No Komtar stop for express buses

No Komtar stop for express buses 

Express buses picking up and dropping off passengers at Komtar here will no longer be allowed to do so as such permits will be revoked tomorrow.

Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) councillor Muhammad Sabri Md Osman said the council had asked the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to cancel all permits which allow express buses to use Komtar as a pick-up and drop-off destination.

He said this move was in line with the council's directive under Section 72(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 where all express buses will be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers only at the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal.

"The directive was issued in 2005, but of late, we have noticed a rise in the number of express buses picking up and dropping off passengers at Komtar.

"The council is concerned about this as it will not only worsen the traffic congestion but also pose a risk to the passengers alighting and boarding buses on the busy road.

"To put a stop to it, we have asked SPAD to cancel all permits to Komtar and also fine violators who continue using Komtar as their pick-up point," he said after the council meeting at the Town Hall building here recently.

Sabri said starting today, SPAD would take action against any express bus operator using the Komtar area as its pick-up and drop-off point.

"SPAD will take the offenders to court and they will be charged accordingly," he said.

Sabri also advised the public to buy bus tickets where the boarding point is at Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal and not at Komtar.

Checks by Streets showed that a few buses, mostly outstation ones, were parked at Komtar waiting for their passengers to board or alight.

Express bus operators were also seen selling bus tickets with pick-ups at Komtar.

One bus operator in her 30s, who declined to be identified, said many foreigners prefer Komtar as a pick-up and drop-off point as it is more convenient compared to the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal which is far away from the town centre.


Express buses are prohibited from dropping off and picking up passengers at Komtar.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Viewing old Penang through new eyes

Viewing old Penang through new eyes

LOUIS Gan Yee Loong, 27, has made a name for himself in art circles with his mural "Brother and Sister on a Swing" in Gat Lebuh Chulia.

Gan, 27, has now gone one step further with his exhibition entitled "Nostalgia Penang", currently ongoing at Galeri Seni Mutiara until May 25.

At this early stage, he has already snagged his first solo, which is testament to his extraordinary talent.

Born with hearing and speech disabilities, Gan is a freelance artist.

He has a preference for watercolours, with acrylics coming in a a close second, and he has also dabbled in oils.

For his solo, Gan has selected 42 pieces in watercolours, all painted this year. The paintings, of predominantly heritage buildings, show a maturity beyond his years.

"I have seen old buildings in other places in the world but the heritage buildings in Penang are unique and I find a need to paint them in my own style.

"The age of the artist does not matter; what is more important is the interest and passion and, of course, the direction of the artist concerned," he said.

With no formal education in art as his parents could not find an art teacher able to work around the communication difficulties, Gan learnt his rudiments on the Internet, particularly through YouTube, and found his forte through research and study.

"I believe in the axiom 'practice makes perfect' and learning through the Internet has helped a lot to develop my own style and choice of medium.

"I drew cartoon characters when I was young. Winning a prize in the Japanese-Malaysian Junior Art Competition at 16 spurred me to further develop my skills," said the artist through his older brother Yee Haw at the launch of the exhibition.

A closer look at his paintings reveals the presence of cars in all his cityscapes, for which he has this explanation: "The cars were there when I painted the scenes on the spot. I painted the scenes as they were. They were not implanted."

Gallery owner Koay Soo Kau said he met Gan two years ago and was impressed by the young artist's skills, which led to this exhibition.

"A young, good and accomplished artist who uses the wet-on-wet technique, which shows his ability to give a transparent character to the watercolour.

"Gan loves to show light and shadow, a characteristic typical of of most watercolourists.

"He also has a good eye for finding the best angles to show the buildings, and the presence of motorcars, reflects that George Town is infested with cars!" he said.

Koay said Gan had showed that a hearing disability was no deterrent to the pursuit of one's dream.

Guest-of-honour was Auto-City Penang founder and Auto-City Group managing director Gary Teoh Kiang-Hong.

The gallery is at 118, Lebuh Armenian. Visiting hours are from 11am to 6pm daily. Admission is free. For details, call 016-444 0167.


Lebuh Armenian.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

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