Friday, 31 August 2018
Thursday, 30 August 2018
Malaysia welcomes tourists from all over the world
Malaysia welcomes tourists from all over the world
Malaysia continues to welcome tourists from all over the world, including China, without any restriction.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s office today said other than the usual immigration requirements for all foreign tourists, there are no other restrictions for anyone including visitors from China.
“Tourists from China will still be given a single-entry visa for up to 30-days stay in the country and are eligible to take up other programmes organised by the government as well,” it said.
The statement said property purchases by foreigners were also allowed irrespective of nationality but there were certain conditions imposed by the government.
“Purchase of property, however, does not guarantee automatic residency in the country. But for foreigners who wish to make Malaysia their permanent residence, they could consider the ‘ Malaysia, My Second Home (MM2H)’ programme.
”Malaysian government also welcomes foreign direct investment that contributes to the transfer of technology, provides employment for locals and the setting up of industries locally,” the statement read.
It added that last year Malaysia received 2.3 million Chinese tourists from China and it now aims to multiply the number to 10 million visitors in time to come.
Information on these programmes and conditions are available.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Malaysia continues to welcome tourists from all over the world, including China, without any restriction.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s office today said other than the usual immigration requirements for all foreign tourists, there are no other restrictions for anyone including visitors from China.
“Tourists from China will still be given a single-entry visa for up to 30-days stay in the country and are eligible to take up other programmes organised by the government as well,” it said.
The statement said property purchases by foreigners were also allowed irrespective of nationality but there were certain conditions imposed by the government.
“Purchase of property, however, does not guarantee automatic residency in the country. But for foreigners who wish to make Malaysia their permanent residence, they could consider the ‘ Malaysia, My Second Home (MM2H)’ programme.
”Malaysian government also welcomes foreign direct investment that contributes to the transfer of technology, provides employment for locals and the setting up of industries locally,” the statement read.
It added that last year Malaysia received 2.3 million Chinese tourists from China and it now aims to multiply the number to 10 million visitors in time to come.
Information on these programmes and conditions are available.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Monday, 27 August 2018
Teh Tarik
Enjoy a good start of the day with a cuppa of our national drink, Teh Tarik which literally means 'pulled tea'. It is a hot Indian milk tea beverage.
Its name is derived from the pouring process of "pulling" the drink during preparation. It is made from black tea, condensed milk and evaporated milk.
In Malaysia, there are occasions where teh tarik brewers gather for competitions and performances to show their ability to drag a long stream of tea. ✌
~Tourism Malaysia FB~
Pasembur
Visiting Penang anytime soon? We recommend a MUST-TRY dish.
Pasembur, a locals' favourite, is an Indian spicy salad dish, available during lunch and dinner. The term is peculiar to Northern Peninsular Malaysia.
~Tourism Malaysia FB~
Sunday, 26 August 2018
On track to hit 33.1mil tourist arrivals for 2018
Tourism Minister: Malaysia on track to hit 33.1mil tourist arrivals for 2018
Malaysia is on track to achieve its target of 33.1mil tourist arrivals for 2018, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi.
“We are keeping the target set [by the former Government] earlier at 33.1mil. Based on the numbers so far, we are on track,” he told reporters after launching Ice Age Alive 2018 at Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) on Saturday (Aug 25).
The 2018 target was announced by the Ministry last December under the former Barisan Nasional Government.
In his speech earlier, Mohamaddin said from January to April this year, more than 8.47mil international tourists had visited Malaysia, mainly from China, South Korea, Canada and United States.
Mohamaddin also added that his Ministry is in the midst of studying all tourism projects.
“We are studying the projects and we will keep those which are beneficial. With the change of Government, it does not mean that we will cancel all projects initiated by the previous administration,” he said.
Ice Age Alive opens until Dec 31 at MaTiC, Jalan Ampang, Tuesday to Sunday and all public holidays, from 10am to 7pm.
Visitors will discover an exhibit of creatures who roamed the Earth millions of years ago including Tyrannosaurus rex (T-rex), Dodo bird, sabre-toothed cat, woolly mammoth among other exhibits.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Malaysia is on track to achieve its target of 33.1mil tourist arrivals for 2018, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi.
“We are keeping the target set [by the former Government] earlier at 33.1mil. Based on the numbers so far, we are on track,” he told reporters after launching Ice Age Alive 2018 at Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) on Saturday (Aug 25).
The 2018 target was announced by the Ministry last December under the former Barisan Nasional Government.
In his speech earlier, Mohamaddin said from January to April this year, more than 8.47mil international tourists had visited Malaysia, mainly from China, South Korea, Canada and United States.
Mohamaddin also added that his Ministry is in the midst of studying all tourism projects.
“We are studying the projects and we will keep those which are beneficial. With the change of Government, it does not mean that we will cancel all projects initiated by the previous administration,” he said.
Ice Age Alive opens until Dec 31 at MaTiC, Jalan Ampang, Tuesday to Sunday and all public holidays, from 10am to 7pm.
Visitors will discover an exhibit of creatures who roamed the Earth millions of years ago including Tyrannosaurus rex (T-rex), Dodo bird, sabre-toothed cat, woolly mammoth among other exhibits.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Ang’s ‘kopi peng’ is worth waiting half an hour for
Ang’s ‘kopi peng’ is worth waiting half an hour for
Pro at work: Ang busy making her famous coffee as customers queue up at her Star Coffee stall in Noordin Street, just a block away from Komtar in George Town.
The latest coffee phenomenon in Penang is at an unassuming hawker stall, made conspicuous only by the unbelievable queue of customers there.
Everling Ang has been serving her tasty beverages from a stall in Noordin Street, just a block away from Komtar, since the 1980s.
However, last year, word of her coffee’s unbeatable richness spread and there is a daily crowd at her stall.
“I used to have a lot of customers, but never this many,” said Ang.
“I make various types of hot and cold drinks but the most popular is my kopi peng (iced coffee).
“The consistency of my drinks is most important. It has to be thick enough for my customers to enjoy the taste.
“I add less or more sugar depending on customers’ request.”
Ang, 55, said she also made fusion drinks such as kopi lo (traditional local coffee with Milo), kopi teh (traditional local coffee with tea), Neslo (Nescafe with Milo) and even a kopi teh lo (traditional local coffee with tea and Milo), apart from the usual kopi O, teh tarik, Milo and Nescafe.
“My drinks cost between RM1.20 and RM6.50.
“The kopi peng is RM2 each and RM2.50 for a takeaway.
“Even when the Goods and Services Tax was implemented, I did not increase my prices,” she said.
Ang, who operates her stall from 8.45am to 5pm daily, except on Thursdays, said it was a family business.
Her father ran a coffee stall in Butterworth and she learned the art from him.
“In the 1980s, I moved here with my mother and we ran a coffee stall in a lane nearby.
“About four years ago, I moved to Noordin Street.
“I run the stall with my husband. My friends help me once in a while, but I am the one that makes the drinks.
“The coffee is made from a special blend of traditional local coffee powder, a secret I guard carefully because I plan to pass the business on to my daughter,” she said.
Ang said the craze for her coffee started after she took part in the Penang International Food Festival last year.
“These days, I run out of coffee powder by 5pm,” she said.
Student Nadzirah Zulkapli, 21, who was on holiday from Seremban with her family, waited half an hour to get her hands on a packet of kopi peng.
“When I searched for places to visit on the island, the coffee stall popped up and I decided to give it a try.
“The coffee is better than we expected, and it is such a big packet.
“Usually, back home, it is about RM3.50 and we get half the amount,” she added.
Colleagues Eve Tan, Elaine Chong and Sean Wan, who were in Penang on work commitments, were pleased by the consistency of the coffee.
“It is nice, thick and tasty. For the price, we did not expect it to be this good,” said Tan, a tax consultant.
“The half-an-hour wait was worth it.”
~News courtesy of The Star~
Pro at work: Ang busy making her famous coffee as customers queue up at her Star Coffee stall in Noordin Street, just a block away from Komtar in George Town.
The latest coffee phenomenon in Penang is at an unassuming hawker stall, made conspicuous only by the unbelievable queue of customers there.
Everling Ang has been serving her tasty beverages from a stall in Noordin Street, just a block away from Komtar, since the 1980s.
However, last year, word of her coffee’s unbeatable richness spread and there is a daily crowd at her stall.
“I used to have a lot of customers, but never this many,” said Ang.
“I make various types of hot and cold drinks but the most popular is my kopi peng (iced coffee).
“The consistency of my drinks is most important. It has to be thick enough for my customers to enjoy the taste.
“I add less or more sugar depending on customers’ request.”
Ang, 55, said she also made fusion drinks such as kopi lo (traditional local coffee with Milo), kopi teh (traditional local coffee with tea), Neslo (Nescafe with Milo) and even a kopi teh lo (traditional local coffee with tea and Milo), apart from the usual kopi O, teh tarik, Milo and Nescafe.
“My drinks cost between RM1.20 and RM6.50.
“The kopi peng is RM2 each and RM2.50 for a takeaway.
“Even when the Goods and Services Tax was implemented, I did not increase my prices,” she said.
Ang, who operates her stall from 8.45am to 5pm daily, except on Thursdays, said it was a family business.
Her father ran a coffee stall in Butterworth and she learned the art from him.
“In the 1980s, I moved here with my mother and we ran a coffee stall in a lane nearby.
“About four years ago, I moved to Noordin Street.
“I run the stall with my husband. My friends help me once in a while, but I am the one that makes the drinks.
“The coffee is made from a special blend of traditional local coffee powder, a secret I guard carefully because I plan to pass the business on to my daughter,” she said.
Ang said the craze for her coffee started after she took part in the Penang International Food Festival last year.
“These days, I run out of coffee powder by 5pm,” she said.
Student Nadzirah Zulkapli, 21, who was on holiday from Seremban with her family, waited half an hour to get her hands on a packet of kopi peng.
“When I searched for places to visit on the island, the coffee stall popped up and I decided to give it a try.
“The coffee is better than we expected, and it is such a big packet.
“Usually, back home, it is about RM3.50 and we get half the amount,” she added.
Colleagues Eve Tan, Elaine Chong and Sean Wan, who were in Penang on work commitments, were pleased by the consistency of the coffee.
“It is nice, thick and tasty. For the price, we did not expect it to be this good,” said Tan, a tax consultant.
“The half-an-hour wait was worth it.”
~News courtesy of The Star~
Monday, 20 August 2018
SP Bumi Express Bus
http://www.spbumi.com.my/
Alor Setar 04 - 733 4221
Butterworth 04 - 333 3689
Johor Bahru (Larkin) 012 - 996 6031
Jerteh 09 - 697 1431
Jitra 012 - 456 2881 / 012 - 456 2681
Kuala Terengganu 09 - 623 7789 / 09 - 625 1144
Kulim 013 - 483 2383
Sungai Nibong (Penang) 04 - 658 4589
Sungai Petani 04 - 421 3494
Permaisuri 09 - 609 0268
Kota Bahru 09 - 743 5666
Dungun 09 - 845 4023
Kemaman 09 - 859 3789 / 09 - 868 7499
Shah Alam / Klang 019- 273 2245
Batu Pahat 013 - 7200246
Lumut 05 - 6836052
Parit Buntar 017 - 401 2789
Taiping 05 - 891 6691 / 05 - 847 5055
Seremban 012 - 394 6855
Ipoh (Amanjaya) 017 - 437 9903
Pasir Gudang 013- 778 8447
Hentian Putra (KL) 03 - 4040 0262
Kajang 03 - 9736 9789
Melaka Sentral 016 - 680 4956
Thursday, 16 August 2018
Penang Radio Frequencies
One FM 87.8
Hot FM 88.2
IKIM FM 89.0
Fly FM 89.9
Hot FM 88.2
IKIM FM 89.0
Fly FM 89.9
Kool FM 90.2
Mix FM 91.0
Hitz FM 92.8
Mutiara FM 93.9
988 94.5 / 96.1
Klasik FM 94.9
Minnal FM 96.7
Sinar FM 97.1
Mix FM 91.0
Hitz FM 92.8
Mutiara FM 93.9
988 94.5 / 96.1
Klasik FM 94.9
Minnal FM 96.7
Sinar FM 97.1
Kedah FM 97.5
Zayan FM 98.1
Traxx FM 98.7
THR 99.3
My FM 99.7
Nasional FM 100.5
Ai FM 101.3
Suria FM 102.4
Era FM 103.6
Lite FM 104.4
Traxx FM 98.7
THR 99.3
My FM 99.7
Nasional FM 100.5
Ai FM 101.3
Suria FM 102.4
Era FM 103.6
Lite FM 104.4
Melody FM 106.5
Red 104.9 FM 98.1
GoXuan 107.6
Phee: We’re worried, the API is rising in Penang
Phee: We’re worried, the API is rising in Penang
Penangites woke up to the haze which is expected to go on for the next few days.
Penang Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh says the state government will give out face masks to the public if the Air Pollutant Index (API) goes above 75.
A check on the Department of Environment website at 3pm yesterday showed that the readings in Seberang Prai, Seberang Jaya, Minden and Balik Pulau were hovering between 63 and 65.
An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good, while 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above deemed hazardous.
Phee said they were keeping a close watch on the weather pattern, adding that the state was worried as the API was rising.
“We expect worsening air quality although the air readings are still classified as moderate.
“Drink more water and avoid being caught in the rain as it could be acid rain,” he said.
“Under extreme hot weather, the rainwater which comes into contact with pavements or roads could generate a ‘steam’ that is not good for health,” he added.
Phee said the haze was brought about by the Southwest Monsoon and the Northwest Monsoon, while the heat wave was also causing health problems.
“This is due to the suspended particles likely from the Lombok earthquake.
“Right now, there are no peat fires or hot spots in the region, and there are no flight cancellations,” he said.
State Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said the hazy condition would not cause any major health issues other than irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
“Those who are feeling unwell, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, are advised to seek medical attention immediately.”
Many people were seen buying “antelope’s horn and mak dong” drinks from a shop in Bayan Baru that sells an assortment of traditional medicinal teas.
Supervisor Wong Wai Ching, 50, claims the homemade drinks, selling at RM11.20 for a 500ml bottle, could help cool the body.
“It also helps if you have a sore throat, loss of voice or are feeling feverish,” she said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Penangites woke up to the haze which is expected to go on for the next few days.
Penang Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh says the state government will give out face masks to the public if the Air Pollutant Index (API) goes above 75.
A check on the Department of Environment website at 3pm yesterday showed that the readings in Seberang Prai, Seberang Jaya, Minden and Balik Pulau were hovering between 63 and 65.
An API reading of between 0 and 50 is good, while 51 to 100 is moderate, 101 to 200 is unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and 301 and above deemed hazardous.
Phee said they were keeping a close watch on the weather pattern, adding that the state was worried as the API was rising.
“We expect worsening air quality although the air readings are still classified as moderate.
“Drink more water and avoid being caught in the rain as it could be acid rain,” he said.
“Under extreme hot weather, the rainwater which comes into contact with pavements or roads could generate a ‘steam’ that is not good for health,” he added.
Phee said the haze was brought about by the Southwest Monsoon and the Northwest Monsoon, while the heat wave was also causing health problems.
“This is due to the suspended particles likely from the Lombok earthquake.
“Right now, there are no peat fires or hot spots in the region, and there are no flight cancellations,” he said.
State Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said the hazy condition would not cause any major health issues other than irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
“Those who are feeling unwell, especially the elderly and children, and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, are advised to seek medical attention immediately.”
Many people were seen buying “antelope’s horn and mak dong” drinks from a shop in Bayan Baru that sells an assortment of traditional medicinal teas.
Supervisor Wong Wai Ching, 50, claims the homemade drinks, selling at RM11.20 for a 500ml bottle, could help cool the body.
“It also helps if you have a sore throat, loss of voice or are feeling feverish,” she said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Tuesday, 14 August 2018
Tuesday, 7 August 2018
LCCT in Penang’s flight plan
LCCT in Penang’s flight plan
If Penang gets a low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT), it will likely be to the south of the current passenger terminal and only about 1km from the proposed islands to be reclaimed off the southern coast of Penang island.
It has been the dream of AirAsia and the Penang government to have the facility since 2007.
An inside source in AirAsia revealed that former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had given approval for AirAsia to build the LCCT on a 36ha piece of land at the coastal end of Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas.
“But it met with resistance from the Transport Ministry then due to political reasons, and also because the plan was for the LCCT to be privately run, instead of by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
“Now that there are new levels of political cooperation between the state and federal governments, it will be interesting to see if the 11-year dream can come true,” the source said.
The project was highlighted at the state assembly yesterday when Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng, who is also Finance Minister, hailed the move to have a new LCCT for Penang while debating the motion of thanks to the opening speech by Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.
Lim, speaking to reporters outside the august Hall later, said: “We are not talking about expanding the present terminal but a totally new one that will use the same runway.”
The former chief minister said Putrajaya would talk to AirAsia and MAHB on the LCCT plan.
“While AirAsia is very much interested to help, we still need to work out the specifics of the plan,” Lim said.
He said a solution was needed because the present airport in Bayan Lepas only has the capacity to handle 6.5 million passengers a year but arrivals last year hit 7.1 million and the number was expected to increase to 7.8 million this year.
Former Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi recalled that the LCCT plan was proposed in 2007 and said if it had been done 10 years ago, Penang would have had a different future.
“Penang is well positioned to be a regional hub for international travellers who fly low-cost.
“Tourists who arrive on full-service airlines will have plenty of options to travel elsewhere on low-cost flights. So this makes Penang attractive as a prime point of visits for tourists,” he said.
On July 31, AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes hinted that the low-cost airline giant was looking at plans to build an LCCT in Penang.
“A new terminal will help us increase our planes from five to 16 over the next five years. This will bring in about eight million more passengers per annum into Penang,” he said after a courtesy call on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He added that the plans would feature both domestic and international routes.
The current Penang International Airport is the oldest in the country, having been built in 1935 when Penang was part of the Straits Settlement in South-East Asia ruled by the British.
It underwent a major upgrade in 1979 to accommodate Boeing 747s, then the largest planes in the world.
The terminal saw two significant facelifts in 2009 and 2013.
~News courtesy of The Star~
If Penang gets a low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT), it will likely be to the south of the current passenger terminal and only about 1km from the proposed islands to be reclaimed off the southern coast of Penang island.
It has been the dream of AirAsia and the Penang government to have the facility since 2007.
An inside source in AirAsia revealed that former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had given approval for AirAsia to build the LCCT on a 36ha piece of land at the coastal end of Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas.
“But it met with resistance from the Transport Ministry then due to political reasons, and also because the plan was for the LCCT to be privately run, instead of by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
“Now that there are new levels of political cooperation between the state and federal governments, it will be interesting to see if the 11-year dream can come true,” the source said.
The project was highlighted at the state assembly yesterday when Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng, who is also Finance Minister, hailed the move to have a new LCCT for Penang while debating the motion of thanks to the opening speech by Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.
Lim, speaking to reporters outside the august Hall later, said: “We are not talking about expanding the present terminal but a totally new one that will use the same runway.”
The former chief minister said Putrajaya would talk to AirAsia and MAHB on the LCCT plan.
“While AirAsia is very much interested to help, we still need to work out the specifics of the plan,” Lim said.
He said a solution was needed because the present airport in Bayan Lepas only has the capacity to handle 6.5 million passengers a year but arrivals last year hit 7.1 million and the number was expected to increase to 7.8 million this year.
Former Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi recalled that the LCCT plan was proposed in 2007 and said if it had been done 10 years ago, Penang would have had a different future.
“Penang is well positioned to be a regional hub for international travellers who fly low-cost.
“Tourists who arrive on full-service airlines will have plenty of options to travel elsewhere on low-cost flights. So this makes Penang attractive as a prime point of visits for tourists,” he said.
On July 31, AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes hinted that the low-cost airline giant was looking at plans to build an LCCT in Penang.
“A new terminal will help us increase our planes from five to 16 over the next five years. This will bring in about eight million more passengers per annum into Penang,” he said after a courtesy call on Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He added that the plans would feature both domestic and international routes.
The current Penang International Airport is the oldest in the country, having been built in 1935 when Penang was part of the Straits Settlement in South-East Asia ruled by the British.
It underwent a major upgrade in 1979 to accommodate Boeing 747s, then the largest planes in the world.
The terminal saw two significant facelifts in 2009 and 2013.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Saturday, 4 August 2018
Nasi Lemak
Nasi lemak is a Malay fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf. It is commonly found in Malaysia, where it is considered the national dish; it is also popular in neighbouring areas such as Singapore; Brunei, and Southern Thailand. In Indonesia it can be found in several parts of Sumatra; especially Malay realm of Riau, Riau Islands and Medan.
Nasi lemak can also be found in the Bangsamoro region of Mindanao prepared by Filipino Moro. It is considered one of the most famous dishes for a Malay-style breakfast. It is not to be confused with nasi dagang, sold in the Malaysian east coast states of Terengganu and Kelantan, although both dishes are often served for breakfast. However, because nasi lemak can be served in a variety of ways, it is often eaten throughout the day.
~Wikipedia~
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