Showing posts with label Places of interests. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Places of interests. Show all posts
Sunday, 13 April 2025
Wednesday, 9 April 2025
Saturday, 8 February 2025
Wednesday, 11 March 2020
Value-for-money fun for Penangites
Value-for-money fun for Penangites
Take advantage of the promotion until May 22 to enjoy an exciting day at The Top Penang.
The Top Penang is now offering a 50% discount on its Top Day Fun Pass that includes entry to over 15 exciting attractions.
Valid till May 22, the promo lets adults pay only RM48 (instead of the normal rate of RM99). For children and seniors, the price is just RM30 (normal rate RM58).
You will be hard-pressed to find better value for money elsewhere. So wait no more and gather the entire family for an entertaining and informative day out.
The Top Penang is located in the Tun Abdul Razak Building (more popularly known as Komtar) in central George Town.
Created by Only World Group, The Top is billed as the state’s ‘Highest Iconic Edutainment Tower’ and ‘Largest Indoor Theme Park’ thanks to its myriad attractions all under one roof.
The promo is part of the state government’s Experience Penang 2020 programme and Penang Lang 50% Off Campaign aimed at boosting domestic tourism in light of global coronavirus fears.
The Top Penang is definitely worth a visit. Spread across levels 3,4 and 5 are attractions such as Penang State Gallery and Durian King of Fruits Museum.
At the gallery, visitors can learn about Penang’s history and how it came to be known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ while the museum highlights how the fruit is grown.
Meanwhile, the Jurassic Research Centre will transport you back hundreds of millions of years to see over 200 dinosaurs come alive.
Visitors can also dive into the abyss with the Ocean Explorer and get up close and personal with majestic marine life.
Other attractions to explore include the Top Boutique Aquarium, Tech Dome Penang, Musical Carousel, Zombie Outbreak, Magic Mirror Maze, UFO-X, 7D Motion Discovery Theatre, Dance Oki and Dyno Gym.
High-speed elevators will whisk you to the Level 65 Observatory Deck where panoramic 360-degree views await. See George Town, Penang island and even Seberang Prai from a different perspective up high.
Brave yourselves to try the glass Rainbow Skywalk on Level 68 too.
Visitors can top up RM5 to enjoy the Augmented Reality Virtual Greatest Show with 3D interactive video animation. You will get to be ‘the star’ of your own show (normal rate RM21 for adults and RM11 for children).
Endless fun awaits at The Top Penang so plan your visit today. The 50% off promotion is valid only for walk-in purchases of admission tickets at the ticketing counters.
One also has to show proof of being a Penangite. Only bearers of MyKads with the Penang state codes of 07,34 and 35 or a Penang residential address are entitled to the discount.
Only original copies of MyKads are accepted. Other terms and conditions apply. For more information, visit thetop.com.my or call 04-262 3800.
Alternatively, follow The TOP on Facebook and thetoppenang on Instagram.
~The Star~
Take advantage of the promotion until May 22 to enjoy an exciting day at The Top Penang.
The Top Penang is now offering a 50% discount on its Top Day Fun Pass that includes entry to over 15 exciting attractions.
Valid till May 22, the promo lets adults pay only RM48 (instead of the normal rate of RM99). For children and seniors, the price is just RM30 (normal rate RM58).
You will be hard-pressed to find better value for money elsewhere. So wait no more and gather the entire family for an entertaining and informative day out.
The Top Penang is located in the Tun Abdul Razak Building (more popularly known as Komtar) in central George Town.
Created by Only World Group, The Top is billed as the state’s ‘Highest Iconic Edutainment Tower’ and ‘Largest Indoor Theme Park’ thanks to its myriad attractions all under one roof.
The promo is part of the state government’s Experience Penang 2020 programme and Penang Lang 50% Off Campaign aimed at boosting domestic tourism in light of global coronavirus fears.
The Top Penang is definitely worth a visit. Spread across levels 3,4 and 5 are attractions such as Penang State Gallery and Durian King of Fruits Museum.
At the gallery, visitors can learn about Penang’s history and how it came to be known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ while the museum highlights how the fruit is grown.
Meanwhile, the Jurassic Research Centre will transport you back hundreds of millions of years to see over 200 dinosaurs come alive.
Visitors can also dive into the abyss with the Ocean Explorer and get up close and personal with majestic marine life.
Other attractions to explore include the Top Boutique Aquarium, Tech Dome Penang, Musical Carousel, Zombie Outbreak, Magic Mirror Maze, UFO-X, 7D Motion Discovery Theatre, Dance Oki and Dyno Gym.
High-speed elevators will whisk you to the Level 65 Observatory Deck where panoramic 360-degree views await. See George Town, Penang island and even Seberang Prai from a different perspective up high.
Brave yourselves to try the glass Rainbow Skywalk on Level 68 too.
Visitors can top up RM5 to enjoy the Augmented Reality Virtual Greatest Show with 3D interactive video animation. You will get to be ‘the star’ of your own show (normal rate RM21 for adults and RM11 for children).
Endless fun awaits at The Top Penang so plan your visit today. The 50% off promotion is valid only for walk-in purchases of admission tickets at the ticketing counters.
One also has to show proof of being a Penangite. Only bearers of MyKads with the Penang state codes of 07,34 and 35 or a Penang residential address are entitled to the discount.
Only original copies of MyKads are accepted. Other terms and conditions apply. For more information, visit thetop.com.my or call 04-262 3800.
Alternatively, follow The TOP on Facebook and thetoppenang on Instagram.
~The Star~
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
Penang Hill funicular train service to shut down for 7 days
Penang Hill funicular train service to shut down for 7 days
The Penang Hill funicular train service will be temporarily shut down for seven days. -NSTP File pic
The Penang Hill funicular train service will be temporarily shut down for seven days from June 18 for the second bi-annual scheduled maintenance works.
According to a statement issued by Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), the train operations will resume on June 25.
"PHC schedules two major scheduled maintenance every year for the funicular system under the supervision of the engineers from the funicular manufacturer (Garaventa AG from Switzerland) to ensure tip-top running condition and meet stringent safety compliance.
"PHC also conducts regular checks and maintenance of its funicular system on daily, weekly and monthly basis, plus routine inspections that are carried out after operation hours," the statement said.
According to the statement, during the shutdown period, visitors may opt for the privately-operated jeep service from Botanical Gardens, or take the existing hiking routes to reach the summit area of Penang Hill.
"PHC would like to thank all visitors for their patience and continuous support to Penang Hill. Any inconvenience caused is very much regretted," the statement added.
Members of the public can contact PHC at 04-8288880 or send an email to inquiries@penanghill.gov.my for any clarification. -- Bernama
The Penang Hill funicular train service will be temporarily shut down for seven days. -NSTP File pic
The Penang Hill funicular train service will be temporarily shut down for seven days from June 18 for the second bi-annual scheduled maintenance works.
According to a statement issued by Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), the train operations will resume on June 25.
"PHC schedules two major scheduled maintenance every year for the funicular system under the supervision of the engineers from the funicular manufacturer (Garaventa AG from Switzerland) to ensure tip-top running condition and meet stringent safety compliance.
"PHC also conducts regular checks and maintenance of its funicular system on daily, weekly and monthly basis, plus routine inspections that are carried out after operation hours," the statement said.
According to the statement, during the shutdown period, visitors may opt for the privately-operated jeep service from Botanical Gardens, or take the existing hiking routes to reach the summit area of Penang Hill.
"PHC would like to thank all visitors for their patience and continuous support to Penang Hill. Any inconvenience caused is very much regretted," the statement added.
Members of the public can contact PHC at 04-8288880 or send an email to inquiries@penanghill.gov.my for any clarification. -- Bernama
Monday, 20 January 2020
129-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple lights up for CNY 2020
129-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple lights up for CNY 2020
The lighting up of the biggest Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, started in a grand manner tonight. - NSTP/Mikail Ong Mohamed Basyir
The lighting up of the biggest Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, started in a grand manner tonight.
Traditional Chinese lanterns and colourful LED (light emitting diode) lights will illuminate the temple for several days in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.
The 129-year-old temple has been a hive of activity for photographers looking for angles to capture the massive temple lights including the 33.6m high Kuan Yin statue.
A spellbinding display of fireworks lit the skies, seen as a symbol of peace, good luck and prosperity.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng together with temple officials jointly performed the lighting ceremony.
They announced to give contributions of RM100,000 each.
Lim lauded the temple committee's effort for continuing the tradition since 1983.
"I must congratulate Kek Lok Si for continuing this tradition,” he said.
The Kek Lok Si temple hosted a dinner in conjunction with its lighting ceremony, together with special prayers held along with a chanting session for the devotees.
Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said that a lot of work had been put for the annual lighting display which has became a must visit spot for avid photographers.
"The experience is something one cannot simply say in words, it is magical and should not be missed," he said.
The colourful lights will be turned on from Jan 24 to Feb 8 from 7.30pm to midnight, and from 7.30pm to 10pm from Feb 9 to Feb 21.
~New Straits Times~
The lighting up of the biggest Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, started in a grand manner tonight. - NSTP/Mikail Ong Mohamed Basyir
The lighting up of the biggest Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia, Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, started in a grand manner tonight.
Traditional Chinese lanterns and colourful LED (light emitting diode) lights will illuminate the temple for several days in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.
The 129-year-old temple has been a hive of activity for photographers looking for angles to capture the massive temple lights including the 33.6m high Kuan Yin statue.
A spellbinding display of fireworks lit the skies, seen as a symbol of peace, good luck and prosperity.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng together with temple officials jointly performed the lighting ceremony.
They announced to give contributions of RM100,000 each.
Lim lauded the temple committee's effort for continuing the tradition since 1983.
"I must congratulate Kek Lok Si for continuing this tradition,” he said.
The Kek Lok Si temple hosted a dinner in conjunction with its lighting ceremony, together with special prayers held along with a chanting session for the devotees.
Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said that a lot of work had been put for the annual lighting display which has became a must visit spot for avid photographers.
"The experience is something one cannot simply say in words, it is magical and should not be missed," he said.
The colourful lights will be turned on from Jan 24 to Feb 8 from 7.30pm to midnight, and from 7.30pm to 10pm from Feb 9 to Feb 21.
~New Straits Times~
Friday, 10 January 2020
SAM, CAP give thumbs down to Penang Hill cable car project
SAM, CAP give thumbs down to Penang Hill cable car project
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) says the cable car project is not environmentally sustainable. - NSTP/File pic
GEORGE TOWN: The recent breakdown of the Penang Hill funicular railway should not be used as an excuse by the state government to push for a cable car project for the iconic hill, two leading non-governmental organisations (NGOs) said today.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), which are against the project, said, in a statement, that it would have a negative impact on the sensitive and fragile ecosystems of both the hill and the Penang Botanic Gardens.
SAM president Meenakshi Raman and CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the cable car project was not environmentally sustainable.
“The cable car project, if implemented, will cause irreparable damage to the hills and the gardens through the building of more hotels, bungalows for the rich elites, cafes, amusement joints and roads.
“Hence, the breakdown of the existing funicular railway cannot be used as an excuse to push for the cable car project, without investigating the causes for the breakdown and how to prevent them in the future.
“We understand that the maintenance works for the funicular railway are carried out only once in 12 months.
“With the overuse of the railway and infrequent maintenance, there is bound to be a breakdown.
“What must now happen is more frequent maintenance works which could be once in nine months instead, which can prevent the railway from breaking down.
“As such, improving the frequency of the maintenance of the railway must be the most immediate step, that will avert the need for the cable car,” they said today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, had in a recent interview, said that the cable car project was expected to begin year-end and that pre-feasibility studies of the project were ongoing while a full technical study would be carried out as the next step.
He had said that the need for an alternative to the funicular railway became obvious following a breakdown on Dec 21 which left nearly 1,000 visitors stranded for up to four hours on the hill.
In the recent 2020 Budget, the Federal Government had announced a RM100 million allocation for the development of the cable car project.
And in a recent dialogue session with stakeholders, Chow had said that he expected eight to 10 pylons would be needed to support the network, linking the summit to a station outside the gates of the gardens, near the Penang Rifle Club to the hilltop at the entrance of the Habitat.
“Firstly, the Penang Rifle Club is not outside the gardens as claimed by the chief minister as it is within the Special Area Plan of the gardens,” said SAM and CAP.
“Already, on a daily basis in the mornings and on public holidays, the gardens is very crowded with large numbers of people and massive jams.
“With a cable car station near the Penang Rifle Club, the traffic situation will be even more aggravated, changing the nature of the gardens to one that is noisy and even more unbearable.
“Secondly, in order to carry out the cable car project, a major issue will be on how the heavy pylons are going to be brought in and installed, which will require road-building, excavation and construction work.
“In addition, once the construction works are over, maintenance tracks below the cable car line will be needed and all this will cause much disruption to the very fragile and environmentally sensitive areas which the hill and the gardens are.
“For these reasons, SAM and CAP appealed and urged the Penang government not to proceed with the cable car proposal.”
SAM and CAP said comprehensive and thorough studies had to be carried out on the environmental and social impacts of the cable car project on both the hill and the gardens before any decision was made on the project.
“The chief minister had said that pre-feasibility studies of the project were ongoing, while a full technical study would be carried out as the next step,” they said.
“Such studies must ensure that the environmental and social impacts both to the hill and the gardens are not viewed lightly, given the special characteristics and nature of both of these special ecosystems.
As such, we urge the Penang government to make transparent and public the terms of reference of the studies, and clarify if they include comprehensive environmental and social impacts on the hill and the gardens, who is conducting the studies, make public these studies and clarify which are the companies vying for the cable-car project,” they stressed.
Commenting on the statement from SAM and CAP, Chow said the state would only have a better idea of the cable car project upon the completion of the feasibility studies.
“Also, I am sure the NGOs can consult Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng on the terms of reference of the studies as he has all the information,” he said at his office here today.
~New Straits Times~
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) says the cable car project is not environmentally sustainable. - NSTP/File pic
GEORGE TOWN: The recent breakdown of the Penang Hill funicular railway should not be used as an excuse by the state government to push for a cable car project for the iconic hill, two leading non-governmental organisations (NGOs) said today.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), which are against the project, said, in a statement, that it would have a negative impact on the sensitive and fragile ecosystems of both the hill and the Penang Botanic Gardens.
SAM president Meenakshi Raman and CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the cable car project was not environmentally sustainable.
“The cable car project, if implemented, will cause irreparable damage to the hills and the gardens through the building of more hotels, bungalows for the rich elites, cafes, amusement joints and roads.
“Hence, the breakdown of the existing funicular railway cannot be used as an excuse to push for the cable car project, without investigating the causes for the breakdown and how to prevent them in the future.
“We understand that the maintenance works for the funicular railway are carried out only once in 12 months.
“With the overuse of the railway and infrequent maintenance, there is bound to be a breakdown.
“What must now happen is more frequent maintenance works which could be once in nine months instead, which can prevent the railway from breaking down.
“As such, improving the frequency of the maintenance of the railway must be the most immediate step, that will avert the need for the cable car,” they said today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, had in a recent interview, said that the cable car project was expected to begin year-end and that pre-feasibility studies of the project were ongoing while a full technical study would be carried out as the next step.
He had said that the need for an alternative to the funicular railway became obvious following a breakdown on Dec 21 which left nearly 1,000 visitors stranded for up to four hours on the hill.
In the recent 2020 Budget, the Federal Government had announced a RM100 million allocation for the development of the cable car project.
And in a recent dialogue session with stakeholders, Chow had said that he expected eight to 10 pylons would be needed to support the network, linking the summit to a station outside the gates of the gardens, near the Penang Rifle Club to the hilltop at the entrance of the Habitat.
“Firstly, the Penang Rifle Club is not outside the gardens as claimed by the chief minister as it is within the Special Area Plan of the gardens,” said SAM and CAP.
“Already, on a daily basis in the mornings and on public holidays, the gardens is very crowded with large numbers of people and massive jams.
“With a cable car station near the Penang Rifle Club, the traffic situation will be even more aggravated, changing the nature of the gardens to one that is noisy and even more unbearable.
“Secondly, in order to carry out the cable car project, a major issue will be on how the heavy pylons are going to be brought in and installed, which will require road-building, excavation and construction work.
“In addition, once the construction works are over, maintenance tracks below the cable car line will be needed and all this will cause much disruption to the very fragile and environmentally sensitive areas which the hill and the gardens are.
“For these reasons, SAM and CAP appealed and urged the Penang government not to proceed with the cable car proposal.”
SAM and CAP said comprehensive and thorough studies had to be carried out on the environmental and social impacts of the cable car project on both the hill and the gardens before any decision was made on the project.
“The chief minister had said that pre-feasibility studies of the project were ongoing, while a full technical study would be carried out as the next step,” they said.
“Such studies must ensure that the environmental and social impacts both to the hill and the gardens are not viewed lightly, given the special characteristics and nature of both of these special ecosystems.
As such, we urge the Penang government to make transparent and public the terms of reference of the studies, and clarify if they include comprehensive environmental and social impacts on the hill and the gardens, who is conducting the studies, make public these studies and clarify which are the companies vying for the cable-car project,” they stressed.
Commenting on the statement from SAM and CAP, Chow said the state would only have a better idea of the cable car project upon the completion of the feasibility studies.
“Also, I am sure the NGOs can consult Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng on the terms of reference of the studies as he has all the information,” he said at his office here today.
~New Straits Times~
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
Monday, 11 November 2019
World's longest tube water slide at Escape theme park
World's longest tube water slide at Escape theme park in Penang is now open
GEORGE TOWN, Nov 9 -- The world's longest tube water slide at the Escape theme park in Teluk Bahang here is now open to the public.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said for years, Escape theme park has been the leading tourist attraction in Penang and the opening of the new attraction of the 1,111 metre-long water slide will further strengthen its position as number one theme park in Malaysia.
He said a study conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently revealed that 10.9 per cent of international and domestic tourists came to Penang to visit Escape.
“The study shows a remarkable statistic and testament to the importance of Escape to both Penang and Malaysia's tourism growth ambitions,” he said at the official opening of Escape phase 3 - Gravityplay and the Guinness World Records Longest Tube Water Slide here today.
Chow said that the Penang Immigration Department's statistic also showed that the number of visitor arrivals recorded from January to August this year had steeply increased by 207.7 per cent to 89,535 from only 29,101 recorded over the corresponding period of last year.
Also present at the opening ceremony was Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, senator Lim Hui Ying and Penang Escape theme park founder and chief executive officer Sim Choo Kheng.
Meanwhile, Sim said today is the culmination of years of struggle to turn the dreams into reality.
“From conceptualisation to the support we received from the Penang Development Corporation, I am grateful for all those who have contributed to making Escape what it is today - a world-class tourist destination with world-record-setting attractions that generate more smiles per hour for everyone who visits Escape,” said Sim who also admitted having invested RM60 million in the last seven years to build the theme park.
Earlier, Escape Penang also inked a memorandum of understanding with GSPARX Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TNB, to build a photovoltaic facility that will supply renewable energy to Escape.
Sim said this initiative will make Escape the first theme park in Malaysia to go completely carbon neutral.
“At Escape, our eco-friendly parks co-exist with the natural habitat. We want our visitors to experience play amongst the beautiful terrain and rain forest we have here in Penang. This initiative with GSPARX will allow us to be fully self-sustainable and completely carbon neutral, how mother nature intended it to be,” he said.
He also added that the physical construction on an estimated 0.6 hectare of land will complete in over a year and will help reduce the monthly electricity bill of up to 15 per cent.
-- BERNAMA
GEORGE TOWN, Nov 9 -- The world's longest tube water slide at the Escape theme park in Teluk Bahang here is now open to the public.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said for years, Escape theme park has been the leading tourist attraction in Penang and the opening of the new attraction of the 1,111 metre-long water slide will further strengthen its position as number one theme park in Malaysia.
He said a study conducted by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) recently revealed that 10.9 per cent of international and domestic tourists came to Penang to visit Escape.
“The study shows a remarkable statistic and testament to the importance of Escape to both Penang and Malaysia's tourism growth ambitions,” he said at the official opening of Escape phase 3 - Gravityplay and the Guinness World Records Longest Tube Water Slide here today.
Chow said that the Penang Immigration Department's statistic also showed that the number of visitor arrivals recorded from January to August this year had steeply increased by 207.7 per cent to 89,535 from only 29,101 recorded over the corresponding period of last year.
Also present at the opening ceremony was Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, senator Lim Hui Ying and Penang Escape theme park founder and chief executive officer Sim Choo Kheng.
Meanwhile, Sim said today is the culmination of years of struggle to turn the dreams into reality.
“From conceptualisation to the support we received from the Penang Development Corporation, I am grateful for all those who have contributed to making Escape what it is today - a world-class tourist destination with world-record-setting attractions that generate more smiles per hour for everyone who visits Escape,” said Sim who also admitted having invested RM60 million in the last seven years to build the theme park.
Earlier, Escape Penang also inked a memorandum of understanding with GSPARX Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TNB, to build a photovoltaic facility that will supply renewable energy to Escape.
Sim said this initiative will make Escape the first theme park in Malaysia to go completely carbon neutral.
“At Escape, our eco-friendly parks co-exist with the natural habitat. We want our visitors to experience play amongst the beautiful terrain and rain forest we have here in Penang. This initiative with GSPARX will allow us to be fully self-sustainable and completely carbon neutral, how mother nature intended it to be,” he said.
He also added that the physical construction on an estimated 0.6 hectare of land will complete in over a year and will help reduce the monthly electricity bill of up to 15 per cent.
-- 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
Monday, 29 July 2019
Promoting Balik Pulau as new tourist destination in Penang
Promoting Balik Pulau as new tourist destination in Penang
BALIK PULAU, July 19 (Bernama) -- The three-day Balik Pulau Festival 2019 from today will promote Balik Pulau as a new tourist destination in Penang.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said many programmes have been organised throughout the festival, including running and cycling events that provide an opportunity for tourists to explore the surrounding Balik Pulau area.
Muhammad Bakhtiar who is also Balik Pulau member of Parliament, said that the public will also be feted to traditional orchestral performances, as well as performances by invited artistes, besides having the chance to win various prizes in lucky draws among them flight tickets, motorcycles, watches, cameras and so on.
He was speaking to reporters after launching the slogan ‘I Love MY (Malaysia)’ in conjunction with Festival Balik Pulau 2019, here today. The slogan, among others, aimed at promoting the spirit of patriotism among the people, especially the young.
“I purposely took advantage of the Balik Pulau Festival to start the ‘I Love MY’ campaign. It should be followed by all Malaysians, as we are all proud of our beloved country. Malaysians should popularise this tagline,” he said.
Earlier, Muhammad Bakhtiar attended a motivational talk by celebrities and entrepreneurs, Ariz Ramli or better known as Caprice, titled ‘Jihad in Education’ to about 1,000 students from schools and institutions of higher learning.
-- BERNAMA
BALIK PULAU, July 19 (Bernama) -- The three-day Balik Pulau Festival 2019 from today will promote Balik Pulau as a new tourist destination in Penang.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said many programmes have been organised throughout the festival, including running and cycling events that provide an opportunity for tourists to explore the surrounding Balik Pulau area.
Muhammad Bakhtiar who is also Balik Pulau member of Parliament, said that the public will also be feted to traditional orchestral performances, as well as performances by invited artistes, besides having the chance to win various prizes in lucky draws among them flight tickets, motorcycles, watches, cameras and so on.
He was speaking to reporters after launching the slogan ‘I Love MY (Malaysia)’ in conjunction with Festival Balik Pulau 2019, here today. The slogan, among others, aimed at promoting the spirit of patriotism among the people, especially the young.
“I purposely took advantage of the Balik Pulau Festival to start the ‘I Love MY’ campaign. It should be followed by all Malaysians, as we are all proud of our beloved country. Malaysians should popularise this tagline,” he said.
Earlier, Muhammad Bakhtiar attended a motivational talk by celebrities and entrepreneurs, Ariz Ramli or better known as Caprice, titled ‘Jihad in Education’ to about 1,000 students from schools and institutions of higher learning.
-- BERNAMA
Friday, 4 January 2019
Preserving Classic Teochew Puppetry and Opera
Preserving Classic Teochew Puppetry and Opera
Once a widely staged performance during the Hungry Ghost Festival, the public is slowly abandoning the Teochew puppetry and opera in favour of modern-day song and dance. But performer Ling Goh is determined to preserve and perpetuate this vanishing art.
Ling Goh in full costume. Photo Credit Ling Goh.
As a child, Ling Goh remembers watching her mother putting on grand dresses, headgears and elaborate make-up, and stepping onstage before an eager crowd. The backstage was her playground and her classroom – it was the place where she learned and mastered the intricacies of iron-rod puppet manipulation as well as the nuances of each character in Teochew opera.
Ling Goh posed for a photograph when met at the opera house-cum-museum.
Ling Goh is the daughter of Toh Ai Hwa, founder of the now-defunct Kim Giak Low Choon Puppet Troupe which was recognised as a Living Heritage Treasure by the Penang Heritage Trust. Descended from an unbroken line of opera performers stretching back to the 19th century, Ling was exposed to the rich operatic world of Teochew puppetry and opera since young.
According to Ling Goh, Teochew puppetry originated as two-dimensional shadow puppets in the Central Plain of China.
“It is similar to the local wayang kulit. It is made of dried leather strips and controlled by three long iron rods attached to the arms and torso. These were only two-dimensional shadow puppets.
“Then, during the Southern Song period, refugees fleeing south away from barbarian invasions brought the art to Chaoshan, a city in the eastern Guangdong province of China. The people of Chaoshan speak the Teochew dialect. It was in the Chaoshan region during the Qing dynasty that shadow puppets evolved into three-dimensional iron-rod puppets.
“The Teochew three-dimensional iron-rod puppets then paved the way for the creation of the Teochew opera that we have today. Back then, Teochew puppet performers wanted to transform the iron-rod puppets into larger-than-life characters. Instead of merely using their hands to manipulate the puppets, they decided to be the puppets!” Ling Goh says.
Teochew three-dimensional puppets. Each Teochew puppet is manipulated by a puppeteer using three iron rods.
According to Ling Goh, the stories derived from popular local lore includes romance tales and ghost stories from the Ming, Tang and Qing dynasties. Meanwhile, the grand costumes and elaborate stage make-up are the trademarks of classic Teochew opera. “When you perform on stage, you want to stand out. The make-up brings out facial expressions. Without make-up, audiences cannot immerse themselves in the experience of the opera.
“Same goes for the elaborate headgears and grand dresses. They are meant to improve the audience’s visual experience and to create strong, visceral scenes,” she says.
In Teochew opera, the female characters are the Tragic Woman, the Noblewoman, the Maidservant, the Valkyrie, the Old Woman and the Matchmaker, and can be identified by the scalloped hairline on their foreheads.
The male characters comprise the Young Man, the Old Man, the Fighter and the Comic.
The Fool injects comedy into the story. A male Fool is recognisable by a distinctive white patch around the eyes and nose, while female Fools wear make-up to exaggerate their features for comic effect.
Ling Goh and her co-star during a live performance. Photo Credit Ling Goh.
Interest in this classical Chinese performing art has waned in recent years. “People somehow think that Teochew opera is performed for the gods and ghosts. That’s not true. It has always been for the human audience.
“I believe people today are more interested in Western, Korean and Japanese entertainment. They think Teochew opera is lau beh (outdated). They have no patience to learn and understand the cultural values in Teochew opera,” she says.
Moreover, she says temples hiring contemporary singers have not helped matters.
“Most temples in Penang prefer to hire modern singers to attract more audiences. More audiences means more devotees. More devotees means more money for the temple,” she says.
Teochew Puppet & Opera House at Lebuh Armenian
Refusing to fade into the background, Ling Goh continues to perform at cultural festivals in Penang, China, Singapore and London. In 2014 she founded the Teochew Puppet & Opera House at Lebuh Armenian – the first of its kind in Malaysia.
The old-style Penang house with its long, narrow architecture and a central atrium contains exhibits of Teochew iron-rod puppets as well as costumes and props from life-size Teochew opera live performances. Visitors may also try on authentic opera costumes and try their hand at manipulating the unique iron-rod puppets.
There are old manuscripts of operas as well as many puppets, musical instruments, assorted puppet accessories and costumes used in life-size operas. This is a glimpse into an ancient art that is fast disappearing – skills that have passed down through the generations.
Though it is primarily an exhibition space, the Teochew Puppet & Opera House still occasionally holds opera performances, talks and workshops within the premises after hours. But mostly, it serves to tell the story of a remarkable family of opera performers over five generations.
The Teochew Puppet Show Stage inside the opera house-cum-museum.
Today, her family’s legacy is passed down to her nephew and niece. “I grew up watching my mother perform. In turn, my nephew and niece grew up watching their grandmother, father and aunt perform. My childhood classroom has become theirs, and we have become their teachers. My only hope is for them to carry on this family legacy with them,” says Ling Goh.
Find Teochew Puppet & Opera House at 122 Lebuh Armenian. The opera house-cum-museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm and can be contacted at +604 262 0377 or via email teochewoperahouse@gmail.com. Entrance fee is RM10 per entry. Log on to its website at www.teochewpuppet.com for more details or visit its Facebook page for details.
~Info courtesy of Penang Global Tourism~
Once a widely staged performance during the Hungry Ghost Festival, the public is slowly abandoning the Teochew puppetry and opera in favour of modern-day song and dance. But performer Ling Goh is determined to preserve and perpetuate this vanishing art.
Ling Goh in full costume. Photo Credit Ling Goh.
As a child, Ling Goh remembers watching her mother putting on grand dresses, headgears and elaborate make-up, and stepping onstage before an eager crowd. The backstage was her playground and her classroom – it was the place where she learned and mastered the intricacies of iron-rod puppet manipulation as well as the nuances of each character in Teochew opera.
Ling Goh posed for a photograph when met at the opera house-cum-museum.
Ling Goh is the daughter of Toh Ai Hwa, founder of the now-defunct Kim Giak Low Choon Puppet Troupe which was recognised as a Living Heritage Treasure by the Penang Heritage Trust. Descended from an unbroken line of opera performers stretching back to the 19th century, Ling was exposed to the rich operatic world of Teochew puppetry and opera since young.
According to Ling Goh, Teochew puppetry originated as two-dimensional shadow puppets in the Central Plain of China.
“It is similar to the local wayang kulit. It is made of dried leather strips and controlled by three long iron rods attached to the arms and torso. These were only two-dimensional shadow puppets.
“Then, during the Southern Song period, refugees fleeing south away from barbarian invasions brought the art to Chaoshan, a city in the eastern Guangdong province of China. The people of Chaoshan speak the Teochew dialect. It was in the Chaoshan region during the Qing dynasty that shadow puppets evolved into three-dimensional iron-rod puppets.
“The Teochew three-dimensional iron-rod puppets then paved the way for the creation of the Teochew opera that we have today. Back then, Teochew puppet performers wanted to transform the iron-rod puppets into larger-than-life characters. Instead of merely using their hands to manipulate the puppets, they decided to be the puppets!” Ling Goh says.
Teochew three-dimensional puppets. Each Teochew puppet is manipulated by a puppeteer using three iron rods.
According to Ling Goh, the stories derived from popular local lore includes romance tales and ghost stories from the Ming, Tang and Qing dynasties. Meanwhile, the grand costumes and elaborate stage make-up are the trademarks of classic Teochew opera. “When you perform on stage, you want to stand out. The make-up brings out facial expressions. Without make-up, audiences cannot immerse themselves in the experience of the opera.
“Same goes for the elaborate headgears and grand dresses. They are meant to improve the audience’s visual experience and to create strong, visceral scenes,” she says.
In Teochew opera, the female characters are the Tragic Woman, the Noblewoman, the Maidservant, the Valkyrie, the Old Woman and the Matchmaker, and can be identified by the scalloped hairline on their foreheads.
The male characters comprise the Young Man, the Old Man, the Fighter and the Comic.
The Fool injects comedy into the story. A male Fool is recognisable by a distinctive white patch around the eyes and nose, while female Fools wear make-up to exaggerate their features for comic effect.
Ling Goh and her co-star during a live performance. Photo Credit Ling Goh.
Interest in this classical Chinese performing art has waned in recent years. “People somehow think that Teochew opera is performed for the gods and ghosts. That’s not true. It has always been for the human audience.
“I believe people today are more interested in Western, Korean and Japanese entertainment. They think Teochew opera is lau beh (outdated). They have no patience to learn and understand the cultural values in Teochew opera,” she says.
Moreover, she says temples hiring contemporary singers have not helped matters.
“Most temples in Penang prefer to hire modern singers to attract more audiences. More audiences means more devotees. More devotees means more money for the temple,” she says.
Teochew Puppet & Opera House at Lebuh Armenian
Refusing to fade into the background, Ling Goh continues to perform at cultural festivals in Penang, China, Singapore and London. In 2014 she founded the Teochew Puppet & Opera House at Lebuh Armenian – the first of its kind in Malaysia.
The old-style Penang house with its long, narrow architecture and a central atrium contains exhibits of Teochew iron-rod puppets as well as costumes and props from life-size Teochew opera live performances. Visitors may also try on authentic opera costumes and try their hand at manipulating the unique iron-rod puppets.
There are old manuscripts of operas as well as many puppets, musical instruments, assorted puppet accessories and costumes used in life-size operas. This is a glimpse into an ancient art that is fast disappearing – skills that have passed down through the generations.
Though it is primarily an exhibition space, the Teochew Puppet & Opera House still occasionally holds opera performances, talks and workshops within the premises after hours. But mostly, it serves to tell the story of a remarkable family of opera performers over five generations.
The Teochew Puppet Show Stage inside the opera house-cum-museum.
Today, her family’s legacy is passed down to her nephew and niece. “I grew up watching my mother perform. In turn, my nephew and niece grew up watching their grandmother, father and aunt perform. My childhood classroom has become theirs, and we have become their teachers. My only hope is for them to carry on this family legacy with them,” says Ling Goh.
Find Teochew Puppet & Opera House at 122 Lebuh Armenian. The opera house-cum-museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm and can be contacted at +604 262 0377 or via email teochewoperahouse@gmail.com. Entrance fee is RM10 per entry. Log on to its website at www.teochewpuppet.com for more details or visit its Facebook page for details.
~Info courtesy of Penang Global Tourism~
Monday, 31 December 2018
Wednesday, 19 December 2018
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion is a government gazetted heritage building located on Leith Street in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. The mansion's external decorations and indigo-blue outer walls make it a very distinctive building, and it is sometimes referred to as The Blue Mansion.
Built by the merchant Cheong Fatt Tze at the end of the 19th century, the mansion has 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 vernacular timber louvre windows. It served as Cheong's private residence as well as the seat of his business activities in Penang.
The mansion is eclectic, but mainly reflects Chinese architectural styles of the Imperial Period. Features of the house include Gothic louvred windows, Chinese cut and paste porcelain work, Stoke-on-Trent floor tiles made of encaustic clay in geometric pieces all shaped to fit to a perfect square, Glasgow cast iron works by MacFarlane's & Co. and Art Nouveau stained glass windows.
The mansion was originally built with careful attention to the principles of Feng Shui. The domestic annexe is built in front of it to prevent any road being built to create a T-junction in front of it; it has water running through a meandering network of pipes that begin from the eaves of the roof, channelled through the upper ceiling, down the walls collecting in the central courtyard before being channelled away from the property via a similar network of pipes, in this case, underneath the entire flooring system and is built with a step in the middle to create a slope (to ride on the dragons back.)
The distinctive blue colour of the mansion is the result of mixing lime with natural blue dye made from the Indigo plant. The blue was very popular in the Colonial period and the dye was imported from India to Penang by the British.
The lime-wash was very effective in a tropical weather as it absorbed moisture and cooled the house whilst dispelling moisture without damage to the structural integrity of the walls. Though white was the most easily available colour, the indigo-blue was chosen because it was highly-prized by all communities, adding stature to the mansion.
~wikipedia~
Built by the merchant Cheong Fatt Tze at the end of the 19th century, the mansion has 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 vernacular timber louvre windows. It served as Cheong's private residence as well as the seat of his business activities in Penang.
The mansion is eclectic, but mainly reflects Chinese architectural styles of the Imperial Period. Features of the house include Gothic louvred windows, Chinese cut and paste porcelain work, Stoke-on-Trent floor tiles made of encaustic clay in geometric pieces all shaped to fit to a perfect square, Glasgow cast iron works by MacFarlane's & Co. and Art Nouveau stained glass windows.
The mansion was originally built with careful attention to the principles of Feng Shui. The domestic annexe is built in front of it to prevent any road being built to create a T-junction in front of it; it has water running through a meandering network of pipes that begin from the eaves of the roof, channelled through the upper ceiling, down the walls collecting in the central courtyard before being channelled away from the property via a similar network of pipes, in this case, underneath the entire flooring system and is built with a step in the middle to create a slope (to ride on the dragons back.)
The distinctive blue colour of the mansion is the result of mixing lime with natural blue dye made from the Indigo plant. The blue was very popular in the Colonial period and the dye was imported from India to Penang by the British.
The lime-wash was very effective in a tropical weather as it absorbed moisture and cooled the house whilst dispelling moisture without damage to the structural integrity of the walls. Though white was the most easily available colour, the indigo-blue was chosen because it was highly-prized by all communities, adding stature to the mansion.
~wikipedia~
Friday, 14 December 2018
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
ENTOPIA BY PENANG BUTTERFLY FARM
Recently relaunched after an extensive facelift, Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm is a large butterfly enclave with about 15,000 butterflies, dragonflies, and fireflies. It is an ideal place to entertain and educate both children and adults alike.
Operating Days Monday - Sunday
Operating Hours 9.00am - 7.00pm
Contact Number +604 888 8111
Entrance Fee
RM49.00 per adult (with MyKad; 13 to 59 years old)
RM65.00 per adult (without MyKad; 13 to 59 years old)
RM29.00 per child (with MyKad; 4 - 12 years)
RM45.00 per child (without MyKad; 4 - 12 years)
RM29.00 per senior citizen (with MyKad; 60 years and above)
RM45.00 per senior citizen (without MyKad; 60 years and above)
Email
info@entopia.com
Website
https://entopia.com/
Address
830, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050, Penang, MALAYSIA
~info courtesy of mypenang.gov.my~
Recently relaunched after an extensive facelift, Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm is a large butterfly enclave with about 15,000 butterflies, dragonflies, and fireflies. It is an ideal place to entertain and educate both children and adults alike.
Operating Days Monday - Sunday
Operating Hours 9.00am - 7.00pm
Contact Number +604 888 8111
Entrance Fee
RM49.00 per adult (with MyKad; 13 to 59 years old)
RM65.00 per adult (without MyKad; 13 to 59 years old)
RM29.00 per child (with MyKad; 4 - 12 years)
RM45.00 per child (without MyKad; 4 - 12 years)
RM29.00 per senior citizen (with MyKad; 60 years and above)
RM45.00 per senior citizen (without MyKad; 60 years and above)
info@entopia.com
Website
https://entopia.com/
Address
830, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050, Penang, MALAYSIA
~info courtesy of mypenang.gov.my~
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