Bus and ferry companies go extra mile

Bus and ferry companies go extra mile for passengers

RAPID Penang will be extending its operation hours for certain routes until 2am tomorrow, in view of the various New Year’s Eve countdown celebrations tonight.

Its commercial and communications manager Mohd Tajudin Mohd Kassim said the extension of the operation hours till after midnight was to cater to the needs of the public, who will be attending various events all over the state to celebrate the New Year.

He said 17 bus routes on the island and mainland would be extended until 1.30am or 2am.

Buses that will operate until 1.30am are plying these routes:

202 (Weld Quay to Paya Terubong) and 203 (Weld Quay to Air Itam);

301 (Weld Quay to Relau) and 303 (Weld Quay to Bukit Gedong);

401 (Weld Quay to Balik Pulau via Bayan Baru);

601 (Penang Sentral to Kepala Batas);

801 (Penang Sentral to Nibong Tebal) and 802 (Bukit Mertajam to Nibong Tebal).

Buses that will operate until 2am are:

101 (Weld Quay to Teluk Bahang);

302 (Weld Quay to Batu Maung via Jalan Bukit Gambir), 304 (Gurney to Bukit Gedong) and 307 (Weld Quay to Batu Maung via Bayan Baru);

401E (Weld Quay to Balik Pulau via Queensbay);

502 (Weld Quay to Balik Pulau via Paya Terubong);

701 (Penang Sentral to Bukit Mertajam via Megamal), 702 (Pe-nang Sentral to Bukit Mertajam via Ampang Jajar) and 703 (Penang Sentral to Seberang Jaya).

For the timetable, visit http://www.rapidpg.com.my/ or its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/rapidpgfans.

Penang Port Sdn Bhd has decided to provide ferry services for over 43 hours from 5.20am today.

Its ferry services unit head Fisnol Mahmud said the ferry services would start at the normal operation hour of 5.20am from the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth today.

“We anticipate a huge crowd on Dec 31, hence we are extending our operation hours until the last ferry departs from the Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal in Weld Quay at 1am on Jan 2,” he said when contacted yesterday.

He added that the extension of the operation hours would depend on the traffic volume of those using the ferry services.

~News courtesy of The Star~

All set to welcome Snake Year

All set to welcome Snake Year

PENANG plans to usher in the New Year with a splash. The Penang Chinese New Year Cultural and Heritage Celebration 2013 promises to be a colourful event.

State Town and Country Planning, Housing and Arts Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the event would be held on Feb 16 from 3pm until midnight and it was estimated to attract more than 100,000 locals and foreigners alike.

“It will be organised by the Penang Chinese Clan Council and Clan Association Youth Committee Penang.

“The state government fully supports the celebration as a platform for the young to understand olden traditions.

“There will be 13 stage and cultural performances that will be held at the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site including Armenian Street, Ah Quee Street, Chulia Street, Masjid Kapitan Keling, Poh Hock Seah, Yap Kongsi, Khoo Kongsi and Dr Sun Yat Sen Penang Base,” he said.

During the press conference, Wong added that several performances had been incorporated into the celebration to mark the Year of the Snake.

“Visitors can check out a stage show telling the famous Chinese tale ‘Legend of the White Snake’ plus a snake show,” he explained.

Other highlights are handicraft demonstrations, calligraphy and Chinese martial arts.

Wong said that with the event less than a month away, the organisers had beefed up online publicity via http://www.facebook.com/penangcny and http://penangclan.blogspot.com/.

~News courtesy of The Star~

A merry musical countdown

A merry musical countdown

FANS of Taiwanese music are in for a treat as a host of superstars from Taipei will help usher in the New Year at Penang Times Square in style.

The Chin Ho Plaza will welcome some big hitters in the Taiwan music industry including popular Taiwanese singer/ actor/ host and leader of the 5566 music group, Tony Sun, Chang Chieh and Cheng Po Fu as well as music groups Mars and Xiao Yu Zhou (Little Space in English).

The event will kick off at 8.30pm on Dec 31 with M2Club singer Prince serenading the audience.

Then comes the Zumbathon session to keep the crowd pumping before European superstars Daniela and Jacob take over the mike.

It will be a non-stop flow of music in the run-up to the countdown as Soju Room resident band Crush Crew Project will appear in their striking New Year outfits to entertain the crowd.

A few lucky shoppers will also be selected on stage to play some games and win mystery prizes during intervals.

The highlight of the night will be at the stroke of midnight when all performers, together with the invited guests, take to the stage for a 10-second countdown to ring in the New Year.

A firework display is also scheduled.

For details, call 04-2109020, or visit www.penangtimessquare.com or www.facebook.com/penangtimessquare.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

6 new retailers adding to Gurney Paragon Mall

Six new retailers to be added to Gurney Paragon Mall

Gurney Paragon Mall is bringing in six new retailers to Penang which will be added to their three-storey retail podium and St Jo’s. These new retailers include Ben’s, Lunarich Pizza & Pasta, Angus House Japanese Charcoal Steak, JK Plastic Surgery Consultation Centre, My Dream Wedding and Dragon-i Signature.

Ben’s, Angus House Japanese Charcoal Steak, My Dream Wedding and Dragon-i Signature are opening their first stores in Northern region, whereas Lunarich Pizza & Pasta and JK Plastic Surgery Consultation Centre are operating their maiden Malaysian stores in Gurney Paragon.

Especially popular in Kuala Lumpur, Ben’s by the BIG Group is occupying more than 8,000 square foot of space spread over two levels of St Jo’s and is expected to open for business on 12 December 2012. The concept behind Ben’s brand is that great memories are shared over meals, thus to eat is to love. Ben’s is designed to evoke the warm, inviting kitchens and dining rooms of Ben’s family homes. From rustic-chic country clapboard to sophisticated city loft; each ‘home’ is unique in its style and personality.

Concentrating on international cuisine, the menu ranges from refreshing appetisers and salads, hearty East and West main courses, delicious snacks and luscious desserts. For more information on the restaurant, visit http://www.thebiggroup.co/bens/ .

Lunarich Pizza & Pasta has been opened since 23 November 2013. Originating from Korea, it is an Italian restaurant chain specializing in fire-pot pizzas as well as pastas and risottos. Its signature dishes include varieties of fire pot pizza such as Margherita, Gorgonzola and Luna Special; pastas such as Spaghetti Con Cozze e Pomodoro and Spaghetti alla Pescatore Cream; and Salads such, as Pollo and Salmon salads. For more information on the restaurant, visit www.lunarich.com.my.

Angus House Japanese Charcoal Steak offers and serves American and Italian cuisines delicately infused with Japanese flavours and style. It prides itself in serving the finest quality of imported beef. It is famous for the Charcoal Grilled Black Angus Beef Steak, Spaghetti with Salmon Roe & Abalone, Wagyu Beef Steak, Master KOBE and Tiramisu. Its menu also includes pastas, grilled or baked seafood platters and a list of wines, sakes and Japanese beers.

JK Plastic Surgery Consultation Centre at Gurney Paragon serves as a pre-treatment contact point where patient’s plastic surgery needs and travel arrangements are attended to before the actual treatment takes place in Korea. It provides consultation on facial contouring surgery, orthognathic or corrective jaw surgery, anti-aging, autologous, PRP fat grafting, breast augmentation, body contouring, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, hair grafting, and bone marrow stem-cell treatment and more. Visit http://english.jkplastic.com/index.html for more information.

My Dream Wedding is Malaysia’s first bridal house specialising in sending couples to top bridal houses overseas such as Hong Kong, Paris , Japan , Korea , Singapore , Macau , Taiwan and New Zealand to take their wedding photos. They also provide an exclusive collection of couture wedding gown, and services such as bridal bouquet, emcee/ DJ, flower decorations, live band performance, wedding day photography and videography. Visit www.mydreamweddinghouse.com for more information.

Dragon-i Signature serves authentic Shanghainese delicacies, and stands apart from other Dragon-i outlets with its fine-dining setting and an exclusive premium menu. Each delicacy is prepared by skilled chefs from mainland China and using high quality ingredients. Aside from catering to casual diners, Dragon-i Signature is also able to host corporate or private banquets.

~News courtesy of Visit Penang~

Majestic glow of a goddess

Majestic glow of a goddess

All lighted up: The Goddess of Mercy statue at Kek Lok Si in Air Itam. 

Those driving around Air Itam in Penang have a sight to behold.

The 30.2 metre-high bronze Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue at the Kek Lok Si Temple is now beautifully illuminated in the evenings.

After it was lighted up, even more tourists started flocking to the tourist attraction at night.

In the daytime, hundreds of visitors also headed to the temple to see it beside the pagoda.

When asked why the lights were up, temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said: “We are testing the lights (on a dry run) to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

According to him, the temple’s area is scheduled to be transformed into a fairyland of lights from Feb 6 until March 9 next year.

“We will turn on the lights at the Kuan Yin only on Feb 9, the eve of the Lunar New Year.”

Workers and staff at the temple are now beginning to install colourful lamps and lanterns to gear up for the official lighting-up ceremony next year.

Ooi also said that there were plans to decorate the temple in accordance with the Year of the Snake next year.

Earlier this year, a total of four dragon figurines were assembled at the temple in conjunction with the Year of the Dragon.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Beach carnival

Beach carnival

THE popular Batu Ferringhi beach belt is expected to come alive with a wide array of activities during the annual Penang Beach Carnival 2012 on Nov 25.

The carnival, touted as one of the biggest events in the state, will see Penangites and tourists alike having fun at the beach the whole day and night.

The event promises to have something in store for everybody as there will be, among others, a Beach Run, a Photography Competition, Traditional Games and Oppa Gangnam Style performance.

State Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong said the carnival, which is in its fourth edition, would have 26 activities including various sports and games competition.

“The highlight of the event will be the Lantern Show where all the hotels along the Batu Ferringhi tourism belt will hang their handmade lanterns at their entrances.

“Visitors will be able to view the display from hotel to hotel and the best lantern would be picked as the winner,” she said before the start of the Penang Beach Carnival 2012 gotong- royong programme at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa.

Some 80 people comprising hotel employees and Penang Municipal Council workers took part in the programme on Saturday morning covering the beach area from Rasa Sayang to the Golden Sands Resort and Lone Pine Hotel.

In a press conference at the Eastin Hotel on Monday, more details were shared about three events that will be in the Beach Carnival line-up, namely the Eastin Challenge Trophy Cooking Competition, Mr Penang Beach Carnival and Beach Run.

Chef’s Association of Malaysia Penang Chapter general committee member Chef Mohd Bakri Said said the cooking competition was scheduled to start at 2pm.

“The contestants, in teams of three will be given an hour to come up with a tantalising main course as well as a fruit and vegetable carving,” Bakri said, adding that the competition was opened to all culinary students in colleges.

The top three teams will each receive a medal as well as cash prizes of RM500, RM300 and RM200 respectively.

As for the Mr Penang Beach Carnival, the top three body builders will receive RM400, RM300 and RM100 respectively as well as a medal each.

Penang Body Builders’ Association secretary Shukri Abdullah said the competition was divided into three categories - Teenagers under-70kg, Teenagers above-70kg and Open category for those aged 21 and above.

For the Beach Run, there will be six categories namely the Men and Women’s Junior (13 to 20 years old), Men and Women’s Open (21 to 34 years old) as well as Men and Women’s Veteran (35 years old and above).

Penang Amateur Athletic Association secretary V. Govindasamy said they were expecting more than 500 people for the 8.2km run which will start at the beach fronting the Golden Sands Resort at 7.30am.

“Ten prizes will be given for each category at the event,” he said.

Entry forms for the Beach Run can be downloaded from http://penangaaa.blogspot.com.

The Penang Beach Carnival will be held from 7am to 10pm at the Golden Sands Resort beach. For enquiries, call 04-6593713 or 04-6593714.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Cable car project proposed

Cable car project proposed

DEVOTEES going up the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani hilltop temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang, will get to enjoy a panoramic view and have a tireless journey up the temple following a proposal for a cable car project.

Temple committee chairman P. Kuvenaraju said the proposal was raised following the closure of the road up the temple and concerns about the elderly devotees having problems walking up the 514 steps.

He said the project would cover 500 metres from the foot of the hill up to the temple.

“Besides serving as an alternative way up the temple for the devotees, the cable car will also be helpful in daily needs such as getting bananas and food up the hill as we do not have enough manpower to help out,” he told a press conference before visiting the proposed cable car project site in Jalan Kebun Bunga recently.

Panaromic alternative: The proposed cable car project will be built at the foothill of the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani hilltop temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang.

Kuvenaraju said the committee had received an offer from a foreign company to install the cable car.

However, he said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was eager that there be an open tender for the project.

“The whole project, including the tender matters and other relevant procedures, is expected to be completed in the next one and half years,” he said.

Lim, who was also present, said the company carrying out the project, would be chosen based on the best profit sharing percentage offered to the temple, the shortest leasing term and most importantly, experience in installing, managing and operating the cable car.

He added that the selected company would have to bear the cost of construction but it would make its revenue through the sale of tickets.

Lim said the state was expected to announce the chosen company for the project in January.

The RM9mil hilltop temple completed in June this year, is believed to be the largest Lord Murugan temple outside India.

~News courtesy of The Star~

2nd bridge to ease congestion

Penang second bridge to ease congestion on first bridge by up to 30%

The Penang Second Bridge, now under construction, is expected to ease traffic congestion of the first bridge by 20 to 30 percent.

Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bnd (JKSB) Public Relations and Communications adviser, Datuk Mohammad Salleh Rafie said the existing congestion problem would be reduced when the second bridge is ready in September next year.

He was met by reporters at a seminar with the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry's Penang Coordinating Committee on the progress of the Penang Second Bridge project.

Some 100,000 vehicles use the existing bridge daily to travel between the mainland and the island, with heavy traffic congestion during the peak hours.

Mohammad Salleh said the completion of the second bridge would further spur development, especially industries, in Seberang Perai Selatan on the mainland.

The RM4.5bil Penang Second Bridge spanning 23.5 km with 16.9 km over the sea, will link Batu Kawan on the mainland and Batu Maung on the island. - Bernama

~News courtesy of The Star~

Enjoy the best of fine dining at chic bistro

Enjoy the best of fine dining at chic bistro in Bay Avenue

PRIMED for those who appreciate the finer things in life, Vino Vino Bistro represents a confluence of worlds where seemingly contrasting elements strike a harmonious, culinary chord.

The swanky establishment, located in Bay Avenue near Queensbay Mall, Penang, finds pre-eminence in its distinctive yet unlikely juxtaposition of time-honoured western staples with dainty, eastern flavours.

As its moniker implies, juices of the vine and prized spirits are its forte. But the most surprising aspect is what it dovetails with — contemporary Japanese cuisine, in particular, Yakitori.

The skewered meats, seafood and vegetables are a best seller, mainly because they are done the right way. They are cooked over a grill lined with a special compacted type of charcoal.

As executive sous chef Steven Kong explains, the embers maintain a constant, moderate temperature that ensures everything is cooked evenly, without being overly charred, thus remaining tender and juicy.

Infused with a distinctive aroma, the skewers’ appeal also lies in their simplicity.

Among the comprehensive selection, the Tebasaki (chicken wings) is perhaps the most popular.

Crispy on the outside and tenderly moist on the inside, it is so good that one helping is never enough.

Equally great are the Sunagimo (chicken gizzard), Kaki Kushi (oysters), Momo (chicken thigh), Bonjiri (bishop’s nose), Sasami Mentai Mayo (chicken fillet with fish roe mayonnaise) and Tsukune Cheese (chicken meat balls with cheese).

Regardless of the order, the Yakitori skewers make a great complement for Vino Vino’s vast selection of around 500 wine labels and 30 types of single malt and blended whiskies.

It is a unique pairing that pleases the palate.

Apart from the Tapas-like bites, the outlet also features a good selection of delicacies from the Land of the Rising Sun, which ranges from sushi to udon, and ramen to rice dishes.

Connoisseurs will find the Assorted Sashimi Platter, which may feature salmon, tuna, yellowtail and cold water sweet prawns, among others, a delightful burst of fresh, aquatic flavours.

On Tuesdays and Fridays, there is a 30% discount on the raw fish selection.

Among the more modern creations is the Wasabi Cheese Smoked Duck, which comprises delicate slivers, to be lathered with the special horseradish-based spread and eaten with crackers.

Another, the Burger Cheese, is a hearty slab of ground beef and chicken, oozing with melted cheese.

All these also go well with any of the premium Japanese sake and shochu lineup.

Currently, the outlet offers affordable lunch and dinner sets, priced from RM17++ and RM29++ respectively.

There is also a Buy-2-Free-1 promotion for red and white wine, available in different sized portions by the glass. These are dispensed from their automated Vino Tech system, which utilises argon, an inert gas, to keep opened bottles fresh for up to 21 days.

Located at Block H-10-1, Lorong Bayan Indah 2 at Bay Avenue in Bayan Lepas, the bistro seats up to 40 pax and also has a karaoke room upstairs for those who would like to belt out a few numbers after meals.

Opening hours are from noon to midnight (Monday to Saturday), and from 5pm to midnight on Sunday. For more information, look up Vino Vino Bistro on Facebook, or call 04-6459922 for reservations.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Hawker museum for Penang

A tribute to hawkers, Hawker museum for Penang in the offing, says Chang Yeow

A hawker museum will be set up here to reflect the state’s appreciation of this group of people for making Penang food famous globally.

The museum would be a reality should Barisan Nasional regain control of the state in the coming general election, said Penang Barisan chairman Teng Chang Yeow.

Teng said that the museum would showcase the role the hawkers played in turning Penang into an internationally recognised food pa-radise.

“Neither Barisan nor Pakatan Rakyat should claim credit when the state’s hawker food was listed by a global travel website as the third best global street food destination. Praise should be accorded to the hawkers themselves,” he said.

In a posting dated July 21 on VirtualTourist.com, a write-up with a Los Angeles deadline entitled ‘Travel Picks: Top 10 cities for street food’, Penang emerged third behind Singapore while Bangkok was first.

The proposed museum would feature the historical facet of hawkers in the past 60 years.

“It is important to educate the younger generation and foreign tourists about the hard work and contribution of our hawkers here,” he said during a ceramah session organised by Barisan Nasional Jelutong division last night.

The three-hour ceramah which addressed several pressing issues such as the increase in property prices and traffic congestion.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Chowrasta Market: One step closer to new look

One step closer to new look

THE proposed upgrading of the Chowrasta Market in George Town has taken a step towards reality.

The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has approved a budget of RM12.07mil for the project, said its financial management sub-committee alternate chairman Tan Hun Wooi.

He said the project’s architect would have to submit the paperwork for the project in a month or two.

Tan was, however, unable to say when the project would start as the paperwork had to be reviewed after submission.

“The project is expected to be completed in three years after work starts,” he said at an MPPP full council meeting at the City Hall yesterday.

It was reported earlier that the market would sport a refreshing new look under the project which, among others, would include a five-storey car park with 153 parking bays.

Other proposals include travelators, a small bank with automated teller machines, a post office and an urban farm on the rooftop where hydroponic plants could be grown.

The original Chowrasta Market was built in 1890 by the George Town Municipal Council and was last upgraded in 1961.

On another matter, MPPP councillor Muhammad Sabri Md Osman said the road heading from Jalan Sekolah La Salle towards Jalan Lumba Kuda via Jalan Kuda would be turned into a one-way street from Monday to Friday (6.30am to 8am and 12.30pm to 2pm) to alleviate traffic congestion.

“Part of Jalan Ibbetson (from the junction of Jalan Grove) to the entrance of SM Teknik Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra will also be turned into a one-way street during the same periods,” he said.

He said a three-month trial of the one-way street system on the two roads would be implemented from next month.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Japanese touch to street market

Japanese touch to street market

THE Japanese expatriate community will be showcasing their homeland’s traditional arts, craft and food at the Little Penang Street Market (LPSM) in Upper Penang Road on March 25.

There will also be a cosplay competition and a photography exhibition on the earthquake and tsunami tragedy that hit Japan last year on March 11.

Japanese pottery will be on sale and visitors will also be treated to a demonstration on how to make udon noodles.

The cosplay competition, which is limited to 15 participants, will see the winner walk away with RM500.

The LPSM that day is in remembrance of the first year anniversary of the tsunami tragedy, held in the spirit of ‘kizuna’, which means bond of friendship in Japanese.

The LPSM will be held from 10am to 5pm.

For more information, contact 017-4290806 or e-mail www.littlepenang.com.my

~News courtesy of The Star~

Flood woes at airport will be over soon

Flood woes at airport will be over soon

THE flood problems at the Penang International Airport will soon be over once work on the main terminal’s water discharge point is completed.

An airport spokesman said expansion work of the discharge point was expected to be completed in a month’s time.

He said underground pipes and electrical cables needed to be moved before the expansion work could be carried out.

The spokesman said the current discharge outlet was too narrow and was causing the level of rainwater in the area to rise each time it rained heavily.

“Besides that, the location of the airport which is at a low-lying area, is also a contributing factor to the flood problems,” he said.

The spokesman also said a report was submitted to the Transport Ministry about the situation.


Slight delay: The expansion work at the Penang International Airport is 3% behind schedule

He was responding to an online portal report that the airport is in a ‘state of distress’.

In the report, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng claimed that it ‘flooded’ up to one inch at the airport terminal each time it rained heavily due to ‘defective’ expansion project that was being carried out at the airport.

Lim had also sent a letter together with photographs of the situation to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

On the progress of the airport’s expansion work, the spokesman said it was 3% behind schedule.

“However, we believe we can still catch up as it is only a slight delay,” he said

He added that the delay was due to ongoing renovation works at the main terminal.

“We want to ensure that airport operations remain smooth and will not cause inconvenience to the passengers,” he added.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Fest aiming for the high notes

Fest aiming for the high notes

THE Plenitude World Music Festival 2012 (PWMF) is set to break new ground on its return after a three-year hiatus.

Highlight of this year’s extravaganza will be the Orang Temuan troupe who will be out to promote their cultural songs and dances using traditional handmade instruments.

Hailing from Negri Sembilan, the group known as Rentak Balai is one of the five Malay-sian groups that will be performing at the Quarry Recreational Park, Botanic Gardens, from March 30.

The other groups are Aseana Percussions Unit, Geng Wak Long, Didit Dinai, and Penang Dhol Blasters.

Also look out for Mongolian folk rock band Altan Urag who will perform traditional tunes infused with contemporary influences.

Their music has been featured in Mongolian movies such as ‘Khadak’ in 2006 and ‘Mongol’ in 2007.

They will be out to serenade the crowd with their traditional instruments such as the morin khuur (horse head fiddle), ikh khuur (grand horse head fiddle), bishguur (traditional horn) and yoochin (a type of hammered dulcimer).

The band will also give music lovers a basic idea of what khoomii (throat) singing is all about.

The other bands that will also be performing at the festival are Beoga (Ireland), Grace Nono and Bob Aves Group (Philippines), Kalja Riddim Clan (Vanuatu), Will Crummers & The Rarotonga (New Zealand), Tor Ensemble (South Korea), Gus Teja World Music (Indonesia), Griff Trio (Belgium), Phong Nguyen Ensemble (Vietnam), Loyko (Russia) and Beoga (Ireland).

Tickets to the festival are now available online at www.ticketxpress.com.my and at both the Penang State Tourism Development and Culture and the Discovery Overland Holidays offices nationwide.

The one-day tickets cost RM90 (adults) and RM45 (children five to 12) while three-day passes are RM220 (adults) and RM120 (children five to 12).

There will also be a daily musical workshop from 2pm to 5pm and the Kidzworld workshop from 5pm to 6pm. The night concert will kick off at 7pm with six bands taking to the stage each night.

Two previews will be held, the first at Hard Rock Hotel on March 28 and the second at Straits Quay on March 29, both at 8pm.

Some 12,000 people are expected to attend the PWMF from March 30 to April 1.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Sizzling carnival to hit Penang shores again

Sizzling carnival to hit Penang shores again

FOLLOWING its success last year, Braille On The Beach will be back in Penang again on March 10.

Co-organised by St Nicholas Home Penang and Disted College Penang, the event will be held at the Teluk Bahang beach from 7.30am to 5pm.

Visitors will enjoy a host of beach games such as sandcastle building, seashell colouring and tug-of-war.

But the highlight of the event will be the forming of words with large dots in the sand in specified sizes at the inter-tidal zone (the area between high and low tides) along the beach.

Unlike in the previous year, participants will be free to sculpt a five- word sentence of their choice.

Points will be given on the accuracy of the translation from the words to Braille and its originality.

Participants in the main event need to be teams of 10 people with a donation of RM1,000 or more per team.

Besides the Challenge Trophy, there will prizes such as medals and cash up for grabs.

Meanwhile, participation for the beach games is RM12 for those 13 years and above and RM6 for children up to 12 years.

St Nicholas Home executive director Daniel Soon said the event had a good con-cept, which was promoting knowledge about Braille.

“Sighted people who have very little understanding of Braille can learn more through this activity,” he said.

The head of Disted College’s Business School Dr Liew Yueah Cin also said that the college encouraged staff and students to reach out to the community through its initiative, Disted Connect.

“We are looking to cultivate a sense of belonging and caring in the Penang society,” he said.

Those who wish to participate in the main event can obtain and submit entry forms at St Nicholas Home.

Closing date for registration is March 7.

For more details, visit www.snh.org.my or call Mary at 04-2290800.

~News courtesy of The Star~

New green attraction

New green attraction

NATURE lovers will get a chance to enjoy a new green attraction at the Penang Botanic Gardens when a bamboo appreciation centre is constructed this year.

State Botanic Gardens department assistant director Salasiah Yusop said the environmental-friendly structure in the bambusetum would be built entirely out of bamboo.

“An officer from the National Landscape Department will visit the bambusetum on March 9 and subsequently prepare a Bill of Quantity (BQ) for the project.

“The BQ will outline the work scope and once that is done, we can engage a contractor,” she said, adding that a souvenir shop selling items made of bamboo would be part of the structure.
Growing well: (above) A gardener carrying out maintenance work at the bambusetum

The cost of the bamboo appreciation centre would be borne by the state government.

On when the bambusetum would be officially launched and opened to the public, Salasiah said the procurement and planting of the bamboo plants began in November last year and was completed on Feb 15.

“Now, the plants are being nurtured so that they can grow and flourish — a lot of what’s going on is maintenance work.

“A proper opening ceremony will only be held at the end of the year as we want to make sure that the centre is ready and everything is perfect.

“However, the public is free to visit the bambusetum anytime, as we’ve never fenced it up,” she said when met at the gardens yesterday.

Close to 40 different bamboo species from all over the country have been planted at the bambusetum.

Salasiah said the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) had provided invaluable guidance to the department in selecting and caring for the plants.

The bambusetum is part of the Tourism Ministry’s RM7mil Botanic Gardens expansion project which also comprised a new visitors’ pavilion, facade and eco-stream walkway.

The project was completed in early 2011.

The Tourism Ministry had allocated an additional RM450,000 to enhance and maintain the bambusetum collection after criticisms by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that the attraction was devoid of bamboo plants.

The ministry’s Penang office director Jamie Yeoh said the bambusetum was progressing well.

“We have been monitoring the project closely and are excited to showcase it to the public.

“We are planning an event called the ‘Bamboo Symphony’ to highlight research on the plants as well as its traditional usage in everyday life and music.

“It will be interesting,” she said, adding that the event was slated for the fourth quarter of the year.

~News courtesy of The Star~

A travel guide book to halal Penang

A travel guide book to halal Penang

THE Penang International Halal Hub Development Sdn Bhd, also known as Halal Penang, is pu- blishing a travel guide book for Muslims with the support of Penang Global Tourism.

Titled ‘Experience Penang 2012: A Muslim Travel Guide’, the book is set to be available to the public next month.

It will feature shopping spots, places of attraction, festivities, food outlets and accommodations in the state.

Halal Penang director Murali Ram said they would be printing 10,000 copies of the book to be distributed at the Penang Interna-tional Airport and various hotels in the state.

“The books will be distributed for free for the first year. We will update the book yearly with the latest information,” he said after the opening ceremony of the 3rd Penang International Halal Exposition and Conference (Pihec) at the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) yesterday.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said since Pakatan Rakyat took over Penang in 2008, there had been an increment in the number of companies with halal certification.

“In 2008, there were 55 companies awarded with the certificate and the number kept increasing until, in January, 324 companies,” he said in his speech.

Lim said Halal Penang managed to bring in investments of RM395mil through its Penang Halal Industrial Park in Bukit Minyak.

He added that the investment values covered 18.6ha out of a total of 40.46ha there.

State Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Com-mittee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the number of booths during Pihec had been increasing.

“Back in 2010, only 65 booths showcased their products. The number increased to 102 last year, and now there are 161 booths here,” he said.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Light’s on tonight at Kek Lok Si

Light’s on tonight at Kek Lok Si

THE 121-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang, will be turned into a fairyland of lights as final preparation to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year gathers pace.

Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said this year’s annual Chinese New Year lighting ceremony will be held this evening and it will be a sight to behold with vibrant red lanterns to usher in the Year of the Dragon.

“The temple will be holding a lighting ceremony this evening, four days before the Chinese New Year celebrations on Jan 23 and 24.

“However, only the lanterns at the Pagoda will be lit up and the temple would not be open to public yet.

“Starting from the eve of Chinese New Year until the third day of Chinese New Year, the lanterns at both the Pagoda and at the pavilion will be lit up until the next morning.’’

A canopy of lights: Red and yellow lanterns are among the many decorations at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang

He said the public can visit the temple during the night on the first day of Chinese New Year to capture the beautiful decorations at the temple. The temple will be open from 8.30am to midnight from the first day to the annual Thni Kong Seh (Jade Emperor’s birthday) celebration on Jan 31.

“After Jan 31, the Kek Lok Si Temple will be open from 8.30am to 10pm until Feb 19,” he said.

“We expect more visitors this year as the number of tourists visiting the temple has increased.

“A total of four dragons are also being assembled at the temple in conjunction with the Year of the Dragon,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Two of them, each measuring at a jumbo size of about 36.5m (120ft) in length, will flank both sides of the temple’s famous pagoda.

The other two smaller dragon guards standing about 4.5m (15ft) each, will take up their place near the 30.2m bronze Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue.

Devotees who wish to donate or seek blessings from the temple can do so via donation from RM50 to RM2,000. Devotees and well-wishers can visit the temple to register. For details, call 04-8283317.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Happy new year 2012~

Happy new year 2012~