New green attraction

New green attraction

NATURE lovers will get a chance to enjoy a new green attraction at the Penang Botanic Gardens when a bamboo appreciation centre is constructed this year.

State Botanic Gardens department assistant director Salasiah Yusop said the environmental-friendly structure in the bambusetum would be built entirely out of bamboo.

“An officer from the National Landscape Department will visit the bambusetum on March 9 and subsequently prepare a Bill of Quantity (BQ) for the project.

“The BQ will outline the work scope and once that is done, we can engage a contractor,” she said, adding that a souvenir shop selling items made of bamboo would be part of the structure.
Growing well: (above) A gardener carrying out maintenance work at the bambusetum

The cost of the bamboo appreciation centre would be borne by the state government.

On when the bambusetum would be officially launched and opened to the public, Salasiah said the procurement and planting of the bamboo plants began in November last year and was completed on Feb 15.

“Now, the plants are being nurtured so that they can grow and flourish — a lot of what’s going on is maintenance work.

“A proper opening ceremony will only be held at the end of the year as we want to make sure that the centre is ready and everything is perfect.

“However, the public is free to visit the bambusetum anytime, as we’ve never fenced it up,” she said when met at the gardens yesterday.

Close to 40 different bamboo species from all over the country have been planted at the bambusetum.

Salasiah said the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) had provided invaluable guidance to the department in selecting and caring for the plants.

The bambusetum is part of the Tourism Ministry’s RM7mil Botanic Gardens expansion project which also comprised a new visitors’ pavilion, facade and eco-stream walkway.

The project was completed in early 2011.

The Tourism Ministry had allocated an additional RM450,000 to enhance and maintain the bambusetum collection after criticisms by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that the attraction was devoid of bamboo plants.

The ministry’s Penang office director Jamie Yeoh said the bambusetum was progressing well.

“We have been monitoring the project closely and are excited to showcase it to the public.

“We are planning an event called the ‘Bamboo Symphony’ to highlight research on the plants as well as its traditional usage in everyday life and music.

“It will be interesting,” she said, adding that the event was slated for the fourth quarter of the year.

~News courtesy of The Star~

A travel guide book to halal Penang

A travel guide book to halal Penang

THE Penang International Halal Hub Development Sdn Bhd, also known as Halal Penang, is pu- blishing a travel guide book for Muslims with the support of Penang Global Tourism.

Titled ‘Experience Penang 2012: A Muslim Travel Guide’, the book is set to be available to the public next month.

It will feature shopping spots, places of attraction, festivities, food outlets and accommodations in the state.

Halal Penang director Murali Ram said they would be printing 10,000 copies of the book to be distributed at the Penang Interna-tional Airport and various hotels in the state.

“The books will be distributed for free for the first year. We will update the book yearly with the latest information,” he said after the opening ceremony of the 3rd Penang International Halal Exposition and Conference (Pihec) at the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) yesterday.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said since Pakatan Rakyat took over Penang in 2008, there had been an increment in the number of companies with halal certification.

“In 2008, there were 55 companies awarded with the certificate and the number kept increasing until, in January, 324 companies,” he said in his speech.

Lim said Halal Penang managed to bring in investments of RM395mil through its Penang Halal Industrial Park in Bukit Minyak.

He added that the investment values covered 18.6ha out of a total of 40.46ha there.

State Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Com-mittee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said the number of booths during Pihec had been increasing.

“Back in 2010, only 65 booths showcased their products. The number increased to 102 last year, and now there are 161 booths here,” he said.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Light’s on tonight at Kek Lok Si

Light’s on tonight at Kek Lok Si

THE 121-year-old Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang, will be turned into a fairyland of lights as final preparation to welcome the Chinese Lunar New Year gathers pace.

Temple trustee Datuk Steven Ooi said this year’s annual Chinese New Year lighting ceremony will be held this evening and it will be a sight to behold with vibrant red lanterns to usher in the Year of the Dragon.

“The temple will be holding a lighting ceremony this evening, four days before the Chinese New Year celebrations on Jan 23 and 24.

“However, only the lanterns at the Pagoda will be lit up and the temple would not be open to public yet.

“Starting from the eve of Chinese New Year until the third day of Chinese New Year, the lanterns at both the Pagoda and at the pavilion will be lit up until the next morning.’’

A canopy of lights: Red and yellow lanterns are among the many decorations at the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam, Penang

He said the public can visit the temple during the night on the first day of Chinese New Year to capture the beautiful decorations at the temple. The temple will be open from 8.30am to midnight from the first day to the annual Thni Kong Seh (Jade Emperor’s birthday) celebration on Jan 31.

“After Jan 31, the Kek Lok Si Temple will be open from 8.30am to 10pm until Feb 19,” he said.

“We expect more visitors this year as the number of tourists visiting the temple has increased.

“A total of four dragons are also being assembled at the temple in conjunction with the Year of the Dragon,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Two of them, each measuring at a jumbo size of about 36.5m (120ft) in length, will flank both sides of the temple’s famous pagoda.

The other two smaller dragon guards standing about 4.5m (15ft) each, will take up their place near the 30.2m bronze Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) statue.

Devotees who wish to donate or seek blessings from the temple can do so via donation from RM50 to RM2,000. Devotees and well-wishers can visit the temple to register. For details, call 04-8283317.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Happy new year 2012~

Happy new year 2012~

merry christmas~

merry christmas~

All set for Chingay battle Crowd

All set for Chingay battle Crowd can expect to see exciting stunts and moves

A filepic of a Chingay group perofrming daring moves outside a building in Georgetown

GET ready for some of the death-defying Chingay moves at the ‘National Chingay Championship 2011, which begins today at Esplanade from 7pm to 11pm.

Penang Tourism Development and Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the five teams included one from Kedah.

They would showcase their exceptional skills in balancing a giant flag pole, he added.

“Each team consists of about 50 members and they are required to showcase their talents in the most creative way.

“The winners will walk away with RM5,000,” he told a press conference yesterday.

The annual Chingay, lion and dragon dance parade will be held tomorrow at the same time.

The event will see 35 local or- ganisations displaying their unique traditional and cultural skills.

The parade is considered one of the top tourism draws in Penang.

“For the first time this year, the parade is expected to present a more colourful spectacle as there are two dragon dance troupes decorated with light-emitting diodes lights,” he added.

The parade will start at Padang Brown from 7pm and passes through Datuk Keramat Road, Penang Road, Burmah Road, Transfer Road, Sri Bahari Road, Chulia Street, Light Street and ends at Esplanade.

The parade is organised by the state government and supported by Penang Wushu Lion Dance and Penang Chingay Association.

For more information about both events, call 016-4110000.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Upgrade for Chew Jetty

Upgrade for Chew Jetty

Hard at work: Workers doing their job at the Chew Jetty in Weld Quay.

PHASE One of the Chew Jetty upgrade project at Weld Quay, Penang, will be completed at the end of the month.

Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee said the project costing almost RM160,000 was to replace the planks and foundation of the jetty’s walkway.

“Chew Jetty being the largest clan jetty will undergo further upgrading work soon, and the state is in the process of engaging a contractor,” he told reporters at the jetty.

He added that upgrading works at New Jetty, Lee Jetty, Yeoh Jetty and the Phase Two of Chew Jetty were expected to complete before the Chinese New Year in January.

“It will cost an estimated RM150,000 to upgrade each of the jetties which have become a tourist attraction.”

Clan Jetty Village Development and Security Committee chairman Chew Chong Chin said the residents were happy with the upgrading work as the cengal batu used is known for its sturdiness, adding that about 300 people visited the jetty each day.

State Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said Chew Jetty has become a ‘must visit’ destination for tourist as it is the largest clan jetty among the six clan jetties in Weld Quay.

He added that the upgrading of the clan jetties would eventually cost RM1mil.

Lau also said that he would be meeting Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) representatives to discuss whether it would be possible to have a proper sewage system for the six clan jetties.

Also present was northeast district office assistant officer Rusfaizal Radzi.

~News courtesy of The Star~