Penang asks Tourism Ministry to submit its hawker culture for Unesco listing
The Penang government has sent a letter to the National Heritage Department to nominate its hawker culture to the Unesco Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
State Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin (pic) said the letter was sent to the National Heritage Department and the Deputy Tourism Minister's office in hopes that the authorities could recommend Penang and Singapore to be jointly nominated to introduce hawker culture.
"The state government has informed the National Heritage Department of the state's intention to apply for a joint nomination with Singapore under 'Hawker Culture in Singapore and Malaysia'," he said in his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here Thursday (May 2).
He added that Unesco had stated that nominations could only be submitted by the member country and that was the reason the nomination was for hawker culture in Singapore and Malaysia, instead of Penang.
He said the Penang Veterinary Department, Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) and the Department of Environment had conducted an integrated operation on pig farms at Kampung Selamat in Tasek Gelugor from April 18 to 21.
"The operation was carried out following complaints that waste from the farms were discharged directly into the river at Kampung Selamat. During the operation, 48 of the 75 pig farms were inspected, " he said. -Bernama
Friday, 3 May 2019
Thursday, 2 May 2019
Yummy season is coming soon
Yummy season is coming soon
Red Prawn and Black Thorn were among the species favoured by durian lovers, said Bao Sheng Durian Orchard owner Chang Teik Seng.
“The trees of these two species are much older, grown in the 1960s,” he explained.
The Balik Pulau durian is generally believed to be tastier due to the favourable weather conditions as the trees are planted on the hills and facing the sea.
The MyIPO is an agency under the purview of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
Durian Rumah Batu Balik Pulau owner Tan Hock Hoe said the durian season should start from the last week of this month.
“The durians are not yet ripe as the flowers only began to bloom around March this year,” he said, adding that those sold now were mostly from outside Penang.
In George Town, trader Teoh Nai Teik said they were selling durian from Kuala Kangsar and some from Thailand, while waiting for the Balik Pulau durian season to start.
“Customers will always want to know where the durians are from. Some prefer to wait for Balik Pulau durian,” he said.
At the Penang state assembly yesterday, all the Yang Berhormat savoured a durian feast which featured Musang King, Black Thorn, D101, D24, D12 and D15, among others.
“This puasa month will see durian feasts happening,” said state Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin.
“We expect an abundant supply this season.”
On the export of Penang durian, Dr Afif said since the fruits were best eaten fresh, travel agencies had been marketing durian eating tours overseas.
Thus, the thorny attraction is expected to lure crowds of durian-loving tourists to Penang soon.
The feast for state legislators, government officers and the press were prepared by the state Agriculture Department.
Assistant agriculture officer Abdul Halim Abdul Aziz said the fruits were gathered from mainland orchards in Machang Bubok and near the southern border of Kedah.
“The Balik Pulau durian is not ripe yet. Give them another week or two,” he said.
It has been eight months since the Penang durian hit the streets, unlike last year which saw the longest durian season in recent memory in northern Malaysia.
Durian stalls mushroomed in late February last year. The fruits were sold till May, followed by another round in late June.
The market was so satiated last year that by late July, the price of Musang King plummeted to just RM28 per kilo from about RM60 per kilo.
In Machap, Melaka, Alan Yap, who helps his father manage their four-hectare orchard named Sim Koa Yen, said durian fans would get to enjoy the fruit beginning July.
“The fruit will be ready for harvest sometime in mid or late June. But the first week of harvest is usually not stable in terms of taste and quality. So we normally don’t sell them.
“Starting July, most of the species will give a consistent and tasty flesh throughout the season, which is expected to last for two to three months,” he said.
Yap, whose family orchard has 30 durian species, said the Jiabili and Green 15 types were considered premium fruits after the famed Musang King.
The start of the durian season would see species such as D7, D14 and D3, he said.
“In the mid-season, popular ones such as Musang King and D24, as well as other premium species like Jiabili and Green 15, will be more easily available.
“And before the season reaches the end, we will see more of Ang Bak and Hong Ren in the market,” he added.
With a stable supply expected, he said durian prices would likely maintain this season.
“Last year, Musang King was sold for RM60 per kg while Jiabili and Green 15 were RM45 per kg.
“The harvest will be good as long as there’s no excessive rain,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Red Prawn and Black Thorn were among the species favoured by durian lovers, said Bao Sheng Durian Orchard owner Chang Teik Seng.
“The trees of these two species are much older, grown in the 1960s,” he explained.
The Balik Pulau durian is generally believed to be tastier due to the favourable weather conditions as the trees are planted on the hills and facing the sea.
The MyIPO is an agency under the purview of the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry.
Durian Rumah Batu Balik Pulau owner Tan Hock Hoe said the durian season should start from the last week of this month.
“The durians are not yet ripe as the flowers only began to bloom around March this year,” he said, adding that those sold now were mostly from outside Penang.
In George Town, trader Teoh Nai Teik said they were selling durian from Kuala Kangsar and some from Thailand, while waiting for the Balik Pulau durian season to start.
“Customers will always want to know where the durians are from. Some prefer to wait for Balik Pulau durian,” he said.
At the Penang state assembly yesterday, all the Yang Berhormat savoured a durian feast which featured Musang King, Black Thorn, D101, D24, D12 and D15, among others.
“This puasa month will see durian feasts happening,” said state Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin.
“We expect an abundant supply this season.”
On the export of Penang durian, Dr Afif said since the fruits were best eaten fresh, travel agencies had been marketing durian eating tours overseas.
Thus, the thorny attraction is expected to lure crowds of durian-loving tourists to Penang soon.
The feast for state legislators, government officers and the press were prepared by the state Agriculture Department.
Assistant agriculture officer Abdul Halim Abdul Aziz said the fruits were gathered from mainland orchards in Machang Bubok and near the southern border of Kedah.
“The Balik Pulau durian is not ripe yet. Give them another week or two,” he said.
It has been eight months since the Penang durian hit the streets, unlike last year which saw the longest durian season in recent memory in northern Malaysia.
Durian stalls mushroomed in late February last year. The fruits were sold till May, followed by another round in late June.
The market was so satiated last year that by late July, the price of Musang King plummeted to just RM28 per kilo from about RM60 per kilo.
In Machap, Melaka, Alan Yap, who helps his father manage their four-hectare orchard named Sim Koa Yen, said durian fans would get to enjoy the fruit beginning July.
“The fruit will be ready for harvest sometime in mid or late June. But the first week of harvest is usually not stable in terms of taste and quality. So we normally don’t sell them.
“Starting July, most of the species will give a consistent and tasty flesh throughout the season, which is expected to last for two to three months,” he said.
Yap, whose family orchard has 30 durian species, said the Jiabili and Green 15 types were considered premium fruits after the famed Musang King.
The start of the durian season would see species such as D7, D14 and D3, he said.
“In the mid-season, popular ones such as Musang King and D24, as well as other premium species like Jiabili and Green 15, will be more easily available.
“And before the season reaches the end, we will see more of Ang Bak and Hong Ren in the market,” he added.
With a stable supply expected, he said durian prices would likely maintain this season.
“Last year, Musang King was sold for RM60 per kg while Jiabili and Green 15 were RM45 per kg.
“The harvest will be good as long as there’s no excessive rain,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Wednesday, 17 April 2019
No report of ticket touts at Sungai Nibong terminal
No report of ticket touts at Sungai Nibong terminal
The Road Transport Department (RTD) has not received any reports on 'ulat tiket' (ticket touts) at the Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal in the past two years.
Its state director Mohamat Johari Mat Nor said that the department could only act based on complaints from the public who buy tickets and board express buses at the terminal.
"If customers are asked to pay more than they should, then we can take action. But so far, we have yet to receive any report on the matter for the past two years.
"The issue, which has been raised in the media recently, should be settled between the express bus operators and terminal operators," he said, after officiating the 73th RTD Day celebration at the state RTD headquarters here.
Earlier this month, more than 15 express bus operators at the terminal cried foul over the alleged ‘harassment’ by ticket touts, who were charging up to RM18 for each ticket.
They claimed that their businesses had dipped significantly since the beginning of the month after they refused to pay off the ticket touts.
Meanwhile, Mohamat Johari said the move to station the RTD mobile van at public events to offer services such as driving licence and road tax renewal, had proven fruitful.
According to him, it had so far collected RM761,297.30 this year.
Collection through the mobile van totalled RM2.08 million and RM1.35 million, in 2018 and 2017 respectively, he added.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
The Road Transport Department (RTD) has not received any reports on 'ulat tiket' (ticket touts) at the Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal in the past two years.
Its state director Mohamat Johari Mat Nor said that the department could only act based on complaints from the public who buy tickets and board express buses at the terminal.
"If customers are asked to pay more than they should, then we can take action. But so far, we have yet to receive any report on the matter for the past two years.
"The issue, which has been raised in the media recently, should be settled between the express bus operators and terminal operators," he said, after officiating the 73th RTD Day celebration at the state RTD headquarters here.
Earlier this month, more than 15 express bus operators at the terminal cried foul over the alleged ‘harassment’ by ticket touts, who were charging up to RM18 for each ticket.
They claimed that their businesses had dipped significantly since the beginning of the month after they refused to pay off the ticket touts.
Meanwhile, Mohamat Johari said the move to station the RTD mobile van at public events to offer services such as driving licence and road tax renewal, had proven fruitful.
According to him, it had so far collected RM761,297.30 this year.
Collection through the mobile van totalled RM2.08 million and RM1.35 million, in 2018 and 2017 respectively, he added.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Monday, 15 April 2019
Wednesday, 10 April 2019
Malaysia, Indonesia tie for top spot among Muslim-friendly travel destinations
Malaysia, Indonesia tie for top spot among Muslim-friendly travel destinations
Malaysia has taken the top spot in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) for the ninth year in a row, but for the first time it is sharing that position with Indonesia.
The GMTI 2019 report, which includes 130 destinations globally, gave both countries a score of 78.
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
The rest of the top 10 countries are Turkey (score of 75), Saudi Arabia (72), United Arab Emirates (71), Qatar (68), Morocco (67), Bahrain (66), Oman (66) and Brunei (65).
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
Last year, Malaysia received a score of 80.6 while Indonesia tied with the United Arab Emirates with a score of 72.8.
Singapore remains the premier Muslim-friendly travel destination among non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations this year, followed by Thailand, the United Kingdom, Japan and Taiwan.
The index tracks the health and growth of Muslim-friendly travel destinations in four strategic areas – access, communications, environment and services. — BERNAMA
Malaysia has taken the top spot in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) for the ninth year in a row, but for the first time it is sharing that position with Indonesia.
The GMTI 2019 report, which includes 130 destinations globally, gave both countries a score of 78.
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
The rest of the top 10 countries are Turkey (score of 75), Saudi Arabia (72), United Arab Emirates (71), Qatar (68), Morocco (67), Bahrain (66), Oman (66) and Brunei (65).
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
Last year, Malaysia received a score of 80.6 while Indonesia tied with the United Arab Emirates with a score of 72.8.
Singapore remains the premier Muslim-friendly travel destination among non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations this year, followed by Thailand, the United Kingdom, Japan and Taiwan.
The index tracks the health and growth of Muslim-friendly travel destinations in four strategic areas – access, communications, environment and services. — BERNAMA
Tuesday, 9 April 2019
Be prepared to pay a departure levy
Flying out of the country? Be prepared to pay a departure levy
Anyone flying out the country will have to pay a fee when the Departure Levy Bill 2019 is passed in Parliament.
The Bill tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (pic) for its first reading on Monday (April 8) seeks the implementation of a new levy on any person leaving Malaysia.
However, the amount of the proposed levy was not mentioned in the Bill.
In Budget 2019, the government had proposed a departure levy of RM20 for Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The Bill also proposes hefty punishments for those who avoid paying the levy.
Any registered person who makes an incorrect return or information can face a fine not exceeding RM500,000, a three-year jail term or both, upon sentencing.
According to the Bill, a registered person means any operator or agent of foreign operators.
The Bill also states that anyone with the intent to evade or assist another to avoid the departure levy will also be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1mil, a five-year jail sentence or both upon sentencing.
The proposed Act also states that any person who in any way assaults, obstructs, hinders, threatens or molests a Customs officer in the discharge of his function or fails to give reasonable assistance to any Customs offer will also be liable to a maximum three-year jail term, a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or both if found guilty.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Anyone flying out the country will have to pay a fee when the Departure Levy Bill 2019 is passed in Parliament.
The Bill tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (pic) for its first reading on Monday (April 8) seeks the implementation of a new levy on any person leaving Malaysia.
However, the amount of the proposed levy was not mentioned in the Bill.
In Budget 2019, the government had proposed a departure levy of RM20 for Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The Bill also proposes hefty punishments for those who avoid paying the levy.
Any registered person who makes an incorrect return or information can face a fine not exceeding RM500,000, a three-year jail term or both, upon sentencing.
According to the Bill, a registered person means any operator or agent of foreign operators.
The Bill also states that anyone with the intent to evade or assist another to avoid the departure levy will also be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1mil, a five-year jail sentence or both upon sentencing.
The proposed Act also states that any person who in any way assaults, obstructs, hinders, threatens or molests a Customs officer in the discharge of his function or fails to give reasonable assistance to any Customs offer will also be liable to a maximum three-year jail term, a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or both if found guilty.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Monday, 8 April 2019
TripAdvisor to aid tourism
TripAdvisor to aid tourism
The Tourism Ministry will be working with all the industry players and international travel website TripAdvisor to improve the review ratings for the country.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said they would visit every state, starting with Penang after Hari Raya in June.
“In tourism, it is all about the reviews. We want to bring all the industry players and stakeholders together and share the knowledge on how to obtain a higher rating.
“If you are lowly rated, tourists will not visit.
“If people leave bad reviews about the food or the hotel being noisy, the ratings will be low.
“There are many unknown attractions and service providers that are highly-rated although we may not know about them,” he said after handing over certificates to five Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance 2019 (MyTQA) recipients at Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm in Teluk Bahang on Saturday.
Muhammad Bakhtiar said Gurney Drive last year received low ratings probably due to land reclamation.
“It is rated by the people who went there and for obvious reasons, perhaps after the reclamation, sometimes people were disappointed as they wanted to see the sea.
“TripAdvisor is providing us with big data on why people visit Malaysia so we can figure out a strategy.
“There will be representatives from TripAdvisor joining us to advise the industry players.
Taiping was listed by Green Destinations (GD) as one of its 100 sustainable cities in the world last year.
“This shows that Malaysia has the potential.
“We, however, need to improve our service culture and Malaysian front-liners have to learn how to greet people and give it a personal touch.
“Other countries where English is not their first language have found a way to greet people in a welcoming way,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The Tourism Ministry will be working with all the industry players and international travel website TripAdvisor to improve the review ratings for the country.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said they would visit every state, starting with Penang after Hari Raya in June.
“In tourism, it is all about the reviews. We want to bring all the industry players and stakeholders together and share the knowledge on how to obtain a higher rating.
“If you are lowly rated, tourists will not visit.
“If people leave bad reviews about the food or the hotel being noisy, the ratings will be low.
“There are many unknown attractions and service providers that are highly-rated although we may not know about them,” he said after handing over certificates to five Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance 2019 (MyTQA) recipients at Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm in Teluk Bahang on Saturday.
Muhammad Bakhtiar said Gurney Drive last year received low ratings probably due to land reclamation.
“It is rated by the people who went there and for obvious reasons, perhaps after the reclamation, sometimes people were disappointed as they wanted to see the sea.
“TripAdvisor is providing us with big data on why people visit Malaysia so we can figure out a strategy.
“There will be representatives from TripAdvisor joining us to advise the industry players.
Taiping was listed by Green Destinations (GD) as one of its 100 sustainable cities in the world last year.
“This shows that Malaysia has the potential.
“We, however, need to improve our service culture and Malaysian front-liners have to learn how to greet people and give it a personal touch.
“Other countries where English is not their first language have found a way to greet people in a welcoming way,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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