.
Coffeeshops in Sibu have also pledged to maintain the prices of their drinks for the time being.
However, Sibu Coffeeshop and Restaurant Owners Association chairman Tong Ing Kok said it would have to consider any appeal from members for a price increase.
“The prices of other ingredients for drinks such as condensed milk, evaporated milk and coffee powder have also increased,” he added.
Tong said the per-carton price of condensed milk had increased from RM124.40 to about RM148 and evaporated milk from RM105.80 to about RM127.
He added that the price of coffee powder had increased from RM17 to RM22 per kilo.
“With or without a price increase, I strongly urge our members to maintain standards and not reduce the quality of their drinks, which can result in them losing customers,” he said, advising members to comply with the association's price list on drinks.
Malaysian Chinese Food Consumers Association vice-chairman Chia Yuk Koay said he had not received any feedback from his members on the sugar price increase.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
RM1.4mil spent on reptile garden
RM1.4mil spent on reptile garden
ABOUT RM1.3mil was initially spent on the reptile and animal cages at the Taman Rimba reptile garden in Teluk Bahang which had remained empty for three years.
“The Wildlife Department then spent RM100,000 more to try and ‘save’ the project, but when I took over this portfolio (after the March 2008 elections) I found that there was not a single record on the project.
“(After looking into the matter) the current government rejected the project on the grounds of public safety,” said Penang Welfare, Health, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh (DAP-Sungai Puyu).
Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Datuk Keramat) then asked Phee whether he was aware that illegal wild- life trader Wong was involved in the project, and Phee said he knew.
He suggested that a special committee be set up to investigate whether any criminal acts were committed in the project.
~News courtesy of The Star~
ABOUT RM1.3mil was initially spent on the reptile and animal cages at the Taman Rimba reptile garden in Teluk Bahang which had remained empty for three years.
“The Wildlife Department then spent RM100,000 more to try and ‘save’ the project, but when I took over this portfolio (after the March 2008 elections) I found that there was not a single record on the project.
“(After looking into the matter) the current government rejected the project on the grounds of public safety,” said Penang Welfare, Health, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh (DAP-Sungai Puyu).
Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Datuk Keramat) then asked Phee whether he was aware that illegal wild- life trader Wong was involved in the project, and Phee said he knew.
He suggested that a special committee be set up to investigate whether any criminal acts were committed in the project.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Row over alternative route that avoids toll charges
Row over alternative route that avoids toll charges
AN opposition assemblyman traded barbs with state exco member Lim Hock Seng over the need for alternative roads so that motorists need not pay toll at the Sungai Nyior toll plaza in Butterworth.
Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah (BN-Seberang Jaya) said the state had ‘hoodwinked’ the people by claiming that the newly opened road connecting Jalan Bagan 29 and Jalan Siram was a solution to the predicament.
“This new road stretch has nothing to do with the Sungai Nyior toll and the road is located far from Seberang Jaya town.
“The state should instead construct a pair road parallel to the Sungai Nyior toll-stretch,” he interjected when Lim presented his winding-up speech at the state assembly yesterday.
Friends again: Lim sharing a light moment with Arif Shah during tea break after exchanging barbs at the Penang State Assembly
Lim said according to the agreement with the highway’s concession holder, the state could be sued if there were any ‘traffic leakages’ along the stretch that affected the company’s toll collection.
“The Seberang Jaya assemblyman is a good actor, because during the height of the Sungai Nyior toll issue, he brought supporters to protest toll collection there,” he said.
Arif Shah admitted he objected to the toll collection, adding that if it were not for him, the toll would not have been lowered from RM3 to 50 sen.
“I initially pressed for the toll to be merely 20 sen and was even labelled a crazy elected representative for that.
“But, I was bold enough to ask for 20 sen and at least it was reduced to 50 sen,” he said.
Lim said the 50 sen toll was merely an initial amount, which would be increased after three years.
To avoid paying toll at the Sungai Nyior toll plaza, he said, a new road could be connected between Jalan Bagan 29 in Taman Bagan and Jalan Jelawat in Seberang Jaya.
“However, this stretch may not materialise if the Sungai Nyior toll concession holder objects to it,” he said.
Lim said another alternative road between Jalan Permatang Pauh and Jalan Tenggiri as previously suggested by former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, was also not viable, as motorists could use the current stretch near Mak Mandin to travel between Butterworth and Seberang Jaya.
~News courtesy of The Star~
AN opposition assemblyman traded barbs with state exco member Lim Hock Seng over the need for alternative roads so that motorists need not pay toll at the Sungai Nyior toll plaza in Butterworth.
Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah (BN-Seberang Jaya) said the state had ‘hoodwinked’ the people by claiming that the newly opened road connecting Jalan Bagan 29 and Jalan Siram was a solution to the predicament.
“This new road stretch has nothing to do with the Sungai Nyior toll and the road is located far from Seberang Jaya town.
“The state should instead construct a pair road parallel to the Sungai Nyior toll-stretch,” he interjected when Lim presented his winding-up speech at the state assembly yesterday.
Friends again: Lim sharing a light moment with Arif Shah during tea break after exchanging barbs at the Penang State Assembly
Lim said according to the agreement with the highway’s concession holder, the state could be sued if there were any ‘traffic leakages’ along the stretch that affected the company’s toll collection.
“The Seberang Jaya assemblyman is a good actor, because during the height of the Sungai Nyior toll issue, he brought supporters to protest toll collection there,” he said.
Arif Shah admitted he objected to the toll collection, adding that if it were not for him, the toll would not have been lowered from RM3 to 50 sen.
“I initially pressed for the toll to be merely 20 sen and was even labelled a crazy elected representative for that.
“But, I was bold enough to ask for 20 sen and at least it was reduced to 50 sen,” he said.
Lim said the 50 sen toll was merely an initial amount, which would be increased after three years.
To avoid paying toll at the Sungai Nyior toll plaza, he said, a new road could be connected between Jalan Bagan 29 in Taman Bagan and Jalan Jelawat in Seberang Jaya.
“However, this stretch may not materialise if the Sungai Nyior toll concession holder objects to it,” he said.
Lim said another alternative road between Jalan Permatang Pauh and Jalan Tenggiri as previously suggested by former Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, was also not viable, as motorists could use the current stretch near Mak Mandin to travel between Butterworth and Seberang Jaya.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Bitter pill to swallow after dinner
Bitter pill to swallow after dinner
THREE people who went for dinner at an eatery in Tanjung Tokong, Penang, were shocked to find the wheels of their cars chained up at a food court car park.
They had to pay RM100 to a man, believed to be the food court proprietor, to unlock the chains during the 11pm incident.
One of them, Clement Goh, 41, owned up to their mistake of parking at the car park, which was reserved for the food court customers, even though they were not having meals at the outlet.
However, he was furious at the charges imposed as “the amount was tantamount to those imposed by the Penang Municipal Council to remove wheel clamps.”
He added that the alleged proprietor had wanted to collect RM150 (RM50 for each car) from them before the ‘fine’ was reduced to RM100.
Tough measures: (Top to bottom) A banner at the food court car park warning motorists about the parking house rule; a car being chained up at the car park.
His colleague Benny Chen, 28, alleged that the proprietor had waited to “nail” them as several parking attendants did not even bother to alert them upon seeing them leaving the food court area after parking their cars.
He said they did not see several posters and banners which stated that those who did not patronise the food court but parked their cars at the parking bays would have their cars chained up.
“We would have moved our cars away if we were aware of the posters and banners.
“I do not mind paying the ‘fine’ but it was way too high and unacceptable,” he said of the incident on Sunday night.
A check with the food court owner, who declined to be named, said the move was taken on the advice of his lawyers.
“I have placed eight banners and posters at the parking bays to inform the public that the parking space is only meant for my customers.
“I would only chain up the cars after more than one hour.
“My business is affected as a result of certain people who parked their cars and ate somewhere else. This is not fair to me,” he said.
Penang Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said private car park operators can implement their own house rule, on the condition that they adhered to the Penang Municipal Council’s guidelines of having sufficient lighting and closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs).
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng urged those who felt they had been short-changed to lodge a police report.
“We will launch an investigation once we receive a police report,” he said.
A Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) spokesman said to date, there were no proper guidelines regulating private car parks in the state.
“Now, these car park (operators) can do what they like and that is not right.
“It is possible that the signs put up by the car park owner were not clearly visible at night and there should have been someone there to take care of the cars and warn drivers,” he said.
The spokesman added that drivers should have to pay for parking, but clear regulations needed to be made known to them.
~News courtesy of The Star~
THREE people who went for dinner at an eatery in Tanjung Tokong, Penang, were shocked to find the wheels of their cars chained up at a food court car park.
They had to pay RM100 to a man, believed to be the food court proprietor, to unlock the chains during the 11pm incident.
One of them, Clement Goh, 41, owned up to their mistake of parking at the car park, which was reserved for the food court customers, even though they were not having meals at the outlet.
However, he was furious at the charges imposed as “the amount was tantamount to those imposed by the Penang Municipal Council to remove wheel clamps.”
He added that the alleged proprietor had wanted to collect RM150 (RM50 for each car) from them before the ‘fine’ was reduced to RM100.
Tough measures: (Top to bottom) A banner at the food court car park warning motorists about the parking house rule; a car being chained up at the car park.
His colleague Benny Chen, 28, alleged that the proprietor had waited to “nail” them as several parking attendants did not even bother to alert them upon seeing them leaving the food court area after parking their cars.
He said they did not see several posters and banners which stated that those who did not patronise the food court but parked their cars at the parking bays would have their cars chained up.
“We would have moved our cars away if we were aware of the posters and banners.
“I do not mind paying the ‘fine’ but it was way too high and unacceptable,” he said of the incident on Sunday night.
A check with the food court owner, who declined to be named, said the move was taken on the advice of his lawyers.
“I have placed eight banners and posters at the parking bays to inform the public that the parking space is only meant for my customers.
“I would only chain up the cars after more than one hour.
“My business is affected as a result of certain people who parked their cars and ate somewhere else. This is not fair to me,” he said.
Penang Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said private car park operators can implement their own house rule, on the condition that they adhered to the Penang Municipal Council’s guidelines of having sufficient lighting and closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs).
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng urged those who felt they had been short-changed to lodge a police report.
“We will launch an investigation once we receive a police report,” he said.
A Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) spokesman said to date, there were no proper guidelines regulating private car parks in the state.
“Now, these car park (operators) can do what they like and that is not right.
“It is possible that the signs put up by the car park owner were not clearly visible at night and there should have been someone there to take care of the cars and warn drivers,” he said.
The spokesman added that drivers should have to pay for parking, but clear regulations needed to be made known to them.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Opening door to a historic past
Opening door to a historic past
THOSE interested in Dr Sun Yat Sen’s legacy should not miss the chance to visit an exhibition at the ground floor of Kongsoon House on Beach Street in Penang.
Titled ‘Sun Yat Sen’s Penang Conference: A Centennial Celebration’, the exhibition is being held on weekdays from 8.30am to 7pm until May 30. Admission is free.
Organised by the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) and supported by Penang Min Sin Seah and Sun Yat Sen Penang Base, the exhibition is sponsored by OCBC Bank Malaysia Berhad which owns the premises.
When it opened in 1914, the three-storey Kongsoon House was said to be the “best fitted and most imposing” business premises in Penang.
PHT president Khoo Salma Nasution said it was the premises of Goh Taik Chee & Co which was reputedly the first Chinese company to import goods directly from England and Europe. The company was a wholesale store, a ship chandler, and supplier of mining, engineering and industrial machinery.
Khoo said Goh, who was a business and community leader of his time, was a follower of Dr Sun. Goh was also a public official and a Justice of Peace. He died in 1919 at the age of 57.
“A philanthropist, he was the first Chinese in Penang to be awarded the Order of the British Empire for donating and distributing rice in response to the food shortage during the First World War.
“He was also a founder of two Chinese schools and president of the Penang Chinese Anti-Opium Society,” Khoo said in her speech during the opening of the exhibition yesterday.
The exhibition is a continuation of the International Centennial Celebrations of Sun Yat Sen’s 1910 Penang Conference which began in July last year with the premier of Road to Dawn at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall in Taipei and the 22nd Joint Conference of the Sun Yat Sen and Soong Ching Ling Memorials.
“This exhibition is part of a larger exhibition titled ‘Sun Yat Sen and Soong Ching Ling: Their Life and Legacy’ which was organised by Min Sin Seah and PHT under the auspices of the Penang State Museum from November 2010 to February this year.
“It is also held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Huanghuagang Uprising (April 27, 1911) which was planned during the ‘Penang Conference of 1910’,” Khoo said.
The exhibition was launched by OCBC director Tan Siok Choo.
“The Kongsoon House building is an OCBC Bank property and we are delighted to offer its use to the PHT in support of this commendable effort.
“We hope the public will find the venue an experience in itself while they attend the exhibition to learn more about his significant historical journey in Malaysia,” Tan said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
THOSE interested in Dr Sun Yat Sen’s legacy should not miss the chance to visit an exhibition at the ground floor of Kongsoon House on Beach Street in Penang.
Titled ‘Sun Yat Sen’s Penang Conference: A Centennial Celebration’, the exhibition is being held on weekdays from 8.30am to 7pm until May 30. Admission is free.
Organised by the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) and supported by Penang Min Sin Seah and Sun Yat Sen Penang Base, the exhibition is sponsored by OCBC Bank Malaysia Berhad which owns the premises.
When it opened in 1914, the three-storey Kongsoon House was said to be the “best fitted and most imposing” business premises in Penang.
PHT president Khoo Salma Nasution said it was the premises of Goh Taik Chee & Co which was reputedly the first Chinese company to import goods directly from England and Europe. The company was a wholesale store, a ship chandler, and supplier of mining, engineering and industrial machinery.
Khoo said Goh, who was a business and community leader of his time, was a follower of Dr Sun. Goh was also a public official and a Justice of Peace. He died in 1919 at the age of 57.
“A philanthropist, he was the first Chinese in Penang to be awarded the Order of the British Empire for donating and distributing rice in response to the food shortage during the First World War.
“He was also a founder of two Chinese schools and president of the Penang Chinese Anti-Opium Society,” Khoo said in her speech during the opening of the exhibition yesterday.
The exhibition is a continuation of the International Centennial Celebrations of Sun Yat Sen’s 1910 Penang Conference which began in July last year with the premier of Road to Dawn at the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall in Taipei and the 22nd Joint Conference of the Sun Yat Sen and Soong Ching Ling Memorials.
“This exhibition is part of a larger exhibition titled ‘Sun Yat Sen and Soong Ching Ling: Their Life and Legacy’ which was organised by Min Sin Seah and PHT under the auspices of the Penang State Museum from November 2010 to February this year.
“It is also held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Huanghuagang Uprising (April 27, 1911) which was planned during the ‘Penang Conference of 1910’,” Khoo said.
The exhibition was launched by OCBC director Tan Siok Choo.
“The Kongsoon House building is an OCBC Bank property and we are delighted to offer its use to the PHT in support of this commendable effort.
“We hope the public will find the venue an experience in itself while they attend the exhibition to learn more about his significant historical journey in Malaysia,” Tan said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Friday, 6 May 2011
Tiered system for Penang Hill railway fares
Tiered system for Penang Hill railway fares questioned
THE Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) came under friendly fire again at the state assembly as a backbencher urged a restructuring of the new funicular railway fares.
R.S.N. Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) said the dual rate system, in which foreigners are charged RM30 and locals RM8 for a return trip, could leave a negative impression on foreign tourists.
“When we get on the London Bus Tour, everyone pays the same rates. As a Pakatan Rakyat assemblyman, I am worried that this issue will be politicised,” Rayer said.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the rates were decided by PHC.
He said other countries also charged different rates for citizens and foreigners at tourist attractions.
“If there is a lot of opposition to the different charges, we can re-study the rates but as of now, there are not many complaints,” he said.
On Wednesday, Ng Wei Aik (DAP-Komtar) had taken PHC to task for not living up its objective of improving Penang Hill.
He had chided the corporation for appointing unqualified personnel to managerial positions, not reallocating trading lots to the hill’s long-time traders and failing to cope with the large crowd who flocked to try out the upgraded train service on Sunday.
The new funicular train service reopened on April 25 following a 14-month halt in the service for a RM73mil Tourism Ministry upgrading project.
～News courtesy of The Star～
THE Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) came under friendly fire again at the state assembly as a backbencher urged a restructuring of the new funicular railway fares.
R.S.N. Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) said the dual rate system, in which foreigners are charged RM30 and locals RM8 for a return trip, could leave a negative impression on foreign tourists.
“When we get on the London Bus Tour, everyone pays the same rates. As a Pakatan Rakyat assemblyman, I am worried that this issue will be politicised,” Rayer said.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the rates were decided by PHC.
He said other countries also charged different rates for citizens and foreigners at tourist attractions.
“If there is a lot of opposition to the different charges, we can re-study the rates but as of now, there are not many complaints,” he said.
On Wednesday, Ng Wei Aik (DAP-Komtar) had taken PHC to task for not living up its objective of improving Penang Hill.
He had chided the corporation for appointing unqualified personnel to managerial positions, not reallocating trading lots to the hill’s long-time traders and failing to cope with the large crowd who flocked to try out the upgraded train service on Sunday.
The new funicular train service reopened on April 25 following a 14-month halt in the service for a RM73mil Tourism Ministry upgrading project.
～News courtesy of The Star～
A buffet where everything is nice
A buffet where everything is nice
FEASTING takes on a whole new meaning at the Spice Market Cafe’s Sunday Brunch, where the food is so delicious and plentiful, one is inclined to eat like there’s no tomorrow.
A veritable glutton’s paradise, the popular buffet at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa’s signature ‘theatre kitchen’ restaurant boasts a cosmopolitan spread of cuisines from all corners of the world.
Fresh from the sea: Spice Market Cafe cook Heng Eng Seong preparing the Seafood on Ice station
Playing backdrop is the Spice Market Cafe’s modern, air-conditioned dining area, whose hardwood finishes exude a classy ambience in tune with the resort’s stature.
For a feel of the tropics, opt for the alfresco area, surrounded by centuries old rain trees and lush green shrubs, with the calming sounds of flowing water echoing in the background.
The appetiser station, abound with many varieties of cold cuts, smoked meats, cheese and salads, is a great place to start off. Those with a tinge of craftiness could also toss up their own bowl of greens.
But the Seafood on Ice section is where the crowds normally gravitate. Here, there are mussels, oysters, yabbies and prawns — all so fresh you could almost smell the ocean — ready to be devoured.
At the buffet, chefs also take centre stage, preparing dishes ala minute before the diners’ very eyes.
From freshly rolled sushi to aromatic meats fresh out of the Tandoor oven and hand-pulled la mian (noodles) in varying flavours, it’s quite a delight to watch the culinary artisans handcrafting your meals.
Over at the carvery, expect to find items like Beef Wellington or Roast Chicken, sliced up to your request.
If that’s not enough, there are a host of equally delicious offerings awaiting inside chafing dishes. From Oysters Bienville to Chicken Souvlaki Skewers and Deep Fried Chicken Wings with Local Spices, it’s an all-encompassing line up.
With so much on offer, one could indulge to the point of not having any room for dinner. But pace yourselves, as the indulgent treats found at the Dessert Island should not be missed.
There’s a sinfully amazing selection of western and local sweets, cakes, puddings, pastries, candy floss and ice cream, that melts your resolve. If that doesn’t tempt you, then the ever-popular chocolate fountain probably would.
The buffet spread, changed weekly, also includes free flow of freshly squeezed fruit juices. Do keep a look out for the resident clown as well, who’ll conjure up cute balloon animals and objects for you to take home as souvenirs.
Kids are given special consideration too, with a Children’s Corner dishing up treats the youngsters love — burgers, hot dogs, nuggets and chips, just to name a few.
What’s more, there’s currently a lucky draw where one lucky winner would walk away with the weekly prize of another Sunday Brunch for two.
All weekly winners would also be in the running for the monthly grand prize — a two-nights’ stay in a Premier Room at the resort’s exclusive Rasa Wing, with daily breakfast, afternoon tea, canapes and sparkling wines.
The buffet, priced at RM80++ for adults and RM40++ for kids, is available every Sunday from 11.45am to 3pm. For reservations, call 04-8888888.
~News courtesy of The Star~
FEASTING takes on a whole new meaning at the Spice Market Cafe’s Sunday Brunch, where the food is so delicious and plentiful, one is inclined to eat like there’s no tomorrow.
A veritable glutton’s paradise, the popular buffet at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa’s signature ‘theatre kitchen’ restaurant boasts a cosmopolitan spread of cuisines from all corners of the world.
Fresh from the sea: Spice Market Cafe cook Heng Eng Seong preparing the Seafood on Ice station
Playing backdrop is the Spice Market Cafe’s modern, air-conditioned dining area, whose hardwood finishes exude a classy ambience in tune with the resort’s stature.
For a feel of the tropics, opt for the alfresco area, surrounded by centuries old rain trees and lush green shrubs, with the calming sounds of flowing water echoing in the background.
The appetiser station, abound with many varieties of cold cuts, smoked meats, cheese and salads, is a great place to start off. Those with a tinge of craftiness could also toss up their own bowl of greens.
But the Seafood on Ice section is where the crowds normally gravitate. Here, there are mussels, oysters, yabbies and prawns — all so fresh you could almost smell the ocean — ready to be devoured.
At the buffet, chefs also take centre stage, preparing dishes ala minute before the diners’ very eyes.
From freshly rolled sushi to aromatic meats fresh out of the Tandoor oven and hand-pulled la mian (noodles) in varying flavours, it’s quite a delight to watch the culinary artisans handcrafting your meals.
Over at the carvery, expect to find items like Beef Wellington or Roast Chicken, sliced up to your request.
If that’s not enough, there are a host of equally delicious offerings awaiting inside chafing dishes. From Oysters Bienville to Chicken Souvlaki Skewers and Deep Fried Chicken Wings with Local Spices, it’s an all-encompassing line up.
With so much on offer, one could indulge to the point of not having any room for dinner. But pace yourselves, as the indulgent treats found at the Dessert Island should not be missed.
There’s a sinfully amazing selection of western and local sweets, cakes, puddings, pastries, candy floss and ice cream, that melts your resolve. If that doesn’t tempt you, then the ever-popular chocolate fountain probably would.
The buffet spread, changed weekly, also includes free flow of freshly squeezed fruit juices. Do keep a look out for the resident clown as well, who’ll conjure up cute balloon animals and objects for you to take home as souvenirs.
Kids are given special consideration too, with a Children’s Corner dishing up treats the youngsters love — burgers, hot dogs, nuggets and chips, just to name a few.
What’s more, there’s currently a lucky draw where one lucky winner would walk away with the weekly prize of another Sunday Brunch for two.
All weekly winners would also be in the running for the monthly grand prize — a two-nights’ stay in a Premier Room at the resort’s exclusive Rasa Wing, with daily breakfast, afternoon tea, canapes and sparkling wines.
The buffet, priced at RM80++ for adults and RM40++ for kids, is available every Sunday from 11.45am to 3pm. For reservations, call 04-8888888.
~News courtesy of The Star~
New pagoda attraction
New pagoda attraction
OVER a thousand devotees and monks from around the world are expected to gather at the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple in Penang on May 15 to celebrate the grand opening of the RM3mil Golden Pagoda Bell Tower.
Completed last month, the 33m-high four-storey tower occupies a built-up area of 697sq m in the grounds of the temple — one of the state’s tourism landmarks — on Burma Lane.
Organising chairman Datuk Tan Gim Soon said the bell tower was the brainchild of temple chief monk, U Pannya Vamsa.
Fine workmanship: (from left) Tan, U Pannya Vamsa and temple trustee Yeap Theam Kwee looking at a marble mural in the Golden Pagoda Bell Tower
He said the chief monk had a vision three years ago to bring in replicas of Buddhist shrines from other countries and feature them all under one roof.
“It would encourage people to come and view the marble murals, which are sculptured and the authentic replicas of ancient Buddha shrines from 22 countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tibet, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongolia and Malaysia,” he told a press conference on Wednesday.
Temple management committee president K.B. Teoh said the first three floors of the building housed Buddhist artifacts, relics, ornaments and Buddha images.
“The top floor will house the dome, pagoda and temple bell.
“The structure of the building was done by a group of craftsmen from Myanmar while the statues in it were also brought in from Myanmar,” he added.
The opening ceremony, which begins at 9am, will include a procession around the temple, guided tours and a multi-cultural stage show.
~News courtesy of The Star~
OVER a thousand devotees and monks from around the world are expected to gather at the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple in Penang on May 15 to celebrate the grand opening of the RM3mil Golden Pagoda Bell Tower.
Completed last month, the 33m-high four-storey tower occupies a built-up area of 697sq m in the grounds of the temple — one of the state’s tourism landmarks — on Burma Lane.
Organising chairman Datuk Tan Gim Soon said the bell tower was the brainchild of temple chief monk, U Pannya Vamsa.
Fine workmanship: (from left) Tan, U Pannya Vamsa and temple trustee Yeap Theam Kwee looking at a marble mural in the Golden Pagoda Bell TowerHe said the chief monk had a vision three years ago to bring in replicas of Buddhist shrines from other countries and feature them all under one roof.
“It would encourage people to come and view the marble murals, which are sculptured and the authentic replicas of ancient Buddha shrines from 22 countries including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tibet, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongolia and Malaysia,” he told a press conference on Wednesday.
Temple management committee president K.B. Teoh said the first three floors of the building housed Buddhist artifacts, relics, ornaments and Buddha images.
“The top floor will house the dome, pagoda and temple bell.
“The structure of the building was done by a group of craftsmen from Myanmar while the statues in it were also brought in from Myanmar,” he added.
The opening ceremony, which begins at 9am, will include a procession around the temple, guided tours and a multi-cultural stage show.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Security tightens after Osama's death
Malaysia tightens security after Osama's death
KUALA LUMPUR: One day after the US announced that the death of its most wanted man, several governments around the world tightened security against possible retaliation from terror networks linked to Al Qaeda. Malaysia has also heightened security in key areas.
Speaking after meeting the visiting Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Malaysia's Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said a special counter terrorism taskforce is working closely with regional and international intelligence agencies to stay on top of the situation.
Mr Hishamuddin said: "Right now we have not seen any movement that will concern us...I can give assurance as of today there's no concern. Malaysia was never a target at the moment. I believe they have no plan making Malaysia a target."
Malaysia recently set up a joint working committee with India to combat terrorism, arms smuggling, as well as human and drug trafficking. It is also actively sharing information with the US, UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia and China on cross border terror links.
The minister denied that Malaysia is seen as a breeding ground for regional terror networks.
He said: "It was never been seen as breeding ground. There's no room for them to breed, to train terrorism. But the world is porous now. Anywhere they exist, they move, they are mobile, they do end up on our shores and some stayed on."
Still the Malaysian authorities are not taking chances. The police have stepped up security measures at strategic locations in and around the capital, in particular the embassy enclave in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is also putting in place a better mechanism to screen foreigners at entry checkpoints. This after reports that terror suspects were infiltrating Malaysian schools and institutions of higher learning to recruit students.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
KUALA LUMPUR: One day after the US announced that the death of its most wanted man, several governments around the world tightened security against possible retaliation from terror networks linked to Al Qaeda. Malaysia has also heightened security in key areas.
Speaking after meeting the visiting Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna, Malaysia's Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said a special counter terrorism taskforce is working closely with regional and international intelligence agencies to stay on top of the situation.
Mr Hishamuddin said: "Right now we have not seen any movement that will concern us...I can give assurance as of today there's no concern. Malaysia was never a target at the moment. I believe they have no plan making Malaysia a target."
Malaysia recently set up a joint working committee with India to combat terrorism, arms smuggling, as well as human and drug trafficking. It is also actively sharing information with the US, UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia and China on cross border terror links.
The minister denied that Malaysia is seen as a breeding ground for regional terror networks.
He said: "It was never been seen as breeding ground. There's no room for them to breed, to train terrorism. But the world is porous now. Anywhere they exist, they move, they are mobile, they do end up on our shores and some stayed on."
Still the Malaysian authorities are not taking chances. The police have stepped up security measures at strategic locations in and around the capital, in particular the embassy enclave in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is also putting in place a better mechanism to screen foreigners at entry checkpoints. This after reports that terror suspects were infiltrating Malaysian schools and institutions of higher learning to recruit students.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Monday, 2 May 2011
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