Showing posts with label Heritage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heritage. Show all posts
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Tuesday, 3 March 2020
Beautify side, back lanes to attract visitors
Penang to beautify side, back lanes to attract visitors
The Penang Town Hall building in the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site. NSTP/File pic
It is business as usual in Penang in the wake of the political crisis in the country as the state government continues with its development plans for the benefit of the people.
At 8am yesterday, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow launched a project to upgrade and beautify side and back lanes for bicycles, as well as pedestrian routes within the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.
He said back lanes in the city were alternative access routes for members of the public, besides serving as maintenance paths, and they would be enhanced with art, landscaping and street furniture to attract visitors.
“These lanes will be upgraded to provide space for recreation, neighbourhood activities and greenery in the city.
“The facilities can also be used for a variety of activities by the local community.
“This will create a sense of safety, cleanliness and wellbeing so that the lanes can be used at all times,” he said when launching the project stretching from Lebuh Ah Quee to Lorong Pitt here.
He said Penang was the best example of a city that achieved the Sustainable Development Goals, including healthy living and wellbeing of the people, equality, good jobs and strong economic growth, as well as a sustainable city and society.
“Penang is one of the leading cities in the world, but we still give priority to our environment and heritage sites amid rapid growth.
“The facilities, services and infrastructure we offer have turned the heritage site into a destination of choice for the local community and foreigners to visit, relax and live in.” Bernama
The Penang Town Hall building in the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site. NSTP/File pic
It is business as usual in Penang in the wake of the political crisis in the country as the state government continues with its development plans for the benefit of the people.
At 8am yesterday, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow launched a project to upgrade and beautify side and back lanes for bicycles, as well as pedestrian routes within the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.
He said back lanes in the city were alternative access routes for members of the public, besides serving as maintenance paths, and they would be enhanced with art, landscaping and street furniture to attract visitors.
“These lanes will be upgraded to provide space for recreation, neighbourhood activities and greenery in the city.
“The facilities can also be used for a variety of activities by the local community.
“This will create a sense of safety, cleanliness and wellbeing so that the lanes can be used at all times,” he said when launching the project stretching from Lebuh Ah Quee to Lorong Pitt here.
He said Penang was the best example of a city that achieved the Sustainable Development Goals, including healthy living and wellbeing of the people, equality, good jobs and strong economic growth, as well as a sustainable city and society.
“Penang is one of the leading cities in the world, but we still give priority to our environment and heritage sites amid rapid growth.
“The facilities, services and infrastructure we offer have turned the heritage site into a destination of choice for the local community and foreigners to visit, relax and live in.” Bernama
Friday, 3 January 2020
Two more cannons discovered at Fort Cornwallis
Two more cannons discovered at Fort Cornwallis
Two cannons were accidentally unearthed during restoration and upgrading work on the seawall near Fort Cornwallis here.
The Bloomfeld cannons weigh 3 tonnes each and measure about 3m to 3.6m in length.
They are the fifth and sixth cannons to be discovered since restoration work began on Fort Cornwallis in 2017.
According to National Heritage Department Heritage Commissioner, Mesran Mohd Yusop, the department and Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Global Archaeological Research (CGAR) would be cooperating in preserving the latest finds.
"For the time being, these cannons will remain here until further stages of research are completed so that we can see the context of the site as a whole," he said during a press conference at Esplanade on Friday (Jan 3).
He added that the discovery could help educate the public on the importance of history and national heritage.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) Datuk Dr Noor Zari Hamat were also present during the press conference.
~The Star~
Two cannons were accidentally unearthed during restoration and upgrading work on the seawall near Fort Cornwallis here.
The Bloomfeld cannons weigh 3 tonnes each and measure about 3m to 3.6m in length.
They are the fifth and sixth cannons to be discovered since restoration work began on Fort Cornwallis in 2017.
According to National Heritage Department Heritage Commissioner, Mesran Mohd Yusop, the department and Universiti Sains Malaysia's Centre for Global Archaeological Research (CGAR) would be cooperating in preserving the latest finds.
"For the time being, these cannons will remain here until further stages of research are completed so that we can see the context of the site as a whole," he said during a press conference at Esplanade on Friday (Jan 3).
He added that the discovery could help educate the public on the importance of history and national heritage.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Secretary-General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) Datuk Dr Noor Zari Hamat were also present during the press conference.
~The Star~
Tuesday, 24 December 2019
Penang Hill Train service safe despite recent incidents: PHC
Penang Hill Train service safe despite recent incidents: PHC
The Penang Hill funicular train is safe for use as the two recent service disruptions did not affect the integrity of its operation, according to the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC).
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the funicular train undergoes daily, weekly and monthly inspection and maintenance according to standard operating procedure.
“The funicular train consists of various components so we undertake strict regular maintenance and inspection to ensure it is in good condition and safe for use,” he said when contacted today.
“Comprehensive maintenance is done twice a year and at that time the funicular train operation is fully shut down for two to three weeks to enable works to be carried out thoroughly and properly,” he said.
Cheok said the two cases of service breakdowns within two weeks this month which caused visitors to the hill resort to be stranded were isolated incidents.
“Actually, the two incidents involved different problems, with the Dec 4 case attributed to human error caused by a worker pressing the wrong button at the operations place.
“Because of that the alert and warning button was automatically activated, causing the operation system of the funicular train to stop. Checks by the PHC team showed that there were no defects,” he said.
In the latest incident last Saturday, the malfunction involved a damaged seal of the hydraulic brakes of the train, he said.
Engineers and technicians took more than 10 hours to identify the problem and rectify it.
“We are investigating to determine how the seal could have been damaged just after two years when it was meant to last four years.
“The seal was made by a foreign company and this is the first such malfunction in the 10 years of operation of the funicular train,” he said.
He said the recent incidents had not affected visitor arrivals at Penang Hill.
After service resumed at 4.45pm yesterday following Saturday’s disruption, the flow of visitors has been like what is normally seen during school holidays.
“PHC accepts all feedback from visitors and we will do whatever we can to make the service safer and more comfortable. I would like to thank everyone for their support and patience, especially those who came after the two incidents,” he said.
On Dec 4, more than 500 people were affected after the train service was disrupted for more than two hours from 10am while last Saturday night’s incident left more than 900 visitors stranded. - Bernama
The Penang Hill funicular train is safe for use as the two recent service disruptions did not affect the integrity of its operation, according to the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC).
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the funicular train undergoes daily, weekly and monthly inspection and maintenance according to standard operating procedure.
“The funicular train consists of various components so we undertake strict regular maintenance and inspection to ensure it is in good condition and safe for use,” he said when contacted today.
“Comprehensive maintenance is done twice a year and at that time the funicular train operation is fully shut down for two to three weeks to enable works to be carried out thoroughly and properly,” he said.
Cheok said the two cases of service breakdowns within two weeks this month which caused visitors to the hill resort to be stranded were isolated incidents.
“Actually, the two incidents involved different problems, with the Dec 4 case attributed to human error caused by a worker pressing the wrong button at the operations place.
“Because of that the alert and warning button was automatically activated, causing the operation system of the funicular train to stop. Checks by the PHC team showed that there were no defects,” he said.
In the latest incident last Saturday, the malfunction involved a damaged seal of the hydraulic brakes of the train, he said.
Engineers and technicians took more than 10 hours to identify the problem and rectify it.
“We are investigating to determine how the seal could have been damaged just after two years when it was meant to last four years.
“The seal was made by a foreign company and this is the first such malfunction in the 10 years of operation of the funicular train,” he said.
He said the recent incidents had not affected visitor arrivals at Penang Hill.
After service resumed at 4.45pm yesterday following Saturday’s disruption, the flow of visitors has been like what is normally seen during school holidays.
“PHC accepts all feedback from visitors and we will do whatever we can to make the service safer and more comfortable. I would like to thank everyone for their support and patience, especially those who came after the two incidents,” he said.
On Dec 4, more than 500 people were affected after the train service was disrupted for more than two hours from 10am while last Saturday night’s incident left more than 900 visitors stranded. - Bernama
Monday, 9 December 2019
RM175,000 to repair, upgrade Tan jetty - Chow
RM175,000 to repair, upgrade Tan jetty - Chow
A total of RM175,000 has been allocated through the Tanjong Member of Parliament’s office to carry out repair and upgrading works of the Tan Jetty off Weld Quay, which is now gaining popularity as a tourist spot.
North East district and land office assistant engineer Nur Fariza Othman said repair works on the jetty located at the George Town Heritage site commenced on Oct 21 and expected to be completed by Dec 15.
She said the works involved, among others, the installation of 192 poles as well as repair works on the 400-metre-long beam and floor structure.
“During the seven-week repair works we have cordoned off the area, but there are still visitors coming here to take pictures,” she told reporters here Sunday.
She said this after visiting the jetty with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Gooi Zi Sen.
Meanwhile, Chow, who is also Tanjong MP, said the repair and upgrading works of the jetty were implemented after receiving complaints from the public to ensure the safety of visitors there.
He said Tan Jetty was gaining the attention of local and foreign tourists as a place to take pictures after receiving widespread media coverage.
“The increase in the number of visitors here makes the structure of the jetty unstable. So repair works must be carried out immediately for the safety of the visitors,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
A total of RM175,000 has been allocated through the Tanjong Member of Parliament’s office to carry out repair and upgrading works of the Tan Jetty off Weld Quay, which is now gaining popularity as a tourist spot.
North East district and land office assistant engineer Nur Fariza Othman said repair works on the jetty located at the George Town Heritage site commenced on Oct 21 and expected to be completed by Dec 15.
She said the works involved, among others, the installation of 192 poles as well as repair works on the 400-metre-long beam and floor structure.
“During the seven-week repair works we have cordoned off the area, but there are still visitors coming here to take pictures,” she told reporters here Sunday.
She said this after visiting the jetty with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Gooi Zi Sen.
Meanwhile, Chow, who is also Tanjong MP, said the repair and upgrading works of the jetty were implemented after receiving complaints from the public to ensure the safety of visitors there.
He said Tan Jetty was gaining the attention of local and foreign tourists as a place to take pictures after receiving widespread media coverage.
“The increase in the number of visitors here makes the structure of the jetty unstable. So repair works must be carried out immediately for the safety of the visitors,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday, 15 August 2019
Botanical Garden eyes UNESCO World Heritage listing
Penang’s Botanical Garden eyes UNESCO World Heritage listing
The Penang government is hopeful that the state will get the distinction of having the fourth botanical garden to be listed under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said there are three UNESCO-listed botanical gardens worldwide, namely the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, the United Kingdom, and the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden in Brazil.
Jagdeep said what makes Penang’s Botanical Garden stand out is that it is completely natural whereas the others were man-made.
“Even Nigel Taylor, the curator of Singapore Botanic Gardens, said he was very confident that our botanical garden has a big potential to be listed under UNESCO’s World Heritage Site,” he said in a press conference here today.
Jagdeep also hoped that the physical works on the Penang Botanical Garden’s Special Area Plan (SAP) could be kick-started by this year.
The Penang Botanical Garden’s SAP, which was proposed in March 2011 and approved and gazetted on July 4 this year, consists of 25 detailed projects, including seven main projects.
According to Jagdeep, the seven key projects are the construction of a central visitor centre, plant conservation and research centre, Malaysiana Boulevard, nature’s amphitheatre, viewing tower and viewing deck, as well as restoration of garden mall and service yard facilities, nursery and irrigation system.
“For the time being, we are working on developing a timeframe for the key projects, and we would prioritise the 2.35-hectare central visitor centre,” he said.
Penang Botanical Garden curator Dr Saw Leng Guan said the entrance of the garden would be relocated approximately 700 metres away from its original position to the central visitor centre once the project was finished.
Saw said the existing parking space would also be relocated and centralised in the central visitor centre as well.
“Visitors would then be ushered into the garden, which would help in reducing traffic congestion and make it more accessible to the public,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
The Penang government is hopeful that the state will get the distinction of having the fourth botanical garden to be listed under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said there are three UNESCO-listed botanical gardens worldwide, namely the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, the United Kingdom, and the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden in Brazil.
Jagdeep said what makes Penang’s Botanical Garden stand out is that it is completely natural whereas the others were man-made.
“Even Nigel Taylor, the curator of Singapore Botanic Gardens, said he was very confident that our botanical garden has a big potential to be listed under UNESCO’s World Heritage Site,” he said in a press conference here today.
Jagdeep also hoped that the physical works on the Penang Botanical Garden’s Special Area Plan (SAP) could be kick-started by this year.
The Penang Botanical Garden’s SAP, which was proposed in March 2011 and approved and gazetted on July 4 this year, consists of 25 detailed projects, including seven main projects.
According to Jagdeep, the seven key projects are the construction of a central visitor centre, plant conservation and research centre, Malaysiana Boulevard, nature’s amphitheatre, viewing tower and viewing deck, as well as restoration of garden mall and service yard facilities, nursery and irrigation system.
“For the time being, we are working on developing a timeframe for the key projects, and we would prioritise the 2.35-hectare central visitor centre,” he said.
Penang Botanical Garden curator Dr Saw Leng Guan said the entrance of the garden would be relocated approximately 700 metres away from its original position to the central visitor centre once the project was finished.
Saw said the existing parking space would also be relocated and centralised in the central visitor centre as well.
“Visitors would then be ushered into the garden, which would help in reducing traffic congestion and make it more accessible to the public,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, 6 August 2019
Come admire the beauty of orchids in Penang
Come admire the beauty of orchids in Penang
The annual Penang Orchid Show is happening again aimed at promoting the Pearl of the Orient as a place where beautiful orchids are grown.
Organised by the Penang state government and Federation of Malaya Orchid Society (FOMOS), the Penang Orchid Show 2019 will be taking centre stage at the Penang Botanic Gardens from Aug 11-18, 9am-9pm daily.
State tourism development, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman, Yeoh Soon Hin, said: "This event will attract people, especially orchid lovers, to Penang. The event will focus on competitions and a sale of orchids. Orchid judges from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will be coming together at this grand event," he said at a press conference today.
Another focus will be Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Biological Sciences representatives led by Associate Prof S. Sreeramanan, who will provide information on orchid tissue culture and bio-conservation.
FOMOS organising chairman, Tony Tan, said admission to the event where 600 exotic orchids of 60 different species, classes and hybrids will be found, is free.
"Around 10,000 to 20,000 visitors are expected. For the orchid competition, there will be 60 classes with four major prizes: 'Best Plant of the Show', 'Reserved Best Plant', 'Second Reserved Best Plant' and 'Best Species'," said Tan.
On a different subject, Yeoh told reporters that registration for the Miss Asia Global Malaysia 2019/2020 started today, and that the state government and Miss Asia Global Malaysia Pageant will be announcing the date and venue for preliminary screenings in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kuching.
Being held for the first time in Penang, it is another opportunity for the state to promote its sights.
The competition is open to female Malaysians aged 18-28, single and are a minimum height of 1.65m (165cm). Register via https://forms.gle/t6TZ5ZQXhukyrLAy8 by Aug 20.
-- BERNAMA
The annual Penang Orchid Show is happening again aimed at promoting the Pearl of the Orient as a place where beautiful orchids are grown.
Organised by the Penang state government and Federation of Malaya Orchid Society (FOMOS), the Penang Orchid Show 2019 will be taking centre stage at the Penang Botanic Gardens from Aug 11-18, 9am-9pm daily.
State tourism development, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman, Yeoh Soon Hin, said: "This event will attract people, especially orchid lovers, to Penang. The event will focus on competitions and a sale of orchids. Orchid judges from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will be coming together at this grand event," he said at a press conference today.
Another focus will be Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Biological Sciences representatives led by Associate Prof S. Sreeramanan, who will provide information on orchid tissue culture and bio-conservation.
FOMOS organising chairman, Tony Tan, said admission to the event where 600 exotic orchids of 60 different species, classes and hybrids will be found, is free.
"Around 10,000 to 20,000 visitors are expected. For the orchid competition, there will be 60 classes with four major prizes: 'Best Plant of the Show', 'Reserved Best Plant', 'Second Reserved Best Plant' and 'Best Species'," said Tan.
On a different subject, Yeoh told reporters that registration for the Miss Asia Global Malaysia 2019/2020 started today, and that the state government and Miss Asia Global Malaysia Pageant will be announcing the date and venue for preliminary screenings in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kuching.
Being held for the first time in Penang, it is another opportunity for the state to promote its sights.
The competition is open to female Malaysians aged 18-28, single and are a minimum height of 1.65m (165cm). Register via https://forms.gle/t6TZ5ZQXhukyrLAy8 by Aug 20.
-- BERNAMA
Penang’s 111-year-old Fire Station rebrands as tourism hotspot
Penang’s 111-year-old Fire Station rebrands as tourism hotspot
The Lebuh Pantai Fire and Rescue Station here, one of Malaysia’s oldest fire stations still in operation, has reverted to its signboard structural design first used 111 years ago.
The fire station has rebranded as ‘Central Fire Station 1908’ with large black fonts up front, replacing the previous red signboard and restoring its original infrastructure design.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the signage was changed in accordance with the George Town World Heritage Site Special Area Plan on the initiative of the Beach Street Fire and Rescue Department itself.
“This Lebuh Pantai Fire and Rescue Station Building is an iconic structure classified under Category I of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site,” he told reporters after inspecting the new signage here today.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Moktar, who was present, said the rebranding is to capitalise on its tourist appeal by highlighting its status as the first fire station in the state.
Apart from the signage, Saadon said, the shape of the building and some of its features would be maintained to comply with the conditions of the George Town World Heritage Site Special Area Plan.
One of the iconic features of the building’s structural design is its combination of different architectural styles, classical façade merging with its Mughal-style four-storey tower with hints of influences from the Edwardian era of architecture.
He said to save costs, the restoration and preservation works were done mostly on the exterior of the fire station.
-- BERNAMA
The Lebuh Pantai Fire and Rescue Station here, one of Malaysia’s oldest fire stations still in operation, has reverted to its signboard structural design first used 111 years ago.
The fire station has rebranded as ‘Central Fire Station 1908’ with large black fonts up front, replacing the previous red signboard and restoring its original infrastructure design.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the signage was changed in accordance with the George Town World Heritage Site Special Area Plan on the initiative of the Beach Street Fire and Rescue Department itself.
“This Lebuh Pantai Fire and Rescue Station Building is an iconic structure classified under Category I of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site,” he told reporters after inspecting the new signage here today.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Moktar, who was present, said the rebranding is to capitalise on its tourist appeal by highlighting its status as the first fire station in the state.
Apart from the signage, Saadon said, the shape of the building and some of its features would be maintained to comply with the conditions of the George Town World Heritage Site Special Area Plan.
One of the iconic features of the building’s structural design is its combination of different architectural styles, classical façade merging with its Mughal-style four-storey tower with hints of influences from the Edwardian era of architecture.
He said to save costs, the restoration and preservation works were done mostly on the exterior of the fire station.
-- BERNAMA
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