Sunday, 25 December 2011
Saturday, 17 December 2011
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~
A filepic of a Chingay group perofrming daring moves outside a building in GeorgetownGET 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~
Friday, 16 December 2011
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~
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~
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Cheaper group tickets for Penang Hill
Cheaper group tickets for Penang Hill visitors
VISITORS who come to Penang Hill in large groups will now be able to purchase funicular train tickets at a cheaper price.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said groups of a minimum of 10 visitors in the same price category would receive a 20% discount.
“The Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) board has just approved this decision and it is effective immediately,” Lim told at a press conference at his office in Komtar.
PHC general manager Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the move was to encourage tour agents to bring tourists to Penang Hill.
“A separate ticket counter will be opened for groups (at the bottom station) and tickets bought are only valid on the day of purchase,” he said.
Lee added that the operating hours for the funicular train would be extended during the Hari Raya period to give visitors a longer time to enjoy the scenery.
Trains will run two hours longer from 6.30am to 11pm from the first day of Hari Raya until Sept 4.
For more information, call visit www.penanghill.gov.my or call PHC at 04-8288880.
~News courtesy of The Star~
VISITORS who come to Penang Hill in large groups will now be able to purchase funicular train tickets at a cheaper price.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said groups of a minimum of 10 visitors in the same price category would receive a 20% discount.
“The Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) board has just approved this decision and it is effective immediately,” Lim told at a press conference at his office in Komtar.
PHC general manager Datuk Lee Kah Choon said the move was to encourage tour agents to bring tourists to Penang Hill.
“A separate ticket counter will be opened for groups (at the bottom station) and tickets bought are only valid on the day of purchase,” he said.
Lee added that the operating hours for the funicular train would be extended during the Hari Raya period to give visitors a longer time to enjoy the scenery.
Trains will run two hours longer from 6.30am to 11pm from the first day of Hari Raya until Sept 4.
For more information, call visit www.penanghill.gov.my or call PHC at 04-8288880.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
More room for ferry passengers
More room for ferry passengers
PENANG Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) has converted part of a ferry’s top portion, which was originally used to transport cars, to accommodate passengers.
Its chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar said the conversion of the ferry was an addition to the three passenger ferries.
“A total of 120 passengers can be seated in the converted area while the two rows next to it can still cater to cars.
“This way, more people can take the ferries but the conversion also sees a loss of about RM150 for every trip as each floor can originally take up to 32 cars but that has been halved,” he said after distributing the Jalur Gemilang to ferry passengers at the Weld Quay ferry terminal yesterday.
Each round trip for cars costs RM7.70 while passengers pay RM1.20.
Ahmad also said depending on the demand, PPSB will consider adding extra ferries during the Hari Raya festive season.
“On normal days, there are only an average of 3,000 passengers but on festive seasons, the number can rise to 6,000.
“The ferry service is the second choice for motorists if the Penang Bridge is jammed. We currently have eight ferries,” he said.
PPSB ferry head Fisnol Mahmud, who was also present, said the converted ferry started operation on Monday.
~News courtesy of The Star~
PENANG Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) has converted part of a ferry’s top portion, which was originally used to transport cars, to accommodate passengers.
Its chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar said the conversion of the ferry was an addition to the three passenger ferries.
“A total of 120 passengers can be seated in the converted area while the two rows next to it can still cater to cars.
“This way, more people can take the ferries but the conversion also sees a loss of about RM150 for every trip as each floor can originally take up to 32 cars but that has been halved,” he said after distributing the Jalur Gemilang to ferry passengers at the Weld Quay ferry terminal yesterday.
Each round trip for cars costs RM7.70 while passengers pay RM1.20.
Ahmad also said depending on the demand, PPSB will consider adding extra ferries during the Hari Raya festive season.
“On normal days, there are only an average of 3,000 passengers but on festive seasons, the number can rise to 6,000.
“The ferry service is the second choice for motorists if the Penang Bridge is jammed. We currently have eight ferries,” he said.
PPSB ferry head Fisnol Mahmud, who was also present, said the converted ferry started operation on Monday.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
End of the line for train stop
End of the line for train stop
The 44-year-old Butterworth Railway Station will soon be pulled down to make way for a multi-million-ringgit state-of-the-art replacement.
The old station was officially closed on Aug 5 and is now replaced with a temporary station located about 30m away, next to the KTM Bhd (KTMB) parcel office.
When contacted in Kuala Lumpur, KTMB corporate communications senior manager Mohd Fazil Ismail said the new building was expected to be completed by first quarter of next year.
“The new station will be equipped with CCTV cameras for better security as well as facilities for the disabled.
“Construction work on the new station will go in tandem with the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double track project, which is expected to be ready by 2014,” he said yesterday.
The old station, which was opened by the country’s fourth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the late Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Zainal Abidin, in 1967, is also the only station in Malaysia with a 0km distance meter.
The 0km distance meter indicates that this is the beginning of the rail distance calculation for trains that head north for Padang Besar and south for Singapore.
An employee at the station said two cranes were used to shift a 1936 steam engine locomotive and a shunting locomotive head from the station’s old entrance to the opposite of the temporary station.
The fully air-conditioned temporary station has a ticketing counter, two VIP rooms, a room for the stationmaster, police beat, surau and toilets.
Commuter Teoh Teik Wah, 60, said he was surprised to find the old station closed, noting that there was no prior notice about it in the media.
His wife Lee Kan Sean, 67, said she had been taking the train to visit her family in Kuala Lumpur for the past 50 years, noting that the old station evoked a nostalgic feeling in her.
Factory supervisor L. Munusamy, 48, said he waited outside the old station for almost an hour on Sunday night to fetch his relatives, only to find out later that they had arrived at the temporary station.
“The new platform at the temporary station is barely 4m-wide which is almost half the size of the old platform.
“Although it has a high aluminium roofing, part of platform is wet whenever there is a heavy downpour,” he said.
Money changer-cum-book stall operator Mohamed Sirajuddin Abu Mohd, 38, said many passengers complained of having to walk in the rain and sun for nearly 30m between the sheltered overhead pedestrian bridge outside the old station and the temporary station.
“Car parking facilities are also inadequate as the parking area outside the station has become smaller following land acquisition for the new station project.
“I spent about RM40,000 to construct a temporary shop outside the station, which was completed in June,” he said, adding that he still had to pay rental to KTMB for the temporary trading site.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The 44-year-old Butterworth Railway Station will soon be pulled down to make way for a multi-million-ringgit state-of-the-art replacement.
The old station was officially closed on Aug 5 and is now replaced with a temporary station located about 30m away, next to the KTM Bhd (KTMB) parcel office.
When contacted in Kuala Lumpur, KTMB corporate communications senior manager Mohd Fazil Ismail said the new building was expected to be completed by first quarter of next year.
“The new station will be equipped with CCTV cameras for better security as well as facilities for the disabled.
“Construction work on the new station will go in tandem with the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double track project, which is expected to be ready by 2014,” he said yesterday.
The old station, which was opened by the country’s fourth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the late Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Zainal Abidin, in 1967, is also the only station in Malaysia with a 0km distance meter.
The 0km distance meter indicates that this is the beginning of the rail distance calculation for trains that head north for Padang Besar and south for Singapore.
An employee at the station said two cranes were used to shift a 1936 steam engine locomotive and a shunting locomotive head from the station’s old entrance to the opposite of the temporary station.
The fully air-conditioned temporary station has a ticketing counter, two VIP rooms, a room for the stationmaster, police beat, surau and toilets.
Commuter Teoh Teik Wah, 60, said he was surprised to find the old station closed, noting that there was no prior notice about it in the media.
His wife Lee Kan Sean, 67, said she had been taking the train to visit her family in Kuala Lumpur for the past 50 years, noting that the old station evoked a nostalgic feeling in her.
Factory supervisor L. Munusamy, 48, said he waited outside the old station for almost an hour on Sunday night to fetch his relatives, only to find out later that they had arrived at the temporary station.
“The new platform at the temporary station is barely 4m-wide which is almost half the size of the old platform.
“Although it has a high aluminium roofing, part of platform is wet whenever there is a heavy downpour,” he said.
Money changer-cum-book stall operator Mohamed Sirajuddin Abu Mohd, 38, said many passengers complained of having to walk in the rain and sun for nearly 30m between the sheltered overhead pedestrian bridge outside the old station and the temporary station.
“Car parking facilities are also inadequate as the parking area outside the station has become smaller following land acquisition for the new station project.
“I spent about RM40,000 to construct a temporary shop outside the station, which was completed in June,” he said, adding that he still had to pay rental to KTMB for the temporary trading site.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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