Monday, 18 September 2017
Thursday, 31 August 2017
Wednesday, 16 August 2017
Travellers departing airports to pay RM1 levy from 2018
Travellers departing Malaysian airports to pay RM1 levy from 2018
Air travellers will be subjected to a RM1 (US$0.23) levy when departing Malaysian airports as early as 2018, the country's aviation regulator said on Tuesday (Aug 15).
The new levy to be imposed by the Malaysia Aviation Commission, MAVCOM will be tabled in parliament in October. It will apply to all departing passengers for both domestic and overseas destinations except for rural air services in interior Sabah and Sarawak.
The passenger service charge at all Malaysian airports may also be raised from the current RM50 to RM73 for all international flights beyond Asean beginning January 2018 to standardise the system.
v Currently a different rate applies to KLIA1 and KLIA2 international airports.
The passenger service charge is fixed at RM35 for all destinations in Asean.
MAVCOM, which was set up last year to regulate the civil aviation industry, is expected to collect RM30 million in the first year from the RM1 levy, according to its chief operating officer Azmir Zain.
"I can confirm there is a definite plan by Mavcom to charge RM1 levy to all departing passengers with exception of those flying the rural air services in Sabah and Sarawak. The purpose of the RM1 levy is to ensure financial sustenance and more importantly the independence of the commission. In the last 12 months we have shown results. Example, by lowering the passenger service charge from RM65 to RM35 flat for all ASEAN destinations. That's a saving of RM30 for customers."
MAVCOM, in tabling its first industry report on Tuesday, said it expects the air passenger traffic to grow between 7.8 and 8.6 per cent in 2017 with the number of air travellers expected to hit 99.6 million.
But amid decreasing air fare and competitive operating environment, revenues are expected to remain flat for most airlines.
Source: Channel News Asia
Air travellers will be subjected to a RM1 (US$0.23) levy when departing Malaysian airports as early as 2018, the country's aviation regulator said on Tuesday (Aug 15).
The new levy to be imposed by the Malaysia Aviation Commission, MAVCOM will be tabled in parliament in October. It will apply to all departing passengers for both domestic and overseas destinations except for rural air services in interior Sabah and Sarawak.
The passenger service charge at all Malaysian airports may also be raised from the current RM50 to RM73 for all international flights beyond Asean beginning January 2018 to standardise the system.
v Currently a different rate applies to KLIA1 and KLIA2 international airports.
The passenger service charge is fixed at RM35 for all destinations in Asean.
MAVCOM, which was set up last year to regulate the civil aviation industry, is expected to collect RM30 million in the first year from the RM1 levy, according to its chief operating officer Azmir Zain.
"I can confirm there is a definite plan by Mavcom to charge RM1 levy to all departing passengers with exception of those flying the rural air services in Sabah and Sarawak. The purpose of the RM1 levy is to ensure financial sustenance and more importantly the independence of the commission. In the last 12 months we have shown results. Example, by lowering the passenger service charge from RM65 to RM35 flat for all ASEAN destinations. That's a saving of RM30 for customers."
MAVCOM, in tabling its first industry report on Tuesday, said it expects the air passenger traffic to grow between 7.8 and 8.6 per cent in 2017 with the number of air travellers expected to hit 99.6 million.
But amid decreasing air fare and competitive operating environment, revenues are expected to remain flat for most airlines.
Source: Channel News Asia
Friday, 14 July 2017
Penang tourism to ride high with moviegoers soon
Penang tourism to ride high with moviegoers soon
Grown-ups on bicycle: (From left) Dr Koh, Sun and Songpaisarn posing in front of the mural in Lebuh Keng Kwee.
A young man goes all out to woo a lovely lass. He remembers a tender moment they shared when he picked her up on his vintage bicycle, and “capitalises” on it by painting a mural of them on his two-wheeler.
The woman is moved on seeing the painting, and soon love blossoms.
This scene will be part of a romantic movie by a producer from China which will hit the silver screen in more than 5,000 cinemas around the world.
Titled Shining Love, the movie stars Thai heartthrob Yuke Songpaisarn and the angelic Sun Yao Qi from China.
The producers commissioned realism artist Dr Caryn Koh, a medical doctor from Kuala Lumpur, to paint the mural.
She completed the task on Monday night after five days on it.
Filming the scenes involving the mural was done on Tuesday.
Those who watch the movie elsewhere may be drawn to Penang for a chance to be photographed with the bicycle mural located in Lebuh Keng Kwee near the famous Penang Road Teochew Cendol stall.
Dr Koh’s manager, Tan Chor Whye, said the mural was an 11th hour addition by the producers.
“The original script used a tall picture of something else. But when the movie makers saw how much people loved the Children on Bicycle mural, they went with the flow,” Tan said.
The Children on Bicycle mural near the corner of Armenian Street and Beach Street was painted by Ernest Zacharevic for the George Town Festival 2012.
Tan described the new mural as a “grown-up version” of the one with the children.
“There is just one problem. The movie producers did not have enough time to get the necessary approval from the state’s public art review panel to have their mural prop painted,” he said, adding that the producers felt bad as they committed to the change in the script without knowing that the panel’s approval was needed.
“We submitted all the necessary documents and will abide by the panel’s decision.
“If the mural is deemed unsuitable, we will have it erased. But I hope not,” he added.
George Town World Heritage Incorporated manager Chuah Ai Kheng confirmed that the producer submitted all the documents on Monday and the panel would make a decision within two weeks.
The movie is produced by Beijing Fengren Studios Co Ltd and directed by Shi Lei of Hong Kong.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Grown-ups on bicycle: (From left) Dr Koh, Sun and Songpaisarn posing in front of the mural in Lebuh Keng Kwee.
A young man goes all out to woo a lovely lass. He remembers a tender moment they shared when he picked her up on his vintage bicycle, and “capitalises” on it by painting a mural of them on his two-wheeler.
The woman is moved on seeing the painting, and soon love blossoms.
This scene will be part of a romantic movie by a producer from China which will hit the silver screen in more than 5,000 cinemas around the world.
Titled Shining Love, the movie stars Thai heartthrob Yuke Songpaisarn and the angelic Sun Yao Qi from China.
The producers commissioned realism artist Dr Caryn Koh, a medical doctor from Kuala Lumpur, to paint the mural.
She completed the task on Monday night after five days on it.
Filming the scenes involving the mural was done on Tuesday.
Those who watch the movie elsewhere may be drawn to Penang for a chance to be photographed with the bicycle mural located in Lebuh Keng Kwee near the famous Penang Road Teochew Cendol stall.
Dr Koh’s manager, Tan Chor Whye, said the mural was an 11th hour addition by the producers.
“The original script used a tall picture of something else. But when the movie makers saw how much people loved the Children on Bicycle mural, they went with the flow,” Tan said.
The Children on Bicycle mural near the corner of Armenian Street and Beach Street was painted by Ernest Zacharevic for the George Town Festival 2012.
Tan described the new mural as a “grown-up version” of the one with the children.
“There is just one problem. The movie producers did not have enough time to get the necessary approval from the state’s public art review panel to have their mural prop painted,” he said, adding that the producers felt bad as they committed to the change in the script without knowing that the panel’s approval was needed.
“We submitted all the necessary documents and will abide by the panel’s decision.
“If the mural is deemed unsuitable, we will have it erased. But I hope not,” he added.
George Town World Heritage Incorporated manager Chuah Ai Kheng confirmed that the producer submitted all the documents on Monday and the panel would make a decision within two weeks.
The movie is produced by Beijing Fengren Studios Co Ltd and directed by Shi Lei of Hong Kong.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Wednesday, 28 June 2017
Orchards drawing in durians lovers from afar
Orchards drawing in durians lovers from afar
Aromatic delight: The foreign visitors enjoying durians during their visit to the farm. With them is Chang (right).
It’s like the Pied Piper but of aroma as durian orchards here lure travellers despite it not being the peak season yet.
Tourists from as far as the Middle Kingdom are following their nose to the durian trail.
Chinese nationals Guo Xin and his wife Xing Zhi Yun, both 32, were among the many foreign holidaymakers whose mission here was solely to savour the thorny fruit.
“This is our first time to Penang. We came here just to eat durians. In China, there are durians imported from Malaysia but they are very expensive.
“Thai durians are not as pricey but we prefer the taste and fragrance of those from Malaysia,” Guo said when met at a durian farm here.
Guo, who is from Dalian, and Xing arrived in Penang on Thursday. They will be here for a week.
Another couple from China were also spotted enjoying durians with coffee at the orchard.
Wei Chan Fang, 39, said she and her husband Zhan Xiang, 38, were durian lovers and they especially loved the Musang King variant.
“We travelled to Penang just for durians,” she said.
She said that durians from Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia were available in her country.
“But in my opinion, the ones from Thailand and Vietnam lack the aroma of Malaysian durians.
“The durians from Malaysia, especially Musang King, have become very expensive in China, so much so that ordinary people cannot afford to buy them. So we rather travel here to enjoy the best of the fruits,” she said.
v For Indonesian Martin Suhartono, 29, eating durians with a group of people was a new experience.
“Back in my hometown, there’s no practice where people gather together to eat durians like this,” said Martin, who is from Bandung but works in Singapore as a logistics manager.
Bao Sheng durian farm owner Chang Teik Seng said this year’s peak season was expected to be from July till early August.
“The durian season is usually around May to July every year.”
“The durian supply this year is also expected to be low, with an average of 100 fruits per day in July as compared with 400 to 500 fruits per day during May and June in previous years when weather conditions were better,” he said.
Chang said that the fruits started to drop three days ago.
“The number of fruits is expected to increase from now on before slowing down in August.”
~News courtesy of The Star~
Aromatic delight: The foreign visitors enjoying durians during their visit to the farm. With them is Chang (right).
It’s like the Pied Piper but of aroma as durian orchards here lure travellers despite it not being the peak season yet.
Tourists from as far as the Middle Kingdom are following their nose to the durian trail.
Chinese nationals Guo Xin and his wife Xing Zhi Yun, both 32, were among the many foreign holidaymakers whose mission here was solely to savour the thorny fruit.
“This is our first time to Penang. We came here just to eat durians. In China, there are durians imported from Malaysia but they are very expensive.
“Thai durians are not as pricey but we prefer the taste and fragrance of those from Malaysia,” Guo said when met at a durian farm here.
Guo, who is from Dalian, and Xing arrived in Penang on Thursday. They will be here for a week.
Another couple from China were also spotted enjoying durians with coffee at the orchard.
Wei Chan Fang, 39, said she and her husband Zhan Xiang, 38, were durian lovers and they especially loved the Musang King variant.
“We travelled to Penang just for durians,” she said.
She said that durians from Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia were available in her country.
“But in my opinion, the ones from Thailand and Vietnam lack the aroma of Malaysian durians.
“The durians from Malaysia, especially Musang King, have become very expensive in China, so much so that ordinary people cannot afford to buy them. So we rather travel here to enjoy the best of the fruits,” she said.
v For Indonesian Martin Suhartono, 29, eating durians with a group of people was a new experience.
“Back in my hometown, there’s no practice where people gather together to eat durians like this,” said Martin, who is from Bandung but works in Singapore as a logistics manager.
Bao Sheng durian farm owner Chang Teik Seng said this year’s peak season was expected to be from July till early August.
“The durian season is usually around May to July every year.”
“The durian supply this year is also expected to be low, with an average of 100 fruits per day in July as compared with 400 to 500 fruits per day during May and June in previous years when weather conditions were better,” he said.
Chang said that the fruits started to drop three days ago.
“The number of fruits is expected to increase from now on before slowing down in August.”
~News courtesy of The Star~
Sunday, 25 June 2017
Wednesday, 21 June 2017
Clear skies expected over Raya
Clear skies expected over Raya
It will likely be a sunny Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year in most parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
The date for sighting the Syawal new moon to determine when Aidilfitri falls has been set for June 24, and many expect Hari Raya to start the next day.
Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Alui Bahari said a detailed forecast for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period will only be released today but added that the weather is generally expected to be dry due to the current south-west monsoon.
The south-west monsoon started on May 17, and will continue until September, typically associated with lower rainfall in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
“There is always heavy traffic on the highways during the Raya period, but good weather conditions will hopefully help to make journeys safer as the roads are dry and visibility is better,” said Alui.
The volume of vehicles that will hit the roads starting this week as families make their way back to their hometowns is expected to grow.
PLUS Malaysia Bhd said traffic plying the North-South Expressway during peak days starting Wednesday to July 3 is set to hit 1.7 million vehicles per day.
The figure is an increase of 30% from the reported 1.2 million vehicles during the Raya peak period two years ago.
Another highway concessionaire, Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak), expects a 10% increase in the number of vehicles on the Sprint and Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highways in Selangor as the Hari Raya celebration draws closer.
The LDP, which is normally used by more than 470,000 vehicles each week, may see an increase of about 10,000 vehicles this week.
Association of Highway Concessionaires Malaysia said in a statement that the volume of traffic is expected to increase by between 30% and 40% during the coming Raya period compared to normal times.
“The Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway, East Coast Expressway (LPT1) and East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) is expected to see an increase of 50% in traffic volume,” the statement said.
To cope with the traffic volume, PLUS has issued a travel time advisory to help the public plan their journey and to distribute traffic between June 21 and July 3.
Those planning to travel from the Klang Valley to their hometowns in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, northern Perak and Johor are advised to enter the highway before 10am.
Those heading towards nearer destinations such as in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, southern Perak and central Perak, are advised to start their journey and enter the North-South Expressway after 10am on designated days.
Meanwhile, Penang is expecting an influx of visitors who are set to take advantage of the four-day Aidilfitri holiday.
“Last year, the traffic was not so bad, but it is too early to predict the congestion this year,” said state traffic police enforcement chief Supt Roslan Ali.
He added that traffic police would be out daily under Ops Selamat from now until July 2.
Malaysian Hoteliers Association Penang Chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim said most hotels in the state were almost full.
“Penang is a top choice for local tourists and many are definitely coming here during the break,” he added.
~News courtesy of The Star~
It will likely be a sunny Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year in most parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
The date for sighting the Syawal new moon to determine when Aidilfitri falls has been set for June 24, and many expect Hari Raya to start the next day.
Malaysian Meteorological Department director-general Alui Bahari said a detailed forecast for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period will only be released today but added that the weather is generally expected to be dry due to the current south-west monsoon.
The south-west monsoon started on May 17, and will continue until September, typically associated with lower rainfall in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.
“There is always heavy traffic on the highways during the Raya period, but good weather conditions will hopefully help to make journeys safer as the roads are dry and visibility is better,” said Alui.
The volume of vehicles that will hit the roads starting this week as families make their way back to their hometowns is expected to grow.
PLUS Malaysia Bhd said traffic plying the North-South Expressway during peak days starting Wednesday to July 3 is set to hit 1.7 million vehicles per day.
The figure is an increase of 30% from the reported 1.2 million vehicles during the Raya peak period two years ago.
Another highway concessionaire, Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak), expects a 10% increase in the number of vehicles on the Sprint and Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highways in Selangor as the Hari Raya celebration draws closer.
The LDP, which is normally used by more than 470,000 vehicles each week, may see an increase of about 10,000 vehicles this week.
Association of Highway Concessionaires Malaysia said in a statement that the volume of traffic is expected to increase by between 30% and 40% during the coming Raya period compared to normal times.
“The Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway, East Coast Expressway (LPT1) and East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) is expected to see an increase of 50% in traffic volume,” the statement said.
To cope with the traffic volume, PLUS has issued a travel time advisory to help the public plan their journey and to distribute traffic between June 21 and July 3.
Those planning to travel from the Klang Valley to their hometowns in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, northern Perak and Johor are advised to enter the highway before 10am.
Those heading towards nearer destinations such as in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, southern Perak and central Perak, are advised to start their journey and enter the North-South Expressway after 10am on designated days.
Meanwhile, Penang is expecting an influx of visitors who are set to take advantage of the four-day Aidilfitri holiday.
“Last year, the traffic was not so bad, but it is too early to predict the congestion this year,” said state traffic police enforcement chief Supt Roslan Ali.
He added that traffic police would be out daily under Ops Selamat from now until July 2.
Malaysian Hoteliers Association Penang Chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim said most hotels in the state were almost full.
“Penang is a top choice for local tourists and many are definitely coming here during the break,” he added.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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