Malaysia’s highest skywalk opens to public

Malaysia’s highest skywalk opens to public

For those scared of heights, taking the first step out on the Rainbow Skywalk can be a daunting experience.

Situated at the top of Komtar, Penang’s tallest building, the semi-circle glass walkway gives thrill-seeking visitors the chance to feel as though they are walking on air. And at 68 floors up and almost 250m from the ground, looking down to the roofs and roads below through the glass floor can be slightly nerve-wracking.

The Rainbow Skywalk officially opened its doors to the public on Sunday (Dec 18), as part of a rejuvenation plan for the building by Malaysia-listed company Only World Group (OWG).

I’ve seen people with their knees knocking, and some of them have to be led out by their friends,” said OWG’s chief operating officer Jean Koh. “They won’t even dare open their eyes.

“But once they go out, the view is amazing. Some of them even lie down on the glass floor and take selfies,” she added.

Komtar was completed in 1986 and is Malaysia’s sixth-tallest building. In 2012, OWG won a 45-year lease to revitalise the building.

“A lot of people have been talking about the tower being rundown, the tower has been neglected, so we thought it would be something that we can do to make it great again,” said OWG’s chief executive officer Richard Koh. “We want to enhance the whole tower and bring more family attractions in.”

Speaking on Sunday at the opening, Penang's Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described the refurbished Komtar as a symbol of the "incredible journey Penang has taken over the last eight years to pick itself up after falling into decline".

"We have seen a revival of both the tourism and manufacturing industry to be a dynamic Penang, and now (the) new Komtar is reborn as a symbol of success from the wreckage of failure."

NEW ATTRACTIONS

Three more floors have been added to the building, bringing it to 68. An observatory deck at level 65, the original top level of the building, features floor-to-ceiling glass windows that allow visitors to enjoy panoramic views of Penang.

A host of family attractions was also developed at level five to cater to both locals and tourists. The Jurassic Research Center is an interactive walk-through attraction featuring animated dinosaurs and educational exhibitions, while a 7D Discovery Motion Theatre features virtual reality and simulators.

But for Mr Koh, the main highlight remains the top. And he has more grand plans for the place. “There is a lot of potential for doing unique things here and to polish it up … we’re going to put up a full-scale orchestra here for weddings, make it a romantic place, and maybe we could even see a wedding proposal up here,” he said.

It costs RM118 (S$38) for an adult ticket to the observatory deck and Rainbow Skywalk, while a child ticket costs RM88.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Asia's comic cultural museum opens in Penang

Asia's comic cultural museum opens in Penang

A comic-themed museum, said to be Asia's first, was opened at ICT Mall, Komtar here, today.

The Asia Comic Cultural Museum showcases work of cartoonists from nine countries in Asia, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Korea.

Penang Youth Development Corporation chief executive officer, Teng Kok Liang said the opening of the museum was to give comic and cartoon illustrators the opportunity to show off their talent.

"The museum also serves to conserve and promote historical and cultural heritage as well as recognise comic as an important form of entertainment in generating innovation and cultural industries," he said when met after the museum opening by State Tourism and Cultural Development executive councillor Danny Law Heng.

The museum to be opened to the public from 11am to 6pm daily will display comics from the pre-world war two years to the present, 3D cartoon illustrations and popular comic characters such as Monkey King, Ultraman and Masked Rider.

In fulfilling the 1Malaysia concept, notices of all displays at the exhibition area were in the four languages : Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil, he added.

~News courtesy of Bernama~

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~

Exciting fairs coming soon

Exciting fairs coming soon

ICT@Komtar Digital Lifestyle Mall in Komtar, Penang, will be holding five fairs from May to July.

The first one will be the Camera Fair tomorrow.

This will be followed by a Notebook Fair, Broadband, Mobile and GPS Fair and a Components Fair in June.

From July 22 to July 24, a Games, Speakers and Accessories Fair will be held for games enthusiasts.

Excitement awaits visitors to the Camera Fair as there will be an iPad 2 on sale with a purchase-with-purchase offer that gives them a chance to buy the iPad 2 from as low as RM888.

Visitors who spend a minimum of RM5 can take part in a spin-the-wheel contest to buy items at a special price.

ICT@Komtar director Shanley Leong said shoppers will no longer have to wait for PC fairs to buy gadgets at an affordable price.

“Just come here as we offer good deals 365 days a year,” she said at a press conference.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Georgetown from the plane

Georgetown from the plane

George Town anew

George Town anew

THE Penang government will adopt the Business Improvement District Scheme (BIDs) to rejuvenate the inner city.

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the scheme was popular in many countries but would be the first for the state.

“BIDs will turn Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (Komtar) and its surrounding area into a premier shopping destination and a bustling cultural, business and social centre.

“We are looking into enhancing connectivity between the commercial enterprises there by eventually linking Komtar to shops along Macalister Road, Campbell Street and Kimberly Street with underpasses and walkways.

“The first phase will be to connect Komtar to Gama and Berjaya Times Square,” he said, adding that BIDs was about creating a safer, more comfortable environment while improving commercial activities to make the place more vibrant.

Chow said a BIDs committee chaired by Penang Development Corporation (PDC) general manager Datuk Rosli Jaafar was set up last September and the project is spearheaded by Think City Sdn Bhd and Khazanah Nasional Bhd.

He said everything was still in the conceptual stage.

Chow was speaking to reporters after opening two link bridges connecting 1st Avenue to Prangin Mall and Komtar yesterday.

On Komtar’s final phase, Rosli said the immediate plan was to clear the area of dilapidated buildings before work could start.

“We have received proposals for boutique hotels and arts and craft trades.

“We want commercial development that’s compatible with the heritage value of the place,” he said, adding that there would also be an urban park for the public.

Comprising five phases, the Komtar project undertaken by the PDC, was launched in 1974.

-News courtesy of The Star-

Free Shuttle Bus

Municipal Council of Penang Island (MPPP) provides a free shuttle bus service in Georgetown which runs approximately between the Pengkalan Weld ferry terminal and KOMTAR every 20 minutes Mon-Fri 6AM-11.40PM, plus Saturdays 7:00am-2:00pm(no service on Sundays or public holidays).

Info courtesy of Wikitravel

Myriad plans to revive Komtar

Myriad plans to revive Komtar

THE Penang Government remains committed in its efforts to ensure Komtar regains its former glory and shine, said Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik.

He said they were currently looking into reorganising the taxi service in Komtar, adding facilities for the disabled, general upgrading works and sprucing up the area.

“Once everything is in place, we’re confident of attracting a lot of investors and synergise our business circles,” he said in his speech when closing the Komtar Carnival 2010 at Prangin Mall on Sunday night.

He also expressed his hope that the Komtar development project would be completed within the next 10 years.

Ng later gave out prizes to the winners of the carnival’s Penang Goes Green Photography Contest, Komtar Carnival Idol and Street Dance Competition.

Participants of the photography contest were required to capture snapshots pertaining to environmental issues, with shortlisted entries exhibited for public voting at the Popular Bookstore outlet.

Looi Hwa Min, Hwang Chiew Leng and Ricky Teoh grabbed the first, second and third prizes respectively, and took home Nikon cameras, Popular vouchers and cash.

Over in the Street Dance Competition, Metalloid, Bizarre Force and Soul of Junior grabbed the top three prizes, while Zuriana, Hong Yih Kwang and Azhar Mustaffa emerged triumphant in the Idol segment.

Prangin Mall complex manager Kimm Tang felt the 16-day carnival would go a long way in reviving the Komtar area.

“If these efforts are carried out with gusto, we can make this place exciting,” he said.

He also announced that the mall had completed the installation of 140 CCTVs to make it safer for shoppers, while exterior painting works would commence soon and scheduled to be completed by August in conjunction with the opening of the 1st Avenue Mall.

As part of Komtar’s rebranding exercise, they were also seeking public input for ideas, said Tang.

Those interested are required to think of one other word to go with ‘Komtar’, which aptly describes the whole area surrounding it.

Email your suggestions to kimmtang@prangin-mall.com. The best suggestion stands to win prizes worth RM4,000.

-News courtesy of The Star-