Pisang goreng (fried banana in Indonesian/Malay) is a snack made of banana or plantain, covered in batter or not, being deep fried in hot cooking oil, and is popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
Pisang goreng is most often associated with Indonesia, and indeed the country has the largest variety of pisang goreng recipes. However, this fried banana snack is also considered native to neighbouring countries; particularly Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.
It is consumed as a snack in the morning and afternoon. In Indonesia and Malaysia, pisang goreng is often sold by street vendors, although some sellers have a storefront from which to sell their wares.
~Wikiepdia~
Maiden flight brings 188 from Taipei to Penang
The Starlux carrier receiving a water canon salute at PIA.
IT was a warm welcome for 188 passengers onboard Taiwan’s brand new carrier, Starlux Airlines, after touching down at the Penang International Airport (PIA).
The new carrier made its inaugural flight from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei to Penang last Thursday.
As passengers disembarked from the aircraft, kompang troupes played loudly and the airlines’ staff distributed goodie bags to the passengers.
The new airline, using the Airbus A321neo with a 188-seating capacity, will operate one flight daily between Penang and Taipei.
Starlux Airlines chief executive officer Glenn Chai said they believe that there is great potential between both cities in terms of travelling opportunities.
“Penang is a city with amazing history and scenic views, and we think Penang is underrated among Taiwanese.
“As such, we chose Penang for our maiden flight to Malaysia, as we believe both cities can boost one another’s tourism sectors, ” he said during the press conference at PIA.
The Airbus A321neo with 188 seats features eight seats in business class and 180 in economy class.
“Each seat in both classes is equipped with a personal entertainment system featuring a 10.1-inch 720p screen, which is the first on narrow-body aircraft in Taiwan.
“Besides, Wifi service is also provided in both classes, ” he added.
Penang tourism development, arts, culture and heritage committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said they welcomed the inaugural flight, which was the first new international flight in ‘Experience Penang Year 2020’.
“The commencement of a new direct flight route brings many benefits.
“Besides increasing connectivity to facilitate easier travel arrangements, each aircraft will also bring in flight crew members.
“These flight crew members can experience Penang and return to share with their relatives in Taiwan about the interesting attractions in Penang and Malaysia.
“As such, we hope that the crew members of Starlux Airlines will also be able to take this opportunity to experience the charm of Penang as a melting pot, true to its identity as The Diversity of Asia, ” he said in his speech.
The Starlux Airlines flights will take off at 3pm daily from Penang and arrive at TPE around 8pm while inbound flights will depart at 9.20am and land at PIA at 2pm.
~The Star~
Penang's Gurney Wharf expected to be completed by August 2021
The Penang government expects the Gurney Wharf project to be completed by August 2021.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government would sign the agreement to appoint the consultant for the Gurney Wharf project at some point in February.
"After that, there will be a contract, a tender to be called to appoint a contractor to start planting trees and planning the landscape as well as ensuring that the waterfront project would be completed in the next 18 months.
“We hope by 2021, not only the residents from Pulau Tikus, but also people from Penang will be able to enjoy a new waterfront at Gurney Wharf.
“This is in line with the state government’s vision of becoming a green and smart state that can inspire the nation,” Chow said in his speech during a Chinese New Year open house event at Pulau Tikus here, today.
Gurney Wharf, a new seafront public park, is a state government initiative, with its conceptual master plan by Grant Associates, an internationally-renowned consultant architect firm.
Grant Associates has been involved in various international projects including in the United Kingdom, such as the The Hive, Bristol Harbour Site and Cambridge Accordia, and also Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.
--BERNAMA
Tourist events to go on unless WHO advises otherwise, says DPM
The Deputy Prime Minister said events on a big scale can proceed as usual despite the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak.
“We will see how the situation is. If WHO says we are not allowed to have big gatherings then we will issue statements or directives, ” she told a press conference on Wednesday (Jan 29) after visiting the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre here.
She said this when asked if the government intends to restrict Thaipusam celebrations next weekend in Batu Caves, which will be visited by both local and international visitors.
Dr Wan Azizah said the 2019-nCoV virus outbreak is under control and reminded people not to spread false or fake news that can cause uneasiness.
She said 57 hospitals are available for screenings, out of which, 26 have been identified to handle the suspected cases that need further examination and treatment.
Earlier, Dr Wan Azizah held a meeting with several ministries and agencies to discuss the virus situation in the country.
She said among the things agreed in the meeting include enhancing the screening of travellers from China by having a special lane for them.
She also said those with 2019-nCoV symptoms are advised to get themselves checked, especially if they had just returned from China.
Earlier Wednesday, the Health Ministry confirmed three more cases, bringing the total number of such cases to seven.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said two out of the three new cases were from the Patient-Under-Investigation (PUI) group.
Meanwhile, one case was from close contact with infected patients.
All the seven who tested positive are Chinese nationals.
~The Star~
VM2020: 3.2 mln museum visitors expected, 131 events planned
The Department of Museums Malaysia (JMM) is targeting 3.2 million visitors to 22 museums across the country in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020).
Secretary-General of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, Datuk Dr Noor Zari Hamat said he was confident that the target could be achieved through the various programmes and activities planned by JMM.
He said the number of visitors to the museums last year increased by 18.2 per cent to 2.7 million from 2.3 million in 2018.
He added that through the exhibitions held, sale of entrance tickets, book sales and space rental throughout 2019, JMM collected RM3.7 million in revenue compared to RM2.6 million in 2018.
“I see museums as a very big product which we can use to attract people of other countries to visit Malaysia. Therefore, with regard to museums, innovations and creativity are very important,” he said after opening ‘The Lost Kingdoms’ and ‘Enchanting Malaysia’ exhibitions, as well as JMM’s Calendar of Events 2020 at Muzium Negara, here, today.
Meanwhile, JMM director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin A. Kasim, in his speech, said the department had planned 131 programmes as tourism products in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.
He said among the programmes were the Paranormal, Snake and Gold exhibitions, besides JMM’s signature programmes, such as ‘Nostalgia Anak Kampung and ‘Denai Malam’.
“All these will give a new life to the era of museums in the country as outlined in the National Policy on Museums 2020.
The ‘Lost Kingdoms’ exhibition runs from last Dec 4 until this April 30 and the ‘Enchanting Malaysia’ exhibition from last Dec 25 to May 23, 2020.
For more information on JMM’s events and programmes, the public can visit www.jmm.gov.my
-- BERNAMA
No plans to bar China tourists
Malaysia has no plans just yet to bar the entry of Chinese tourists, including those from Wuhan, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said many countries were grappling with the novel coronavirus outbreak, but it had yet to reach a critical level here.
“We can’t predict at the moment. Many countries are facing the problem.
“But for now, it is not yet critical to the point where we have to stop tourism, ” he said after attending a Chinese New Year event organised by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and Klang Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the Hokkien Association Hall here yesterday.
He was responding to journalists on whether Malaysia would follow the Philippines, which is sending back Chinese tourists from Wuhan, where the outbreak started.
Dr Mahathir said it was not easy to detect or stop those infected from entering the country, “so we have to accept that complete control is not possible”.
He added that sending Chinese tourists back may not be feasible as they would come into contact with other people during the process.
“It is better to quarantine them first until they show no signs (of infection) and then send them back, ” he said.
He said Malaysia was currently ensuring that those infected with the virus were quarantined.
“We are isolating them and not allowing them to mix with other people. That is the first step but of course, other people must take preventative action as well, ” he said.
“This includes wearing masks in crowded places.”
He also said it was not viable to immediately quarantine all Chinese nationals who arrive in Malaysia.
“Visitors from China sometimes amount to two million people. Where to keep them? In cowsheds?
“Of course, it cannot be like that, ” said Dr Mahathir.
He added that Malaysian authorities would monitor tourists if they showed any sign of infection.
He said Malaysia was not familiar with novel coronavirus infections and prevention rather than treatment was a priority, as of now.
China’s move to quarantine the 11 million people from Wuhan, although drastic, showed the determination of their government to control the disease, he added.
As for Malaysians who are in China, Dr Mahathir said they would be examined to ensure that they are not infected with the virus before they are allowed to return.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who was also at the event, said necessary measures were being put in place to counter the infection, which made its way through Singapore recently.
“We are increasing the number of thermal detection scanners (at the entry points), ” he said, adding that Malaysia had to comply with World Health Organisation guidelines when making and implementing decisions.
But it was a challenge as people may generally come in without symptoms that develop much later, he noted.
“Anyhow, we will increase the number of all equipment and our paraphernalia to detect them.
“We are also having a meeting with the Home Ministry to see how we can intensify it further, ” said Dzulkefly.
He said there were now 51 thermal detection scanners at all entry points into Malaysia and that the Finance Ministry has given its commitment to provide the necessary funds to step up surveillance.
~The Star~
