Four more ETS services for CNY
KTMB will add four more ETS services for the Chinese New Year holidays, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He said the Cabinet has approved the use of new ETS train sets to run additional services from Jan 20 to 24 for north-bound destinations from KL Sentral to Butterworth, as well as from KL Sentral to Padang Besar.
Likewise, additional services will also run from Jan 27 to 31.
These additional services offer 12,480 seats, which includes 1,440 business class seats.
Tickets for these additional services for CNY will be sold beginning today.
For more information, visit www.ktmb.com.my.
Loke made the announcement after visiting the railway yard here owned by Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd (DMIA).
He was there along with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who made his maiden visit to this facility that supports the rehabilitation of KTMB’s Klang Valley Double Track undertaken jointly by DMIA and Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera.
Dr Mahathir expressed satisfaction with what he saw and said that Malaysians must learn to undertake more complex engineering and construction challenges, even if it seems more costly at the beginning.
“I don’t care so much about the savings, but we can’t keep on importing from others.
“We must learn and we have to pay the costs. Initially, it won’t be so good, but ultimately we will reach the standard of other countries.
“If we keep on buying, we will never develop this country,” said Dr Mahathir.
In the Asean region, only Malaysia is operating electrified inter-city train services.
~The Star~
Tuesday, 14 January 2020
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~
Thursday, 2 January 2020
The dos and don’ts for VM2020
The dos and don’ts for VM2020
Beautiful attraction: Sky Mirror in Kuala Selangor is gaining popularity among tourists.
PETALING JAYA: It’s Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020), so here’s a dummy guide to exploring the country.
Observe cleanliness, respect flora and fauna and do not over-bargain during your shopping jaunt.
“When visiting the rural areas, obey the local culture and traditions. Also, don’t bargain so much until the prices become so cheap. How can they (rural sellers) make money if you over-bargain?” said Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang.
He said that both domestic and foreign tourists should be mindful of their behaviour.
Observe the simple “no litter rule”, he said.
“Tourists should also reduce the use of plastic, ” he said yesterday.
Although places such as Penang and Langkawi remain top destinations with their food and island charm, Tan said lesser-known spots, such as Sky Mirror in Kuala Selangor, were rising in popularity.
Tourists were looking to experience rural tourism and experiential travel with each market having its own preferred activities and destinations, he said.
Tan said Chinese tourists were into shopping and photo stops while Europeans preferred nature and frequented ecotourism spots in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
Tourism Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi had also said that places such as Sky Mirror in Kuala Selangor, the majestic Mount Kinabalu and the Danum Valley forest in Sabah would be promoted this year.
Tan said the Danum Valley forest had been a consistent high-yield demand product and “very stable in receiving high demand from Europe”.
And Mount Kinabalu had always been in high demand for climbers, he added.
“Sky Mirror is also getting very popular for the domestic and also China market, ” he said.
Sky Mirror is a sand bank in the middle of the sea only revealed on particular days, typically during low tide.
The exposed sand bank creates an unusual backdrop that reflects the sky, which is good for photo opportunities.
At night, visitors can take a boat ride to the sea to watch “blue tears”, a natural night phenomenon caused by bioluminescent organisms, which glow in a blue hue.
Sky Mirror Tour & Travel Sdn Bhd managing director Dyven Wong said tourists must observe cleanliness and avoid disturbing the habitat when taking the Sky Mirror and “blue tears” tour.
“Tourists are not allowed to take back any ocean marine life such as clams.
“You can see, you can take pictures, but you can’t bring back anything from there, whether dead or alive, ” he said.
Wong said the number of tourists going for the Sky Mirror and “blue tears” tours was on the rise.
“Every month, we have at least 3,000 to 5,000 people going for the tour with our
company. And the number is increasing, ” he said.
~The Star~
Beautiful attraction: Sky Mirror in Kuala Selangor is gaining popularity among tourists.
PETALING JAYA: It’s Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020), so here’s a dummy guide to exploring the country.
Observe cleanliness, respect flora and fauna and do not over-bargain during your shopping jaunt.
“When visiting the rural areas, obey the local culture and traditions. Also, don’t bargain so much until the prices become so cheap. How can they (rural sellers) make money if you over-bargain?” said Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang.
He said that both domestic and foreign tourists should be mindful of their behaviour.
Observe the simple “no litter rule”, he said.
“Tourists should also reduce the use of plastic, ” he said yesterday.
Although places such as Penang and Langkawi remain top destinations with their food and island charm, Tan said lesser-known spots, such as Sky Mirror in Kuala Selangor, were rising in popularity.
Tourists were looking to experience rural tourism and experiential travel with each market having its own preferred activities and destinations, he said.
Tan said Chinese tourists were into shopping and photo stops while Europeans preferred nature and frequented ecotourism spots in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.
Tourism Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi had also said that places such as Sky Mirror in Kuala Selangor, the majestic Mount Kinabalu and the Danum Valley forest in Sabah would be promoted this year.
Tan said the Danum Valley forest had been a consistent high-yield demand product and “very stable in receiving high demand from Europe”.
And Mount Kinabalu had always been in high demand for climbers, he added.
“Sky Mirror is also getting very popular for the domestic and also China market, ” he said.
Sky Mirror is a sand bank in the middle of the sea only revealed on particular days, typically during low tide.
The exposed sand bank creates an unusual backdrop that reflects the sky, which is good for photo opportunities.
At night, visitors can take a boat ride to the sea to watch “blue tears”, a natural night phenomenon caused by bioluminescent organisms, which glow in a blue hue.
Sky Mirror Tour & Travel Sdn Bhd managing director Dyven Wong said tourists must observe cleanliness and avoid disturbing the habitat when taking the Sky Mirror and “blue tears” tour.
“Tourists are not allowed to take back any ocean marine life such as clams.
“You can see, you can take pictures, but you can’t bring back anything from there, whether dead or alive, ” he said.
Wong said the number of tourists going for the Sky Mirror and “blue tears” tours was on the rise.
“Every month, we have at least 3,000 to 5,000 people going for the tour with our
company. And the number is increasing, ” he said.
~The Star~
Penang expects airport to record 8.3 million tourist arrivals
Penang expects airport to record 8.3 million tourist arrivals
Penang is anticipating more than 8.3 million tourists to arrive by flights this year with the support of the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign.
The number would be an increase of 10% from what was achieved last year, said state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
“Till November last year, Penang recorded 4.16 million international and 3.39 million domestic passengers at Penang International Airport (PIA).
“We expect 10% more tourists this year, ” he told reporters at PIA yesterday.
Yeoh said Penang launched its own Experience Penang 2020 campaign to boost local tourism by introducing more tourism products and spots beyond George Town.
“We will focus on eco-tourism in Seberang Prai, medical tourism, as well as business events, of which over 3,000 were held last year, ” he said.
He said Indonesia, Singapore and China remained the highest contributors of traffic into Penang.
Earlier, passengers arriving at PIA were greeted with cultural performances and received goodie bags courtesy of Tourism Malaysia.
AirAsia government relations manager (northern region) Kenneth Tan, who was present at the terminal, said tourism players had been working hard with the police since last year to beef up security in the state.
“We have been working with Penang Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department to increase safety of tourists in hotspots, ” he said.
“Their efforts with the various awareness campaigns conducted have made Penang among the safest islands to visit in the region.”
Also present were Penang Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry director Jonathan Freddy Bagang, Malaysia Airports Bhd operation senior executive Azmi Darus and Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
~The Star~
Penang is anticipating more than 8.3 million tourists to arrive by flights this year with the support of the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign.
The number would be an increase of 10% from what was achieved last year, said state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
“Till November last year, Penang recorded 4.16 million international and 3.39 million domestic passengers at Penang International Airport (PIA).
“We expect 10% more tourists this year, ” he told reporters at PIA yesterday.
Yeoh said Penang launched its own Experience Penang 2020 campaign to boost local tourism by introducing more tourism products and spots beyond George Town.
“We will focus on eco-tourism in Seberang Prai, medical tourism, as well as business events, of which over 3,000 were held last year, ” he said.
He said Indonesia, Singapore and China remained the highest contributors of traffic into Penang.
Earlier, passengers arriving at PIA were greeted with cultural performances and received goodie bags courtesy of Tourism Malaysia.
AirAsia government relations manager (northern region) Kenneth Tan, who was present at the terminal, said tourism players had been working hard with the police since last year to beef up security in the state.
“We have been working with Penang Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department to increase safety of tourists in hotspots, ” he said.
“Their efforts with the various awareness campaigns conducted have made Penang among the safest islands to visit in the region.”
Also present were Penang Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry director Jonathan Freddy Bagang, Malaysia Airports Bhd operation senior executive Azmi Darus and Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
~The Star~
Passengers panic over bushfire near airport
Passengers panic over bushfire near Penang airport
A bushfire near Penang International Airport terrified passengers and put authorities on alert.
Passengers waiting at the terminal went into a frenzy upon seeing thick, white smoke billowing from behind the cargo terminal opposite the runway.
The airport’s emergency response team sprang into action and rushed to where two cargo planes were parked at the cargo terminal, not far from the fire.
Too close for comfort: Smoke rising from the bushfire near the cargo complex of the Penang International Airport.
Firemen sprayed water over the fence, where the grass on idle land was burning, to stop it from spreading to the airport’s grounds.
The smoke could be seen from kilometres away in Bayan Baru at about 1.15pm yesterday.
Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd senior manager Mohd Nadzim Hashim confirmed that the fire was not within the airport grounds and flights were not delayed by the incident.
~The Star~
A bushfire near Penang International Airport terrified passengers and put authorities on alert.
Passengers waiting at the terminal went into a frenzy upon seeing thick, white smoke billowing from behind the cargo terminal opposite the runway.
The airport’s emergency response team sprang into action and rushed to where two cargo planes were parked at the cargo terminal, not far from the fire.
Too close for comfort: Smoke rising from the bushfire near the cargo complex of the Penang International Airport.
Firemen sprayed water over the fence, where the grass on idle land was burning, to stop it from spreading to the airport’s grounds.
The smoke could be seen from kilometres away in Bayan Baru at about 1.15pm yesterday.
Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd senior manager Mohd Nadzim Hashim confirmed that the fire was not within the airport grounds and flights were not delayed by the incident.
~The Star~
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