Phuket and Penang become twin cities

Phuket and Penang become twin cities

Phuket Town and George Town in Penang, Malaysia, became official twin cities after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Phuket City Hall today.

Inspired by the two cities’ long-established historical relationship, the decision was seen as an important move in facilitating the exchange of expertise in areas of tourism, business and cultural heritage (story here).

“Both cities have agreed to establish a joint committee comprising government, business and civil society representatives which will oversee the implementation of projects, programs and activities,” said Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana.

“The committee will meet once a year in either Penang or Phuket and will cooperate in areas of city management and governance, trade, investment, social development, education and cultural heritage.”

The signing ceremony was also attended by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut and Dato’ Patahiyah binti Ismail, president of the Municipal Council of Penang Island.

~News courtesy of Phuket Gazette~

Penang Botanic Gardens ‘fading’

Penang Botanic Gardens ‘fading’

THE Penang Botanic Gardens is a pale shadow of its former self. The plants in this famous park are in bad condition.

The oldest garden in the Straits Settlement lacks maintenance and management.

A check on site on yesterday also showed that its main toilet renovation work has been delayed. Several toilet bowls that were left out in the open on the construction site and are an eyesore.

Even the number of bamboo shoots has declined rapidly and only a few are visible at the bambusetum, the conservation area for various bamboo species.

Barisan Nasional Youth chief H’ng Chee Wey, who led a site visit accompanied other BN youth leaders, claimed the overall condition of the park was not up to mark.

“The weak management by the Penang Botanic Gardens Department reflects that the state government which has control over the gardens and has failed to do a good job.

“We are saddened by the lack of care and attention to the flora and fauna here.”

H’ng, who is also Penang Gerakan Youth chief, said it was high time for the Penang government to get its act together for the sake of the garden’s reputation.

“The current conditions have tarnished its image and we urge the department to monitor the upkeep of the park,” he said

The state BN wing leaders who were present were from Umno, MCA, MIC and People’s Progressive Party.

The original garden was established in 1884 on the site of an old quarry, under the supervision of Charles Curtis, its first superintendent.

The federal government allocated RM7 million in 2012 to expand and upgrade the park’s public amenities, and the building of the lily pond at the main entrance.


The bambusetum is not flourishing.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Happy Independence Day

Facelift for Esplanade food court

Facelift for Esplanade food court

THE popular Padang Kota Lama food court in Esplanade here is set to for a facelift with a RM300,000 refurbishment exercise expected to take off in December.

The state secretary office manager S. Bharathi said the place was long overdue for a renovation as there had been no major upgrade to the food court for at leasth 20 years.

“There is a need to revive its image. We are going to maintain the existing amenities and complement them with new al fresco dining facilities,” said Bharathi at a press conference, here, recently.

She said the state development office under the federal government handed over the management of the food court to the Penang Island Municipal Council last year.

Bharathi said a conservation plan would also be discussed with the National Heritage Department to ensure no damage is done to the adjacent Fort Cornwallis during the works.

A check on the dilapidated food court showed the seats at the facility to be damaged and the 21 stalls lacxking maintenance. Its overall condition is appalling. It is the home of Hameed Pata Mee Goreng, which has grown to become the food court’s “anchor tenant”. Its mee sotong, or squid noodles, has received rave reviews from food writers and bloggers the world over.

Meanwhile, the Penang government has awarded the contract to manage and upgrade Fort Cornwallis to Ewein Bhd, effective June 1.

State Local Governement Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said Ewein had improved the landscape in and around the fort with about 10,000 plants.

The upgrade includes the installation of LED lights inside the fort and on the perimeter walls.

The car park in front of the state legislative assembly building will also be re-aligned to provide better facilities for motorists.

Also present at the press conference was Ewein Group managing director Datuk S.K. Ewe.

Ewe said the company would work together with the state authority to help the stall holders to do business in a clean and improved environment.

Fort Cornwallis will celebrate its 228th anniversary next Monday.

A series of events, including a fashion show with models dressed in garb traditional at the time of 1786, the year the historic site was built, has been planned.

Admission is free.


The Padang Kota Lama food court has grown old and worn over 20 years.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Glamourous camping adventure awaits

Glamourous camping adventure awaits

LOVE the idea of camping but not really a fan of roughing it out in the jungle?

Or are you looking for a quick romantic escape to Nature far away from technology?

Then look no further than Penang’s upcoming new attraction — a “glamping” resort.

Glamping, or “glamorous camping”, is the first of its kind concept to be introduced in the country.

Taking its name from the surroundings, the resort to be called Boulder Valley Glamping Resort by Amazing Discovery, is set to be built on a 8.9ha valley in Teluk Bahang.

The eco-resort would be designed to maintain the environmental characteristics of the site, including the biological and geological settings of the place.

The structure of the resort would be built on stilts to minimise disturbances to the natural habitat, vegetation, waterways and ground.

The project by Treasure Orchard Bhd is expected to be completed within two years and cost about RM7 million.

Project executive director Lee Woon Poo said the project would be undertaken with an environment-sensitive design approach, combining unique experiences for guests.

“Our main objective is to create an authentic eco-resort that maintains the environmental characteristics of the site, including the biological and geological factors of the place.

“Guests can enjoy unique experiences and basic amenities, a 1km buggy truck, tree-top restaurants, 100m long suspended bridge, bird-watching decks and tailored services,” she said.


The resort will be built among the natural setting of the valley with minimal impact on the flora and fauna.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

George Town Festival returns

George Town Festival returns

GEORGE Town Festival (GTF) 2014 is back for its sixth run, with a more dazzling array of international and local performances, exhibitions and creative events.

From Aug 1 to 31, GTF 2014 will host a packed month of free exhibitions, street celebrations, dance and drama performances.

The performances housed in quirky venues, includes world-class ticketed events from Europe, Korea, India, Japan and Singapore, for as little as RM20.

The festival launches its month of events on Aug 1, with a show-stopping, festival-bespoke spectacle, Circus circus with Japanese dance sensation, Wrecking Crew Orchestra, performing alongside acrobatics acts from Finland, Thailand, and China.

The unprecedented contemporary circus is among the many highlights of the festival which includes world-famous choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkoui’s cutting edge duet, Play, which will see him taking the stage with queen of Indian Kuchipudi dance, Shantala Shivalingappa.

The spellbinding meeting of East and West, modern and traditional is followed by the virtuoso solo dance performances by a British dance star, Aakash Odedra, whose explosive repertoire of modern choreography is sure to blaze a dazzling solo path.

Not to forget Indian Impresario, Roysten Abel, who brings the Asian premiere of his astounding multi-sensory show, The Kitchen, a powerful theatrical work melding music, drama and cooking in one monumental performances.

The festival’s closing day street celebration, V & A Project, will also feature award-winning Sydney-based dance troupe, Shaun Parker & Company, performing a free, open-air performance of trolleys, in which ballet, flashmob and parkour meet in an adrenaline-filled dance.

Also a must-see is the showcase of Penang’s diverse culture reflected in a lineup which includes programmes focusing on Malay-Javanese dance, Kuda Kepang; Jawi-Peranakan boria, Eurasian food and music as well as a series of exhibition and concerts staged in Penang’s classic kopitiam.

For details, call 04-2616308 or visit www.georgetownfestival.com.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~