Business Times - 11 Oct 2004

Pearl of the Orient tries to regain its shine

Penang plans projects to make it more attractive to investors, tourists

By EDDIE TOH
IN PENANG

PENANG - dubbed the 'Pearl of the Orient' - is undergoing major changes to help regain its fading lustre and reclaim its position as one of South-east Asia's great cities.

The infrastructure of the island, which is less than half the size of Singapore, is no longer able to cope with the rapid economic development of the last three decades. And many of its industries need upgrading and reinvention.

Famed for its old world charm, its beaches and its kuay teow, among other culinary delights, Penang also faces problems wooing tourists: arrivals fell to below 3.4 million in 2002, from nearly 3.8 million in 2000.

The decline is partly due to the shift in the tourist profile following Sept 11 and the growing attraction of other popular spots in the region that are serviced by new budget airlines.

Businessmen have seen the writing on the wall and are undertaking projects worth at least RM5 billion (S$2.25 billion) to help spruce up the island. In the pipeline are big projects that include a new hotel by tycoon Robert Kuok, a new Silicon Valley-type technology complex, a highway that will traverse the island, land reclamation at the popular Gurney Drive, the redevelopment of the Penang Turf Club and the widening of the Penang bridge linking the island to the mainland.

The makeover is seen as unavoidable. Take, for instance, the recent closure of one of Penang's tourist icons: 'The resort has been experiencing stiff competition from other resorts and destinations, in particular, Bali, Phuket, Langkawi and Sabah,' said Mr Kuok's Shangri-La Hotels, following its decision earlier this month to shutter its landmark Rasa Sayang Resort at Batu Ferringhi beach to make way for a new hotel on the same 6-hectare site.

Business at the 512-room hotel will cease in December after 31 years. The hotel arm of the Kuok empire will embark on a rare retrenchment exercise.

To reposition itself, Shangri-La said it will build a new hotel with 306 rooms, new food and beverage outlets with 'innovative' dining concepts, a spa and upgraded conference and meeting rooms with state-of-the-art facilities.

The group is banking on the redevelopment to address the 'dramatic change in the profile of visitor arrivals due to recent global events', analysts said.

Like the rest of Malaysia, Penang is seeing a change in the profile of the visitors it attracts. The country has seen an influx of tourists from the Middle East following the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the United States. And visitors from China now surpass those from the US and Australia combined, according to data from Malaysia's Tourism Promotion Board.

The change in the profile of visitors could also be due to the growing number of budget airlines in the region, an analyst said. Malaysia's AirAsia has started direct flights from Penang to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru.

Mr Kuok isn't the only one who feels the need to redraw his business model in Penang, which was a thriving port until it lost its free port status in 1969 as part of the government move to develop Port Klang, Selangor.

The federal government has given the green light for a Multimedia Super Corridor in Penang, already the hub for American IT companies in Malaysia and the home state of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Analysts said Malaysia's version of Silicon Valley has to be upgraded to help woo fresh investments. The island state ventured into IT manufacturing in a big way after it lost its free port status.

Can the new projects restore the shine to the Pearl of the Orient? Some businessmen are cautiously optimistic. But they want to see the island being developed into a modern metropolis, which might entail shedding some of its traditional, laid back image.

'The government must not see Penang as a big hawker centre. They must do proper long-term city planning,' said an executive of a transport firm.

'The government must not see Penang as a big hawker centre. They must do proper long-term city planning,' said an executive of a transport firm.

Btw how's Penang Monorail construction goin on??? What's the status??

they can't wait anymore, this is the time penang must change.

Penang ist the wrong place for a Silicon Valley-type technology complex. The island should concentrate on tourism first. I hope the historic centre of Georgetown will remain unchanged and will keep its charm ...

Hey guys, as one of the most developed and largest cities in Malaysia, what do you guys think that Penang needs?

Here's my list:
1. Monorail/LTR/MRT/Subway
2. A higher tower... almost the height of Twin Tower?
3. Bigger airport to cater for heavier air traffic.
4. Entrepot.
5. Themepark.
6. Observation Tower - I really hope to see one in Penang.
7. Cable car to Bukit Bendera.
8. Another Penang version of Orchard Road (Singapore) or Bukit Bintang (KL)
... what else?

i dont think penang realli need a WTB yo~ or any taller than PTT or even KL tower~ (well thats just ma opp) we need to protect those old buildin~ and yes~ cleaner penang~ (not super spotless clean) and yeh~ monorial yada yada list goes on~

preserve the old penang pre-war area and add more design and style to the new buildings...pls dun be so cinapek-design anymore..

btw, i like the idea some people bought over the pre-war houses and turn it into some cafe and clubs like those in georgetown area mainly serving westerners and those in 8 rows and garage area. unique!

LRt and yep preservation of the old shophouses is important!
There was a proposal for an observation deck last time in Penang under a private project but no news since 2001.

To me Penang needs:

- An extensive monorail/mass transit system...
- Another bridge to ease congestion of the current one... apart from adding more lanes to the current one...
- An upgrade to the current airport... coz the airport now is not bad at all... juz need some touch up here and there...
- A 'world class' shopping and entertainment belt...

from today's star-online:
The 10-year freeze on development on a 193ha “heritage zone” in inner George Town, Penang has been partially lifted to revitalise the country’s oldest city.

Municipal Council president Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said the original zone was scaled down to 99ha after it was found to include some non-heritage areas.

“The area was too vast. We also considered appeals from land and building owners who wanted to redevelop their property in areas which need not be conserved,” he said.

“The move is timely as George Town is fast becoming a dead city and losing its vibrancy.

“It is not the repeal of the Rent Control Act that is killing the city but overly strict heritage guidelines,” he said.

He added that developers would be able to build new housing units in the inner city to repopulate the area, as well as complexes and commercial outlets to generate economic activity.

Since the freeze was imposed in 1994, developers had been lobbying for its removal, claiming that Penang was the only place in the world with such a huge “protected” area.

“We agree that pockets of heritage buildings, beautiful monuments and even a few streets can be preserved to show the different types of buildings built in different eras. But we disagree to the conservation of entire areas which may have little or no heritage value,” said Choong.

Rehda is, however, not happy with the move to introduce a committee to identify heritage buildings outside the zone.

“We are not sure who will sit on the committee and how selection is carried out. Anyone can just point a finger at a building and say it should be protected. It’s too subjective,” Choong added.

yea, i agree that the preservation area is too large. althou it makes penang unique but somehow disturbing the economic flows. as we see from the lrt station placement, komtar is still the hub, the center of penang, which apparently also the center of this protected area..

if that large protected area is going to be preserve then i think it would be good if they shift georgetown business district totally to tanjung bungah or pulau tikus.. leave the komtar area as local government admin area would be fine.

eh, wth, i think they r already doing this.. :bash:

penang should always be hub of northern region....not to offend KL but Georgetown has a big potential to be like KL.....having tall buildings, expressways etc. :cool: :cool:

Is this the end to those charms? :(
If they are to build highrises on the heritage building spots at least they can preserve the frontages as entrances!

yea, i will not hope georgetown to be a high-rise jungle..

n i believe there will be no skyscraper taller than komtar inside the 'protected' area..

I think Penang is beautiful just as it is.....

how about penang state arts centre that consists of a concert hall, theater, studio theaters and a gallery to service the northen part of malaysian? :)

well, i guess penangites isnt that keen on having tall building in the centre of georgetown.....but i do strongly agree that georgetown's old buildings should be preserved.

Err...in my opinion

1) Improve the road system..widen the road, built PORR, monorail
2) A second link
3) Improve the tourism...maybe built a ''under water world'' and etc..
4) preserve the pre war houses, bside turning them into bar, copitiam, or hotel (like hotel 1992), they can built shopping complex by using a row of heritage houses. :) or using those heritage houses as an office;)

I'm happy when the government is beautifying the road in Penang..like litte india, penang Gold Bazar, Road near E&O hotel, Cititel, Continental and Citybayview, propose project to beautify the Gurney again..good Job. But i hope the penangits can appreciate it..Don't destroy the lamp pole and etc..these comportment always happened in Campbell street:(

Err...in my opinion

1) Improve the road system..widen the road, built PORR, monorail
2) A second link
3) Improve the tourism...maybe built a ''under water world'' and etc..
4) preserve the pre war houses, bside turning them into bar, copitiam, or hotel (like hotel 1992), they can built shopping complex by using a row of heritage houses. :) or using those heritage houses as an office;)

I'm happy when the government is beautifying the road in Penang..like litte india, penang Gold Bazar, Road near E&O hotel, Cititel, Continental and Citybayview, propose project to beautify the Gurney again..good Job. But i hope the penangits can appreciate it..Don't destroy the lamp pole and etc..these comportment always happened in Campbell street:(

turning the pre war houses into offices eh? well i guess that should be great idea......look at cities like Paris or London, they utilised old buildings, renovate them and use them as offices or even high income residential buildings. ;) ;)

quoted from today's star-online about pre-war houses:
Scaling down ‘not the answer’

Inner George Town, Penang is deteriorating at an alarming rate but scaling down the protected heritage zone is not the answer to revitalising the city, according to a conservationist group here.

Penang Heritage Trust president Dr Choong Sim Poey said the Government should instead build the confidence of the private sector on the benefits of a heritage city and provide restoration incentives to building owners.

“The Unesco Heritage Listing does not consider the size of the heritage zone but the quality of the area and the management plan that will conserve and revitalise the area,” he said.

The Star reported yesterday that the 10-year freeze on development on a 193ha heritage zone in inner George Town had been partially lifted to revitalise the country’s oldest city.

Heritage advocate Khoo Salma Nasution said the state should abide to the international standard if it was serious about efforts to be listed as a World Heritage Site.

Apart from the conservationists, the proposal to downsize the protected area received generally good public response.

Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lee Hack Teik said the move would definitely benefit the development of the inner city.

Penang Master Builders’ and Building Materials Dealers’ Association executive advisor Lim Hun Swee said the Government should subsidise property owners who were interested in refurbishing their buildings but who could not afford it.

Scaling down is the wrong way! Georgetown is really a unique place with so many historic buildings close to each other like nearly nowhere else in South East Asia!! Though I like skyscrapers and shopping malls, it's definitely the wrong place to build more of them in Georgetown because they'd destroy the special atmosphere and identity of the city!! Why do so many people travel to cities like Paris, Rome or Munich? Because there are huge historic districts whose buildings remained unchanged for centuries. Georgetown should not make the mistake to replace its shophouses by skyscrapers that have no identity and look the same everywhere in the world!!!

Scaling down is the wrong way! Georgetown is really a unique place with so many historic buildings close to each other like nearly nowhere else in South East Asia!! Though I like skyscrapers and shopping malls, it's definitely the wrong place to build more of them in Georgetown because they'd destroy the special atmosphere and identity of the city!! Why do so many people travel to cities like Paris, Rome or Munich? Because there are huge historic districts whose buildings remained unchanged for centuries. Georgetown should not make the mistake to replace its shophouses by skyscrapers that have no identity and look the same everywhere in the world!!!

as i said before, there is need some sort of gentrification....penang should attract rich people to go in and buy up these pre war houses and renovate and turn these houses into mansions or offices. :speech: :speech:

News about Penang...

The Straits Times (Singapore): 8th. November 2004

Penang losing its lustre as top tourist spot

PENANG island is losing its shine as the Pearl of the Orient as tourists are bypassing it for more attractive destinations in Malaysia and other countries, say tour operators and officials.

Tour guides here are also leaving for greener pastures in more vibrant markets such as Kuala Lumpur and Malacca, they said.

Freelance tour guide Lim Tek Choon said many of his peers had left for Kuala Lumpur where they could get more assignments.

'Most tourists are now bypassing Penang and flying to China, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bali.

'We are seriously lacking in new tourism products while the existing ones such as Penang Hill and the Botanic Gardens have remained unchanged over the years.'

Another tour guide, Mr Irard Razali, also complained about the lack of new tourism products, adding that tourists who had visited the island would not want to return here as they had 'been there and done that'.

'Why should they spend their money to return to the same place when they could travel to new destinations?'

A spokesman for the Mutiara Beach Resort said Bali and Thailand were strong contenders in the region's tourism industry as they were now promoting cheaper flights.

According to the island's Tourism Action Council statistics, tourist arrivals, both domestic and foreign, have been on the decline in recent years.

There were 3.78 million arrivals in 2000, compared to 3.03 million last year.

In contrast, tourist arrivals in the country - except last year - have been increasing. -- THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Always when it comes to projects, the government will have a very good excuse - lack of funds. So, what Penang needs first is to spend money to make more money, invest!

1) Develop tourism
Penang has a great potential in tourism but sadly only a few new tourism products were introduced within this decade. The existing tourism products on the other hand is quickly loosing it's speciality and charm. A good example would be Penang Hill. There is nearly nothing to do there. The government have been talking about converting a few of its bungalows into butique hotels but nothing has been done. Reason?? - lack of funds.

Other places such as the Penang Aquarium is a total failure. If i'm a tourist, I'll rather go to Langkawi instead as Langkawi has much more to offer, and they are still building more new stuffs. I hope the proposed Underwater World in Batu Kawan will be as good as Langkawi's or better. Of course, it will also be a total failure if they are going to mock Langkawi's Underwater World. It should have something different and unique.

Some tourist attraction that i think is worth building:
a) Cable car from Teluk Bahang to Penang Hill
The cable car station in Teluk Bahang will be another attraction for tourist to venture to this undiscovered part of Penang. This is where Penang National Park (where the rare meromictic lake is located), Teluk Bahang Dam, Spice Garden, "Taman Rimba" (whatever you call that in English) and Butterfly farm (is it still there?) is located.
b) Observation facilities on Penang Hill
Something like Hong Kong's Victoria Peak can be built here. Perhaps should take KL's Dataran Merdeka Flagpole to Penang Hill as well because Penang Hill is also Flag Hill in Malay:D
c) Upgrade Batu Ferringhi's Night Market into some thing more world class
Currently the Night Market is by the narrow road, obstructing the traffic. Batu Ferringhi will be a suitable place to have a shopping mall as there are lots of tourists there and lots of residentials are being developed there.
d) Theme Park
Butterworth will be a nice place to build a theme park. The Penang Bird Park will be moved to Penang Island, so there will be nothing interesting left in Province Wellessley.
e) Promenade/Shopping District
Suitable place - Butterworth, facing Penang Island. I don't know if Harbour Place will have something similar to this.

2) Develop Cybercity and MSC
I hope the government is doing something as they said that it is supposed to be completed by end of this year or beginning of next year. Last month, there was anarticle in The Star saying that according to a survey, a majority of factories will relocate if the Cybercity project fails to be completed. Let's hope the government is doing as much as they are talking.

Ok, let's set money a side. These are the projects that Penang needs:
1) Develop Public Transport
Monorail, LMT, LRT, whatever, just build a good system. Busses, taxis and ferries should be upgraded and complement the rail system. A centralised building to connect all the railways, taxis, etc. like KL Sentral should be built, preferably at the edge of the city. I think the Penang Turf Club will make a pretty good location.

2) Better Road System
PORR, the second bridge and other highway projects need to be carried out as the population of the vehicles in Penang has outnumbered the populaton of the people. Road widening and one way road loops will not solve the problem in a long term basis. The real problem with the roads in Penang is that it can't be widened as the prewar houses are just beside the narrow roads. Besides that, there are too many traffic lights on a road. Just take a look at Magazine Road, Air Itam Road and Greenlane. That is why PORR and Phase 2 of Jelutong Expressway is necessary to get the traffic out of the city.
The construction of a Second Bridge is also crucial as the Penang Bridge is always congested. My aunt who works in Butterworth travels to and fro everyday via the Penang Bridge spend hours getting stuck in the bridge. In addition, I think the location of the second bridge to be very good because it connects two of Penang's new townships, Batu Kawan and Batu Maung. The bridge will bring development to these areas.

3) Preserve Histoical Buildings
A majority of pre-war buildings are not well preserved and are frequently falling apart and catching fire. The government should promote these pre-war houses so that some private companies will buy them up and turn them into something useful. While those owned by the government should be preserved a million years ago. A few months back, there was an article about the court being left abandoned. It was supposed to be renovated, that is why the court temporarily moved to Northam Tower. I hope they have started doing something now.

4) Upgrade or Build New Airport
In my opinion, the airport should be move to a larger piece of land like in Province Wellessley as the island will be running out of space soon. However, this should only be done when a proper link from the island to the airport is built, like a direct highway link and a monorail. Maybe Penang doesn't need a huge airport anytime soon, so i think they should get a big piece of land a build a adequately sized airport, then slowly expand it in phases when there is a need for it.

5) World Class Shopping Mall
The only mall in Penang which i think is quite OK is Gurney Plaza. Other malls doesn't have that speciality and concept. In other words, the rest are more or less the same. Well, at least some "tried" to be different by having some mini theme parks, mini snow world and go karts but most of them have closed down. I think only the Great World Theme Park in Bukit Jambul Complex still exist. They should have been made to be more special so that people will keep going there.

6) Better buildings
Some buildings with better design will help to enhance the skyline. Hopefully there is one about 300m tall and a few slightly taller than 2/3 of KOMTAR's height.
Buildings should be litted up at night or at least during public holidays.
KOMTAR badly needs renovation. This first skyscraper of Malaysia used to be something we all can be proud of, now, it is actually quite embarrassing. The rooftop garden should be made into a garden, so that people will pay a visit. Now, it is empty most of the time.
Buildings should be often given a new coat of paint. White buildings like Vistana and those in Jelutong are turning black. When i saw the state of Vistana last week, i felt so disgusted. It looks blacker than my school shoes.
(I think no one can do anything on this matter, right?? Only the developers and building owners can)

Temporarily, this is what i can think of........

Err...in my opinion
4) preserve the pre war houses, bside turning them into bar, copitiam, or hotel (like hotel 1992), they can built shopping complex by using a row of heritage houses. :) or using those heritage houses as an office;)

Hotel 1992?? isn't that Hotel 1892??:D:D

I'm happy when the government is beautifying the road in Penang..like litte india, penang Gold Bazar, Road near E&O hotel, Cititel, Continental and Citybayview, propose project to beautify the Gurney again..good Job. But i hope the penangits can appreciate it..Don't destroy the lamp pole and etc..these comportment always happened in Campbell street
I've been thinking, why don't they use the money for these beautification project for creating new tourism attractions instead?? These projects are indeed a must but it is more important to create more tourism attractions at the dying Botanic Gardens and Penang Hill. IMO, these projects can be carried out later when the problem of the latter is solved. Besides, when they carry out these projects, the roads will be slightly narrower, as they have to make wider pedestrian walkways. this means that it is more difficult for vehicles to pass through. this type of project is best carried out when the public transport system is improved. they can close the area to vehicles and make it a pedestrian only area.

well, the beautification project in Gurney Drive is the most non deserving one. we have heard about the land reclamation project off Gurney Drive where PORR will be built. if they carry out the beautification project in Gurney Drive now, and when the land reclamation project is completed in the future, wouldn't it become a white elephant?? they will have to build a new promenade and the current one will have to make way for that.

Always when it comes to projects, the government will have a very good excuse - lack of funds. So, what Penang needs first is to spend money to make more money, invest!

1) Develop tourism
Penang has a great potential in tourism but sadly only a few new tourism products were introduced within this decade. The existing tourism products on the other hand is quickly loosing it's speciality and charm. A good example would be Penang Hill. There is nearly nothing to do there. The government have been talking about converting a few of its bungalows into butique hotels but nothing has been done. Reason?? - lack of funds.

Other places such as the Penang Aquarium is a total failure. If i'm a tourist, I'll rather go to Langkawi instead as Langkawi has much more to offer, and they are still building more new stuffs. I hope the proposed Underwater World in Batu Kawan will be as good as Langkawi's or better. Of course, it will also be a total failure if they are going to mock Langkawi's Underwater World. It should have something different and unique.

Some tourist attraction that i think is worth building:
a) Cable car from Teluk Bahang to Penang Hill
The cable car station in Teluk Bahang will be another attraction for tourist to venture to this undiscovered part of Penang. This is where Penang National Park (where the rare meromictic lake is located), Teluk Bahang Dam, Spice Garden, "Taman Rimba" (whatever you call that in English) and Butterfly farm (is it still there?) is located.
b) Observation facilities on Penang Hill
Something like Hong Kong's Victoria Peak can be built here. Perhaps should take KL's Dataran Merdeka Flagpole to Penang Hill as well because Penang Hill is also Flag Hill in Malay:D
c) Upgrade Batu Ferringhi's Night Market into some thing more world class
Currently the Night Market is by the narrow road, obstructing the traffic. Batu Ferringhi will be a suitable place to have a shopping mall as there are lots of tourists there and lots of residentials are being developed there.
d) Theme Park
Butterworth will be a nice place to build a theme park. The Penang Bird Park will be moved to Penang Island, so there will be nothing interesting left in Province Wellessley.
e) Promenade/Shopping District
Suitable place - Butterworth, facing Penang Island. I don't know if Harbour Place will have something similar to this.

2) Develop Cybercity and MSC
I hope the government is doing something as they said that it is supposed to be completed by end of this year or beginning of next year. Last month, there was anarticle in The Star saying that according to a survey, a majority of factories will relocate if the Cybercity project fails to be completed. Let's hope the government is doing as much as they are talking.

Ok, let's set money a side. These are the projects that Penang needs:
1) Develop Public Transport
Monorail, LMT, LRT, whatever, just build a good system. Busses, taxis and ferries should be upgraded and complement the rail system. A centralised building to connect all the railways, taxis, etc. like KL Sentral should be built, preferably at the edge of the city. I think the Penang Turf Club will make a pretty good location.

2) Better Road System
PORR, the second bridge and other highway projects need to be carried out as the population of the vehicles in Penang has outnumbered the populaton of the people. Road widening and one way road loops will not solve the problem in a long term basis. The real problem with the roads in Penang is that it can't be widened as the prewar houses are just beside the narrow roads. Besides that, there are too many traffic lights on a road. Just take a look at Magazine Road, Air Itam Road and Greenlane. That is why PORR and Phase 2 of Jelutong Expressway is necessary to get the traffic out of the city.
The construction of a Second Bridge is also crucial as the Penang Bridge is always congested. My aunt who works in Butterworth travels to and fro everyday via the Penang Bridge spend hours getting stuck in the bridge. In addition, I think the location of the second bridge to be very good because it connects two of Penang's new townships, Batu Kawan and Batu Maung. The bridge will bring development to these areas.

3) Preserve Histoical Buildings
A majority of pre-war buildings are not well preserved and are frequently falling apart and catching fire. The government should promote these pre-war houses so that some private companies will buy them up and turn them into something useful. While those owned by the government should be preserved a million years ago. A few months back, there was an article about the court being left abandoned. It was supposed to be renovated, that is why the court temporarily moved to Northam Tower. I hope they have started doing something now.

4) Upgrade or Build New Airport
In my opinion, the airport should be move to a larger piece of land like in Province Wellessley as the island will be running out of space soon. However, this should only be done when a proper link from the island to the airport is built, like a direct highway link and a monorail. Maybe Penang doesn't need a huge airport anytime soon, so i think they should get a big piece of land a build a adequately sized airport, then slowly expand it in phases when there is a need for it.

5) World Class Shopping Mall
The only mall in Penang which i think is quite OK is Gurney Plaza. Other malls doesn't have that speciality and concept. In other words, the rest are more or less the same. Well, at least some "tried" to be different by having some mini theme parks, mini snow world and go karts but most of them have closed down. I think only the Great World Theme Park in Bukit Jambul Complex still exist. They should have been made to be more special so that people will keep going there.

6) Better buildings
Some buildings with better design will help to enhance the skyline. Hopefully there is one about 300m tall and a few slightly taller than 2/3 of KOMTAR's height.
Buildings should be litted up at night or at least during public holidays.
KOMTAR badly needs renovation. This first skyscraper of Malaysia used to be something we all can be proud of, now, it is actually quite embarrassing. The rooftop garden should be made into a garden, so that people will pay a visit. Now, it is empty most of the time.
Buildings should be often given a new coat of paint. White buildings like Vistana and those in Jelutong are turning black. When i saw the state of Vistana last week, i felt so disgusted. It looks blacker than my school shoes.
(I think no one can do anything on this matter, right?? Only the developers and building owners can)

Temporarily, this is what i can think of........

it's all funding issues, i think. ever since economy crisis back in 1997, investors r not so keen to input their funding into penang state may be becos our local government did not do a good job in taking care of investors' confidence.

i still remember that penang was under rapid construction b4 the crisis, green nets are everywhere n lots of huge projects r being proposed.. may be its true that government is lack of fund ever since then... its been 7 years but we never hear anything as huge as bayan bay projects.. well we do have some smaller one like the gurney plaza n the recent times square..but that is it.

n bayan bay projects which included the bayan mega mall, marinas, water theme park n luxury condos are in stagnant state until now..

take a look at the shopping complex.. they r all losing their beauty as years pass by. i was studied in KL n went back penang every half a year, n it is obvious for me to notice the standard of these shopping complex going down the hill... really poor maintenance, they have no theme or concept for shopping complexes.. basically what we have in 1-stop, bukit jambul complex and perangin mall are all the same. im afraid gurney plaza is soon to turn into one of them..

KOMTAR and Gama shopping complex in my opinion should be the shopping paradise as their location is far better than the others.. we could have somehting like a bintang walk there but then again.. governmetn might be lack of fund, investors might not keen to do so.. and most importantly..the management department of KOMTAR and Gama should be KICK OUT already!!

Heritage protections, funding for restoration, UNESCO World Heritage Status!

it's all funding issues, i think. ever since economy crisis back in 1997, investors r not so keen to input their funding into penang state may be becos our local government did not do a good job in taking care of investors' confidence.


I remembered many projects were u/c before the economic crisis but i don't know much about the projects as i was not so into these things yet:D
I hope the recently launched "Invest Penang" www.investpenang.com.my (so happen the website is not working :bash: ) will be able to attract investors.

i still remember that penang was under rapid construction b4 the crisis, green nets are everywhere n lots of huge projects r being proposed.. may be its true that government is lack of fund ever since then... its been 7 years but we never hear anything as huge as bayan bay projects.. well we do have some smaller one like the gurney plaza n the recent times square..but that is it.

n bayan bay projects which included the bayan mega mall, marinas, water theme park n luxury condos are in stagnant state until now..
actually there is the Tanjung Pinang reclamation project, located off the coast of Tanjung Bungah. (not sure weather it was proposed before or after the economic crisis though) They have been reclaiming land for a long time already but no news about the constructions. Here's a pic from The Star
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Resize_of_Tanjung_Pinang_1_.jpg?1755
they should start doing something about the abandoned projects already, such as the Bayan World Megamall and the building beside Gurney Plaza. those abandoned buildings are going to rot to the ground soon if they do nothing. if money is the problem, it is still better to tear them down than leaving it there for drug addicts and mosquitoes to breed.

take a look at the shopping complex.. they r all losing their beauty as years pass by. i was studied in KL n went back penang every half a year, n it is obvious for me to notice the standard of these shopping complex going down the hill... really poor maintenance, they have no theme or concept for shopping complexes.. basically what we have in 1-stop, bukit jambul complex and perangin mall are all the same. im afraid gurney plaza is soon to turn into one of them..

KOMTAR and Gama shopping complex in my opinion should be the shopping paradise as their location is far better than the others.. we could have somehting like a bintang walk there but then again.. governmetn might be lack of fund, investors might not keen to do so.. and most importantly..the management department of KOMTAR and Gama should be KICK OUT already!!
agreed!! the only thing changing in those shopping malls is that more and more shops are closed down. none of those malls introduced something new since they were opened untill now. i think that is why they are losing their speciality.
KOMTAR and GAMA would probably have a better location that Gurney Plaza if the inner city is more alive. KOMTAR and GAMA should have been renovated since a long time ago.(i don't think they have ever gone through any renovation since they opened right?? exept for the minor one in KOMTAR) there's no way they can compete with Prangin Mall in the current state.

Heritage protections, funding for restoration, UNESCO World Heritage Status!

we have failed to apply for it the last time. hope the government try harder this time :bash:

it's all funding issues, i think. ever since economy crisis back in 1997, investors r not so keen to input their funding into penang state may be becos our local government did not do a good job in taking care of investors' confidence.

i still remember that penang was under rapid construction b4 the crisis, green nets are everywhere n lots of huge projects r being proposed.. may be its true that government is lack of fund ever since then... its been 7 years but we never hear anything as huge as bayan bay projects.. well we do have some smaller one like the gurney plaza n the recent times square..but that is it.

n bayan bay projects which included the bayan mega mall, marinas, water theme park n luxury condos are in stagnant state until now..

take a look at the shopping complex.. they r all losing their beauty as years pass by. i was studied in KL n went back penang every half a year, n it is obvious for me to notice the standard of these shopping complex going down the hill... really poor maintenance, they have no theme or concept for shopping complexes.. basically what we have in 1-stop, bukit jambul complex and perangin mall are all the same. im afraid gurney plaza is soon to turn into one of them..

KOMTAR and Gama shopping complex in my opinion should be the shopping paradise as their location is far better than the others.. we could have somehting like a bintang walk there but then again.. governmetn might be lack of fund, investors might not keen to do so.. and most importantly..the management department of KOMTAR and Gama should be KICK OUT already!!

yupe..it is true that Penang don't have many huge projects like back to 19 century. But we can see the penang government now trying to recover the glory of Penang. No doubt we r lacking of fund, that is why many projects in penang can't carry out smoothly, successfully. All the projects r just proposing. But, there r quite many huge projects r proposing recent year, like wat u said Penang Times Squre...how bout Tanjung Pinang, this project is as huge as Bayan Bay...and how about Jelutong expressway, Bandar Acassia [Penang's MSC]. These 3 projects r under construction. While other big project like Monorail, second Link and PORR r in proposed. Just hope that they don't have the same fade as bayan Bay...hehehe..

I have read a news, the Penang Government is not going to propose any Shopping Complex recent year... In my opinion Penang no need to have too many Shopping Complex like Island Plaza, BJ Complex or Gurney Plaza. Basically, turn some streets to be the other '' Bintang Walk'' is a very great idea like wat u and TYW mentioned. We can used those heritage houses as a shop, renovate it, keep the origanal style outside, repain it, modernize inside. A shopping heaven no need to have more Shopping complex, more ''high-class shops'' is a must. Then, ppl can shop arond the road. It'll make the city more lively.

Bayan Bay project is really a failure:( The marina project was cancled. shopping mall was halted..But they r now trying very hard to find a new company to resume the project.

Emm...GAMA, Sunshine jelutung, Sunshine Farlim and Sunshine Supermarket r in the same company, Sui Hua Company... They r well maintain. Sunshine Supermarket is now renovating..while GAMA just finish renovated not long ago:) I hope they can built a '' sky bridge'' from Komtar to GAMA..hehehe..so that the shopper no need to cross 1 of the heavy road in Penang, magazine road. Then, the '' sky bridge'' will be the longest in Malaysia..:lol::D...Komtar have 2 skybridge currently...;)

Hotel 1992?? isn't that Hotel 1892??

Sorry loh..typing error mah...:D

I've been thinking, why don't they use the money for these beautification project for creating new tourism attractions instead?? These projects are indeed a must but it is more important to create more tourism attractions at the dying Botanic Gardens and Penang Hill. IMO, these projects can be carried out later when the problem of the latter is solved. Besides, when they carry out these projects, the roads will be slightly narrower, as they have to make wider pedestrian walkways. this means that it is more difficult for vehicles to pass through. this type of project is best carried out when the public transport system is improved.they can close the area to vehicles and make it a pedestrian only area
Sometimes we couldn't do things step by step..first improved the public transport then only beautify the road side. They beautify the road in those places r a very great idea...they r actully kill 2 birds with 1 stone..First, they make our City more cantik by beautifying the road, they also change the path. The path which they had changed can avoid the driver drive too fast in that road.. As we know, street where they beautify is actually tourist attraction, Little India, Gold Bazaar, road near E&O. By beautifying the road, they r actually improve the tourism...Therefore, i think they use the money in the right placa. I just hope they can complete it in time...

they can close the area to vehicles and make it a pedestrian only area
Actually this idea had been disscused b4..but those shop ''tauke'' refuse to do that...the reason is they can't drop their goods;)

I have read a news, the Penang Government is not going to propose any Shopping Complex recent year... In my opinion Penang no need to have too many Shopping Complex like Island Plaza, BJ Complex or Gurney Plaza. Basically, turn some streets to be the other '' Bintang Walk'' is a very great idea like wat u and TYW mentioned. We can used those heritage houses as a shop, renovate it, keep the origanal style outside, repain it, modernize inside. A shopping heaven no need to have more Shopping complex, more ''high-class shops'' is a must. Then, ppl can shop arond the road. It'll make the city more lively.
yeah, they are banning all supermarket/hypermarket within 3km radius of the existing ones. Shopping malls - i'm not too sure. they ban new shopping malls as well?? this ban is carried out so that those having small business won't go bankrupt. as you know, Penang is not very competitive.

i think we have enough shopping malls around george town and bukit jambul area. however, some places like batu ferringhi and Balik Pulau(other developments needs to be carried out first so that they won't go out of business) needs a shopping mall.

IMO, all shopping malls in Penang needs renovation or upgrading. (maybe exept Gurney Plaza that needs maintainance) certain concept should be introduced so that every one of them are different from each other.

Emm...GAMA, Sunshine jelutung, Sunshine Farlim and Sunshine Supermarket r in the same company, Sui Hua Company... They r well maintain. Sunshine Supermarket is now renovating..while GAMA just finish renovated not long ago I hope they can built a '' sky bridge'' from Komtar to GAMA..hehehe..so that the shopper no need to cross 1 of the heavy road in Penang, magazine road. Then, the '' sky bridge'' will be the longest in Malaysia.....Komtar have 2 skybridge currently....
GAMA is also under Suiwah?? i didn't know that. i always thought it is on it's own. i think all these suiwah chain of supermarkets are all the same. it may be a good place to buy your things but not a happy place to go to. maybe they should let other tennants to open their shops with them. probably it may bring more live to Suiwah's supermarkets.

i think it is a good idea having GAMA and KOMTAR connected together. it will encourage more people to both sides. if a bridge were to be built, renovations should be taken out together to make them look like a new place;) actually building a bridge will take one of the three traffic lights away from Magazine Road. less congestion then!!

i think we have enough shopping malls around george town and bukit jambul area. however, some places like batu ferringhi and Balik Pulau(other developments needs to be carried out first so that they won't go out of business) needs a shopping mall.

Yupe..Batu ferringhi maybe need 1. But i think the shopping mall cannot be too big in Batu Ferringhi...If it is too big and too cantik..tourist don't wanna go to the inner city shopping mall anymore..then all the tourists will only converge in Batu Ferringhi:)

And for Balik Pulau..i have no idea..because i'm afraid that the supermarket will close down eassily as the population there r small:) Maybe Balik Pulau need it in the future:)

Sometimes we couldn't do things step by step..first improved the public transport then only beautify the road side. They beautify the road in those places r a very great idea...they r actully kill 2 birds with 1 stone..First, they make our City more cantik by beautifying the road, they also change the path. The path which they had changed can avoid the driver drive too fast in that road.. As we know, street where they beautify is actually tourist attraction, Little India, Gold Bazaar, road near E&O. By beautifying the road, they r actually improve the tourism...Therefore, i think they use the money in the right placa. I just hope they can complete it in time...

yes, it is a good idea but the problem now is poor planning. it is a matter of timing when they carry out the project. after those projects are carried out it is more suitable for a pedestrian only kind of road as it has become so narrow. that means improve public transport first, then beautify those places. it is even better if they can afford carry out both of them together in order to save time.

Besides that, the Batanic Gardens and Penang Hill are dying fast but those areas(Little India, UPR, etc) are not dying so fast. some of the people working there even said their business is worse after the project is carried out due to inaccessibility. once again, public transport first.

the most underserving place is still gotta be Gurney Drive. i hope they think about the consequences before they carry out the project

Yupe..Batu ferringhi maybe need 1. But i think the shopping mall cannot be too big in Batu Ferringhi...If it is too big and too cantik..tourist don't wanna go to the inner city shopping mall anymore..then all the tourists will only converge in Batu Ferringhi:)
in that case, those shopping malls in the city should be upgraded first so that a new, big and unique shopping mall won't steal their business. i think if a shopping mall in Batu Ferringghi is built, it won't really be much of an impact on those in the city because it is quite far away from the city. it(shopping complex) will be serving those tourist and increasing population in the area.

And for Balik Pulau..i have no idea..because i'm afraid that the supermarket will close down eassily as the population there r small:) Maybe Balik Pulau need it in the future:)
yeah, Balik Pulau should have one in the future (obviously "future" is not too soon). i still remember a few years back when we needed to buy something during Chinese New Year, we can't find a shop that sells it, we ended up buying it in Gembira Parade:D

Actually this idea had been disscused b4..but those shop ''tauke'' refuse to do that...the reason is they can't drop their goods;)

exeptions for those shop owners of course. this wouldn't cause a big problem because only those vehicles loading goods are allowed, not every car people are using.

yes, it is a good idea but the problem now is poor planning. it is a matter of timing when they carry out the project. after those projects are carried out it is more suitable for a pedestrian only kind of road as it has become so narrow. that means improve public transport first, then beautify those places. it is even better if they can afford carry out both of them together in order to save time.

Besides that, the Batanic Gardens and Penang Hill are dying fast but those areas(Little India, UPR, etc) are not dying so fast. some of the people working there even said their business is worse after the project is carried out due to inaccessibility. once again, public transport first.

the most underserving place is still gotta be Gurney Drive. i hope they think about the consequences before they carry out the project

:lol:..:lol:..shall i continue giving my opinion?

U r right Penang Hill r dying fast..this..we definetely must do something..like u mentioned b4 built something like The Peak..super great idea:D While for Botanical Garden..i think its situation now is still OK..they still plant a lot of trees..keep it clean...I think they no need to propose something awesome project there. But, widen the botanical garden is need, which they r planning, and i think the project is carry out liao. By widing the BTC, they can plant more tropical plants, which tourist can't c it in their country:)

And for those street..i think widen the road is not necessary..As we know it is a tourist attraction, widen the road, means more traffic flow..don't u think less transport travel by the road is better ma...save..tourist can cross the road easily..;)

And i have no idea how they widen the road in Little India...The road there already so narrow..how to widen it..furthermore, we need a pedestrian walkway..if widing the road..how bout the walkway?

When they beautifying the raod, it influnce their business..How bout if they close down the road..widen it..and beautify it, do it together..then thier business sure corrupt...

exeptions for those shop owners of course. this wouldn't cause a big problem because only those vehicles loading goods are allowed, not every car people are using.

Oh that is out of mind...u know..when they said the road is only for pedestrian, they will built something to close up the road...Then how r they going to drop their goods...

if they don't wanna built those things, drivers still can curi-curi use that road.:?

in that case, those shopping malls in the city should be upgraded first so that a new, big and unique shopping mall won't steal their business. i think if a shopping mall in Batu Ferringghi is built, it won't really be much of an impact on those in the city because it is quite far away from the city. it(shopping complex) will be serving those tourist and increasing population in the area.

Okay lets give an example..if u travel to a country.. place u stay have a very nice, big,unique, inside have everything punya shopping mall nearby yr hotel, r u still going to waste yr time to travel far [ like from Batu ferrighi to Georgetown] in order to shop in the other nice, big, huge shopping mall...I'm sure u'll keep yr time to travel to the other places. In this case, it sure will influnce the business in the downtown.

Therefore..in my opinion Batu ferrighi no need to have a big and huge shopping mall..A nice shopping mall and not too big which can provide entertainment for the residents that is enough for Batu Feringhi...furthermore, most of the ppl in Batu ferrighi r tourist..not many penangits stay there compare to other places in Penang. If built too big..nanti inside kosong 1...:D

yupe..Shopping mall in gerogetown MUST be upgrade, especially KOMTAR...i didn't deny yr opinion..

Yupe..Batu ferringhi maybe need 1. But i think the shopping mall cannot be too big in Batu Ferringhi...If it is too big and too cantik..tourist don't wanna go to the inner city shopping mall anymore..then all the tourists will only converge in Batu Ferringhi:)

And for Balik Pulau..i have no idea..because i'm afraid that the supermarket will close down eassily as the population there r small:) Maybe Balik Pulau need it in the future:)
yup, noticing our shopping malls don't have much international tourist.. so building a mall at batu ferringhi will only turns it become another gembira parade.. futhermore we already have island plaza up there (althou it is still a little bit far for those who stay in batu ferringhi), n if we r thinking of building another one up there, y dun we have island plaza renovate first... lots of branded shops had moved out from there such as FILA and Versace.

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Resize_of_Tanjung_Pinang_1_.jpg?1755
wow i haven't seen any illustration like this b4 about tanjung pinang:) nice nice!

aiyoh... penangites love to complaint wan.. i dunno whether this happen in other states but every time our penang government announces their plans of developing the state sure there r lots of people object these plans.. no to porr lah, protect mangrove area lah...

not that i agree on destroying the nature but if protecting the nature makes people suffer migraine due to traffic jams then wats the point..

i think we penangites should help the government developing our state, not giving difficulties to them.. we could help as much as we can to reduce the damage we do to the nature.. cause no point we stating the point of 'protecting nature' while we penangites, or human-race as a whole, r already consuming nature resource like a bloody virus..

Emm...GAMA, Sunshine jelutung, Sunshine Farlim and Sunshine Supermarket r in the same company, Sui Hua Company... They r well maintain. Sunshine Supermarket is now renovating..while GAMA just finish renovated not long ago:) I hope they can built a '' sky bridge'' from Komtar to GAMA..hehehe..so that the shopper no need to cross 1 of the heavy road in Penang, magazine road. Then, the '' sky bridge'' will be the longest in Malaysia..:lol::D...Komtar have 2 skybridge currently...;)
didn't know that GAMA is already under sui hua's chain. hope sui hua will make GAMA alive once again :)

yes, it is a good idea but the problem now is poor planning. it is a matter of timing when they carry out the project. after those projects are carried out it is more suitable for a pedestrian only kind of road as it has become so narrow. that means improve public transport first, then beautify those places. it is even better if they can afford carry out both of them together in order to save time.

Besides that, the Batanic Gardens and Penang Hill are dying fast but those areas(Little India, UPR, etc) are not dying so fast. some of the people working there even said their business is worse after the project is carried out due to inaccessibility. once again, public transport first.

the most underserving place is still gotta be Gurney Drive. i hope they think about the consequences before they carry out the project
actually talk about timing or which to construct first, it doesn't really matters already cos if u wanna c public transport to be improved, u gotto wait till the mrt runs its track but that would be too long.. n by improved the route of public buses wont encourage much those who have already own a car to take public transport..

its good that government wanna beautify these area but good planning n concept must be apply. look at the 'china town' they made years ago.. yea, it does look good but it doesn't draw lots of customers.. so, what government spent on the costs doesn't benefit their end result. research not enough eh, perhaps?

U r right Penang Hill r dying fast..this..we definetely must do something..like u mentioned b4 built something like The Peak..super great idea:D While for Botanical Garden..i think its situation now is still OK..they still plant a lot of trees..keep it clean...I think they no need to propose something awesome project there. But, widen the botanical garden is need, which they r planning, and i think the project is carry out liao. By widing the BTC, they can plant more tropical plants, which tourist can't c it in their country:)

if put nature issue aside, i would still like to c if they convert penang hill into a gambling town.. n that could make big time money for the government so they no longer give us explanation of lack of fund :lol: n u just imagine the amount of tourist it could draw internationally n regionly.. n also it'll greatly affects the other sectors to bloom..

but i dun think so lah.. mangrove already cannot.. this wan is mountain wey..:lol:

:lol:..:lol:..shall i continue giving my opinion?
sure!! this debate is just starting to become more fun!!:D

U r right Penang Hill r dying fast..this..we definetely must do something..like u mentioned b4 built something like The Peak..super great idea:D While for Botanical Garden..i think its situation now is still OK..they still plant a lot of trees..keep it clean...I think they no need to propose something awesome project there. But, widen the botanical garden is need, which they r planning, and i think the project is carry out liao. By widing the BTC, they can plant more tropical plants, which tourist can't c it in their country:)
about the botanic garden, i read it from the newspaper. honestly, i don't know the actual situation of the gardens as i did not go there for a long time already. acccording to the papers, the plants in the garden is not properly taken care of because the $$ the government give them is insufficient. about the expansion, no critiques so far. hope everything is going well;)

And for those street..i think widen the road is not necessary..As we know it is a tourist attraction, widen the road, means more traffic flow..don't u think less transport travel by the road is better ma...save..tourist can cross the road easily..;)

And i have no idea how they widen the road in Little India...The road there already so narrow..how to widen it..furthermore, we need a pedestrian walkway..if widing the road..how bout the walkway?
err...i didn't say anything about road widening here. what i'm saying is that the roads are already narrow, nothing anyone can do about that. one of the ways is to make them pedestrian roads:D

When they beautifying the raod, it influnce their business..How bout if they close down the road..widen it..and beautify it, do it together..then thier business sure corrupt...
when they beautify the roads, didn't they close down that part of the road?? if you were to close the roads 2 times for beautifying and building public transport facilities, wouldn't it take twice the time??

Oh that is out of mind...u know..when they said the road is only for pedestrian, they will built something to close up the road...Then how r they going to drop their goods...

if they don't wanna built those things, drivers still can curi-curi use that road.:?
barricades are not necessary. there just have to be a rule to stop other road users from entering. if they still insist on entering, all the better, the government will earn more money by fining them

Okay lets give an example..if u travel to a country.. place u stay have a very nice, big,unique, inside have everything punya shopping mall nearby yr hotel, r u still going to waste yr time to travel far [ like from Batu ferrighi to Georgetown] in order to shop in the other nice, big, huge shopping mall...I'm sure u'll keep yr time to travel to the other places. In this case, it sure will influnce the business in the downtown.
don't forget there are lots of hotels in the city as well!! besides that, shopping malls are not specially for tourists to shop, but for the residents as well. maybe there's less hotels in the city but the population there is much larger.

Therefore..in my opinion Batu ferrighi no need to have a big and huge shopping mall..A nice shopping mall and not too big which can provide entertainment for the residents that is enough for Batu Feringhi...furthermore, most of the ppl in Batu ferrighi r tourist..not many penangits stay there compare to other places in Penang. If built too big..nanti inside kosong 1...:D

yupe..Shopping mall in gerogetown MUST be upgrade, especially KOMTAR...i didn't deny yr opinion..
the shopping mall in Batu Ferringghi doesn't have to be big. it is the land that will enable the shopping mall to be expanded to be big in the future, must be big. that space can be used temporarily as a car park when there is no necessity for the expansion. they can build a medium sized but classy shopping mall to serve the rapidly expanding housing area. (obviously the residents there have tons of money)

yup, noticing our shopping malls don't have much international tourist.. so building a mall at batu ferringhi will only turns it become another gembira parade.. futhermore we already have island plaza up there (althou it is still a little bit far for those who stay in batu ferringhi), n if we r thinking of building another one up there, y dun we have island plaza renovate first... lots of branded shops had moved out from there such as FILA and Versace.

yeah, island plaza is one of the fastest diying shopping mall in penang. surely neeeds something special introdiced;)

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Resize_of_Tanjung_Pinang_1_.jpg?1755
wow i haven't seen any illustration like this b4 about tanjung pinang:) nice nice!

aiyoh... penangites love to complaint wan.. i dunno whether this happen in other states but every time our penang government announces their plans of developing the state sure there r lots of people object these plans.. no to porr lah, protect mangrove area lah...

not that i agree on destroying the nature but if protecting the nature makes people suffer migraine due to traffic jams then wats the point..

i think we penangites should help the government developing our state, not giving difficulties to them.. we could help as much as we can to reduce the damage we do to the nature.. cause no point we stating the point of 'protecting nature' while we penangites, or human-race as a whole, r already consuming nature resource like a bloody virus..

agreed!! even if the development is for the better, there will still be complaints. these people have to realize the government cannot please everyone!!

sigh....all these talk is kinda useless, who's gonna read all of our opinions anyway??:D:D:D:D:D

actually talk about timing or which to construct first, it doesn't really matters already cos if u wanna c public transport to be improved, u gotto wait till the mrt runs its track but that would be too long.. n by improved the route of public buses wont encourage much those who have already own a car to take public transport..

talking about the timing between the public transport and the beautifucation project, the problem is exactly what you have mentioned. what i'm saying is upgrading Penang Hill and Batanic gardens as they are faster dying that the Little India or UPR.

its good that government wanna beautify these area but good planning n concept must be apply. look at the 'china town' they made years ago.. yea, it does look good but it doesn't draw lots of customers.. so, what government spent on the costs doesn't benefit their end result. research not enough eh, perhaps?
I agree!! more research and concept is needed.

if put nature issue aside, i would still like to c if they convert penang hill into a gambling town.. n that could make big time money for the government so they no longer give us explanation of lack of fund :lol: n u just imagine the amount of tourist it could draw internationally n regionly.. n also it'll greatly affects the other sectors to bloom..

but i dun think so lah.. mangrove already cannot.. this wan is mountain wey..:lol:

haha....LOL!! nice plan to make money!!in fact, there was this plan almost a decade ago by Bukit Pinang Sdn Bhd (hopefully i got the name right:D)

however, the hill seems unsuitable for this kind of project, IMO. it needs something other hill resorts in Malaysia doesn't have.....like...like....i don't know..he he... :bash:

barricades are not necessary. there just have to be a rule to stop other road users from entering. if they still insist on entering, all the better, the government will earn more money by fining them
sorry if i mistaken..r u talking about the pedestrian walkway like those in china town?

agreed!! even if the development is for the better, there will still be complaints. these people have to realize the government cannot please everyone!!

sigh....all these talk is kinda useless, who's gonna read all of our opinions anyway??:D:D:D:D:D
hhahah not that i've got the right answer for these..but thats just my personal opinion mar... n thats wat a forum for lah i think... just yell out watever stuff that u feel 'kek sim' or 'beh tahan' lah.. :lol:

haha....LOL!! nice plan to make money!!in fact, there was this plan almost a decade ago by Bukit Pinang Sdn Bhd (hopefully i got the name right:D)

however, the hill seems unsuitable for this kind of project, IMO. it needs something other hill resorts in Malaysia doesn't have.....like...like....i don't know..he he... :bash:
eh y not suitable? socialogically bad influences? ok wat i think.. :lol:

they could build a concept town like the one melbourne has: ballarat gold mine. the town is exactly how the place looked like 50 to 100 years ago. they hire people to dress up like those in the 1950s and they actually 'work' in shop houses selling bread n daily normal stuff to the visitors. it makes feel really like u're back to the past.. no cars there but horses..

even thou we already have the entire georgetown that still holds a little smell of that 1930s but i think it'll still work cos tourist will have a better pictures and imagination in mind when they look at the real pre-war houses..

well thats just my thoughts..

sorry if i mistaken..r u talking about the pedestrian walkway like those in china town?

huh??:?:? i was replying to Pablo......

hhahah not that i've got the right answer for these..but thats just my personal opinion mar... n thats wat a forum for lah i think... just yell out watever stuff that u feel 'kek sim' or 'beh tahan' lah.. :lol:

ha ha..... yell out but no one do anything , then will still "kek sim" mah:D:D at least better than keeping it in.

OK, let's yell more :blahblah: :blahblah: :rant: :bleep:

eh y not suitable? socialogically bad influences? ok wat i think.. :lol:

they could build a concept town like the one melbourne has: ballarat gold mine. the town is exactly how the place looked like 50 to 100 years ago. they hire people to dress up like those in the 1950s and they actually 'work' in shop houses selling bread n daily normal stuff to the visitors. it makes feel really like u're back to the past.. no cars there but horses..

even thou we already have the entire georgetown that still holds a little smell of that 1930s but i think it'll still work cos tourist will have a better pictures and imagination in mind when they look at the real pre-war houses..

well thats just my thoughts..

not suitable coz i don't want it to look like another Genting Highlands:D

i think what you suggested was kinda cool. hope it doesn't turn out to be like Bukit Tinggi. he he......

huh??:?:? i was replying to Pablo......
i know lerr..just kinda lost of wat u guys r talking about mar..

My wish for Penang is simply this: that's its inhabitants be more conscious of preserving Penang's environment and not get carried away with development at its expense. Also, all the efforts put into beautifying the city will come to nothing if the people don't practise basic cleanliness and consideration for the environment. I grew up in Penang and have seen Penang's transformation over the years.. it's nice to see the development that has taken place, but there is also the pain of seeing some degeneration in terms of the quality of life due to congestion from inadequate infrastructure. :cheers:

not suitable coz i don't want it to look like another Genting Highlands:D

i think what you suggested was kinda cool. hope it doesn't turn out to be like Bukit Tinggi. he he......

If it is properly planned, carried out and maintained, it would be nice like Disneyland but if it is badly done you'll get Genting Highlands or Bukit Tinggi :D

We could have a Malaysian version of Main Street USA (the first place you'll go thru in any Disneyland) :okay:

My wish for Penang is simply this: that's its inhabitants be more conscious of preserving Penang's environment and not get carried away with development at its expense. Also, all the efforts put into beautifying the city will come to nothing if the people don't practise basic cleanliness and consideration for the environment. I grew up in Penang and have seen Penang's transformation over the years.. it's nice to see the development that has taken place, but there is also the pain of seeing some degeneration in terms of the quality of life due to congestion from inadequate infrastructure. :cheers:
cleaniness conciousness n living standard are not something that could be teach today n achieve by tomorrow.. it takes generations man.. may be our generation would make penang a nice place to live.. 15years later perhaps..

we definitely need excellent education system to shorten time to achieve high living standard. its good that we all know Tan Sri Goh is planning to make penang a hub of excellent education in this region. but, once again, i personally hope it won't be another talk without action issue.

in my opinion, any city to become an excellent place for living will go thru these stages.. one can't compare a developing city such as georgetown to singapore, or taiwan.. i believe decades ago singapore were also having the same problem as what penang are having now.

and we all know how expensive it is the pump money into education.. so where do u expect government get the money from? i believe government's aim is so far ahead than wat we can think of, they might destroy nature now due to massive constructions but in a long term basis they achieve high living standard faster n look at us now, we r actually talking about how to preserve nature already.. isn't it the outcome of good education system in this country?

may be it is kinda useless for us planning for wat penang should have like wat TYW mentioned. but when it is time for us to become the adults who contribute to the country, we will make these dreams come true, isn't it wonderful?

about the botanic garden, i read it from the newspaper. honestly, i don't know the actual situation of the gardens as i did not go there for a long time already. acccording to the papers, the plants in the garden is not properly taken care of because the $$ the government give them is insufficient. about the expansion, no critiques so far. hope everything is going well

I also did not go there for quite a long time already.The last time i went there was during Chinese New Year :D [almost a year liao]...Actually i also don't know how is it now..but i never read such news about the plants did not properly taken care of. Sometimes the news could be wrong..the reporter maybe exaggerate a not very bad situation. I guess we no need to spend so much money in order to take care of the plants compare to other things.

But the government had done a great job at the Youth Park [i forget the other name for it liao]...good facilties there..nice landscape..nice waterfountain..and etc. :okay:

when they beautify the roads, didn't they close down that part of the road?? if you were to close the roads 2 times for beautifying and building public transport facilities, wouldn't it take twice the time??
It is still better than no business at all a few months when they close down the road to widen it and beautify it...

err...i didn't say anything about road widening here. what i'm saying is that the roads are already narrow, nothing anyone can do about that. one of the ways is to make them pedestrian roads
Well okay sorry..maybe a bit confuse aboout yr opinion...

As i told u..if make them pedestrian roads, it will bring trouble to the shop owner when they r going to drop their goods...

In my opinion, idea..If they have money..make a double story road..it means the top of the road used it as a pedestrian road. Then, every second floor of the houses..use it as a shop lot...while the ground floor used it to keep the goods and they can drop their goods easily because road which is uder the pedestrian road is for transport..by building double story road, it save place, make that place more unique, and it is safety. BUT, this project cost too high:D

Well okay sorry..maybe a bit confuse aboout yr opinion...

As i told u..if make them pedestrian roads, it will bring trouble to the shop owner when they r going to drop their goods...

In my opinion, idea..If they have money..make a double story road..it means the top of the road used it as a pedestrian road. Then, every second floor of the houses..use it as a shop lot...while the ground floor used it to keep the goods and they can drop their goods easily because road which is uder the pedestrian road is for transport..by building double story road, it save place, make that place more unique, and it is safety. BUT, this project cost too high:D
ohh i love this idea! cost is still not the issue but the proper planning must apply and hope it wont be the same as the china town not drawing customers but white elephant......

barricades are not necessary. there just have to be a rule to stop other road users from entering. if they still insist on entering, all the better, the government will earn more money by fining them

R all the drivers r always follow the rule, and r those drivers was fined when they break the rules, only those drivers who r consider ''bad luck'' will kena...And the polices r not 24 hours in charge at that place. Therefore, the drivers still can curi-curi use that road when there is no police.

To avoid this case, and miligate the police job, so that the police can concentrate at the other places safety, building a barricades is necessary;)

don't forget there are lots of hotels in the city as well!! besides that, shopping malls are not specially for tourists to shop, but for the residents as well. maybe there's less hotels in the city but the population there is much larger.


the shopping mall in Batu Ferringghi doesn't have to be big. it is the land that will enable the shopping mall to be expanded to be big in the future, must be big. that space can be used temporarily as a car park when there is no necessity for the expansion. they can build a medium sized but classy shopping mall to serve the rapidly expanding housing area. (obviously the residents there have tons of money)

I guess i don't have to give my opinion for this...sugizm had done it;)

ohh i love this idea! cost is still not the issue but the proper planning must apply and hope it wont be the same as the china town not drawing customers but white elephant......

hahaha.. this project must be carry out in a place which have good potential in the future business... :)

I also did not go there for quite a long time already.The last time i went there was during Chinese New Year :D [almost a year liao]...Actually i also don't know how is it now..but i never read such news about the plants did not properly taken care of. Sometimes the news could be wrong..the reporter maybe exaggerate a not very bad situation. I guess we no need to spend so much money in order to take care of the plants compare to other things.

because they do not have to spend so much money on the garden, why not maintain it properly?? if those plants doesn't need that much money, then the government shouldn't give the excuse "lack of funds"

But the government had done a great job at the Youth Park [i forget the other name for it liao]...good facilties there..nice landscape..nice waterfountain..and etc. :okay:

Youth Park is now Penang Municipal Youth Park (Taman Perbandaran Pulau Pinang) but i don't know the name in Chinese :bash:

i think whay they have done in Penang Municipal Park is exceptionally good. Hope it stays that way;)

It is still better than no business at all a few months when they close down the road to widen it and beautify it...

:?:?:?:?:?

OK, they close the road once for beautifying. then they completed it. when business is starting to build up, they close down the road for building transportation facltities. their business will suffer again. this means they will loose business twice if the projects are carried out separately.

i mean like this:

Projects
^
|
|__________ Beautifying project
|_______________Transportation facilities
|_______________Total time used
|
|
|
|_________________________Beautifying project and transportation facilities built separately
|_________________________Total time used
|
|
|
|_______________________________________________________________________>Time


The first graph (two black bars) shows the time used if two projects were carried out together. Building transportation facilities may take a longer time to complete but carrying out together with the beautification project, time can be saved. this means business may be distrupted only once for a shorter time.

the 2nd graph shows two of the projects carried out separately. more time is used up

Well okay sorry..maybe a bit confuse aboout yr opinion...

As i told u..if make them pedestrian roads, it will bring trouble to the shop owner when they r going to drop their goods...

R all the drivers r always follow the rule, and r those drivers was fined when they break the rules, only those drivers who r consider ''bad luck'' will kena...And the polices r not 24 hours in charge at that place. Therefore, the drivers still can curi-curi use that road when there is no police.

To avoid this case, and miligate the police job, so that the police can concentrate at the other places safety, building a barricades is necessary;)

What can they do is something like KL's Petaling Street or Singapore's Bugis Junction. I don't know how they carry the goods to their shops but when there's a will, there's a way!!

Pictures:
KL's Petaling Street
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797chi.JPG?6895
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797DSCN4993.JPG?1783
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797DSCN4990.JPG?5211

KL's Bukit Bintang
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797DSCN4463.JPG?6769
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797DSCN4454.JPG?971
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/9797DSV.JPG?7716

Singapore's Bugis Junction
http://files.photojerk.com/sybarite/bugisjunction/bjlantern.jpg

In my opinion, idea..If they have money..make a double story road..it means the top of the road used it as a pedestrian road. Then, every second floor of the houses..use it as a shop lot...while the ground floor used it to keep the goods and they can drop their goods easily because road which is uder the pedestrian road is for transport..by building double story road, it save place, make that place more unique, and it is safety. BUT, this project cost too high:D
great idea!! however, standard flyovers or pedestrian bridges are about 5m tall so that every vehicle can pass through. a 5m tall walkway will not connect to the 2nd floor of the shop, it'll robably connect to the roof!! so they have to build staricase or make the roof of the shops accesible. this will be expensive to the government and the shop owners.

And, if they do that, the current beautification project will be a waste because it will become a road for vehicles again. this project will take an even longer time than building transportation facilities and beautifying the roads. i think with the cost of this project, it is better to chennel it to build a network of underground subways:D

Sunday November 14, 2004

Make the Pearl of the Orient shine again

On The Beat by Wong Chun Wai

Every time I return to Penang to visit my parents and friends, my heart aches. This sentiment is not mine alone as it is shared by my many colleagues and old schoolmates who now live in Kuala Lumpur.

Penang Leads – that was the tag line the state used to impress on its people and visitors. Many Penangites consider Kuala Lumpur to be a rival, very much like Melbourne and Sydney and Tokyo and Osaka.

But over the past 10 years or more, the state has drifted behind in many sectors. There are now news reports that Penang has lost its shine as the Pearl of the Orient.

It may hurt but the fact is that the state lost its competitive edge long ago. It’s not news any more but what is sad is that there appears to be a state of denial and indifference on the part of the state leadership.

The decay in Georgetown, especially the inner city, is sad. Just count the number of shops along Penang Road and Campbell Street, once bustling areas, that have been forced to close.

The degradation of beach and environmental conditions at its numerous tourist spots such as Penang Hill, Botanical Garden and Ferringhi Beach has not helped either.

I see little point in anyone, especially politicians or those in the tourism trade, pointing their fingers or being defensive because the damage has been done.

It’s better for the Penang leaders to put on their thinking caps and come out with an innovative and creative marketing approach to sell Penang as a popular destination.

Last week, it was reported that tourists were bypassing the state for more attractive destinations in the country and overseas. According to the island’s Tourism Action Council statistics, tourist arrivals, both domestic and foreign, had been on the decline in recent years.

There were 3.78 million arrivals in 2000, compared to 3.03 million last year. In contrast, tourist arrivals in the country – except last year – had been increasing.

There will always be disputes over statistics. The officials will say their numbers are right, to justify and protect their positions, while the operators will say they are on the ground and would know better. Figures, they argue, can be manipulated and there would even be double counting by officials to make themselves look good.

State Tourism Development Committee and Environment committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said the overall number of tourist arrivals increased this year, compared with last year.

But another newspaper reported earlier, quoting a travel writer, that Penang had disappeared from the radar screen of the international hospitality and tourism investment scene.

“It’s one of those insidious things that creep up on you and even before you know it, it’s happened and you don’t even know when it took root,” Yeoh Siew Hoon wrote.

She related that she was attending the recent Hotel Investment Conference Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong, the biggest annual gathering of hotel investors and developers in the region, when “it suddenly dawned upon me that Penang no longer figured in anyone’s discussions, whether in conference sessions or during coffee breaks”.

Adding to the depressive scene is the closure of the 31-year-old Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort for a RM70mil redevelopment. Regarded as the state’s premier resort, it will only re-open some time in 2006.

Teng has responded to the tour operators’ call for new tourism products by naming new attractions such as the Islamic Museum, Peranakan Museum, Penang War Museum and the Tropical Spice Garden. Come on, the state cannot be serious.

Teng surely cannot expect tourists to come in hordes to look at these museums which other states already offer, such as Malacca and Kuala Lumpur’s Islamic Arts Museum.

Surely we can be more ambitious and more imaginative. There has to be a strong political and financial commitment from our leaders to put Penang in the limelight again.

Teng is right in saying that instead of blaming the government for the drop in tourist arrivals, the tourism industry should cooperate with the state to face this challenge together.

Penangites are parochial and passionately proud of their state, like I am, and they would chide Teng, a Johorean, for not knowing Penang as much as they do since they were born and bred there but an outsider’s perspective can bring fresh ideas and impetus, too.

The state should consider setting up an advisory council of prominent Penangites from various industries, both living in Malaysia and outside, to come out with a comprehensive plan.

These Penangites, with their extensive business, social and political contacts, can form a powerful network to help revitalise Penang. These people, having no agenda except their deep sense of belonging to Penang, would serve as a good promotional tool for the state.

Whether the state leadership wishes to adopt their ideas is essentially up to the state but Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon should help pump the adrenaline of these Penangites.

The state leaders must seriously decide what kind of identity Penang wishes to project. If it still wants Penang to spell warm seas, golden beaches, lush greenery and delicious food, then the money must be spent to keep it that way.

If Penang still wants to sell its quaint old buildings, with its exotic mix of various cultures, sights and sounds, then the state should not let the heritage homes decay and crumble.

If it wants to keep the island as a natural scenic splendour, as one website tries to project Penang to tourists, then the state must be more committed to keeping Penang clean.

But there has to be new tourism products, as the tour operators have pointed out. Penang seriously needs a huge aquarium, in sync with its reputation as a sea state, that can match the likes of those in Osaka, Shanghai and Brisbane.

Penang can do with a bird park that is larger than the one in Jurong and surely it is time we have a truly reptile park of international standard, now that you can count with your two hands the number of snakes in the Snake Temple.

The Botanical Garden, for example, needs a spruce-up. There could even be a section where the many varieties of the pinang tree can be planted, which the state is named after.

If silk is identified with Thailand and cheongsam with Chinese cities, then Penang must be made the home of batik and kebaya, synonymous with its peranakan heritage image. It must be the place where tourists can come and buy these beautiful fabrics and clothes.

But most of all, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, an anak Pulau Pinang, may want to consider restoring Penang’s free port status. Penang needs all the help it can get to make the pearl shine again.


Wong Chun Wai can be reached at onthebeat@thestar.com.my

If the streets in Penang is turned into something like this, i'll rather be a beggar by the road:D:D

http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/PMT/IMG_7892.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/PMT/IMG_8308.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/MISC2/IMG_7362.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/PMT/IMG_8378.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/MISC2/IMG_8369.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/PMT/IMG_8324.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/PMT/IMG_8306.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/PMT/IMG_8718.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/PMT/IMG_8319.jpg
http://mapage.noos.fr/lesarchives/PMT/Ladefn013.jpg

4) preserve the pre war houses, bside turning them into bar, copitiam, or hotel (like hotel 1992), they can built shopping complex by using a row of heritage houses. :) or using those heritage houses as an office;)

he he...i found out that it is actually Hotel 1926:D

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Penangites: Plan projects properly

BY OPALYN MOK

Penangites want the state government to implement only properly planned development projects and spruce up the state to restore its shine.

Penang Consumers Protect-ion Association president K. Koris said the state's tourism products had gone 'down the drain' due to a lack of upkeep and cleanliness.

He suggested that a department be set up to take charge of public facilities such as toilets and consider privatising the management of some tourist spots such as Penang Hill.

Penang Ratepayers Asso- ciation president Datuk Eddy Choong said foreigners came to Penang to relax, thus emphasis should be given to cleaning up the beaches and the sea.

“It is pointless for the government to embark on various road beautification projects such as the Campbell Street mall when there is absolutely nothing special about it,” he said.

He added that tourists, especially those from cold coun-tries, preferred the natural charms that Penang used to offer such as clean beaches and not some broken down heritage buildings in inner George Town.

Businessman J. Jignyasu, 30, said the state government should conduct a survey before embarking on any beauti- fication project which did not help the tourism industry at all.

“For example, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling may be beautiful to look at now but it causes more inconvenience to visitors due to the lack of parking space and uneven road surface,” he said.

Businessman Chan Boon Chong, 28, felt that many tourists were attracted to Penang’s heritage and culture.

“The state government should plan development properly to complement existing attractions such as the Khoo Kongsi, Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill,” he said.

He added that the government should also emphasise on reducing crimes, especially snatch thefts as security was a main concern for tourists.

Senior supervisor Nasa- ruddin Md Naseh, 40, felt Penang was losing out to Langkawi.

However, he believed Pe-nang still had a lot of attractions and could be developed into a shopping haven.

“There should be more complexes to promote shopping tourism instead of just promoting the beaches here,” he said.

I would like to give some of my comments on the article

Last week, it was reported that tourists were bypassing the state for more attractive destinations in the country and overseas. According to the island’s Tourism Action Council statistics, tourist arrivals, both domestic and foreign, had been on the decline in recent years.

There were 3.78 million arrivals in 2000, compared to 3.03 million last year. In contrast, tourist arrivals in the country – except last year – had been increasing.

There will always be disputes over statistics. The officials will say their numbers are right, to justify and protect their positions, while the operators will say they are on the ground and would know better. Figures, they argue, can be manipulated and there would even be double counting by officials to make themselves look good.

State Tourism Development Committee and Environment committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said the overall number of tourist arrivals increased this year, compared with last year.

But another newspaper reported earlier, quoting a travel writer, that Penang had disappeared from the radar screen of the international hospitality and tourism investment scene.
Those who want to see the statistics - http://www.seri.com.my/penangstatistics/Q3%20-%20September%202004.PDF
(needs Adobe Reader)




Teng has responded to the tour operators’ call for new tourism products by naming new attractions such as the Islamic Museum, Peranakan Museum, Penang War Museum and the Tropical Spice Garden. Come on, the state cannot be serious.

Teng surely cannot expect tourists to come in hordes to look at these museums which other states already offer, such as Malacca and Kuala Lumpur’s Islamic Arts Museum.
I couldn't agree more!! Perhaps only the War Museum is rather different from the "normal" museums we usually visit. the others aren't so special. Besides that, there's not enough promotion on the tourism attractions in Penang. Being a Penangite, I haven't heard of The Islamic Museum and Peranakan Museum. I only heard about the Tropical Spice Garden not long ago, but still don't know the exact location of it.




The state leaders must seriously decide what kind of identity Penang wishes to project. If it still wants Penang to spell warm seas, golden beaches, lush greenery and delicious food, then the money must be spent to keep it that way.

If Penang still wants to sell its quaint old buildings, with its exotic mix of various cultures, sights and sounds, then the state should not let the heritage homes decay and crumble.

If it wants to keep the island as a natural scenic splendour, as one website tries to project Penang to tourists, then the state must be more committed to keeping Penang clean.
This is what the government should have done many years ago. They should focus on what attracts tourists and develop on them. When there's enough money, then continue to develop other sectors. However, I do not wish to see them kill the other tourist attractions when they are developing the more important ones.




But there has to be new tourism products, as the tour operators have pointed out. Penang seriously needs a huge aquarium, in sync with its reputation as a sea state, that can match the likes of those in Osaka, Shanghai and Brisbane.

Penang can do with a bird park that is larger than the one in Jurong and surely it is time we have a truly reptile park of international standard, now that you can count with your two hands the number of snakes in the Snake Temple.
This is what i mean when i say Penang needs something special. I wish that something special is built soon!!




Wong Chun Wai can be reached at onthebeat@thestar.com.my
errrmmm....shall we e-mail him to make ourselves heard by everyone??he he he........ :naughty: :naughty:

I would like to comment on this one as well
“It is pointless for the government to embark on various road beautification projects such as the Campbell Street mall when there is absolutely nothing special about it,” he said.

He added that tourists, especially those from cold coun-tries, preferred the natural charms that Penang used to offer such as clean beaches and not some broken down heritage buildings in inner George Town.

Businessman J. Jignyasu, 30, said the state government should conduct a survey before embarking on any beauti- fication project which did not help the tourism industry at all.

“For example, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling may be beautiful to look at now but it causes more inconvenience to visitors due to the lack of parking space and uneven road surface,” he said.
it's true that these beautification projects is a waste to be built right now. I disagree, however, that it is totaly useless. something special must be done first before the beautification project is being carried out. For example, renovationg those "broken down heritage buildings". it is about the matter of timing when the project is being carried out, just like what we are all debating right now;)

About Jalan Kapitan Keling, i went there yesterday. It is a pretty good job exept that i think they have chosen the wrong material for the tiles. The road is indeed bumpy. The tiles, on the other hand, looks old. is it supposed to look that way or......??? To me, the tiles just aren't the suitable material. It may look good to others, i don't know.....as the saying goes, "one man's meat is another man's poison" :D




“The state government should plan development properly to complement existing attractions such as the Khoo Kongsi, Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill,” he said.
Agreed!! Kek Lok Si, Khoo Kongsi, the beaches and the hills are Penang's speciality. Development should be planned to complement each other. For example, better road to Kek Lok Si, cable car for Penang Hill, etc.




Senior supervisor Nasa- ruddin Md Naseh, 40, felt Penang was losing out to Langkawi.

However, he believed Pe-nang still had a lot of attractions and could be developed into a shopping haven.

“There should be more complexes to promote shopping tourism instead of just promoting the beaches here,” he said.
agreed once again. if Penang continue on her current pace, she will lose out to Langkawi by tommorow!!

to promote shopping, world class shopping malls must be built. Chinatown (Campbell street, Kimberly street) Little India(King Street, Queen Street, Market Street) etc. should have better facilities. The night market in Batu ferringghi, Penang hill and every tourist attraction should have proper shopping facilities as well.

beautify penang is important but wat we need now is a good traffic system. no point mar if there are places of interest in penang but u gotto jam in the traffic to go there. governmetn is already doing this, so i hope road n highway construction could be done on time.. (not like the bayan baru fly over..)

About Jalan Kapitan Keling, i went there yesterday. It is a pretty good job exept that i think they have chosen the wrong material for the tiles. The road is indeed bumpy. The tiles, on the other hand, looks old. is it supposed to look that way or......??? To me, the tiles just aren't the suitable material. It may look good to others, i don't know.....as the saying goes, "one man's meat is another man's poison" :D
may be should include a Creative Design Department in the government body :D

to promote shopping, world class shopping malls must be built. Chinatown (Campbell street, Kimberly street) Little India(King Street, Queen Street, Market Street) etc. should have better facilities. The night market in Batu ferringghi, Penang hill and every tourist attraction should have proper shopping facilities as well.
i think better dun build malls already.. like pablo suggested, they could have done something really special like converting an area of old pre-war houses into shopping heaven. may be not double storey road, but underground connection.. i've seen such beatiful scenary in kaoshiong, taiwan, where they convert an area of double storey houses into a shopping heaven (can't remember wats the place called cos it was 6 years ago when i pay my last visit) and they demolished the wall between every adjacent houses n make every corner of the house a shopping lot. so consumer actually 'adventure' the place while doing their shopping.

i rather they build a world class office tower than a world class shopping mall.....:D

i think better dun build malls already.. like pablo suggested, they could have done something really special like converting an area of old pre-war houses into shopping heaven. may be not double storey road, but underground connection.. i've seen such beatiful scenary in kaoshiong, taiwan, where they convert an area of double storey houses into a shopping heaven (can't remember wats the place called cos it was 6 years ago when i pay my last visit) and they demolished the wall between every adjacent houses n make every corner of the house a shopping lot. so consumer actually 'adventure' the place while doing their shopping.

actually i ment there must be world class shopping malls. new ones doesn't have to be built. if the existing ones can be renovate, it will be good enough (at least for a few decades).

turning pre war houses into shopping haven is a great idea but i got no idea why the owners just leave it to rot rather than selling or renting it. hope something is done to those abandoned pre war houses.


i rather they build a world class office tower than a world class shopping mall.....:D
the world calss office tower will be totaly empty!! i heard that most of Penang's office buidings are empty, that is why no new office towers are built lately. maybe world class residential will be more realistic:D

Thursday November 18, 2004

Penang to woo tourists back through masterplan

PENANG: Improving Penang's image and identity is the first step to lure tourists back to the island. To do that, the municipal council is drafting a landscaping masterplan.

The council’s landscape and beautification committee member, Khoo Kay Hean, said the plan would uphold the island's identity as the “Pearl of the Orient” and promote its natural attractions, the Penang ferries, Penang Bridge and Komtar. The state colours would also be emphasised.

“The plan will be implemented over five years,” he said, adding that more pinang trees would be planted on the island as they were what gave the island its name.

Council president Datuk Ahmad Phesal was quoted as saying that the masterplan would be presented to the state planning committee for approval.

Khoo said the plan would be implemented in five areas – Batu Ferringhi, Jalan Mesjid Negri from the state mosque to the Jalan Udini roundabout, Jalan Tun Dr Awang from the Bayan Lepas International Airport to Penang International Sports Arena, the mangrove areas in Sungai Burung-Sungai Nipah, Balik Pulau, and Pandang Indah, also in Balik Pulau.

Khoo said these areas were chosen as “they are tourist attractions, protocol roads, entry points to the state and new recreation areas.''

Funding for the plan would come from the National Landscape Department, said Khoo.

Khoo said the council plans to showcase popular local plants such as nutmeg, bungah tanjung and asam glugor among others.

On another matter, Khoo said the council was also planning to have a heritage tree trail to feature old trees such as the angsana as an added attraction.

The trail, stretching some 5km, would pass through Jalan Residensi, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Gottlieb and Jalan Utama.

Recently, tour guides were complaining that tourists were bypassing Penang for more interesting destinations in the country and overseas.

And even tour guides are leaving for greener pastures to more vibrant tourism markets such as Kuala Lumpur and Malacca.

Improving Penang's image and identity is the first step to lure tourists back to the island. To do that, the municipal council is drafting a landscaping masterplan.
a landscaping masterplan to lure tourists?? sounds like a joke. first they have mini museums that no one have heard of and now landscaping by the roads to lure tourists?? it is necessary for landscaping, no doubt. I've said it many times and i'm going to say it again, IT IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME!!! why not use the money for proper tourism projects, like sugizm said:
beautify penang is important but wat we need now is a good traffic system. no point mar if there are places of interest in penang but u gotto jam in the traffic to go there.




Khoo said the plan would be implemented in five areas – Batu Ferringhi, Jalan Mesjid Negri from the state mosque to the Jalan Udini roundabout, Jalan Tun Dr Awang from the Bayan Lepas International Airport to Penang International Sports Arena, the mangrove areas in Sungai Burung-Sungai Nipah, Balik Pulau, and Pandang Indah, also in Balik Pulau.
Only Batu Ferringhi deserves this project. other places like Jalan Masjid Negeri and Jalan Tun Dr Awang, i wonder what benefit does it give?? maybe when tourists are bored getting stuck in a jam in those roads, they can look at the "gorgeous" landscaping outside??

about the mangrove areas,(not sure where it is and don't know what are they going to do) i hope the project will not turn out to be a white elephant

governmetn is already doing this, so i hope road n highway construction could be done on time.. (not like the bayan baru fly over..)
the bayan baru elevated highway is considered OK if compared to PORR or JE which had been talked about for decades.

FYI, phase 1 of the highway is completed. they are building phase 2 now. it is supposed to be completed sometime next year.(i expect a delay of at least a month of their dateline though)

We Must Save The Pearl!!!!!! But I feel that with so many projects... I think we can manage to save Penang... Penang just needs some new blood to boost its status again...

I think metered taxis would be a good thing. Or does that already exist?

Actually I think many mid and small sized SE Asian cities should have them :)

I think metered taxis would be a good thing. Or does that already exist?

Actually I think many mid and small sized SE Asian cities should have them :)
taxi association in penang refuse to use meter (i've left penang for almost a year, but i don't think they have already use it) because there aren't many customers like they have in KL.. so according to wat they said, meter system will decrease their income and wat happen now (b4 i left penang) is less n less people using taxis..

as the public transportation is being improved recently, i think taxis will soon to use meter if not they'll suffer more..

the last time i toke a taxi, the driver charge me for RM10 from pesta penang to bukit jambul (roughly 3km) .. u tell me lah.. who wanna take taxi?

The Penang needs an integrated public transport system in islandwide. The proposed monorail system should be integrated with current bus system, Taxi and so on (even the tricycle).

Second the public transport in Penang should should use a stadardize ticketing system, such as the commuter can avoid to Q-up for buying a ticketing, cause Queing and buying ticket take time, and may lead the commuter miss the train or monorail. We can refer to S'pore and Hong Kong. S'porean use Ez-link card (www.ezlink.com.sg (http://)) as their ticket to pay the MRT and Bus fare.

We do have Touch-N-Go to implement this E-ticketing system. This can avoid bus driver have to give the change to commiter or commuter have to prepare enough coin to pay the bus-fare

First of all....

Welcome to the forums zchong1022 !

:cheers:


The Penang needs an integrated public transport system in islandwide. The proposed monorail system should be integrated with current bus system, Taxi and so on (even the tricycle).

Second the public transport in Penang should should use a stadardize ticketing system, such as the commuter can avoid to Q-up for buying a ticketing, cause Queing and buying ticket take time, and may lead the commuter miss the train or monorail. We can refer to S'pore and Hong Kong. S'porean use Ez-link card (www.ezlink.com.sg (http://)) as their ticket to pay the MRT and Bus fare.

We do have Touch-N-Go to implement this E-ticketing system. This can avoid bus driver have to give the change to commiter or commuter have to prepare enough coin to pay the bus-fare


Good suggestion! :okay:

ANyway in Malaysia, it would be Touch 'N Go. BTW TnG starts earlier than HK's Octopus card and much earlier than Sg's EZLink. ;)

Well........TnG failed because of the lack of transport governance by the govt and that it is a private company without or little govt backing. :(

Since our govt regulate that all tolls should use TnG and all new MyKad has it.....well........we should see TnG as having a brighter future and a larger expansion ;)

wellcome zchong1022~!!:)

in fact according to penang government's public transportation planning, the monorail will be integrated with public buses.

Penang was under Strait Settlement before, it was once vivid like other British Colonial (Eg H.K. & S'pore) it was once a free-entreport in Malaysia. Anyhow it's glarous is still remain but not as before.

But tourist arrivals, both domestic and foreign, had been on the decline in recent years. Not only the Penang goverment should pay this attention, yet Penangites should too.


First, (for backpacker) the efficiency of public transport has to be paid attention. We do have an international airport, we have direct flight from/to Heathrow Airport(London), we have direct flight to Seoul and much more.
But unfortunately, when the foreign tourist arrive in Georgetown, they might face problem in transport to reach in Penang, tourism hotspot. Bus? Come on, even the Penangites are unwilling to take bus, what about those foreigner?
Taxi? I think once they have taken, they will say our taxi fare is really 'reasonable' (ironic). Yet another, a Website of Public Transport system in Penang should be available, to offer than for planning their itinerary.

2nd, look at our tourist hotspot, just take one example, Kek Lok Si, pls go to the Kek Lok Si's public toilet. Cleanliness is a very big quetion in islandwide.
My girlfriend, sister of my gf (and his bf too) did pay a visit to Penang in August this year (2004). I was their tourist guide, but unfortunately, other than our Penang food, i think they have no reason to pay the 2nd visit to Penang.
(So embarresed as a Penangite)

3rd, English is the international language and is widely spoken around the world, but unfortunately, English is not our official language but is second language, but take a clearly look. Foreginer bargain and deal, buying thing take English to communication.
Although it is not a primary factor, but it is one of the factors. Pls don't only put "Sentuhkan kad disini", and should have more languages such as Eng (touch your card here) , Chinese, Arabic and so on

4th, where are the tourist police constables? Have u ever seen tourist police constables in the toursit hotspot? Safetiness is important, but our country crime rate......


(Notice:)I think there should be more factors than the above, and I have to stress that the above are only my opinions, and I don't mean to offence any party. They are just my suggestions.
As a Penangite, for the sake of Penang!

Penang was under Strait Settlement before, it was once vivid like other British Colonial (Eg H.K. & S'pore) it was once a free-entreport in Malaysia. Anyhow it's glarous is still remain but not as before.

But tourist arrivals, both domestic and foreign, had been on the decline in recent years. Not only the Penang goverment should pay this attention, yet Penangites should too.


First, (for backpacker) the efficiency of public transport has to be paid attention. We do have an international airport, we have direct flight from/to Heathrow Airport(London), we have direct flight to Seoul and much more.
But unfortunately, when the foreign tourist arrive in Georgetown, they might face problem in transport to reach in Penang, tourism hotspot. Bus? Come on, even the Penangites are unwilling to take bus, what about those foreigner?
Taxi? I think once they have taken, they will say our taxi fare is really 'reasonable' (ironic). Yet another, a Website of Public Transport system in Penang should be available, to offer than for planning their itinerary.

2nd, look at our tourist hotspot, just take one example, Kek Lok Si, pls go to check out the Kek Lok Si's public toilet. Cleanliness is a very big quetion in islandwide.My girlfriend, sister of my gf (and his bf too) did pay a visit to Penang in August this year (2004). I was their tourist guide, but unfortunately, other than our Penang food, i think they have no reason to pay another visit to Penang.

3rd, English is the international language and is widely spoken around the world, but unfortunately, English is not our official language but is second language, but take a clearly look. Foreginer bargain and deal, buying thing take English to communication.
Although it is not a primary factor, but it is one of the factors. Pls don't only put "Sentuhkan kad disini", and should have more languages such as Eng (touch your card here) , Chinese, Arabic and so on
4th, where are the tourist police constables? Have u ever seen tourist police constables in the toursit hotspot? Safetiness is important, but our country crime rate......


(Notice:)I think there should be more factors than the above, and I have to stress that the above are only my opinions, and I don't mean to offence any party. They are just my suggestions.
As a Penangite, for the sake of Penang!

Selamat Datang ke Forum Pencakar Langit Malaysia zchong1022 !!!

Penang was under Strait Settlement before, it was once vivid like other British Colonial (Eg H.K. & S'pore) it was once a free-entreport in Malaysia. Anyhow it's glarous is still remain but not as before.

But tourist arrivals, both domestic and foreign, had been on the decline in recent years. Not only the Penang goverment should pay this attention, yet Penangites should too.


First, (for backpacker) the efficiency of public transport has to be paid attention. We do have an international airport, we have direct flight from/to Heathrow Airport(London), we have direct flight to Seoul and much more.
But unfortunately, when the foreign tourist arrive in Georgetown, they might face problem in transport to reach in Penang, tourism hotspot. Bus? Come on, even the Penangites are unwilling to take bus, what about those foreigner?
Taxi? I think once they have taken, they will say our taxi fare is really 'reasonable' (ironic). Yet another, a Website of Public Transport system in Penang should be available, to offer than for planning their itinerary.

2nd, look at our tourist hotspot, just take one example, Kek Lok Si, pls go to check out the Kek Lok Si's public toilet. Cleanliness is a very big quetion in islandwide.My girlfriend, sister of my gf (and his bf too) did pay a visit to Penang in August this year (2004). I was their tourist guide, but unfortunately, other than our Penang food, i think they have no reason to pay another visit to Penang.

3rd, English is the international language and is widely spoken around the world, but unfortunately, English is not our official language but is second language, but take a clearly look. Foreginer bargain and deal, buying thing take English to communication.
Although it is not a primary factor, but it is one of the factors. Pls don't only put "Sentuhkan kad disini", and should have more languages such as Eng (touch your card here) , Chinese, Arabic and so on
4th, where are the tourist police constables? Have u ever seen tourist police constables in the toursit hotspot? Safetiness is important, but our country crime rate......


(Notice:)I think there should be more factors than the above, and I have to stress that the above are only my opinions, and I don't mean to offence any party. They are just my suggestions.
As a Penangite, for the sake of Penang!
i totally understand how u feel zchong1022, as well as the other penang forumers here.

cleaniness in the island, as well as province wellesley is improving slowly, perhaps too slow.... but we can't deny the fact that our local government did improve the sewage system on the island, reduced garbage in georgetown area, gurney drive etc. but also we must take a look at penangites attitude that selfishly dump garbage into the drain, some into the sea. as we had discussed earlier in this thread, there may be two reasons for this: 1. the education generally. 2. we have not enough public garbage bins in penang that make our 'lazy' penangites convieniently throw their garbage.

public transportation in penang... we'll have to wait till the launch of mrt n how it intergrates with public buses. (i hope TnG service would be introduce to both mrt n public buses by then...) and also, the standard of these public buses must be upgrade or else... (u n i know it, it stinks like rotten squid...!!!)

our tourist hotspots are not well maintained, like wat u've mentioned bout the public toilets. snake temple is not as 'hotspot' as last time since there are only few snake left due to lack of funding.. penang hill is not improving well all this while except the recent replacement of the cable car.. komtar, the tallest building in penang has been like dat since 1990.. or may be earlier.. nothing changes.. now they tried to change the 'little india' but i hope it won't end up like 'china town'....

many more issues to critique but i hope penangites would also improve in attitude wise.. instead of blaming everything of government, y not help the government to make penang a better place to live?

i guess penangites or the rest of malaysians need to be exposed a good value in appreciating good and efficient environment. there is no use if these values were taught in schools but people doesnt see the examples. people should be curious and take example from other places that are able to make the place a more livable and efficient.

let it out here:

http://www.thestar.com.my/standupforpenang

I found an article about Penang on the net...

The Straits Times (Singapore): 16th. December 2004
Blight of the orient

Newspapers run campaign to clean up Penang
By Reme Ahmad
Malaysia Bureau Chief

KUALA LUMPUR - ONCE dubbed the Pearl of the Orient, Penang seems to have lost some of its lustre.

Instead, there seems to be loads of rubbish everywhere, clogged drains, rundown malls, dirty food stalls and horrible traffic jams, going by reports of the state of the island in recent days.

Three newspapers have begun unprecedented and separate campaigns to help clean up the holiday isle, just as the state government has taken up catchy television ads in the past few weeks to woo local tourists back to Penang.

One can expect to see lots of pictures showing the dirt and grime of Penang in the next few weeks in the New Straits Times (NST), its sister publication Berita Harian, and in The Star daily.

The media focus comes at a time when Penang is also thought to have lost some shine in attracting electronics investments as foreign investors make a beeline for China, or even to the nearby town of Kulim.

Europe's second largest maker of semi-conductors, Infineon Technologies, last week announced plans to build a US$1 billion (S$1.65 billion) plant in Kulim, a Perak town near the Penang border, which offers lower land and labour costs.

NST launched its Save Penang From Decay campaign on Tuesday, along with Berita's Sayangi Pulau Pinang (Love Penang island). The NST campaign will run until the end of the year.

The Star, NST's rival, yesterday followed with its Stand Up For Penang campaign.

It came after columns written by senior journalists at The Star - the biggest selling English newspaper - and in the NST lamenting that the island's beauty had given way to rubbish and rats over the years.

NST's editor-in-chief Kalimullah Hassan wrote that former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad had already noted the problem a few years ago.

Tun Dr Mahathir said then that with Malaysian states adopting names such as Kedah Darul Aman (Kedah Abode of Peace) or Selangor Darul Ehsan (Selangor Abode of Benevolence), Penang might want to rename itself Pulau Pinang Darul Sampah (Penang Abode of Rubbish).

Yesterday, NST published an interview with Deputy Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin, who welcomed the paper's campaign, but warned that it would come to nought if politicians did not have the political will to tackle the island's problems.

He said: 'Penang has lost its main tourist attraction, good food, because now you can get nasi kandar anywhere in the peninsula.

'So, what is left? Its idyllic island charm? Penang has lost that too. It is shamefully dirty and the traffic is horrific. No campaign can improve the situation if there is no political will and courage to change it,' he said.

The newspaper campaigns have struck a chord with many readers.

'Some of the hawker centres are unhygienic as you can see uncollected rubbish nearby,' a 40-year-old housewife told The Straits Times yesterday.

'A heavy rain would cause traffic jams as the drains are blocked.'

To some residents, the rot set in when politicians began to get appointed to the Penang city council years ago, a move which brought political considerations into decision-making.

One letter writer in the mass-selling Berita Harian called yesterday for 'tough action against those who throw rubbish' and urged the authorities to 'make Singapore a role model in how to keep clean'.

A former official with a state agency said that while Penangites must blame themselves for throwing rubbish everywhere, the government must carry out more trash collection, rather than spending money on showy projects such as building a new stadium.

Under the uncomfortable glare of the media, Penang Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon has pledged action.

He told NST: 'We are going to be firm when dealing with rubbish at source.'

http://img150.exs.cx/img150/6052/Pen1.jpg
A FAMILIAR SIGHT: Scenes like this have been common throughout Penang for some time. Former premier Mahathir noted a few years ago that the island should call itself ''Penang Abode of Rubbish''. -- PHOTO: NEW STRAITS TIMES

http://img150.exs.cx/img150/5761/pen22vw.jpg
WHOSE FAULT IS IT?: Rubbish strewn by the roadside at Prangin market. While residents are to be blamed for littering, the authorities are responsible too, as they do not carry out enough trash collection. -- THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

What a shame....!!!

because they do not have to spend so much money on the garden, why not maintain it properly?? if those plants doesn't need that much money, then the government shouldn't give the excuse "lack of funds"

Did the government give the excuse ''lack of funds'' about beautifying the Botanical garden???..Lets not talk bout it, you and me didn't go there 4 quite a long time already...We r not clear about its situation right now..

:?:?:?:?:?

OK, they close the road once for beautifying. then they completed it. when business is starting to build up, they close down the road for building transportation facltities. their business will suffer again. this means they will loose business twice if the projects are carried out separately.

i mean like this:

Projects
^
|
|__________ Beautifying project
|_______________Transportation facilities
|_______________Total time used
|
|
|
|_________________________Beautifying project and transportation facilities built separately
|_________________________Total time used
|
|
|
|_______________________________________________________________________>Time


The first graph (two black bars) shows the time used if two projects were carried out together. Building transportation facilities may take a longer time to complete but carrying out together with the beautification project, time can be saved. this means business may be distrupted only once for a shorter time.

the 2nd graph shows two of the projects carried out separately. more time is used up
:lol:...somemore need a graph...

ahem....wat i means is i'm not too understand about building transportation facltities at the street whcih u mentioned????

What can they do is something like KL's Petaling Street or Singapore's Bugis Junction. I don't know how they carry the goods to their shops but when there's a will, there's a way!!

KL's petaling street don't have the barricades, that is why they can carry the goods to their shop...About the Bugis Junction..i'm not sure, i have never been there b4...But, from what i saw in the picture which u post, those shops only need a trolly or something to drop their goods..they only sell cloth..but, it is totally different in Penang, like Campbell Street..they sell things in wholesale. Example, they sell cloth in wholesale, Eng Hua's realative is one of them..his shop is at there...So, they need car or even lorry in order to drop their goods...

And, if they do that, the current beautification project will be a waste because it will become a road for vehicles again. this project will take an even longer time than building transportation facilities and beautifying the roads. i think with the cost of this project, it is better to chennel it to build a network of underground subways

I didn't mentioned we should do this project at the same road where had been beautify b4...futhermore, it is nothing wrong if we do it at same road..we have to upgrade it everytime, anytime..

turning pre war houses into shopping haven is a great idea but i got no idea why the owners just leave it to rot rather than selling or renting it. hope something is done to those abandoned pre war houses.

They didn't succesfully rent it because the rent charge is too high. Actually i didn't saw any ''empty'' pre war houses, which still nice but yet no ppl stay in it. I just saw abandoned pre war houses which is totally spoil...strange huh???hehehe

a landscaping masterplan to lure tourists?? sounds like a joke. first they have mini museums that no one have heard of and now landscaping by the roads to lure tourists?? it is necessary for landscaping, no doubt. I've said it many times and i'm going to say it again, IT IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME!!! why not use the money for proper tourism projects, like sugizm said:

Maybe it is because the amount of money is not enough to improve the transportation[LMT] or a new tourist attraction...while beautify the road, it dosen't cost much, and it could be done faster...

Guys..Do u think that torist hotspot which is own by private is more successfull and well mantain than the government 1...take an example, kek lok si, Butterfly farm they were well maintain, while Komtar, Penang Hill..look at it...yuke...:?

Actually Penang or other cities in Malaysia needs to have a proper planning of their city. The problem in Malaysia is they don't have a proper masterplan.So when such thing happen we sorts of problem rose such as stupid traffic jams, floods, lack of parking space, cannot make expansion for roads and so on. In order to solve such problem from coming and coming is to learn the aspects of masterplanning a proper city/town. One other problem is especially i see in Malaysia are the authority( that includes majlis bandaran especially) and the developer aren't doing things properly. The developer only think of making money
and the authority just give approval to projects and not using the power they have in order to build/plan a good city. We see there are good autority/developer such the area in Shah Alam and USJ mainly and the States of Johor( since the are following the Singaporean Standard) There're also have bad ones like the area under MPAJ worse in the country! I think personally we can build a good city if we try to be calm and try to look things not in a hurried way and see especially the negetive aspects if such projecs is approved. There's no need for big highways, LRTs ,Monorail if we can plan&build a good city, since good/thorough planning will eleminate or minimise such problems we face now . Learn from other countries is good example. For me the singaporean model is good one (since the planner in sg know they have scarce land so proper planning is must if no disaster )or the australian.

Did the government give the excuse ''lack of funds'' about beautifying the Botanical garden???..Lets not talk bout it, you and me didn't go there 4 quite a long time already...We r not clear about its situation right now..

according to the article, the government did use the excuse "lack of funds"

just a few days ago, there was an article about the Botanical Gardens again, saying there aren't new attractions there. Maybe we should pay a visit someday??

:lol:...somemore need a graph...

ahem....wat i means is i'm not too understand about building transportation facltities at the street whcih u mentioned????

now i don't understand anything......:?:?

Recently, I read a lot of articles saying that "SAVE PENANG", "RETURN THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT"... well... now, people are starting to realise the situation in Penang... this is a good news.

But, has Penang been forgotten? This is the question that keep floating in my mind.

If so, what can we do to save her?

I read the news from KwongWah.com, KapalSingh (wrong spelling) was saying that in order to save Penang, the free port has to be returned. What do you guys think about this possiblity of getting back the Free-port status in Penang?

Not only we should put our blame to the local Government, the citizens have to play apart in this issue.

I have always agreed that our State Government should do more than what they are doing right now. While Penang is standing still, out states have actually improved themselves to the status that is comparable to Penang.

What I really hope to see is, our State Government really takes this problem seriously. Although for the recent years, we can see a lot of development programs have been suggested. But, which of these planned programs have actually been taken place? Time to wake up.

I am staying in Singapore but I have always had my eyes on the latest news from Penang. I hope the next time I read the newspaper, I can hear some good news from Penang and not 'SAVE PENANG' kinda news.

KL's petaling street don't have the barricades, that is why they can carry the goods to their shop...About the Bugis Junction..i'm not sure, i have never been there b4...
yeah, no need for berricades, but you said it was necessary here:?:? :

To avoid this case, and miligate the police job, so that the police can concentrate at the other places safety, building a barricades is necessary;)




But, from what i saw in the picture which u post, those shops only need a trolly or something to drop their goods..they only sell cloth..but, it is totally different in Penang, like Campbell Street..they sell things in wholesale. Example, they sell cloth in wholesale, Eng Hua's realative is one of them..his shop is at there...So, they need car or even lorry in order to drop their goods...
you can't judge the whole place by just looking at a few pictures, i'm sure they don't only sell cloth there. i've suggested this earlier in the thread:
exeptions for those shop owners of course. this wouldn't cause a big problem because only those vehicles loading goods are allowed, not every car people are using.

I didn't mentioned we should do this project at the same road where had been beautify b4...
Build in other roads?? that's more acceptable. sorry for my confusion :)


futhermore, it is nothing wrong if we do it at same road..we have to upgrade it everytime, anytime..
the government always complain about "lack of funds" and you want them to waste money to upgrade the roads over and over again?? i think it is not practical even if the government have lots of money

They didn't succesfully rent it because the rent charge is too high. Actually i didn't saw any ''empty'' pre war houses, which still nice but yet no ppl stay in it. I just saw abandoned pre war houses which is totally spoil...strange huh???hehehe

sorry, i don't quite understand. "Actually i didn't saw any ''empty'' pre war houses, which still nice but yet no ppl stay in it.", "I just saw abandoned pre war houses which is totally spoil" these two sentences contradicts each other:?:? :bash: :bash:

to change the pre war houses to a shopping area needs these people to sell their house to the developers. if they choose to abandon their houses, no one can do anything about that.

Maybe it is because the amount of money is not enough to improve the transportation[LMT] or a new tourist attraction...while beautify the road, it dosen't cost much, and it could be done faster...

so, if the government spend the money they have, how are they gonna find more money to build the LMT or PORR???

i have a question, i 've read that Penang is the 2nd richest state in Malaysia, even richer than Selagor. Why the government keep saying "lack of funds"??? Or this richeness mean other things?? someone please enlighten me on this....

Guys..Do u think that torist hotspot which is own by private is more successfull and well mantain than the government 1...take an example, kek lok si, Butterfly farm they were well maintain, while Komtar, Penang Hill..look at it...yuke...:?

not too sure about this. the examples you gave seems true for Penang but it is totaly different for Zoo Negara wich is fast dying now.:?

Actually Penang or other cities in Malaysia needs to have a proper planning of their city. The problem in Malaysia is they don't have a proper masterplan.So when such thing happen we sorts of problem rose such as stupid traffic jams, floods, lack of parking space, cannot make expansion for roads and so on.
the problem with George Town is that the roads are already built so narrow since centuries ago. road widening can't be done as it will damage the pre war houses. just hope the newer townships like Batu Kawan, Bayan Mutiara etc. are better planned.;)




There's no need for big highways, LRTs ,Monorail if we can plan&build a good city, since good/thorough planning will eleminate or minimise such problems we face now .
Highways, LRT and Monorail is still necessary. Actually every planned city should have them. some people prefers to drive, they need highways, some prefers not to drive, they need public transport like LRT or monorail. however, a perfectly planned city should be able to cater for the future. this is one more thing that Penang is extremely weak in. every project seems to have a lifespan of a decade. examples are like the PORR and monorail.




Learn from other countries is good example. For me the singaporean model is good one (since the planner in sg know they have scarce land so proper planning is must if no disaster )or the australian.
i strongly agree with that!!:okay: Singapore has done great so far. Penang should learn from Singapore to keep it clean and well organised;)

Recently, I read a lot of articles saying that "SAVE PENANG", "RETURN THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT"... well... now, people are starting to realise the situation in Penang... this is a good news.
many of the newspapers are having campaigns now to hear from Penangites about their view on how to save Penang. i was thinking about writing to them. posting this thread will be good enough i think:D well, maybe later....




I read the news from KwongWah.com, KapalSingh (wrong spelling) was saying that in order to save Penang, the free port has to be returned. What do you guys think about this possiblity of getting back the Free-port status in Penang?
i think it would be a good idea to bring tourist back to Penang but i don't think the government will do that




Not only we should put our blame to the local Government, the citizens have to play apart in this issue.
agreed!! problems such as the "penang darul sampah" problem should be blamed on Penangites themselves. the government can clean up Penang a million times but if Penangites still keep throwing rubbish like it's no ones business, this problem is here to stay.




I have always agreed that our State Government should do more than what they are doing right now. While Penang is standing still, out states have actually improved themselves to the status that is comparable to Penang.

What I really hope to see is, our State Government really takes this problem seriously. Although for the recent years, we can see a lot of development programs have been suggested. But, which of these planned programs have actually been taken place? Time to wake up.
this is the worst problem of the government. all talk and no work, i wonder why is it like that. "lack of funds" again i think, what a "good" excuse. maybe next time i can use this excuse as well when i can't finnish something.




I am staying in Singapore but I have always had my eyes on the latest news from Penang. I hope the next time I read the newspaper, I can hear some good news from Penang and not 'SAVE PENANG' kinda news.
nice to hear you are always concerned about Penang;) i've been waiting for good news myself for years and years. till now, still all talk and no action.:(

not too sure about this. the examples you gave seems true for Penang but it is totaly different for Zoo Negara wich is fast dying now.:?


Zoo Negara isn't really private. It is privately managed (by the Zoological Society) but not wholly privately funded ;)

Actually Penang or other cities in Malaysia needs to have a proper planning of their city. The problem in Malaysia is they don't have a proper masterplan.So when such thing happen we sorts of problem rose such as stupid traffic jams, floods, lack of parking space, cannot make expansion for roads and so on. In order to solve such problem from coming and coming is to learn the aspects of masterplanning a proper city/town.

Penang and other cities in Malaysia (like KL) existed wayyyy before the introduction of automobiles and sadly to say, our streets are narrower than most of the European boulevards simply because cities like George Town are designed to be just a small colonial outpost not grand cities like Paris or London.

Malaysian cities do have proper masterplan. Take KL for example, it just recently had a 2020 Structure Plan which indicates the paths of development in all of the cities' aspects be it socially or infrastructure. Before that the city had a 20 years masterplan which is devised in the early 80s.

The construction of the Middle Ring Road II is actually a far-sighted planning that existed in the 60s. That is why its construction is fast and have not much problem in getting hold of the land as all the land had earlier been allocated and no permanent structure been built on its path.

No matter how far-sighted our planners are, we can't alter our spagetti-like roads due to the fact that the British didn't plan much in the first place. So we can't realligned or straightened Jalan Ampang as the properties on either side of the road are eithe too expensive or belonging to a foreign country. That is the dilemma KL is facing. As for Penang.....well.....it had its fair share of colonial gems which any road expansion or realignment might destroy em. Unlike KL which only the old city centre had grid-like roads, Penang had more as it is a much more well-developed city then compared with KL. Furthermore KL is an accidental capital which only in the mid 19th century began to flourished ;)

As for traffic jams ......well.....I do know that our city had lotsa bottleneck roads but as wider suburb roads converged into the smallish city centre roads, there are bound to be massive traffic jams. One also had to realised the uniqueness of Malaysian cities that the city centre is very much alive even during holidays and nighttime. So every Saturday when half of the population isn't working goes shopping and the other half whom is on half day would wanna go for lunch or home would normally converge in the city centre and jammed the entire city. The situation is far worsened during public holidays. The fact that most Malaysians parking on road shoulders and road median too creates uneccessary bottlenecks thus resulting in jams. Not forgetting the 'kei poh' people whom slows down to see a minor accident and this happens even in the unaffected side of the road. So before we blamed our government for not being far-sighted, we should actually blamed our selfish and non-civic-minded attitude first.

Floods....hmmmm.......well......Klang Valley for example is a geographically proned flooding plains so it is only natural that it floods here. Other causes of flood would be the gayly thrown rubbish that clogged up the drains thus resulting in massive flooding. We sometimes can't blame the govt for not cleaning the drains as they often do so but the rate of rubbish going in is tremendous. Anyone notice that most Malaysians throw plastic bags into the back longkang of their house without thinking much where it would end up?

As for parking....well.....tell me......I wonder why some lazy bums decide to turn a 2 lanes road into a single lane one by parking on both sides while there is a comfortable underground parking just nearby? This happens at Ikano Power Centre and IKEA .....and there are ample parking spaces available but people still chooses to park by the road side. Furthermore the parking is so cheap......so again we can't blame the govt or the mall owners for not having enuf parking. Then there is also some idiots whom park their car on two lots and those whom goes into a parking area and simply park and blocked the entire carpark traffic circulation. I was once trapped (with another dozen of people) in a section of Midvalley's carpark because some clever people park at BOTH the entrance and the exit of that entire section!!! :ohno: The carpark management people had to cal for the car owners to remove their cars! Luckily someone forgot to lock his car and someone came out just after we're about to pry open his window :D

yeah, no need for berricades, but you said it was necessary here :

I post a few months ago. I said it is neccessary..untill now...
Oh that is out of mind...u know..when they said the road is only for pedestrian, they will built something to close up the road...Then how r they going to drop their goods...

if they don't wanna built those things, drivers still can curi-curi use that road.

you can't judge the whole place by just looking at a few pictures, i'm sure they don't only sell cloth there. i've suggested this earlier in the thread:
Cloths..i'm just giving an example.. Of course they sell others..but still no need Lorry or car to drop their goods.

exeptions for those shop owners of course. this wouldn't cause a big problem because only those vehicles loading goods are allowed, not every car people are using.
I replied..

Oh that is out of mind...u know..when they said the road is only for pedestrian, they will built something to close up the road...Then how r they going to drop their goods...

if they don't wanna built those things, drivers still can curi-curi use that road

the government always complain about "lack of funds" and you want them to waste money to upgrade the roads over and over again?? i think it is not practical even if the government have lots of money
Y not...Example..KL Petaling street..they had upgraded it a few times already...I'm sure other roads in other countriese also upgraded their road again and again

sorry, i don't quite understand. "Actually i didn't saw any ''empty'' pre war houses, which still nice but yet no ppl stay in it.", "I just saw abandoned pre war houses which is totally spoil" these two sentences contradicts each other

ok..ok..i means.saya tak pernah tengok pre-war houses yang cantik dan tidak rosak di Georgetown tetapi tidak orang tinggal di dalam, it means all the pre-war houses which is well maintain must have someone stay inside...

saya hanya pernah tengok pre-war houses yang sudah teruk rosak, almost collaps...itulah..tidak ada orang tinggal..

Understand???if not, explain to u in Chinese:D

now i don't understand anything......:?:?

ok forget it..i'm just asking u what do u means by building the transportation facltities at the street??maybe give some examples...;)

so, if the government spend the money they have, how are they gonna find more money to build the LMT or PORR???

i tell u...the govermnent money cannot simply spend in any situation, ocation. Money of education can only spend in the education Department. Money to upgrade the road system like beautifying the road or widen the road can only spend for some departments. While money for building the PORR and LMT have to claim from other departments, and of course the central goverment must help them. Every years, every departments have to spend their money untill 10%[not sure the amount is correct or not] left. this is an order from the central government. Therefore money to beautify the road have to use in the right place. We can't ask the governemnt used that money in other places...

i have a question, i 've read that Penang is the 2nd richest state in Malaysia, even richer than Selagor. Why the government keep saying "lack of funds"??? Or this richeness mean other things?? someone please enlighten me on this....

The Dr. Koh had explained this the day after the report was out..but i'm not sure, what is he talking bout, don't understand..:Dpaiseh...

many of the newspapers are having campaigns now to hear from Penangites about their view on how to save Penang. i was thinking about writing to them. posting this thread will be good enough i think:D well, maybe later....





i think it would be a good idea to bring tourist back to Penang but i don't think the government will do that





agreed!! problems such as the "penang darul sampah" problem should be blamed on Penangites themselves. the government can clean up Penang a million times but if Penangites still keep throwing rubbish like it's no ones business, this problem is here to stay.





this is the worst problem of the government. all talk and no work, i wonder why is it like that. "lack of funds" again i think, what a "good" excuse. maybe next time i can use this excuse as well when i can't finnish something.





nice to hear you are always concerned about Penang;) i've been waiting for good news myself for years and years. till now, still all talk and no action.:(

VERY GOOD IDEA....

I think they should know what we think... sometimes critics really can improve..... perhaps they should come and browse this webpage for more information...

Zoo Negara isn't really private. It is privately managed (by the Zoological Society) but not wholly privately funded ;)

oh ic...thanks;)



i found out that the penang bird park wich is private is dieing. it was in the star yesterday.

I post a few months ago. I said it is neccessary..untill now...

:?:? meaning u think it was necasary but now you think it is unnecesary???

Cloths..i'm just giving an example.. Of course they sell others..but still no need Lorry or car to drop their goods.

exeptions for those shop owners of course. this wouldn't cause a big problem because only those vehicles loading goods are allowed, not every car people are using.

I replied..

Oh that is out of mind...u know..when they said the road is only for pedestrian, they will built something to close up the road...Then how r they going to drop their goods...

if they don't wanna built those things, drivers still can curi-curi use that road


so that just brings us back to the same discussion doesn't it??

i said
barricades are not necessary. there just have to be a rule to stop other road users from entering. if they still insist on entering, all the better, the government will earn more money by fining them

u replied
R all the drivers r always follow the rule, and r those drivers was fined when they break the rules, only those drivers who r consider ''bad luck'' will kena...And the polices r not 24 hours in charge at that place. Therefore, the drivers still can curi-curi use that road when there is no police.

To avoid this case, and miligate the police job, so that the police can concentrate at the other places safety, building a barricades is necessary;)

i said
What can they do is something like KL's Petaling Street or Singapore's Bugis Junction. I don't know how they carry the goods to their shops but when there's a will, there's a way!!

aren't we going round in circles??:D:D

ok..ok..i means.saya tak pernah tengok pre-war houses yang cantik dan tidak rosak di Georgetown tetapi tidak orang tinggal di dalam, it means all the pre-war houses which is well maintain must have someone stay inside...

saya hanya pernah tengok pre-war houses yang sudah teruk rosak, almost collaps...itulah..tidak ada orang tinggal..

Understand???if not, explain to u in Chinese:D

oh, ok i got it:okay: just now really confused:D

ok forget it..i'm just asking u what do u means by building the transportation facltities at the street??maybe give some examples...;)

transport facilities means modes of transports (vehicles) that are able to bring someone from thier current location to their destination location.

examples are like busses, taxi, monorail etc.

:D:D:D:D

Y not...Example..KL Petaling street..they had upgraded it a few times already...I'm sure other roads in other countriese also upgraded their road again and again

the government always use the excuse "lack of funds" and you want them to spend more money to upgreade the roads again and again?? better upgrade other roads that are really broken with that money

i tell u...the govermnent money cannot simply spend in any situation, ocation. Money of education can only spend in the education Department. Money to upgrade the road system like beautifying the road or widen the road can only spend for some departments. While money for building the PORR and LMT have to claim from other departments, and of course the central goverment must help them. Every years, every departments have to spend their money untill 10%[not sure the amount is correct or not] left. this is an order from the central government. Therefore money to beautify the road have to use in the right place. We can't ask the governemnt used that money in other places...

sorry, i thought the federal government allocate money to the state and it is up to them to do what ever they want. this is something new for me. thanks for the info;)

anyway, aren't all this (building roads, landscaping, infrastructure) under development sector?? or are they different?? under JKR right??

The Dr. Koh had explained this the day after the report was out..but i'm not sure, what is he talking bout, don't understand..:Dpaiseh...

i did read that also. i don't understand more than you ha ha..... and it's not in the english papers. hopefully i'm not cock eyed once again....

VERY GOOD IDEA....

I think they should know what we think... sometimes critics really can improve..... perhaps they should come and browse this webpage for more information...

you should voice your views too!! you are now in Singapore, surely you have something different to say as a Penangite in foreign countries:D

Guys..Do u think that torist hotspot which is own by private is more successfull and well mantain than the government 1...take an example, kek lok si, Butterfly farm they were well maintain, while Komtar, Penang Hill..look at it...yuke...:?

here's an article from the star

Park staying put despite losses

By ZARINAH DAUD
Penang Bird Park (PBP) in Seberang Jaya, Butterworth, is running at a loss, but the management is staying put because Seberang Prai does not have any tourism product to offer visitors.

PBP director Dr Gino Ooi said the park would remain in Seberang Jaya because the birds had acclimatised themselves to the surrounding and were already breeding.

“Although I regretted opening the park here, I am staying put because the company has invested about RM8mil since we started in 1988.

“We still pay entertainment tax to the government despite the losses and that we do not get any allocation from the state government because the park is managed by a private entity.

“Now, the management has to dig deep into its pocket because not many visitors come here due to lack of publicity.

“About 80% of our visitors are Arabs while the rest are locals and a few Europeans,” he said.

Dr Ooi, a chemist by training, said the park spent about RM40,000 a month on maintenance and salary. It received an average of 200 visitors on weekends and 50 on weekdays.

The park charges RM10 each for adults, RM5 for children and RM2 for students. According to Dr Ooi, it is still cheap compared to other parks in the country.

He said visitors could enjoy a tour around the 5ha park, which is located in Jalan Todak, to see 3,000 birds from 300 species as well as some animals like tortoise, iguana, monitor lizard and mousedeer.

The park, which has recently succeeded in the captive breeding of the Rhinoceros Hornbill and Southern Pied Hornbill, will be exhibiting the chicks early next year.

Dr Ooi said business was badly affected since the Sept 11 attack on the World Trade Centre in the United States as well as the recent avian flu scare.

Recalling how he started the park, Dr Ooi said he had in 1986 approached the then Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu asking for a piece of land on the island to be turned into a bird park.

He said Dr Lim had advised him to go to Seberang Jaya because the state government was proposing to develop the place into a satellite township.

“Dr Lim also told me that the state government had then proposed to establish a zoo in Bertam and an aquarium in Batu Kawan.

“I agreed because Dr Lim said the park would be a zoological one in an urban area and that it would be a fine example to other states.

“However, everything was forgotten after Dr Lim lost in the general election in 1990,” he added.

Dr Ooi said the present administration under Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon could promote Seberang Prai because “the mainland has vast tourism potentials.”

He appealed to Dr Koh to build a 400m access road to link Jalan Todak in Seberang Jaya to Kimsar Garden near Chai Leng Park to make the park more accessible.

He also urged the authorities to put up adequate signboards as the park is located at a remote corner of Seberang Jaya.

http://penang.thestar.com.my/content/focus/2004/12/18/04515722.jpg
Dr Ooi showing a hornbill chick which will be featured at the park early next year.

I love Penang bird park....

Although it needs big upgrade... but I did find a lot of special birds there... Save the bird park...

you should voice your views too!! you are now in Singapore, surely you have something different to say as a Penangite in foreign countries:D

I like to share my opinion... but will they notice what we all these simple citizens think???

u guys in penang realise the road upgrading at chulia street? what r they doing?? i saw them installing track onto the ground.. building tram way?!

u guys in penang realise the road upgrading at chulia street? what r they doing?? i saw them installing track onto the ground.. building tram way?!

those tram tracks are there since the bigginning of the world. he he....

those tram tracks are dug out not installed. they dug it out while carrying out the beautification project in UPR. it was "dug" out because the road was tarred over and over again, making it go deeper and deeper into the ground;)

I hope I'm not offending any of you from penang...but here is someone recently updated me something about penang..
One of my colleagues spent a long x'mas holiday with his 3-generation families in malaysia recently upon our long effort "truely asia" costly advertisement. They are german..a bit provincer.. I think :-p
They went to Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, Malaka, Penang and Langkawi. They loved it very much... except penang..
He said Kuching is so clean, green and a very well planned secondary city. Kuala Lumpur marvelous capital, they enjoyed shopping, night life dinning, and the museum, especially the Islamic Arts museum..Malaka is very excotic, cultured and cute. Langkawi's hotel, resorts and the beaches are all fantastic...And you don't want to hear all the negative things about penang...keep complaining ...He doesn't understand why Malaysia Airlines keep up selling penang in europe which is not a worth visit by any malaysian's world class standard...again the positive feedback from them is malaysia is very modern, malaysian are well-educated and frist world than many first world country...but they hope we could be more environment friendly a little bit...recycle more..and don't waste too much energy and water!
we seriously need to do something about it for penang..our pearl of the orient..

those tram tracks are there since the bigginning of the world. he he....

those tram tracks are dug out not installed. they dug it out while carrying out the beautification project in UPR. it was "dug" out because the road was tarred over and over again, making it go deeper and deeper into the ground;)
+_+ sorry for my ignorance since..the beginning of the world +_+.... no wonder i was telling my fren how come the tram track was so thin compare to those tram track that we used to know..

since when(the beginning of the world..+_+) the tram track was there? british?

I hope I'm not offending any of you from penang...but here is someone recently updated me something about penang..
One of my colleagues spent a long x'mas holiday with his 3-generation families in malaysia recently upon our long effort "truely asia" costly advertisement. They are german..a bit provincer.. I think :-p
They went to Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, Malaka, Penang and Langkawi. They loved it very much... except penang..
He said Kuching is so clean, green and a very well planned secondary city. Kuala Lumpur marvelous capital, they enjoyed shopping, night life dinning, and the museum, especially the Islamic Arts museum..Malaka is very excotic, cultured and cute. Langkawi's hotel, resorts and the beaches are all fantastic...And you don't want to hear all the negative things about penang...keep complaining ...He doesn't understand why Malaysia Airlines keep up selling penang in europe which is not a worth visit by any malaysian's world class standard...again the positive feedback from them is malaysia is very modern, malaysian are well-educated and frist world than many first world country...but they hope we could be more environment friendly a little bit...recycle more..and don't waste too much energy and water!
we seriously need to do something about it for penang..our pearl of the orient..
that may be just their personal preference i guess. i still c a lot of mat salleh backpacking around georgetown area with the bear foot. so it doesn't mean penang is that negative after all.

about how to keep the pearl shine.. or make it shine again.. it is like ur sentence above: "we seriously need to do something about it" ..it sounds so abstract n empty but that is wat we all need.. cos there are too much have been promised and told but too little have been done (both local government and the people).

I think Penang looks great! It seems more and more of the heritage are being preserved based on pics posted at penangtalk.com :)

+_+ sorry for my ignorance since..the beginning of the world +_+.... no wonder i was telling my fren how come the tram track was so thin compare to those tram track that we used to know..

since when(the beginning of the world..+_+) the tram track was there? british?

he he....i think since the british lah. i only knew penang used to have trams in form 3

I think Penang looks great! It seems more and more of the heritage are being preserved based on pics posted at penangtalk.com :)

but still a lot is NOT being preserved. Penang has many many heritage buildings. A lot of work still have to be done.

BTW, i think they haven't done anything to the court building yet :bash:

that may be just their personal preference i guess. i still c a lot of mat salleh backpacking around georgetown area with the bear foot. so it doesn't mean penang is that negative after all.

about how to keep the pearl shine.. or make it shine again.. it is like ur sentence above: "we seriously need to do something about it" ..it sounds so abstract n empty but that is wat we all need.. cos there are too much have been promised and told but too little have been done (both local government and the people).


Actually not only Bobdikl's frens complained. Many visitors whom I personally know (foreigners) complained of the cleanliness and the impending doom of the heritage sites there. :(

In fact Babblyboy whom had just been to Penang could testify ....I believe he had a few complains (hope he see this thread) :D

Oh....and many also complained of the taxis and busses there - esp the taxis. We all know that cabs are the fav mode of transportation for tourists and if the cabbie association still insist on non-metered taxis.....I guess Penang is gonna lose out big time. A 5 mins ride in Penang could cos tas much as RM10 while in KL.....even if the cabbie asked for more (the extras)......at such distance, it normally cost about RM 7/8 ....and even that is from a heavy traffic route such as Bukit Bintang to KLCC. And that is even more expensive than KL's premium cabs (those Perdanas, Nissan Serenas and Renault Espace taxis) :eek:

So by the pricing of Penang's taxis being more expensive than KL's, tourist naturally felt ripped off. Furthermore this does not include the various restaurants and shops ripping tourist off (locals and foreigners alike). :no:

Actually not only Bobdikl's frens complained. Many visitors whom I personally know (foreigners) complained of the cleanliness and the impending doom of the heritage sites there. :(

In fact Babblyboy whom had just been to Penang could testify ....I believe he had a few complains (hope he see this thread) :D

Oh....and many also complained of the taxis and busses there - esp the taxis. We all know that cabs are the fav mode of transportation for tourists and if the cabbie association still insist on non-metered taxis.....I guess Penang is gonna lose out big time. A 5 mins ride in Penang could cos tas much as RM10 while in KL.....even if the cabbie asked for more (the extras)......at such distance, it normally cost about RM 7/8 ....and even that is from a heavy traffic route such as Bukit Bintang to KLCC. And that is even more expensive than KL's premium cabs (those Perdanas, Nissan Serenas and Renault Espace taxis) :eek:

So by the pricing of Penang's taxis being more expensive than KL's, tourist naturally felt ripped off. Furthermore this does not include the various restaurants and shops ripping tourist off (locals and foreigners alike). :no:

Penangites prefer to take the car that's why there's more and more cars everyday and taxi drivers have no business. this is because of the poor public transport. when we wanna go somewhere, the first thing we think about is our own car. this mindset is not gonna change anytime soon if the public transportation system is not getting any better.

cleanliness is another problem. this is most probably the penangites' fault as the government can't clean up everyones mess. time to get clean penangites!! like me LOL:D:D

Penangites prefer to take the car that's why there's more and more cars everyday and taxi drivers have no business. this is because of the poor public transport. when we wanna go somewhere, the first thing we think about is our own car. this mindset is not gonna change anytime soon if the public transportation system is not getting any better.




There are also more and more cars in KL (in fact much more and faster than Penang). KL's number plate as of last week is at WMM while Penang's should be PGF or something like that. KL passes the WGF mark in 1998. :D

But you do not see taxi drivers here complain cause there are still thousands whom rely on taxis everyday. Furthermore tourists needs taxis. Penang's taxis' problems are the makings of their own doing. Tourist and locals alike shunned the cab for they charged discriminately. Not only just foreigners but also local tourist.......everyone in KL know how 'notorious' the charges for taxis in Penang are :D

There are also more and more cars in KL (in fact much more and faster than Penang). KL's number plate as of last week is at WMM while Penang's should be PGF or something like that. KL passes the WGF mark in 1998. :D
KL's population is so many times of that in Penang. Selangor will be even more!! Penang has a small population and it is a small place. having a number plate of PGF in this small place can be considered a lot.(if you count by per capita it still may be lower than KL or selagor though:D) states like Kedah and Perak which have 2 times the population of Penang and more than 10 times the size of Penang is still having number plates like AFsomething.


But you do not see taxi drivers here complain cause there are still thousands whom rely on taxis everyday. Furthermore tourists needs taxis. Penang's taxis' problems are the makings of their own doing. Tourist and locals alike shunned the cab for they charged discriminately. Not only just foreigners but also local tourist.......everyone in KL know how 'notorious' the charges for taxis in Penang are :D
the taxi drivers told the media that they have no business that's why they have to charge more. and since they charge more, less people take the taxi. while locals will opt for their own car, tourist have no choise but the taxi. i guess that's the problem :)

tourist have no choise but the taxi.
thats the real problem..

Actually not only Bobdikl's frens complained. Many visitors whom I personally know (foreigners) complained of the cleanliness and the impending doom of the heritage sites there. :(

In fact Babblyboy whom had just been to Penang could testify ....I believe he had a few complains (hope he see this thread) :D

Oh....and many also complained of the taxis and busses there - esp the taxis. We all know that cabs are the fav mode of transportation for tourists and if the cabbie association still insist on non-metered taxis.....I guess Penang is gonna lose out big time. A 5 mins ride in Penang could cos tas much as RM10 while in KL.....even if the cabbie asked for more (the extras)......at such distance, it normally cost about RM 7/8 ....and even that is from a heavy traffic route such as Bukit Bintang to KLCC. And that is even more expensive than KL's premium cabs (those Perdanas, Nissan Serenas and Renault Espace taxis) :eek:

So by the pricing of Penang's taxis being more expensive than KL's, tourist naturally felt ripped off. Furthermore this does not include the various restaurants and shops ripping tourist off (locals and foreigners alike). :no:
these problems never been solved since long time ago. government did make some effort trying to do a change but like i said problems were never been solved completely. wat sze n bob's mention about the cleaniness and cabbie's problem still not so pissing off... wat i think the most pissing off issue is that penang is famous as a tourist destination yet our places of interest is NOT PROPERLY MAINTAIN!! u name it, all the places of interest u know in penang, none of them been taking care properly..:(

penang should be gladful that we still c international tourist touring around the island n i really really hope our local government will make the pearl shine again..

I noticed that nobody replied to my post from the other thread about trams. I will tell you how I think Penang can be "fixed up" but first, consider this:

Original tram tracks were recently unearthed in Georgetown, Penang just before Christmas. Towns where LRT or monorail would not be practical, for heritage reasons, like Georgetown, should seriously consider closing city centre roads to traffic and replacing with on-road trams/light rail. This would be very practical as shown in various european cities with very congested, narrow streets in the town centre, like Zurich. Penang traffic is so bad that new roads should by-pass Georgetown and Gurney Drive, with traffic along central areas including Gurney Drive to be replaced by an efficient tram system, with high frequency. It is a small-enough area that would allow trams to work well, with almost blanket coverage at high patronage and hence reasonable cost. It will enhance the town's bid for World Heritage nomination, increase tourism, reduce all the negatives associated with excessive traffic. Modern light rail vehicles are stylish, smooth, fast, cheap (but not laying the tracks), disabled friendly, need not require many overhead wires and can have high capacity/length. I think trams could save Georgetown and revive its fortunes. At the moment, the place is a mess.

I think a tram line from Gurney Plaza, along Gurney Drive, Northam Road, into Georgetown to Fort Cornwallis, through KOMTAR, then looping around back to Gurney Plaza in the same direction as the current one-way traffic flow, especially through the busiest streets like Burmah Road. Where the traffic is two way, the trams can be two way, where it is one way, the trams can be one way in the same direction as current traffic. Completely replacing the horrible taxis over short distances, removing traffic entirely except for service vehicles and taxis/buses (which would only be necessary for travelling outside the tram network). Multi-storey parking lots can be built on the edge of the tram networks so that people can access the town centre. The main bus stop should be moved out of KOMTAR. KOMTAR can be used as an interchange for a monorail network, if necessary, but best avoided as I think monorail or other elevated rail will detract from the local heritage value. Without traffic, elevated tram stops (essentially light rail) can be built at ground level as part of upgraded footpaths (like near the Khoo Kongsi and Little India) and pedestrians would never have to deal with sewerage, dirt, traffic etc again. Safer, cleaner, etc. Frequency should be high, like every half an hour after 1am, 5-15 mins all other times. How? Small network, high volume. More fair than implementing a toll on private cars going into the town, and better access for all people.

I think Melaka is another possibility, but patronage may not be sufficient - perhaps one line from Porta de Santiago to the town square would be a tourist attraction, but at the moment, not really necessary.

Trams can be very useful where there is flat ground, narrow heritage streets (completely replacing car traffic, except for service vehicles), and short distances. I think this should be a serious proposal for Penang to look at, since they are struggling with dropping visitor numbers. Something drastic must be done NOW to turn its fortunes around or what's left of its heritage, which is a BIG selling point, will be lost and once lost can never be recovered. Trams/light rail are now being revived throughout other parts of the world, especially Europe and it is proven incredibly effective.

I agree KL is generally not suited to trams, but I think that there are parts where traffic-clogged major roads that go through the City Centre can sacrifice two lanes for tram services, like along Merdeka Square and all major streets - the same principle as the one I described above can be used for Bintang Walk, which is a mess at the moment. Ban cars, replace with frequent tram, overhead glass shelters, walkalators, etc. Too hot in the sun?rain? Fix it with glazed undercover walkways that stand away from heritage buildings! Jln BB, Jln Sultan Ismail, etc are all a mess in peak hour - new developments are being built in every empty plot of land without a thought for traffic or pedestrian flows. Now is the chance to seize the opporunity - when developers have enough money to buy and develop land, they should be FORCED to partly pay for surrounding public transport and pedestrian amenities.

Only 10-15 years ago, Penang was almost at the same level as KL in terms of infrastructure development. Now, it is way way way behind. It is the jewel in the crown of Malaysian towns with a heritage worth saving. But there is no political will at the Federal level to make it happen. Instead, KL looks so damn good, but other towns just stagnate (I mean growing at slower pace) - look at Ipoh, Penang, etc. Spend so much money on places like Putrajaya or Shah Alam, practically "greenfields" but not on the places that are already there and worth saving. If you want a "megaproject" that may not sound "mega" but makes a real difference, this would be one. Don't build satellites to go into space when your cities are decaying! Wrong priority IMHO. The other thing that annoys me is the haphazard development in Penang - planning controls are the easiest thing to implement - all it takes is some will on the part of the government, but instead there are too many vested interests, too often allowing the "wrong" thing to go ahead when it shouldn't.

My experience of Penang is like this - I love the place, because of the history, the food, charm etc. But it is not a visitor-friendly place to visit. Transport is a big problem. Taxi drivers are VERY unfriendly, downright RUDE and try to rip me off even though I am a Malaysian speaking fluent Malay - the fact that I am not from Penang is not a reason to rip me off. Many incidents happened until in the end, I became quite annoyed. The only place I got ripped off on my whole trip is in Penang, including Thailand. All drivers refuse to use meter, even refuse to bargain. If you bargain, they become very rude and you have no choice and it just leaves a bad feeling. One driver told me that we could hire him for 1 hour to drive around Georgetown to see the lights. Instead, he knew that the roads were closed for Pesta Pulau Pinang, left us in a traffic jam, wanted to take my money and suggest that we would have a "better time" going to a nightclub. This is after 10 minutes in the car! Then when back at my hotel, I didn't want to pay him full amount, but unlucky for me, I had no change, so had to give him a big note and he took the whole amount that we agreed on even though we saw nothing and he took us for only 30 minutes. So taxis were not good - everywhere trying to rip us off. I don't mind if you don't use meter, but at least the price must be reasonable, if not it's just ridiculous for less than 5km, RM10.

Everything else OK but just hard to get around. Apart from that, all I can say is that Malaysian service standards are generally not as good as Thailand.

My proposal on how to "fix" Penang to make it more visitor-friendly AND user-friendly:

1. Don't keep thinking about what "big projects" need to be done to attract people. If Penang is a pleasant place, people will come. eg Botanic Gardens - NOTHING WRONG with it. In fact, it's very, very nice - clean, beautiful, charming. It could do with a shuttle "bus" or "mini tram" or something like that to go round and round. That's all. Keep it simple - clean, pleasant, cheap - the people will keep coming over and over again for the INHERENT charm of each attraction, especially overseas tourists. When they visit, they stay in hotels, eat local food, shop, etc - this contributes to the economy, and hence more government revenue indirectly (through taxes, land rates etc), and the government's role should be to support this. Government should provide proper funding to keep the amenities at these attractions "world class", not BUILD "world class" attractions. Cost? free.

Penang has A LOT of existing attractions that have INHERENT value and charm in themselves - but they need to be supported. The approach to promoting tourism is flawed - marketing is not just the key, yes you need marketing, but you also need to take a holistic (complete) view of the industry - that means tackling all sorts of things like transport, planning, etc and having the political will to implement what they know must be done. And it also means no such thing as "cannot" or "too hard" because of bureaucracy - just cut through it. Leadership is important - this must come from PM himself (a native of Penang) and government servants at all levels (especially the top!) must be made accountable.

2. Transport issues: see my other post.

(a) consider implementing car-pooling transit lanes on major roads on the island, or weekend-only license plates or tolls for entry into georgetown at peak times (most of the day except, say, after midnight until 6am). Cost? Moderate.

(b) light rail to replace buses and personal traffic: close Georgetown and surrounding areas to traffic altogether, replace with "shuttle trams" (ground level light rail with wider, elevated pedestrian ways that allow flat floor access to light rail vehicles), running at high frequency (5 minutes in peak hour, 15 minutes off peak) and high capacity. Where there is one-way road traffic in the main roads in Georgetown, the road should be replaced by world class pedestrian mall + trams flowing in both directions. Bus lines would be replaced with light rail and wider footpaths. Cost? Major project. But don't forget even though the initial outlay is high, cost of maintenance is lower because it is easier and cheaper to maintain wider pedestrian ways than major roads with heavy traffic.

(c) Pedestrian ways & disabled facilities: links in with tram idea. You have nice (Putrajaya standard) paving and lighting and disabled facilities (ramps at 20 degree angle, lifts where necessary, but there won't be much need) through old part of Georgetown. Major tourist routes should have glazed shading but detached from heritage buildings. I can imagine this in my mind - how good it would look. Heritage walks can be marked out on the ground by using plaques in the ground. Cheap, effective, classy. Cost: moderate to major project.

(d) Bike paths should be incorporated where appropriate.

3. Planning & heritage issues

(a) uniform signange in major languages: Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil, Japanese, at least. Maybe Arabic, German, etc depending on need. Council signage in all tourist areas should be uniform, plentiful, easily read, etc and MAINTAINED. ALSO: street furniture (such as rubbish bins) to be upgraded to Putrajaya standard. Cost? Minimal.

(b) toilets: if thailand can implement world class standards then so can penang. If people make it dirty, then government cleaners should ensure that the toilets are still cleaned through maintenance. A toilet should not be left dirty just because of a lazy worker or careless user. That is no excuse - that is not world class, and it doesn't take a lot of money to make it world class! Cost? Should be minimal

(c) heritage protection: rampant development threatens what is special about Penang. Once something is destroyed, it's gone, forever. This should be a major priority NOW and ENFORCED no matter what happens. If a building goes up breaching heritage protections, it should be torn down or compulsorily acquired by the government. Every title deed should be examined by heritage experts to determine whether any heritage protection should be attached to particular buildings (for example, class 3 protection means can change inside but not outside, etc).

Restoration issues: this is a tough issue due to private ownership of heritage buildings, but ALL development MUST be accompanied by compulsory contribution to surrounding amenities like the ones I've discussed (lighting, pedestrian facilities, and even public transport if it goes past a major development) AND compulsory heritage restoration according to UNESCO standards. Save all the buildings of significant heritage value (including all the old mansions), no matter WHERE they are - same strict planning and heritage restrictions will apply for particular class of built structures (and also some natural things like trees). If they can't afford it, they can sell it to someone who can. If they CAN afford to buy and develop prime land (big companies) they can also afford to do these things. The problem is not that small developers would not otherwise go ahead with projects if these added costs were imposed. This is because they could make the same amount of money by selling the property to a bigger developer who will pay a premium for the site. Since the bigger developers are the ones destroying the heritage, then they should be responsible for these things. And there is no such thing as a high rise being built to overshadow a heritage building (like the Northam Tower - Mahkahmah Tinggi, overshadowing the little mansion) - that is not what I call heritage protection. That's selling out. A sensitive development would consider urban context and heritage issues with proper heritage consultants working hand in hand with local council and project developers/architects. These things can be worked out as they are in other parts of the ("first") world. Cost? Minimal to government, high (but affordable) to major developers.

(d) promotion of heritage attractions: Night lighting of Kek Lok Si as they do for CNY throughout the year or more often. Install some world class night lighting on other heritage sites and streetscapes (spotlighting, LEDs in the ground, etc). If they can afford that in Putrajaya, they can afford it in Penang (more important than Putrajaya, because that's where more visitors go and people live, and it will pay itself back!!!). This also means refurbishing heritage sites like the old english graveyard opposite E&O Hotel. The local government should be responsible for this and Federal Govt should pay for this. Cost? Moderate.

(e) planning: master plan is required for zoning. Look at Paris - the old part is COMPLETELY PRESERVED as it is, with all new commercial development in the La Defense area - well linked to the old part, easily accessible, but a new Central Business District with all the tall buildings in one cluster. Creates a beautiful skyline, maintains heritage concerns, allows people and traffic flows to be controlled. How? HAHAHAHAHA!!! Easy - PRESERVE the older part of Georgetown as it is completely BY LAW - then what they SHOULD have done is make Gurney Drive into the new CBD by creating new city blocks in a planned CBD development, instead of selling off whole blocks fronting Gurney Drive - this is a big mess. The condos are disconnected from each other, with no podiums linking them at the street level. They are also very inaccessible for what should be a public place and residents can only get in or out by car - a traffic trap! Before they sold the land, the government should have implemented new street layouts, with proper public transport, traffic concerns, etc.

Now it is almost too late so what they should do is:

BAN CARS from Gurney Drive, make it part of the high frequency light rail network with major interchange/station at Gurney Plaza, with ample multistorey parking at all stops on the edge of the light rail network. Service roads for residents' cars ONLY. Cost? Major project.

Clean up Gurney hawker centre Singapore style. Cost? Moderate to minimal.

If possible, reclaim land from the sea at Gurney Drive (maybe one block only) to build a new linear CBD with each development's podiums set back from the street but filling the whole block or at least connected to each other (like the old town). Make an artificial sand beach and the planned "world class marina" along the new coastline there not for swimming but just to be more pleasant. No need to destroy heritage just to build a new development - like currently proposed (it's a disgrace!). All high rise on Penang island limited to this area and other planned CBDs in other parts of the island. Cost? expensive - but can be done if the land is required in the future and the reclaimed land value can be sold at a premium. If not, another option is to build a new CBD on Butterworth side - I don't understand why this option has not been considered before.

Planning restrictions and zoning MUST be enforced and top ranks in government must be accountable. eg if a building went up breaching planning restrictions that are openly available to the public and pre-set (subject to administrative appeals) then the planning officer must be accountable to the mentri besar, who is accountable to the PM. Federal government funding must be accompanied by adherence to strict guidelines. Openness is required - if it's so obvious that something that should not be allowed has been done, then somebody has to pay for it. If Malaysia a corrupt third world country or a "can do" first world country? Cost? Minimal.

No overdevelopment allowed in heritage zones including tourist facilities. Cost? Minimal.

(f) cleanliness - council's responsibility, includes heavy fines for restaurants, residents, etc littering. Cleanliness is something that can easily be achieved at low cost - if there is the will. Cost? Minimal.

(g) UNESCO World Heritage Nomination: when all the above are done, a serious academically supported submission should be made for Penang & Melaka for UNESCO World Heritage listing. This is highly coveted and very valuable. Cost? Minimal.

4. KOMTAR should be refurbished - especially the podium. It should become a light rail/monorail interchange (but I am against monorail due to heritage concerns).

5. Crap private tourist attractions should be shut down - the spice garden is a good private development, the BIRD PARK is REALLY BAD and ALL TOURISTS COMPLAIN ABOUT IT - the government should shut it down because it is an embarrassment.

I think that my proposals are realistic, affordable and will be effective. It involves only one major project. I really love Penang, but it saddens me that it's just not a pleasant place for visitors. But it is a place worth saving, and it can be a real PEARL of the ORIENT (or at least Malaysia). Why should Penang, the second largest city in M'sia be SO FAR behind the development of KL? Doesn't that just prove that Malaysia is not yet a "first world" country? KL and Putrajaya are full of "monuments" and "big projects" but Penang doesn't NEED these - it needs some tender loving care.

Somebody should take them seriously because I cared enough to take time out of my busy schedule to think about it!!! :D :D :D

these problems never been solved since long time ago. government did make some effort trying to do a change but like i said problems were never been solved completely. wat sze n bob's mention about the cleaniness and cabbie's problem still not so pissing off... wat i think the most pissing off issue is that penang is famous as a tourist destination yet our places of interest is NOT PROPERLY MAINTAIN!! u name it, all the places of interest u know in penang, none of them been taking care properly..:(

penang should be gladful that we still c international tourist touring around the island n i really really hope our local government will make the pearl shine again..

most of the tourist attractions are indeed poorly maintained. not only that, they do not renew or introduce any new concept. even if they are properly maintained, that is just not enough as people wants to see new things. of course the new concept should be appropriate or it will loose it's speciality.

i think the best maintained tourist attraction in Penang (by comparison) is Kek Lok Si. however, it has a very major problem. access and car park. i think they are building a multi storey carpark but accessibility is still a problem.

on the other hand, the worst should be Penang Hill. there's nothing to do there (exept taking pics maybe:D) the hill railway keeps breaking down (seldom after the replacement of the cables but still happens). The USM astranomy club has suggested that the hill to be developed for star gazing. i think it is a good idea for a dying place. i hope the government looks into this suggestion. (which i doubt they would)

thanks for your replies, Blabbyboy!!

i just can't say it better than you have:D

it is nice to hear that you liked the Botanic Gardens. the press sayed that the garden was dying and not properly maintained last year. i think i gotta see it for myself. BTW, is the expansion works going on?? they have been :blahblah: about that for quite some time already. i hope the expansion will complement the gardens and not become a white elephant.

i like the idea of closing the roads in the city centre. IMO, it is necessary as the narrow roads there are not suitable for the huge volume of cars nowadays. i love the idea of having the trams back in Penang as well. i think the trams will bring back the "feel" of the old George Town. hopefully the same design of the trams can be used but with modern facilities.

Penang really need to go towards getting things world class. like shopping, transport, hotels etc. Penang has nothing to compete with the world, or even south east asia. having some so called world class (like the scating ring in Municipal Park) is not going to help.

i would like to see the government star doing some work already. eveyone here knows their :blahblah::blahblah::blahblah::blahblah::blahblah: and no work attitude. if this attitude is changed, Penang can be saved!!

yep, babblyboy has done a great job:okay: i too think that if local government could show more sincerity in taking care of its ppl and the condition of the island.. sigh.. im gonna stop all this cos i've been talking this in a circle..hoping a change but nothing improve in the real life

my girlfren is here in penang with me, she loves everything here (food, of cos) at first but the traffic make her dizzy n lost her appetite b4 we reach the restaurant..

so much ideas n effort around but wat can we do..

botanic gardens in penang is fine - really pleasant, i don't see what is the problem except for a little rubbish from users that the monkeys mess up.

i think a start is the pedestrian paving around the khoo kongsi area (i can't remember which street) - very well done, good signage, etc - and there is a heritage walk near there that is very well done also. when you think about it, we walked everywhere in georgetown by foot - if there were light rail instead of main roads, it is so easy to get around! you only need to look at the europeans cities with very old, small city centres to see how they do it. it doesn't take a lot of "major projects" or "new tourist attractions" to be "world class". new developments are rubbish - usually they are tacky, don't attract international tourists, destroy heritage and cause traffic problems. i can't stand irresponsible development.

Saturday February 5, 2005

Hotels in Penang not fully booked

BY SYLVIA LOOI

PENANG: The Chinese New Year period is usually a peak season for hotels here which will be fully booked weeks ahead.

This year, however, it is a different scenario. A check with several beach and city hotels found that many still have available rooms although the Year of the Rooster is barely a week away.

Paradise Sandy Bay Resort public relations executive Virginia Ann said the resort was expecting between 70% and 80% occupancy rate.

“Last year, our resort recorded an occupancy rate of 100%,” she said, attributing the drop to the recent tsunami disaster which had made tourists wary of holidaying by the seaside.

Grand Plaza Parkroyal Penang public relations manager Karen Chee said the hotel was targeting about 90% occupancy rate during the long stretch of holidays.

Next week will see a string of public holidays stretching until the weekend. The holidays will start with Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb 9 and 10. There will be an additional public holiday on Feb 11 as the second day of Chinese New Year and Awal Muharam both fall on Feb 10.

“We are optimistic as local travellers will only be coming in next week,” Chee said, adding that the hotel would be giving discounts to walk-in customers.

Penang Cititel communications manager Foo Siew Lin said the hotel had received about 65% booking.

“Last year, we had 100% occupancy. We are puzzled over this year’s drop. However, we hope the occupancy rate will increase to between 80% and 90% as the celebration draws near,” she said.

City Bayview Hotel Penang communications consultant Chris Gan said they received about 70% reservations so far and hoped the rate would increase to 90% next week.

“It is definitely slower,” he said, attributing the drop in visitors to irresistible prices offered for travel promotions to Hong Kong and Thailand.

Sunday February 13, 2005

PM: Drop dirty habits to preserve Penang’s beauty
BY SIRA HABIBU

PENANG: Penangites must discard their “dirty habits” to keep the state beautiful and clean, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said Penang was endowed with natural assets such as beaches and rivers but the beauty of some of the destinations was marred by rubbish while pollution had taken a toll on the rivers.

“Penang had good waterfalls when I was young but now the waterfalls have disappeared,” he said at the Penang Chinese Town Hall's Chinese New Year open house yesterday.

Abdullah said the people should not blame the Government for the island losing its lustre.

“Places are dirty because of dirty habits and that is not good for development,” he said, adding that the people must “develop” along with the nation.

Acknowledging Penang as a food heaven, Abdullah said congested hawker sites and dirty eateries would ruin the state’s attractiveness.

However, he said that Penang was on the right track towards achieving developed state status.

“We are proud of Penang’s success in the electronics industry. But the people must also change their habits.”

Abdullah said he hoped the Year of the Rooster would provide the country with better prospects.

“Our economic growth is good, our reserves have gone up, our trade has increased and we have economic stability,” he said.

But the construction industry was in a sorry state due to property overhang, he said.

He added that he was confident it would improve with RM28bil allocated for the sector.

Abdullah ended his speech with a poem – “Buah sukun buah nona, buah pinang dan buah anggur, Dr Koh Tsu Koon pemimpin bijaksana, Penang maju jadi makmur.''

Saturday, February 19, 2005

Campaign launched after two-month delay

After a delay of nearly two months, the state government is launching the ‘Polish the Pearl' campaign to clean up Penang.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the campaign, which would involve nine state executive councillors, was supposed to take off in December last year but delayed owing to the tsunami disaster.

The drive, known earlier as the 3Es Initiative, came on the heels of The Star’s Stand Up for Penang campaign, to mobilize and rally the public, concerned Penangites, non-governmental organisations and others to try bring back the lustre to Penang.

Dr Koh said Penang would implement more cleaning up activities and programmes and also step up on efficiency and enforcement now.

He said that the state government would also be seeking federal funds and support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the community for the campaign to succeed.

He noted many cleaning up activities organised by government departments and the Penang Municipal Council over the past years had not attracted enough public participation.

Dr Koh said there would not be any significant good results from the campaign if there were no public participation.

“The council and relevant agencies have also stepped up enforcement to take punitive actions against those who litter in an effort to reduce pollution,” he told a press conference after opening a climate change roundtable for legislators at hotel yesterday.

The half-day roundtable was organised by Centre for Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia (Cetdem) and attended by state executive councillors and state assemblymen.

Under the 3Es Initiative, Dr Koh had said the state would redouble efforts to enhance the efficiency of cleaning services, monitoring system and planning control at government departments.

“We will begin with the offices in Komtar, and later extend it to Penang Development Corporation public housing schemes, markets, hawker complexes as well as parks and open spaces,” he had said

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Snap the litterbugs in action, urges CM

Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has urged the public to take snapshots of litterbugs in action to help the authorities polish the Pearl of the Orient.

With mobile telephones now equipped with built-in camera, it should not be difficult to take pictures of the culprits, he said.

“But after taking the pictures you better scram, otherwise the litterbug might come and beat you up,'' he said at a ceremony to appoint village development and security committees (JKKK) at Tabung Haji here yesterday.

Letters of appointments were given to chiefs and committee members of 33 JKKKs in the South-West district and 19 in the North-East district.

Dr Koh said litterbugs often get away with it because it was difficult to catch them in action.

“People can litter in split second. The local authorities could only slap them with fines if they were caught red-handed.

“We would appreciate it if those who saw litterbugs in the act could take snapshots so action could be taken against them,'' he said.

Dr Koh said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had recently expressed concern over issue of cleanliness and beautification in Penang.

“Development is meaningless if our dwelling place is dirty,'' he said.

Dr Koh called on JKKK leaders to instil cleanliness culture in their areas.

He challenged the JKKKs to come up with programmes to instil the clean habit.

“We have to rectify bad habits right from the grassroots-level,'' he said.

He said the JKKKs should implement effective programmes to improve their villages in the areas of economic development, creation of knowledge-based society, cleanliness and maintenance culture.

He also challenged the JKKKs to come up with and effective management plan, adding that the JKKKs were furnished with administrative manual and planner books.

“We want the JKKKs to submit report cards. Rather than just sending the monthly meeting minutes, we want them to attach brief descriptions on issues arising in their areas, and extraordinary projects that were carried out to meet the five-point challenge I have thrown to them,'' he said.

Dr Koh said next year's prizes would be given to JKKKs with best programmes in the areas of economy, education, social development, health and administration.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah and state Development director Datuk Ismail Wadin.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

State to brook no interference

Political leaders are barred from “going to the rescue” of their constituents who flout local by-laws when the state implements its ‘Polish the Pearl’ drive.

The Penang government issued a directive during its recent executive council meeting that there should be no political interference to obstruct council enforcement officers from carrying out their duties to keep the state clean.

It is learnt that each executive councillor has been given specific responsibilities to help return the shine to the island.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had recently called on Penangites to discard their dirty habits and to collaborate with the authorities to make Penang clean and beautiful again.

The Star had on Dec 15 launched the ‘Stand Up for Penang’ campaign (logo above) to mobilise and rally the public, concerned individuals, non-governmental organisations and other interested bodies to help bring back the lustre to the Pearl of the Orient.

The state had responded positively to the campaign, but the recent tsunami catastrophe brought a temporary lull to the drive.

“It is timely that the state has ordered politicians to stop interfering in en-forcement work,'' said an enforcement officer.

“Otherwise it is difficult for us to take action. For example, when we take action against illegal hawkers, the YB (state assemblyman or MP) concerned would interfere.

“We must round up all illegal hawkers to rid Penang of its dirty and illegal traders once and for all.

“We must also take stern action against litterbugs. Only then can we see a cleaner Penang,'' said the officer.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

Rubbish trappers for 21 rivers

All 21 rivers in the North-East district here will be fitted with the Floating Refuse Trapper (FRT) to trap rubbish flowing downstream by the end of the year.

Penang Municipal Council urban services director Shakri Rashid said previously, log booms were placed at these rivers and drains, but many of them were destroyed due to the tsunami.

He said the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) had suggested the use of its award-winning FRT technology which it had created.

“Four rivers, namely, Sungai Bab 1, Sungai Kelian, Sungai Tengah and Sungai Batu Ferringhi have been fitted with FRTs on a trial basis since last year.

“We are taking this integrated approach with the DID to improve the quality of water in Penang.

“This initiative will also help check sea pollution as we are clearing the garbage at source before they flow into the sea daily,'' he said.

Shakri was speaking to reporters after state Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan launched a recycling directory titled “The Recycling Wheel of Penang” at the Caring Society Complex yesterday. The directory was published by the Penang Environmental Working Group (PEWOG), which is written and compiled by Datuk Dr Ong Hean Tee and Khor Hung Teik.

Dr Teng said the state government had also requested the DID identify all the rivers in the state that required to be fitted with FRT and the high quality PVC traps would be installed once that was done.

He said this was one of the ways the state government was looking to improve the cleanliness situation in the state.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Dump ‘sampah’ tag, urges govt

Something has to be done to stop Penangites from littering. Visitors are disgusted over rubbish piling up in all parts of the holiday resort. In the first of a two-part series, DERRICK VINESH looks into what the government is doing and how Penangites can help keep their state clean

THE infamous Darul Sampah tag on Penang will remain intact as long as Penangites continue throwing garbage indiscriminately.

“While the state takes various measures to maintain cleanliness in Penang, we appeal to Penangites and visitors alike, to stop polluting the environment with indiscriminate rubbish dumping.

“If we do not take care of our drains, rivers, beaches and roads, it will be impossible for us to shed the 'darul sampah' image,” State Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said in an interview.

He said Penangites produced an average of 1kg of rubbish per person daily.

The state government spends a whopping RM7.6mil a year to dispose of rubbish and transfer it from the island to the Pulau Burung landfill on the mainland.

About 700 metric tonnes of rubbish from the island is shipped daily by barges at the waste transfer station in Batu Maung to the landfill in Nibong Tebal.

One of the main reasons for this huge expenditure is that only 9.7% of Penang's daily collection of 2,021 metric tonnes of solid waste is recycled.

While the percentage is low, it is in fact a big improvement compared with only 3% of rubbish that was recycled in 2001.

Dr Teng said almost 80% of Penang's waste was recyclable organic waste while 5% was recyclable inorganic waste.

“By right, only the 15% non-recyclable residues should be sent to the Pulau Burung landfill instead of almost the entire bulk of waste as practised now.

“If we can reduce the amount of waste dumped at the landfill by 85% through recycling, we can prolong the landfill's current six years’ lifespan to 24,” he said.

He said some inorganic materials from the daily waste could be recycled while many types of organic waste could be composted.

While awaiting the Federal Government to finalise the privatisation of solid waste collection nationwide, Dr Teng said the state was seriously looking at “Resource Recovery, Recycling and Composting” methods to reduce the usage of landfills.

The proposed strategy, he said, utilised waste management stations that incorporated waste separation processes coupled with recycling of inorganic waste and composting of organic waste.

The people are quick at blaming the local authorities over inefficient garbage collection but many of them do not realise that garbage collectors can be fined RM100 per house for uncollected garbage.

Garbage collection contractor Cahaya Delima Sdn Bhd director Abdul Subahan Mydin said the Penang Municipal Council could also fine contractors RM500 for rubbish dumped by the roadside.

“Most of the time, these fines are accumulated and sent to us after several months from the date the offences had been supposedly committed.

“So, it is a little difficult for us to counter-check these claims with our drivers as it happened some time ago,” he said.

Presently, he said contractors collected residential garbage on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in certain areas and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in other areas.

Abdul Subahan, who has been in the waste manage-ment business for 13 years, said one of the main problems faced by his 200 workers, who included Indo-nesians and Nepalese, was the lack of co-operation by households.

“Some people claim we disrupt their sleep when our trucks swing by their places too early in the morning, but some claim that the trucks go to their places too late,” he said.

AWS Jaya Sdn Bhd group general manager Yap Eng Soon said his company collected waste in George Town daily but alternated collection at residential areas in Perma- tang Pauh, North Seberang Prai. “The local authorities should be willing to spend a little more money to allow us to collect waste from residential areas on a daily basis to avoid having irrepressible amounts of rubbish,” he said.

http://penang.thestar.com.my/content/focus/2005/3/23/rubish.jpg
Garbage piling up around bins in Lengkok Erskine in Penang.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

When scavengers are a useful lot

SCAVENGERS rummaging for recyclable items at dumps in Penang may soon be hired to separate waste.

Penang Environment Working Group (Pewog) chairman Datuk Dr Ong Hean Tee said scavengers were most appropriate for the job as they could easily pick out the reusable items based on their years of experience.

He said the scavengers would be asked to separate dry and wet wastes as well as to pick out plastic, glass and metal objects from waste materials.

“Ideally, there should be about 100 people at each waste management station that can be set up in every district.

“The state has identified six locations for such stations, namely Jelutong, Batu Maung, Teluk Bahang, Kepala Batas, Pulau Burung in South Seberang Prai and Ampang Jajar in central Seberang Prai,” he said, adding that there were more than 50 scavengers in Penang.

Besides a separation section, each waste management station would have a material recovery facility, recycling plant and composting farm, he said.

Presently, Penang has two waste transfer stations in Batu Maung and Ampang Jajar and a level three sanitary landfill in Pulau Burung, Nibong Tebal.

Dr Ong said the state was also studying the possibility of getting a local company to produce biodegradable plastic bags to replace the use of non-degradable ones.

For SMK Sungai Ara teacher, Chew Yoon Seng, 50, his confidence in recycling has prompted him to promote the concept not among his students, but also neighbours and fellow clansmen.

The Science and Mathematics teacher had over the last three years organised recycling activities for members of Kulit Lembu Rukun Tetangga in Datuk Keramat and Nam Hooi Wooi Khoon Clan Association.

Chew, who is also the RT chairman, said the RT observed the last Sunday of every month as Recycling Day when the 3,000-strong members would bring their recyclable items to sell to an agent.

“Proceeds from the sale will go towards our recycling fund which will be used to subsidise our RT activities,” he said, adding that the RT often collected between 200kg and 1,000kg of recyclable items every month.

At school, Chew said Fridays were observed as Recycling Day when old books, stationery, tin and aluminium cans and plastic and glass bottles were collected and sold to an agent.

Another enthusiast, Abdul Rahman Kadir, 47, said recycling activities were fast becoming popular among villagers in Kampung Bukit Dumbar, Bukit Dumbar.

“Our Jelutong Timur-B Rukun Tetangga also holds a Recycling Day once a month with prior notices given out to all 4,000 residents in the area.

“We also work with nearby SJK(C) Phei Shin to conduct joint recycling programmes with the students and teachers,” he said, adding that the RT usually collected a metric tonne of recyclable items per month.

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Dr Ong separating recyclable items in his house.

Sunday April 3, 2005

Not an easy State to govern

Penang is a small but difficult state to govern. But is Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon solely to blame for the state of affairs? JOCELINE TAN reports.



TAN Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon's recent trade mission to California's Silicon Valley went and returned without fanfare.

It involved only a small group and lasted barely a week.

The economy of numbers and time was deliberate.

The Penang Chief Minister is known to be quite frugal when it comes to public expenditure.

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HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Dr Koh is clean, consultative and hardworking but his delivery is being questioned.

Some say it has to do with that peculiar Penang trait of thrift. Others say it is one of the more enduring aspects of Dr Koh's administrative style – he is not the sort to squander the public purse.

Yet, the last few years have seen Dr Koh battling public opinion about his administration, political style and even his image.

He has been under immense pressure to perform, deliver and live up to expectations. And he often comes across as anxious, harried and over-worked.

This is Dr Koh's fourth term as Chief Minister of Penang and given the way Gerakan politics is unfolding at the national level, it may well be his last term.

He took over in 1990, after then Chief Minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu lost in a shock defeat to Lim Kit Siang.

The larger-than-life persona of Dr Lim has been a tough act to follow and although Dr Koh has since come into his own, he has not had an easy time in this state known for its exacting population.

“Penang is a thinking constituency, that's why it will always be challenging for any political leader,” said think-tanker and former MP from Penang, Dr Nungsari Ahmad Radhi.

Up to 80% of the people are in the middle-class bracket, they are relatively well-educated and, as a result, tend to be more critical and have higher expectations.

Dr Koh's problem, said Dr Nungsari, is very much a housekeeping issue.

“Penang is still a very solvent state government but the housekeeping is not as up to mark as people think it should be,” he added.

People in Penang used to laugh when they looked to Kuala Lumpur and its road congestion but the state now suffers the same traffic woes at peak hours.

Traffic reports over the radio mention traffic jams in Georgetown and the Penang Bridge almost as frequently as that of KL's Federal Highway and its city centre.

Asked what he would most want to see improved, businessman Datuk Ong Gim Huat, who was born and bred in Penang, said with little hesitation: a better traffic situation, a cleaner Penang and a better business environment.

Said another Penang businessman: “You take a drive into Ipoh or Malacca, places that are far behind Penang in terms of economic growth and potential but they are so much better run and maintained. Penang has fallen far behind in services and amenities.”

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Ong: Can’t blame the Chief Minister

Even Dr Koh's former state exco member Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen conceded: “Infrastructure has not kept up with demand and progress.”

But the state has also been constrained by factors and circumstances beyond its control.

“You can't just blame the Chief Minister. What's happening here is also because of federal policy,” said Ong.

For one, the once booming Penang Port is now outranked by Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas and even Bintulu in Sarawak.

Tourist arrivals have tapered off, deterred partly by the polluted beaches and partly by more attractive tourism destinations elsewhere in the country.

Kee, who used to handle tourism as a state exco member, used to complain that if she had just half the grants poured into promoting Langkawi, she could have turned Penang into a “sparkling jewel”.

A mega-project in the form of a second link between the island and Seberang Prai, which the state government had badly wanted was deferred last year.

Penang's aspiration towards being the Silicon Island has also been overshadowed the Multimedia Super Corridor which had the personal push of no less than the then Premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

On top of all that, the state's annual budget is only slightly bigger than the allocation for the Penang General Hospital.

“Tourism Malaysia’s budget is three times that of ours. We are so poor, it’s not funny. Penang is very dependent on federal grants, that’s why the opposition cannot make it here,” said Kee.

The relocation of companies to China has also seen its manufacturing shrink from more than 55% of the state GDP in the 1990s to about 45% now.

Thus, although Penang remains the third biggest economy after Selangor and Johor, with a growth rate of about 5% last year, it is no longer regarded as a pioneering state as during the 1960s and 1970s when Dr Lim was seen as transforming the state on a burning platform.

“Penang is just slightly better than most other fringe states,” said Dr Nungsari.

And in what seems like a contradiction, Penang people who have always insisted on being consulted, complain that Dr Koh is too consultative.

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Dr Nungsari: Very much a housekeeping problem

Remarks that the Chief Minister is soft, indecisive and lacks clout with the federal authorities rub Gerakan leaders up the wrong way.

They point to how he has led the state Barisan Nasional through three general elections with increasingly bigger majorities.

Said Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik: “You have to appreciate the demeanour of the Chief Minister. He is a sober man, with not a hair out of place. This is not a town where the Chief Minister can go out for karaoke at night ? even Chong Eu, always every hair in place.”

Dr Koh, it has to be said, still enjoys a squeaky clean reputation after all these years at the top.

“No one can fault him on that,” said Kee.

Even Phee Boon Poh, the sole DAP member in the State Legislative Assembly has this joke about him: The two islands still unpolluted in these parts are Ko Samui (in South Thailand) and Koh Tsu Koon (in Penang).

His supporters often say he has tried his best under the circumstances.

It would seem then that Dr Koh is basically a clean, intellectual, consultative and hard-working Chief Minister whose delivery has, unfortunately, not matched the expectations of his constituency.

Penang had begun to lose ground on a number of fronts from the 1970s onwards but it was during Dr Koh’s tenure when that fact was most keenly felt because this was when other places in the country began to bloom and prosper.

It is still a place where many would choose to live and work in and raise a family but it is not a premier choice. Otherwise the state’s population would not have hovered around 1.2 million for more than a decade.

“The days when we were truly an island in the sun are gone,” said the above businessman.

Thus, while Dr Koh has been a fairly competent housekeeper, he has not created a situation of hope where, whether real or perceived, people are confident that there is a good life out ahead for them and their children.

“The state government has to realise that the issue here is about the quality of life. It’s no longer about three bowls a day but how many dishes and the sort of dishes to go with the rice,” said Kee.

I think Penang needs more tourist attractions too... It's ridiculous how Penang Tourism Board is satisfied with the variety of attractions in Penang now. As a returning tourist, I want more than just Snake Temple, Kek Lok Si, Gurvey Drive, Georgetown, Bukit Bendera, food. I want new things & new activities!

Bear in mind foreign tourists don't pay hundreds of dollars and spend hours of travelling to Penang just to taste the food or to see the snakes sleeping.

Agree... but instead of adding more tourist attractions.. I think they should concentrate on making those existing spots more attractive... then only from there... they can start to add in new spots...

Wednesday April 6, 2005

Koh: Penang can emulate Hawaii

PENANG: Penang is looking to Hawaii to boost its ailing tourism industry.

Admitting weaknesses in its approach to tourism, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Penang had much to learn from Honolulu.

He said Honolulu, an important tourist destination, was badly hit when Boeing 747 flights were introduced in 1974.

“Before that, all international flights to the United States stopped at Honolulu for transit and this boosted its economy, especially tourism,” he said.

Following the direct flights to other US destinations, Hawaii's tourism arrivals plunged by more than 50%.

“Hawaii implemented various strategies and recovered within 10 years,” he said.

Honolulu, with a population of 1.3 million, was similar to Penang in many aspects, including its rich culture, Dr Koh noted.

“As an island, we face similar challenges. As such, we would like to learn how Honolulu turned around a badly-affected economy,” he said.

Dr Koh said useful aspects of Hawaii's experience could be adapted for Penang's development, adding that it was timely as the state was now formulating the Penang Structure Plan.

He was speaking to reporters after opening a workshop on Successful Island Management: Building a Sustainable Tourism Economy of an Island” here.

Honolulu mayor Jeremy Harris, who chaired the session Hawaii's Development Experiences, said Hawaii had earlier overlooked the need to preserve cultural, environmental and historical aspects of the island which were its tourism assets.

“We realised that it was impossible to market a mediocre product. We then started looking at the broader context of how to handle transportation and manage our natural resources, streams and forests before planning tourism marketing strategies,” he said.

Friday, April 08, 2005

Mayor: Penang can be like Hawaii

PENANG island has the potential to turn into a model tourist destination like Hawaii, says Honolulu mayor Jeremy Harris.

However, he pointed out it would be a painstaking task.

He said Penang should be creative and do the right things, including transform- ing the transportation system.

He said instead of putting money into building new roads, Penang should invest in an efficient public trans- port system.

“I have to admit that I am not an expert on Penang but my first impression is that Pe-nang faces almost the same challenges which Honolulu once faced,” he said.

He said he was surprised how similar Penang was to Hawaii in many ways.

“Both islands have a multi-racial community and beau-tiful beaches,” he said.

Harris was in Penang for a workshop on Successful Island Management: Building a Sustainable Tourism Economy of an Island.

Go for it! Aloha Penang!

Aloha Penang!!!

He said Penang should be creative and do the right things, including transform- ing the transportation system.

:okay: agree!! and also bikini fiesta :naughty: just like in Hawaii :D

i expect no or slow action from the government. if there is, i'll be very surprised

haha Bikini? Later PAS will make noise liao...

empty barrels makes the most noise :D:D

well, ok..let us discuss about the latest issue in Penang.

The government is building the '' block view '' on the Penang Bridge..And they had complete it near the end of the Bridge, near the Toll, which has the best view of the Penang Skyline.The project still carry on. The purpose they built the ''block view'' is to ensure that evryone is concentrate when driving..and this can decrease the accident on the bridge.

So, what do you all think? Should they continue the progress.

In my opinion, this is not the best way to decrease the accident on the bridge nor make the driver concentrate while driving. It is unnecessary to built it.
First of all, by building the ''block view'', tourist will no longer have a view of the skyline from the Penang Bridge, this is the place where we can have the best view of the Penang skyline. Usually tourist will have the first impression on the whole island when they step in Penang from Penang Bridge. Now, they have block the view, tourist will no longer enjoy the beauty of the Penang from Penang Bridge.

There are two different kind of the views from Penang Bridge, one is the view of Bayan Lepas, while the other one is the view of Georgetwon. By adding the ''block view'' on the Bridge..Tourist can't have the overall view at the same time too, and i think it will let down the tourist.

^ hehe.. how bout buildin some "block view" in Gurney and Georgetown?? soo that everyone will concentrate when drivin instead of lookin at the view and Kopitiam?? the most stupid idea by the gov ever men.. make no sence... i dont think that will prevent accident yo..

i've read that news!!! they said the purpose of it is to stop motorists from being a "busy body" when there is an accident on the other side of the road.

i think this is silly though....it makes the bridge so ugly :(

^ hehe.. how bout buildin some "block view" in Gurney and Georgetown?? soo that everyone will concentrate when drivin instead of lookin at the view and Kopitiam?? the most stupid idea by the gov ever men.. make no sence... i dont think that will prevent accident yo..

good point!! if they wanna block, why not block all the roads in the city?? :bash:

the name GEORGETOWN stays......and will stays forever

For discussion on Penang's name change go here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=203705

Thanks! :)

anyway.. back to that "block view" thingz.. dont they hav survelliance camera(the ones they use to catch people speedin on the road) on the bridge?? maybe that can stop people speedin on the bridge.. im not sure bout the "busy body" thingz :lol: got any idea how to make those "busy body" to concentrate on da road guys??

anyway.. back to that "block view" thingz.. dont they hav survelliance camera(the ones they use to catch people speedin on the road) on the bridge?? maybe that can stop people speedin on the bridge.. im not sure bout the "busy body" thingz :lol: got any idea how to make those "busy body" to concentrate on da road guys??

they have no problem with people speeding on the bridge actually coz they want the traffic to move smoothly he he..... no lah...what i mean is that the "block view" things have nothing to do with speeding :D

concentrating on the road is somwthing that no one else can do except for the driver themselves. so, if they think that the so called "block view" is effective, they should demolish all the roads in Penang and build tunnels so that there is nothing for them to see. then again, this doesn't solve the problem yet, coz what causes a driver to be distracted couls be anything. eg. some people loves looking at cars, some looks at girls and things like that...so ban driving will b the best solution???

my point is that this "block view" thingy is just plain silly.... :bash:

Monday April 25, 2005

Georgetown still facing office building glut

BY DAVID TAN IN PENANG

GEORGETOWN today still has an oversupply of office building space.

The excess was about 20% in 1997. Last year, the oversupply was estimated to hover around 30%, given the average occupancy rate of about 67.9%.

In 1997, total supply of office building space in Georgetown was about 4.5 million sq ft and in 2003, the figure increased to 7.7 million sq ft. Total supply last year was estimated to be about the same as in 2003.

For 2005, due to the unavailability of the latest statistics from the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC), an accurate assessment was not available officially.

On an annual average, the take-up rate of office building space since 1997 has not been exciting. From 1997 to 2004, the annual average occupancy rate of office building space was about 300,000 to 400,000 sq ft per year on the basis of 7 million sq ft total supply.

Henry Butcher Malaysia deputy president Teoh Poh Huat said based on the average take-up rate per annum between 1997 and 2004, and given that the total office building space in 2004 was about 7 million sq ft, it would take about five years to fully take up the excess supply.

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Teoh Poh Huat

In Penang, during the peak of the country’s economic growth in 1992 and 1993, the occupancy rate reached 90%, he added.

The rental of office building space since 1997 has been stable and is expected to remain so in the next few years, given the existing glut.

“The average rental of offices is currently about RM2 per sq ft for space in modern buildings. The rental is not expected to drop further as it has already decreased to around RM2 per sq ft from RM2.50 when the economy peaked,” he said.

Depending on the location, the types of buildings, availability of modern facilities and parking bays, the rentals range between RM1.50 and RM2.50 per sq ft.

“The better-equipped buildings in prime locations categorised under grade A can fetch rentals of between RM2 and RM2.50 per sq ft.

“Rentals of buildings categorised under grade B, with limited facilities and parking bays, fetch between RM1.50 and RM2 per sq ft,” he explained.

A quality office building should also have food and beverage outlets and be close to a central transportation hub, he said.

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Peh Seng Yee

“Currently, there is a trend of developing office buildings in the suburbs. Recent examples are the Krystal Point Corporate Park completed in 2003, and the almost completed e-Gate project near the Penang Bridge in the southern district of the island,” he added.

Teoh said local developers should understand the needs of the market.

Scientific and rigorous market research into the types of demand for office buildings is no longer an option.

According to Teoh, developers of office buildings today should consider incorporating differentiators or unique elements that would set their projects apart from conventional types.

“For example, building offices that are equipped with Internet broadband facilities can appeal to entrepreneurs in the knowledge-based business, whose numbers are growing rapidly due to the transformation of Penang’s economy into knowledge-based.

“Or developers could provide professional office property management including concierge services to ensure that their office buildings stand in stark contrast to those that are badly managed. They can also look into incorporating smart banking halls into their projects,” he said.

According to Raine & Horne International Zaki + Partners Sdn Bhd partner Michael Geh, the availability of pre-war houses in Georgetown would ensure that the occupancy rate of office buildings stayed at around 70%.

“There is no 100% occupancy because not every businessman will want to have an office inside a building. There are advantages which a pre-war building can provide that an office building is not able to. For example, a signboard can be visibly displayed to the public at a pre-war house.

“On top of this, the office can also have the advantage of fronting the main road and easy access to parking bays,” he said.

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Michael Geh

Geh said a renovated pre-war house, depending on its location in Georgetown, could fetch rental of between RM1,000 and RM5,000 monthly.

He said there was a trend now to develop strata-titled office properties close to the Penang Bridge.

“Over the past several years, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah has become the alternative site for offices, formerly located at Beach Street, once considered the central business district of the island,” he added.

According to Intra Harta Consultants (North) Sdn Bhd manager Peh Seng Yee, there was generally an improvement in occupancy rates, rentals and market prices of office accommodation in purpose-built office buildings over the past two years.

Peh said this improvement could be seen in newly-completed buildings in prime locations.

“The increase in the overall take-up rate is slow. As occupancy in new buildings picks up, some older ones are being vacated,” he said.

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Peh added that purpose-built office accommodation faced competition from shop offices and residential houses, which were convertible for commercial use.

“Many small- and medium-sized local companies still prefer to buy shop offices or houses in commercial locations for their office or investment purposes.

“Well-located and maintained purpose-built office buildings with well-written leases have recorded some increases in rentals and prices,” he said.

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[QUOTE=zchong1022]Penang was under Strait Settlement before, it was once vivid like other British Colonial (Eg H.K. & S'pore)
2nd, look at our tourist hotspot, just take one example, Kek Lok Si, pls go to the Kek Lok Si's public toilet. Cleanliness is a very big quetion in islandwide.
My girlfriend, sister of my gf (and his bf too) did pay a visit to Penang in August this year (2004). I was their tourist guide, but unfortunately, other than our Penang food, i think they have no reason to pay the 2nd visit to Penang.
(So embarresed as a Penangite)


u r not d only person 2b malu'ed, me also. few arab frens came back and was quoted as saying 'phuket lagi bersih..' aiyoo.. where 2tarok face?

4th, where are the tourist police constables? Have u ever seen tourist police constables in the toursit hotspot? Safetiness is important, but our country crime rate......

err.. i do not think our crime rate is that bad kan?
anyway, Penang needs a major overhaul la, but priority has 2b given to cleanliness..

u r not d only person 2b malu'ed, me also. few arab frens came back and was quoted as saying 'phuket lagi bersih..' aiyoo.. where 2tarok face?





Dun believe em. I've been to Phuket twice and of course Penang many times and I could say that Phuket isn't as clean as imagine. Of course if you compare beaches then Phuket is cleaner and nicer lah (similar to Langkawi) but if you say cleanliness in town and tourist spots......similar to Penang ;)

Seriously......given Penang's higher population ratio if compared to Phuket, Penang should be far more dirtier but I do not see that :)

yeah.. but from tourism perspective, first impression matters most. they are not 'coming back' bcos of the negative image that they perceived. and imagine the news that they might spread around should any1 they know wanted to go to Penang??

yeah.. but from tourism perspective, first impression matters most. they are not 'coming back' bcos of the negative image that they perceived. and imagine the news that they might spread around should any1 they know wanted to go to Penang??


Yea.....I know first impressions.....but the thing is that Phuket is not cleaner than Penang in the first place. So I dunno what first impression they've got unless they purposely wanna irritate Malaysians like yourself. Anyway we can't prevent people from their perception at times and it is sad they chose to focus on negative things when they go on holiday......sad ......sad :ohno:

Penang is indeed dirty at the "dirtier places" eg. hawker stalls and markets. but other places are quite acceptable ;) hope to see Penang become cleaner though...

i haven't been to Phuket, so can't compare:D

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Stench greets bridge users

As you drive along the Penang Bridge to-wards the mainland, a horrible stench would greet you on reaching the Prai side.

The stench, believed to emanate from a huge drain at the Prai industrial area, has been there for years.

Motorists who park their vehicles at the car park opposite the bridge toll plaza said the smell was especially strong on windy days.

A factory van driver Aziz Che Rose, 21, said he has been dropping and picking up factory workers from the car park for the past three years, and the pong had always been there.

“I think the authorities need to come up with a solution soon, as the smell is unbearable,” he said, adding that it was worse in the evenings and at night.

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STENCH TEST:DOE officer Zulfatah Yaacob using the 'Ol Facto Meter' to ascertain the stench level at the car park near the bridge toll plaza yesterday. Assisting him is Mohamed Omar from the MRB.

A hawker selling fruits, drinks and tidbits said some of her customers were turned off by the stench and this had affected her business.

Norermawati Kamarul, 26, said she had been trading at the car park for six years and “the stench has been there all the time.”

“My regulars customers don't mind buying drinks and food from me, but first timers do change their mind due to the stench,” she added.

Officers from the Depart-ment of Environment and the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) carried out tests yesterday on the level of the stench using an equipment known as the 'Ol Facto Meter'.

A spokesperson said test samples would be sent to MRB and the results would be known in 10 days.

She said this was the second time the test was being conducted; the first one was done in Dec last year.

“The results of the first test indicated that the factories had complied with the DOE guidelines,” she said.

i am not that easily irritated la sze.. these arabs if they make me marah, i simply plangkong one.. :) tarak kasi chance langsung.

it's just that stms when i recommend stg to them, and when things ended up quite lousy.. then i do not know where to tarok my muka. i know stms it is beyond one owns endeavour/jurisdiction bla bla bla but.. c, thing is they always come back to me asking for interesting places in Malaysia.. and one of (the places that i like to recommend) will always be Pulau Pinang.. next time i will suggest JB and Melaka la pulak..

baru sat tadi ada sorang lagi awek habag mai nak gi Penang for honeymoon, she n hubby wanted 2drive somemore from KL naik jambatan to tanjung. but the article atas ni kata strong bau busuk.. aiyoo.. how to explain? i can become gila one like dat u know.. :crazy2:

Friday, April 22, 2005

Upset over location of parking lots

THE Penang Municipal Council has been urged to be more considerate when drawing parking lots on the island.

Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Lee Hack Teik said he had received about 30 complaints from people about lots marked in front of their houses, offices and shops.

He claimed the council had recently also drawn a lot in front of a fire hydrant in Weld Quay.

“Such lots should be drawn about 10 metres from the hydrant,” he told reporters yesterday.

The council had also drawn a lot right in front of the Datuk Kong shrine, while another was drawn in front of a car service centre.

The centre's owner Lim Hock Seng, 50, said that it was ridiculous for the council to draw a parking lot there.

“How are my customers going to drive into the centre to get their vehicles repaired, if another vehicle is parked in the lot?

“And how are they going to drive out from the centre?” he said.

He added that the council's action had caused his business to drop in the last few days.



Shrine caretaker Tan Guan Chong, 54, said the council was thoughtless when drawing the parking lot.



“Many devotees pray at the shrine. The council should shift the lot elsewhere,” he said.

Friday, April 22, 2005

Major clean-up

FIFTY Penang Municipal Coun-cil workers cleaned drains and several roads in a three-hour operation.

The clean-up under Ops Sinar was initiated by council president Datuk Ahmad Phe-sal Talib a year ago to make the island “as clean as a five-star hotel”.

The clean-up took place at Jalan Prangin, Lebuh Hong Kong, Lebuh Kimberly, Lebuh Carnavon, Jalan Pantal Tali, Lebuh Aceh and Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong.

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Council workers cleaning a drain during the operation.

Friday, April 22, 2005

Council to hold discussion on dirty toilets

THE need to review existing guidelines on cleanliness and maintenance of public toilets on Penang island will be discussed at the Penang Municipal Council meeting today.

Councillor Geeta Suresh Chand said the guidelines should be reviewed if the council wanted to improve the cleanliness of public toilets.

She said the guidelines should include training for contractors responsible for maintaining public toilets to make them understand the need to keep the toilets clean at all times.

She said they could employ senior citizens to maintain the toilets provided their work was good.

She believed that most of the cleaners were doing a good job but they should be taught the correct way of cleaning toilets.

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Geeta(right)teaching cleaners Ahmad Yasmin(left)and Muniyand to clean the toilets at the market.

Geeta said this after teaching cleaners the correct way to clean toilets during her visit to public toilets at the Balik Pulau market.

“MPPP is not going to terminate anyone's contract but we hope that the contractors will upgrade their work,” she said.

Geeta explained that dirty public toilets were a long-standing problem and something must be done to put a stop to it.

i am not that easily irritated la sze.. these arabs if they make me marah, i simply plangkong one.. :) tarak kasi chance langsung.

it's just that stms when i recommend stg to them, and when things ended up quite lousy.. then i do not know where to tarok my muka. i know stms it is beyond one owns endeavour/jurisdiction bla bla bla but.. c, thing is they always come back to me asking for interesting places in Malaysia.. and one of (the places that i like to recommend) will always be Pulau Pinang.. next time i will suggest JB and Melaka la pulak..

baru sat tadi ada sorang lagi awek habag mai nak gi Penang for honeymoon, she n hubby wanted 2drive somemore from KL naik jambatan to tanjung. but the article atas ni kata strong bau busuk.. aiyoo.. how to explain? i can become gila one like dat u know.. :crazy2:


Hahahahaaha.........okies.....seriously lah......like TYW had said.....only hawker stalls and markets are dirty but seriously lah.....tell me how many 'nice tasting' hawker stalls or wet market in Malaysia that aren't dirty? There maybe a few exceptions but most are so I dunno how could ya recommend unless you could tell em not to venture to the hawker stalls or wet markets :D

Errr......they wanna drive ar? I am more worried bout Penang punya drivers + motorcyclists + beca + bicycles than the stench. Unless your kawan wants to drive a cabriolet/convertible with the roof down across the bridge loh. If not the stench shouldn't bother rite? :D

in dat case, i will advise them to bring their camels along la.. senang skit, cheap somemore to travel, and if they do not want to bring back their camels.. ada any takers ka?? ha haaa

in dat case, i will advise them to bring their camels along la.. senang skit, cheap somemore to travel, and if they do not want to bring back their camels.. ada any takers ka?? ha haaa


Muahaha..camel..seriously, i have nevr see camel b4..ask them bring it to Penang la...:D:D:lol::lol:

Well, ok talking bout the cleanliness of Penang...i think Penang had improved alot alot...Now, the toutist attraction is far cleaner than last time..Nevertheless, the clinanliness of Penang public toilet, and hawker stall need to improve..But, i can see the authorities r now working very hard to improve them..They give the ''gred'' to all the hawkers, doing survey in order to improve the public toilet..

If i'm a forigners, the first impression will give me when i step into George Twon will be it landscape..the MPPP have beautify along the penang's road with colourful flowers..I, myself as a penangits is impress by it..good job;)

anyway.. back to that "block view" thingz.. dont they hav survelliance camera(the ones they use to catch people speedin on the road) on the bridge?? maybe that can stop people speedin on the bridge.. im not sure bout the "busy body" thingz :lol: got any idea how to make those "busy body" to concentrate on da road guys??

Ooo..that ''block view'' thingz ah..according to the Chinese Newspaper..they are gonna knock it down..cos..most of the Penangits refuse to have it...haiya..wasting money only..le...

Muahaha..camel..seriously, i have nevr see camel b4..ask them bring it to Penang la...:D:D:lol::lol:




Go to Zoo Negara and there are some camels there :D


Next time maybe you could come to KL on a weekend and I'll show you Zoo Negara's Night Zoo....pretty interesting ;)

Muahaha..camel..seriously, i have nevr see camel b4..ask them bring it to Penang la...:D:D:lol::lol:

you haven't been to Taiping Zoo?? got camel there also what.....:D

Muahaha..camel..seriously, i have nevr see camel b4..ask them bring it to Penang la...:D:D:lol::lol:

you haven't been to Taiping Zoo?? got camel there also what.....:D

Just came back from Penang few days ago... my first impression on Penang (after 10 years), it's HOTTTTTT!!!! Not much treelines, especially in Georgetown, something that need to improve... Georgetown is an interesting city with huge area of colonial architecture. Komtar is still very dominant over Georgetown skyline and you can see it from afar while crossing Penang Bridge. Prangin Mall's Pizza Hut is a yuck, don't go there!!

Georgetown's traffic is quite bad, and we get honked a lot by Penang's drivers while making a turn or overtake their lanes or slowdown to park. There are a lot of bikers (especially the old uncles) who think the roads are theirs. Georgetown needs more road signs, seriously; especially those that would direct us to Persiaran Gurney or out of town. We were lost in town many times. The map doesnt help since there are no obvious road signs.

Gurney Drive is cool and I like the condos and apartments along that stretch, very classy. Had dinner at the hawker lane. Had Lok Lok and fried sotong.... yum! Went to Gurney Plaza and realised it's just an ordinary mall... watched The Pacifier at the GSC... Went to Island Plaza too, but it's extremely quiet. Fitness First has helped a lot in keeping "people" for that mall.

Food... excellent! Trust me Penang's food is by far better than those in KL. Went to New Lane (somewhere outside Sunway Hotel), and ordered fried oyster, Char Koay Teow, curry mee, prawn mee, grilled fish, rojak, chee cheong fun..... DROOLS BIG TIME! Wanted to go to Bukit Tambun the next day for seafood but cancelled coz it was too far for us. Other good food are the Asam Laksa & Cendol at a small lane (dunno the name), and went for Asam Laksa somewhere at Bayan Lepas (which looks like Cheras Ulik).

We stayed in Copthorne Orchid, Tanjung Bungah. It's an old hotel that has a cozy corner of its own. The room is bigger than Shangri-la in georgetown. It has no beach, though. Went to Batu Feringgi at night and realised there are more resorts there.

Picked up a Penangite friend from his place and found out that he's a super rich fella. He stays in Georgetown, in one of the 5 family houses that share the same compound. And we discussed how being thrifty can make someone rich. We later went for drinks at Soho at Penang Road, and I was being teased by an akua with beautiful singing voice while walking there.

Generally, Penang needs more attraction. I was told we should not waste our time going to Snake Temple since there arent many snakes left. We didnt go to Kek Lok Si since we have been there last time. And we refused to go to Bukit Bendera on a hot sunny day. Penang food is great but it would be greater if the tourists can easily think of somewhere to go and something to do after every meal.

Penang, an interesting place that needs a facelift, seriously and immediately.

Food... excellent! Trust me Penang's food is by far better than those in KL. Went to New Lane (somewhere outside Sunway Hotel), and ordered fried oyster, Char Koay Teow, curry mee, prawn mee, grilled fish, rojak, chee cheong fun..... DROOLS BIG TIME! Wanted to go to Bukit Tambun the next day for seafood but cancelled coz it was too far for us. Other good food are the Asam Laksa & Cendol at a small lane (dunno the name), and went for Asam Laksa somewhere at Bayan Lepas (which looks like Cheras Ulik).




Overall Penang's food is nice but not FAR BETTER lah. In KL you must know where to eat.......the thing that frus me most is that unlike Penang's New Lane where there are many nice food stalls around......KL's trend is that all the nicest food are separated.

I'll just give ya some tips esp on Char Kuey Teow (which is one of my fav dish) in KL and I must tell ya that it is better than the New Lane Char Kuey Teow:

1) Wing Hing Coffeeshop - the char kuey teow there is #1!!! But that is the 'day time' chop. The owner is called "ah ti".....yea.....I am a regular there many many years back....dunno the boss still can recognised me or not hehehehe :D

note: at night that same place had one of the best Hokkien mee ;)

2) The shop opposite Hotel Radius International (behind Jalan Alor). That place only opens at night so it complements my first choice .....this shop also #1 :D


IN fact I know of a charkuey teow in Melaka that are halal (a Malay friend brought me there!) :D Seriously........I've never eaten a halal char kuey teow that nice - even beating the non-halal ones! :eek:


Cheras Ulik? You mean 'Yulek'? :D

Go to Zoo Negara and there are some camels there :D


Next time maybe you could come to KL on a weekend and I'll show you Zoo Negara's Night Zoo....pretty interesting ;)

yaya..honestly, i nvr been to Zoo Negara..:D:D..actually been there b4 la..when i'm small..but can't remember anything:D

Overall Penang's food is nice but not FAR BETTER lah. In KL you must know where to eat.......the thing that frus me most is that unlike Penang's New Lane where there are many nice food stalls around......KL's trend is that all the nicest food are separated.

I'll just give ya some tips esp on Char Kuey Teow (which is one of my fav dish) in KL and I must tell ya that it is better than the New Lane Char Kuey Teow:

1) Wing Hing Coffeeshop - the char kuey teow there is #1!!! But that is the 'day time' chop. The owner is called "ah ti".....yea.....I am a regular there many many years back....dunno the boss still can recognised me or not hehehehe :D

note: at night that same place had one of the best Hokkien mee ;)

2) The shop opposite Hotel Radius International (behind Jalan Alor). That place only opens at night so it complements my first choice .....this shop also #1 :D


IN fact I know of a charkuey teow in Melaka that are halal (a Malay friend brought me there!) :D Seriously........I've never eaten a halal char kuey teow that nice - even beating the non-halal ones! :eek:


Cheras Ulik? You mean 'Yulek'? :D

hahaha..Penang's New Lane, actually i didn't find any nice foods there..and i have no idea y ppl keep bringing tourist there..the environment is not good..There are still alot of ko pi tiam in Penang, which is far better than New Lane....Maybe New lane food is cheaper and it is in the downtown, that attract ppl there hahahaha....

hmm..Char Kuey Teow. I'm very concern about it haha..1 of my favourite food..The Best Char Kuey tiow in Penang is the ''Aunty Char Kuey teow'' and the other 1 is in ''Taman Lip Sin''..Other places punya Char Kuey teow le...really sterrible..:lol:

Sze, bring me to the Wing Hing Coffeeshop next time..and i'll tell u the Char Koey Teow tehre nice or not..hahahahaha:D:D:D..

Monday May 2, 2005

Hotels fully booked in Penang

PENANG: Many beach and town hotels here recorded a high occupancy rate, with some touching 100%, for the long Workers Day weekend.

All of Tanjung Bungah Beach Resort’s 200 rooms were fully booked from Friday till today, by mainly out of state guests.

Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang assistant manager Michele Lee said the hotel was fully booked on Saturday, while on the other days, it recorded a 90% to 95% occupancy rate.

Rooms at Paradise Sandy Bay Beach Resort were also fully occupied on Saturday.

Shangri-La’s Golden Sands Beach Resort recorded between 90% and 94% occupancy over the holiday stretch, while Cititel Penang saw occupancy of between 80% and 85%.

Monday, May 02, 2005

Penang keen to learn from Denmark, Holland

PENANG is keen on learning from Denmark and Holland to maximise land use for agro-based industries, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said.

He said the two countries were major dairy, meat and egg producers despite having scarce land.

“Similarly in Penang, we too have very little agriculture land. But, we must be innovative and enterprising to venture into new areas such as agro biotechnology.

“Under agro biotechnology, there are many new areas that we can exploit to boost productivity using modern technology,” he said when opening the Agroworld Penang 2005 expo at the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa) in Penang recently.

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Young visitors to the expo - Airil Zaquan Mizan (left) and Elmus Lim - playing with a duckling.

Dr Koh said the state's fisheries industry had great potential for further expansion.

He added that the Malaysian International Tuna Port in Batu Maung was capable of becoming a major tuna hub for the Indian Ocean.

“Penang is now the second main aqua-culture centre in the country. We must try and make this business grow bigger,” he said.

He said the state was also looking at healthcare biotechnology and industrial biotechnology as new industries to be promoted.

State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Rural Development and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the participants included those from Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, China and Singapore.

Mini-astronomy centre in Pantai Malindo soon
Audrey Dermawan

GEORGE TOWN, Apr 30:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Star-gazers will have another place from which to peer into the sky when a mini-astronomy centre is set up at Pantai Malindo near here.
The centre will the start of a project to turn Pantai Malindo, on the south-western tip of Penang, into the state’s latest eco-tourism attraction.

Pulau Betong State Assemblyman Muhamad Farid Saad said today work on the RM40,000 mini-astronomy centre, was expected to start immediately. It will be fitted with telescopes for the public to catch a glimpse of celestial events.

“There is a huge potential for Balik Pulau to grow from its present kampung-style setting into an international tourist attraction in future,” he told reporters after officiating a mangrove replanting campaign in Kuala Sungai Burung, Balik Pulau, near here.

Hmm....Chung Ling just opened their astronomy centre

^^^..oo where?inside the school?

^^^..oo where?inside the school?

yeah!! Chinese Newspaper got mah a few months ago :)

Friday, May 06, 2005

No casino please, we’re Penangites

Penang does not need a casino to stimulate economic and tourism growth, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said.

He was commenting on reports in several Chinese dailies that had quoted a development company based in Kuala Lumpur as saying that the only way to stimulate the economic and tourism growth in Penang was by setting up a casino within a theme park.

Dr Koh said he totally disagreed with the suggestion, pointing out that many places in the world were without casinos yet they still attracted tourists.

“This is not the only way to attract tourists and I am sure Penang has much more to offer.

“There are more non-gamblers than gamblers in the world,'' he told reporters after witnessing a signing ceremony between Canada-based biotechnology company ChondroGene Limited and Lam Wah Ee Hospital yesterday.

The signing ceremony was a collaborative initiative to develop medical biotech- nology and personalised medicine.

The company has been focusing on research to detect early diseases through blood sample.

The hospital was represented by its medical superintendent Dr Yip Kok Thye while chief scientist Prof Choong-Chin Liew represented the company.

“The company to date has tested more than 5,000 patients and through the blood samples have detected about 50 diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, cancer, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder,'' he said, adding that they hope to have a global clinical trial in two years, as they need some 20,000 samples before the relevant authorities would allow the technology to be marketed.

Dr Koh said that such a research was part of the country's initiative to promote biotechnology and to gain all the necessary experience and knowledge available.

“This will allow us to communicate and link up globally to upgrade our knowledge in the field,'' he said, adding that with such technology it will allow doctors to treat their patients more effi- ciently.

Why casino within a theme park?

Wouldn't a world class theme park alone be sufficient to attract tourists and such?

Friday, May 06, 2005

No casino please, we’re Penangites

Dr Koh said he totally disagreed with the suggestion, pointing out that many places in the world were without casinos yet they still attracted tourists.

“This is not the only way to attract tourists and I am sure Penang has much more to offer.



Yeah right... Penang is slowly losing its charm because of his conservativism. If casino doesn't work, then think of some other attractions! He's not really doing much in making Penang a better tourist destination. :sly:

Yeah right... Penang is slowly losing its charm because of his conservativism. If casino doesn't work, then think of some other attractions! He's not really doing much in making Penang a better tourist destination. :sly:

no la.. he's not that conservative, look only like that (may be bcos of the kacamata??) i agreed with him, no need casino, i mean, the old antique-look of penang yang has 2b preserved..

err Pablo, still interested in the camels?? camels here, and in general elsewhere also, are a very lady-like, gentle animal.. cute somemore. mayb i'll buy u a memento bila balik cuti nanti.. 2all other forumers: offer only 4Pablo since uols pernah tgk unta kan?? :)

no la.. he's not that conservative, look only like that (may be bcos of the kacamata??) i agreed with him, no need casino, i mean, the old antique-look of penang yang has 2b preserved..

err Pablo, still interested in the camels?? camels here, and in general elsewhere also, are a very lady-like, gentle animal.. cute somemore. mayb i'll buy u a memento bila balik cuti nanti.. 2all other forumers: offer only 4Pablo since uols pernah tgk unta kan?? :)



I tak pernah tengok Bahrain currency......ada momento untuk saya ke? :D

I tak pernah tengok Bahrain currency......ada momento untuk saya ke? :D

err bahrain currency pun x pernah tengok u.. ha haaa :) joking only aa
1000fils=1Bahraini Dinar ruffly abt RM10. memento, no prob. if i ada kat KUL stms in August, i will let u know..

Hmm..i don't think penang do not need a Casino or Casino with Themepark in order to lure more tourist..I think eco tourism..is the best way to bring more tourist..and i do belive that Penang has the potential..:okay:

^^ agree Pab!! :okay:

IMO, a theme park is ok but casino is just OUT

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

A vision to turn Penang into a ‘sculpture isle’

PICTURE this – Penang island with striking sculptures adorning the slopes of hills, beaches, shopping malls and compounds of private houses.

Artists from all over the world will be invited to create their sculpture masterpieces on identified locations in the state.

They will leave their works of art behind as their contribution to a “corridor of sculptures” in Penang.

Penang as a “sculpture island” is a dream of Hitori Nakayama, a Japanese artist who has made the island his home for 17 years.

He has initated moves to turn that dream into reality. The Penang Sculpture Island Project will be launched on May 13 during Nakayama’s upcoming exhibition of his sculpture works at 26 Jalan Jesselton.

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Sculptures such as these will grace landscapes of Penang if Nakayama succeeds in getting artists from all over the world to create their masterpieces here.

He said the power of the sculptures to pull tourists to Penang would probably not be that great in the beginning.

“I hope that for a start, we can see families and friends of sculpture artists coming to Penang,” he said.

“They would want to come and see it. The news will spread by word of mouth and we will produce postcards of the sculptures to further publicise the corridor of sculptures.”

Nakayama envisions that five sculptures will be created within the first year and increase to at least 50 over a 10-year period.

And Nakayama is not just talking about it. He has secured support from individuals to provide sites for the sculptures in Lebuh Cintra and Lebuh Leith in George Town and in Tanjung Bungah.

His wood sculptor-friend Katsumi Mukai, who has been slotted as the first guest artist, is expected to commence work here some time in August.

Another Japanese ceramic artist will follow later. A Penang glass artist has agreed to do an outdoor mosaic piece while Nakayama will work on a steel sculpture.

“I am aware that a few artists who share my dream are interested in participating in the project,” Nakayama said.

They, in turn, would invite their friends and getting 50 altogether shouldn’t be a problem, he said.

“Each of the artist will work on site, taking more than four weeks to complete their masterpiece. People can watch the work as it progresses and once completed, the sculpture will remain there as a permanent attraction for everyone to enjoy,” he said.

Penang, he added, had carried out numerous projects to stay vibrant and attractive to visitors but most were short-lived and one-off kind of pursuits that left nothing permanent behind.

He said his project, however, was different in that it is an extended public event each time a guest artist comes and work here, leaving a legacy behind.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Artist seeks support to realise dream

HITORI Nakayama is well-travelled, to some 80 countries at the last count and mostly in the name of art.

He could have picked any of those countries to embark on his latest endeavour of a “sculpture island” but he has decided to pay tribute to the Pearl of the Orient, a place he has called home for 17 years.

This is the place where he and his Ikebana artist-wife Machiko have chosen to bring up their daughter Rena who was 13 years old then.

Penang is a good place, small but very cosmopolitan, a future centre of the world, he said.

“The cultural mix of three main races living together is not found in other countries. It has a big language base and tremendous international link potential, given its unique population mix and wide contacts with the Muslim world.”

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Nakayama:'My collective art celebrates the coming together of people and their ideas'

His hope now is to secure enough support to realise his dream of turning Penang into a “sculpture island” where the island serves as one giant canvas on which leading artists of the world collectively place their ideas to create one whole, unique piece of artwork.

This concept of collective art is not Nakayama's original idea but has its roots going back over 500 years in the Japanese tradition of renga (chained) poem, whereby poets get together for an absorbing exercise in lyrical writing.

They would each spontaneously compose a short poem in sequence, one to supplement the previous.And the result is an entire poem of many contributors.

The last collective art effort by Nakayama had brought together 30 international artists for a full day of renga painting – a jamming session of sort for the visual art.

He put them in groups of six. Each of the six artists started a painting and the other five took turns to add on to the one painting.

During the exercise, the canvas on which they painted was the only communication; there was no talking between the artists. And the result was unique 30 joint work-of-art pieces.

“The artist is a lonely soul, dedicated to working by himself over extended period. My collective art celebrates the coming together of people and their ideas, he said.

“The artists involved in my collective project told me that the experience had intensified their creative energy.”

With international artists agreeing to landscape Penang, Nakayama plans to garner support, financial or otherwise, for his Penang Sculpture Island Project.

He said the artists would be of international standing who normally command substantial fees for their work.

They would not be paid any fee but funds were still required for their air tickets, one-month lodging and food here, and art material cost.

“We are looking for volunteers who can act as foster family to the artists and be their dinner host, or weekend host to take the artists around,” Nakayama said.

Penang Sculpture Island Project will be launched during Nakayama’s upcoming show of his steel sculptures on May 13 at 26 Jalan Jesselton.

For details on the exhibition call the sponsor Alliance Francais de Penang at 04-2276008.

will Penang look like Paris or some Western countries' cities one day????

gotta thank this guy for his effort :master: :master: :master: :master: :master: :master:

KILL THEM!!!!!

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Hawkers dumping cooking oil into drains

SEVERAL hawkers along Macalister Road have been dumping cooking oil into the drains along the road, said Komtar assemblyman Lim Gim Soon.

He said this posed a danger to buildings in the area as the oil-filled drains could easily catch fire.

“I urge the hawkers to be more civic-minded and refrain from polluting the drains with their wastes,” he said at a press conference to ann-ounce a gotong royong activity re-cently.

On another matter, he said he had received several complaints that some garbage collectors solicit money from residents and owners of business premises during their rounds.

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Lim(left)showing the T-shirt that will be given to all participants of the clean-up.

“I’ve also received complaints that garbage collection at some places is irregular,” he said, add- ing that he had told the people to complain to the Penang Municipal Council.

On the gotong-royong activity, he said it would be jointly organised by his service team, the Lions Club of George Town, the council and the Macalister Road public clinic’s advisory panel.

About 200 people were expected to take part in the clean-up which would be held from 8am to noon on May 14 at Jalan Macalister, he said.

Lim said the clean-up would also cover Jalan Irving, Lorong Susu and New Lane, adding that those keen could register on the spot.

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Proposal for trishaw rides in Teluk Bahang

By NIK KHUSAIRI IBRAHIM

TRISHAW rides may be introduced in Teluk Bahang as a new attraction.

Penang Bumiputra Tourism committee chairman Muha-mad Farid Saad said trishaws were popular in inner George Town and they should be introduced to the southwest district.

He said the proposed trishaw services would ply short-distant destina-tions.

“For example, we could offer rides from hotels to nearby places, or to places of interest such as the Spice Garden,” he said.

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Muhamad Farid taking state Bumiputra participation Coordination Division director Ibrahim Abdullah and Penang Chamber of Commerce committee member Ali Akbar Mohd Noor(white shirt) for a ride.

“It is part of our efforts to give the tourism industry a boost,” he said after opening the Penang Bumiputra Tris-haw Riders Development Pro-gramme in Caring Society Complex recently.

A total of 26 bumiputra trishaw riders attended the half-day motivational programme aimed at promoting health and hygiene, and up-grading survival skills.

“We are looking into ways to expand trishaw services to other parts of the island,” said Muhamad Farid.

The Islamic Religious Coun-cil (MAIPP) president Sha-budin Yahaya had given app-roval to set up a balai beca at a shop lot at Lebuh Buck-ingham,” he said.

The centre, to be opened in two months, will be used as a rest station, office and workshop.

He added that it would also be used as a hostel for trishaw riders staying far from town.

He said that 40 out of the 200 trishaw riders in the state were bumiputras.

Most of the riders were over 70 years old and in good health,” he said.

Noting that trishaw riders earn an average RM700 a month, he said the State Bumiputra Participation Co-ordination Division and the state tourism commit- tee could look into ways to upgrade their living standards.

Penang into a ‘sculpture isle...feel like his dream not going to come true easily, he will facing alot of problems. Will i still hope that he can be successful 1 day;)

Penang into a ‘sculpture isle...feel like his dream not going to come true easily, he will facing alot of problems. Will i still hope that he can be successful 1 day;)

yeah, i think acquisition of land and financial problems will be the toughest. How i wish this will be successful

Friday, May 20, 2005

Efforts to revitalise city get low marks
By CHOONG KWEE KIM

LANDLORDS, potential investors and restorers gave an average of 1.97 points out of five in the satisfaction score on the Penang Government's performance in revitalising George Town.

They were participants of the Henry Butcher Pre-war Property Forum.

Their main complaints included lack of parking space and public transportation, dilapidated buildings, poor planning, dirty environment and excessive or haphazard development.

Colin Tan, research manager of Henry Butcher Malaysia (Penang) Sdn Bhd, said those at the forum who were interested in investing in prewar property rated listing as a world heritage site by Unesco as the most important factor to the revitalisation of George Town.

“The lowest score was given to the way George Town is being revitalised,’’ he told a press conference on Wednesday.

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Tan:The government must also disseminate information effectively.

The forum on Saturday attracted 183 people. Seventy respondents took part in the survey.

The survey also found that government incentives, both financial and non-financial, had the highest correlation with the satisfaction level, followed by dissemination of information on laws and policies and clear guidelines on repair and maintenance.

Tan said apart from making clearer the laws and regulations on the protection of heritage buildings as well as guidelines on repair and maintenance, the government must also disseminate the information effec- tively.

Of some 12,500 prewar houses in the state, about 8,000 are located in George Town comprising less than 5% of the total property stock in the island.

Pen Heritage Consultancy Sdn Bhd executive director Lim Hooi Siang who had worked on a George Town draft management plan as part of the dossier submitted for the Unesco bid, said the management plan had to be implemented to guide the revitalisation effort.

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

CM: We want to improve bus service

PENANG hopes to improve its public bus service to reduce the use of private vehicles by 2007.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the state was fine-tuning a proposal on the matter to obtain the federal government’s support.

“We have been discussing the long-standing issue with the Prime Minister, Entrepre-neur and Co-operative Development Minister and Second Finance Minister.

“We should be able to introduce a better and efficient public bus service in the next two years,” he said when opening the Jelutong Gerakan division annual general meeting (AGM) recently.

Dr Koh said with the rising cost of petrol and diesel, it was the right time for the state to embark on a good public transport system that was affordable by all.

“Presently, for every 10 cars on the road in Penang, seven are single occupancy vehicles,” he said.

Dr Koh said the state had tried to form a management consortium among five bus companies in 1996 but failed, as it was not well co-ordina-ted.

He added that a federal decision to introduce minibus service in Penang had caused the state’s public bus system to be more messy and chaotic.

“We are also still talking to the company that submit- ted a proposal to implement a monorail project in Penang,” he said.

On another matter, Dr Koh called on Gerakan-led state constituencies to set up Analy-sis Planning and Implemen-tation (API) taskforces to gather feedback on the services pro- vided by the state govern- ment.

“These taskforces should identify some of the common problems faced by the people, analyse them and propose solutions to help the government in its planning,” he said.

Friday, May 20, 2005

Repair shop lots, council urged
By MANJIT KAUR

THE Penang Municipal Council should practise leadership by example in maintaining their own dilapidated pre-war buildings before urging others to do so, according to several shop owners at Kimberly Street.

A row of five pre-war shop lots at the street belongs to the council.

Three of the lots were sealed more than six months ago due to their dilapidated condition, while the other two are rented out.

One of the remaining tenants is Chinese medicine trader Oh Cheng Siang, 70.

He said the council feared the shop lots would collapse and requested the tenants of three lots to move out.

He said once the tenants moved out, the council sealed the shop lots by fencing in the five-foot-way in front of the lots.

“This caused my business to drop by about 20% as people bypass my shop when they can no longer walk on the five-foot- way,” he said.

“Many traders here were issued with summons by the council for placing items on the five-foot-way but now the council itself has blocked the way.

“I agree that the lots are not safe but it is the duty of the council to take necessary steps to ensure that our businesses are not disrupted,'' he said recently.

Tenant Koay Hun Toh, 49, who sells electrical goods, said drug addicts have managed to enter the sealed shops to steal materials which they sell to second-hand goods dealers.

Komtar assemblyman Lim Gim Soon said the council should repair the shop lots.

“How is the public going to heed the advice of the council to maintain pre-war structures, if the council itself has a lackadaisical attitude?'' he said, adding that officers from the council had told him they were waiting for approval from one of their departments before repair work could be carried out.

Monday, May 16, 2005
Roundabout cones ugly, say residents

THE Penang Municipal Council’s beautification project at the Jalan Udini roundabout has drawn flak from the people.

Glugor resident Dr Sharifah Mo-hammad, 32, complained that the structures were ugly and looked obscene.

“They look just like phallic symbols. Even when the structures are lit up at night, the effect is cheap looking. The colours look like those of neon lights found in the red-light areas,” she said.

The lecturer also said that it was a shame that the beautification project was not more tastefully done as the roundabout was located in a busy area, with thousands of mo-torists passing by daily.

“Many tourists and out-of-state visitors heading towards the city from the Penang Bridge and Penang International Airport pass the area and the authorities should ensure that the landscaping at the roundabout is more attractive,” she said.

http://penang.thestar.com.my/content/news/2005/5/16/ugly.jpg
The cone structures, which are part of the council's beautification project at the Jalan Udini roundabout, being lit up during the night.

She noted that the landscaping at Jalan Utama, which has a water fountain, was simple, yet a lot more appealing.

Council president Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib was reported to have said that the eight cones with synchronised colour lighting were part of the council's RM300,000 beautification project.

Student Robert Goh, 22, felt that the council was wasting the rate- payers’ money by putting up the ugly looking structures.

“It is not appealing to the eye and it does not serve any purpose,” he said.

His friend, C.A. Lim, 22, concurred and felt that the structures were a distraction to motorists.

“I feel the fake pinang trees located next to the structures are better,” he said.

When contacted, the council’s landscape and beautification committee member Khoo Kay Hean said the council had received numerous complaints about the structures.

“It is meant to be an artistic piece but sadly people do not know how to appreciate it,” he said, adding that minor changes would be made to the structures.

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Council may remove hibiscus structures

The Penang Municipal Council may remove some of the hibiscus structures at the Jalan Udini Road roundabout if they do not blend with the surroundings.

Its president Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said the council was in the middle of implementing its beautification project at the roundabout.

“We are only at the beginning stage of landscaping and the public should give us a chance to finish the project before making negative remarks about the design.

“However, we may remove some of the structures if they are viewed as obscene or offensive,” he said yesterday.

Ahmad Phesal said the cylindrical structures were meant to light up the area at night, and the coloured lights in the cylinders would later be synchronised with other lights.

IMO, the cyllinders aren't too bad. well, the ugly part is the flowers printed on it and probably the material used. i think it can actually look nice with the use of better materials.

so, you guys think it is ugly??

Attend to basic facilities

P. JONES, Penang


May 16
MY husband and I have travelled to Penang many times over the last couple of years. It is disheartening to see the deterioration of basic facilities.

Penang has so much to offer but too much emphasis is put on big projects instead of attending to the daily irritations and often dangerous situations are left unattended.

As it is, walking around George Town is difficult enough, with motorcyles parked on five-foot lanes and cars on pedestrian crossings and footpaths, forcing those on foot to walk on the road.

Walking along Penang Road, we were dismayed to note that 13 iron covers were missing on one side of the drains. It is a tragedy waiting to happen.

It is a deep drop into the drain below. The holes are difficult to see at night and there are many people visiting the area.

SHOWTIME: Reflecting through sculptures
HIMANSHU BHATT

May 22
Hitori Nakayama’s recent sculpture exhibition in Penang caught the interest of HIMANSHU BHATT.

AT the centre of Hitori Nakayama’s outdoor exhibition of his sculptures lay a huge round steel disc on ground of green grass.

Gazing down, observers lingering around the periphery of the circle could see a mirror of their own curious faces dwarfed against an image of the firmament floating high above.

The exhibit was titled Boundary of the Sky.

“It’s a reflection,” Nakayama explained. “Usually people look up at the sky.

“But with this, the sky is laid at your feet.”

It may not be one’s conventional idea of sculpturing.

But for Nakayama, the piece succeeded as a conceptual art that provoked people to reflect, in response to a motionless physical stimulus he had generated.

“Any kind of figurative work is a reflection of the viewer,” he said. “A viewer’s own life is reflected through my artwork.”

Art, after all, is like a mirror — the observer only reflects himself through his own reaction towards the creation he beholds.

A few of Tokyo-born Nakayama’s sculptures we recently put on display in a showcase titled Seventh Sense organised by Alliance Francaise in Penang recently.

A myriad assortment of steel was laid out across the lush residential gardens of French consul Dato Lubna Jumabhoy in Jesselton.

It resulted in an innovative utilisation of an available natural area into a space beaming with creativity and thought.

The small array of objects, conceived and built by Nakayama, included one tall construction with spout-like protrusions where people placed their ears to hear from within the hollow frame what Nakayama claimed was the “sound of the Earth revolving”.

“The Earth is revolving at about 1,800 km per second,” Nakayama said. “We don’t see this, but there is sound in the Earth.”

It was a quaint, soft, somewhat windy sound. But it did make people think.

As did another exhibit with four sharply chiselled columns placed in a square to depict within their margins a cubic metre of air.

Nakayama has been sculpting for some 35 years. His earliest memorable artwork was incidentally not a sculpture, but an anti-pollution protest put on his T-shirt in the early 70s.

It was, he said, the world’s first “silk-screen with message on a T-shirt”.

Nakayama has made Penang his home for the last 16 years. He is now thinking of developing an “art corridor” connecting various spots, each housing a different set of sculptures, across the island.

He is also keen on other symbolic endeavours. Cleaning up a polluted river tops the list. “This would be a symbolic work for all human beings,” he said.

Having exhibited widely in numerous countries, at 56 years of age, Nakayama sees his most significant works yet to come. “I haven’t started yet. I’m just warming up.”

“They look just like phallic symbols. Even when the structures are lit up at night, the effect is cheap looking. The colours look like those of neon lights found in the red-light areas,” she said.

Today's paper reported that some felt the roundabout cone structures looked a bit obscene...so now I know. :laugh:

hmm...they have been planting some flowers at the roundabout before...But on top of the roundabout is a flyover..All the flowers were withered due to the blocking of the sunshine by the flyover...Therefore, i prefer they built the structure then planting some floral over there, it is a waste, cos the floral will withered easily at that condition. furtheremore, i don't think the structure is ugly, it looks quite unique for me..I have no idea why all the works which done by the goverment sure got the offenses from the citizen..it is not easy to fulfill what the citizen want. Pls, i never heard the penangits praise the local government's work.. Is thier works totally useless..???

When i saw they start to beautifying the roundabout, i was so happy, cos that roundabout was a mess after the several projects were failed a few years ago...N i do hope they won't remove the structure after complained by the penangites...

yeah...i think those structures are okay.

At least they are trying to spruce up the roundabout area instead of abondaning it for years.

yeah...i think those structures are okay.

At least they are trying to spruce up the roundabout area instead of abondaning it for years.

Welcome to the Forum jishyang! :)

So, those structures are okay actually? Hmm... then what's all the hoo-ha about? But yeah, there are always silly complainers too.

Welcome to the forums jlshyang

I think the monument looks okay only lah.......I dun think I've seen it real but it doesn't really looked too bad ;)

I think Pablo had a point......the floral decor wouldn't flourished under the bridge. But I think that a proper decor should be placed under the bridge while floral decor could be reintroduced to the sunshine parts or the roundabout. :)

Welcome to the forums jlshyang :D

Penang's Changing Skyline Maintains Heritage Aesthetics
June 22, 2005 14:44 PM



A Special Report by Pollyanna George Joseph


PENANG, June 22 (Bernama) -- A view of the island, from the top of the hills, displays greenery and clear blue skies amidst a concrete jungle that boasts of modern architectural skyscrapers.

With its ever changing skyline due to rapid development, Penang has not only work at conserving its old colonial buildings but advances into modern, futuristic architecture designs befitting of the 21st century.

The presumption that preservation of old buildings of heritage value in Georgetown hampers the city's architectural progress is untrue since the state has the second highest number of high-rise buildings in the country, with a total of 162 structures.

Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) Northern Chapter chairman Au Tai Yeow said advancement in building technology and architectural designs in the country over the years can be seen in the state itself.

"When it comes to witnessing the country's development and progress in building construction and architecture, everything can be seen in Penang with its abundance of buildings and skyscrapers, certainly reflecting the country's move into the 21st century," he told Bernama.

MOVING FORWARD

He stressed that Penang was certainly not moving backwards in time despite its constant effort to preserve and conserve the heritage and historical value of the old buildings.

"Penang is definitely not going back to the old style of architecture but instead is headed into a more modern and futuristic design elements, still ahead with the world's trend in architectural design and technology," he said.

Au said old buildings have limitations and the materials used to build and design the buildings reflects the progress of that era due to its limited technology.

"The colonial style architecture of the 19th century that we still see in Penang reflects the materials of that era. So, the question is, why should we go back to the old style of architectural design simply to preserve the heritage value when we already have advanced technology and materials to build bigger and better buildings?" he said.

He said old building conservation was divided into two types, one of which is preservation.

This is done by maintaining the interior and exterior design through paint and carving designs restoration as seen in the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Leith Street, Kapitan Keling Mosque in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and Acheen Street Mosque.

The other type of building conservation is adaptive re-use which maintains the old facade but completely changing the interior design and usage of the buildings as seen in buildings such as Hotel 1926 and Heritage Square in Burmah Road.

THROUGH THE YEARS

Throughout the 19th century, the architectural style of the buildings was called the pre-modern movement where buildings adopted the fine colonial architecture with various designs, intricate carvings and ornamentations as well as pediment roofings which reflected the progress of the time.

Moving into the 1950s through the 1970s, architectural designs of that era were termed as the modern movement while the 1980's reflected the post-modernisation architectural designs.

Both eras saw a more simple, modern, practical with smooth panellings and walls.

The 1990's saw what is called neo-tropical architecture which has more modern facilities and adopts resort style elements into its designs.

The 21st century moves into what is termed as the modern style, which boasts a more futuristic design.

Au said Penang was now moving in between both neo-tropical and modern style architecture of building and architectural design.

"Perfect examples of modern style architecture in Penang is Menara UMNO in Macalister Road and Millennium Tower in Gurney Drive," he said.

Modern buildings are now also built to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes at a certain Richter scale. Building engineering and construction has become more safety-conscious due to the recent threat of earthquakes and tremors in the country, he added.

"In terms of safety design features, buildings are built to move together with the earth's plates in the event of an earthquake, so it will be able to withstand the pressure and will not collapse," he said.

One such building in Penang built to withstand earthquakes is the 65-floor Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak (KOMTAR), standing at a height of 232 metres.

AESTHETIC VALUE

Meanwhile, State Local Government, Traffic Management, Information and Social Relations Committee Chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said buildings today were designed with safety features and modern facilities with built-in communication infrastructure to fit the current trend and technology of the world today.

"The property market was not like in the 1990's where `matchbox' style buildings were just designed for profit," he said.

In this modern age, developers and architects are looking towards the future with a vision in constructing and designing buildings not only to fit the 21st century but also the future, he added.

However, he said building designs need not only be complete with safety structures and infrastructure but also concentrates on its aesthetic values.



-- BERNAMA

Prime Minister Wants Abandoned Projects Revived Immediately
June 25, 2005 17:01 PM




PENANG, June 25 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants all abandoned projects that can be salvaged to be revived immediately so that there are no more "ailing" projects in the country.

The prime minister said that "ailing" projects were a crying shame and the problem must be overcome immediately with the cooperation of all parties including the state governments and the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

Speaking at the handing over of keys to owners of the revived Taman Sri Bayu housing scheme in Bayan Lepas, he said that problems would arise if the state governments did not support the federal government's efforts to revive abandoned projects through Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB).

He also said that due to the seriousness of the problem of abandoned projects, the government would blacklist developers, contractors and individuals who caused their projects to be abandoned.

"There are too many contractors now, over 60,000 companies. If they cannot implement the project, it's better to blacklist them. They have breached the trust placed in them by not completing the projects," he said.

Abdullah said that if the government did not go after these errant developers and individuals, the disease would fester in the construction industry, much to the detriment of the government, because it would have to allocate a big sum to revive the abandoned projects.

He said tales of abandoned projects, especially housing projects were heartbreaking. The house buyers had paid up but the developers were irresponsible and untrustworthy in discharging their responsibilities.

He said developers' excuses about facing financial problems and losses for not completing projects could not be accepted because all businesses had their ups and downs, profits and losses.

He said the government had had to allocate RM3 billion to revive ailing and abandoned projects when such a large sum should have gone towards new projects to build facilities for the people.

"For no apparent reason, the government had had to stump up RM3 billion to revive sick projects. This large sum could have been used to build new projects. This is a loss to the government...but if the government doesn't help, the people will make noise," he said.

Abdullah said that so far, SPNB, a subsidiary of MOF Inc had restored about 12,000 abandoned houses and 20,000 more needed repairs.

The Taman Sri Bayu housing scheme involved 234 low-cost and 496 low medium-cost flats which were 90 percent count completed when the developer abandoned the project.

SPNB took over the project, which had been abandoned for 10 years, in April 2003 and started work in August last year.

Present were Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and SPNB executive chairman Tengku Adnan Tengku Manssor.

-- BERNAMA

Friday August 12, 2005



Search for photos of original Moon Gate

BY PRISCILLA DIELENBERG

PENANG: The uproar over the demolition of a sidewall of the century-old Moon Gate has taken yet another turn.

Now, the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) wants to rebuild the wall and ensure that both walls follow the original design with latticework from the late 1890s.

Kebun Bunga assemblyman Quah Kooi Heong said the council was appealing to those with photographs of the original century-old Moon Gate to contact the council or Penang Heritage Trust (PHT).

Old photographs showing the original design of the gate could provide help in the restoration work, he said.

Last week, the council tore down a sidewall but was prevented from taking down the other one after Quah and the PHT intervened.

Yesterday, Quah and MPPP community services director Mohd Ismail Ibrahim met representatives from the PHT, the Penang Chinese Clan Council representing about 40 clans, and regular hikers.

Quah said the council would work with the various parties as a team to work out the details and put the wall back.

Earlier, Mohd Ismail pointed out that the latticework on the existing sidewall was not the original design.

“We hope to complete our research on the original design and start rebuilding the wall. The reconstruction should be completed by next month,” said Mohd Ismail, adding that the wall would be lighted up.

On Aug 1, MPPP workers demolished a wall on the left wing of the Moon Gate located near the Penang Botanic Gardens. The MPPP wanted to demolish the sidewalls after receiving complaints about people urinating behind them and transvestites gathering there.

It had been established from the building materials of the sidewall that it was a gateway to a 19th century mansion now lying in ruins.

PHT president Dr Choong Sim Poey said heritage conservation architect Tan Yeow Wooi had done a study of the history of the Moon Gate which was built in 1891.

“It is an important historic site worthy of protection under the Antiquities Act,” he said, adding that the Moon Gate was authentic apart from the decoration and the roof.

EARLIER ARTICLES....

Wednesday August 3, 2005



No way to treat Moon Gate!

BY SIOW YUEN CHING AND ONG YEE TING

PENANG: Locals and visitors here are up in arms over the partial demolition of the Moon Gate arch, which is a popular gateway for hikers to Penang Hill.

One side was already torn down before the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT), a heritage conservation group, and Kebun Bunga assemblyman Quah Kooi Heong could intervene.

PHT chairman Dr Choong Sim Poey and Quah met the Penang Island Municipal Council and requested it to temporarily stop the demolition of the arch at the fringes of the Botanical Gardens.

Quah said the council had decided to demolish the sidewall on both sides of the arch for hygienic and security purposes after receiving complaints.

He said men were urinating behind the walls while transvestites regularly gathered there at night, causing fear to hikers.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/3/nation/n_27gateway.jpg

MPPP workers cleaning up the area around the half-demolished sidewalls of the Moon Gate arch in Penang on Tuesday.

Quah said the authorities' initial intention was to stop any unwanted incidents from happening.

He said the council had decided to temporarily cease the demolition until the PHT carries out a study on the arch.

“We will decide on the next step after the PHT's report,” he added.

PHT secretary Ahmad Chik said he was shocked and upset when he saw part of the sidewalls torn down on Monday.

Describing the arch as a well-known landmark among Penangites, Ahmad said the council should not demolish the sidewalls without carrying a proper study on the historical significance of the gate.

“Looking at the structural design, the bricks and the construction method used, we believe the Moon Gate may have a historical value.

“The council claimed that they were only tearing down the sidewalls, but it still affects the overall design of the arch,” he added.

Ahmad said there should be other ways to tackle the complaints apart from destroying the sidewalls.

“The authorities can look into providing public toilets and installing more street lamps to brighten the area,” he added.

Regular hiker Quak Chew Huat said the walls had been up there for a long time and should not be torn down.

“If it's a historical structure, it will not be the same anymore even if they rebuild it later,” he added.

Sunday August 7, 2005



‘Restore Moon Gate’s wings’

PENANG: “Restore Moon Gate’s wings!” That is the rallying cry of Chinese clan leaders, social activists and hikers shocked by the part demolition of the landmark arch’s sidewalls near the Penang Botanic Gardens.

Penang Chinese Clan Council (PCCC) vice-president Cheah Jin Teong said heritage structures should not be demolished just to avoid the problem of people urinating behind them.

“The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) can always build a public toilet opposite Moon Gate.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/8/7/nation/n_p12krishnamoorthy.jpg
HIGH PRAISE: Krishnamoorthy (right) receiving the Special Jury award from Shafie in Petaling Jaya on Friday night.

“Something is wrong if they have to resort to demolishing the sidewalls which is akin to cutting off one’s arms,” Cheah said during a gathering of 30 clan leaders and non-governmental organisation representatives at Moon Gate yesterday to voice their protest.

On Monday, MPPP workers partly demolished the sidewalls before Kebun Bunga assemblyman Quah Kooi Heong and the Penang Heritage Trust stopped them.

Hiker Jack Floel, 64, from Australia said climbers usually exercised in the daytime and were not affected by the alleged nocturnal activities of transvestites there.

Parti Keadilan central committee member Cheah Kah Peng said the state and local governments were legally obligated to protect heritage and even “suspected heritage” sites.

Also present at the gathering were members of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Save Ourselves, Suara Rakyat Malaysia Penang and PAS.

and there goes another silly action taken by the government!!!!

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/4385/luchtfotopenang18mx.jpg

Four-year wait for new port complex
Updated : 07-09-2005
Media : New Straits Times
Story By : Audrey Dermawan



Four years on, Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) is still waiting for the green light to rebuild the Penang Port Commission complex razed in a 2001 fire.

PPSB plans to construct a new and integrated bus complex at the Butterworth ferry terminal but has yet to receive much-needed approval from the Federal Government.

The port authority has drawn flak from many quarters over the deplorable condition of the temporary bus station.

An exasperated PPSB managing director, Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar, said: "All I hope is that I can implement the project before my tenure is up."

Ahmad, who is employed on contract, is now 55. The official retirement age for PPSB employees is 56.

The lack of a proper bus terminal has inconvenienced ferry passengers, especially when it rains.

Its location underneath a flyover has not made things easier for commuters, who include the elderly and disabled, with many having problems locating their buses.

Ahmad said PPSB had spent nearly RM400,000 to clear the site for the new complex.

He expressed fear that the contractor given the job might lose interest in the project if the delay was prolonged.

"If this happens, we will have to start the whole tender exercise again."

Ahmad said the port authority was also discussing with Penang Port Commission, which owned the terminal site, on extending the lease on the land.

The redevelopment of the complex includes a budget hotel and upgrading the two ferry terminals ¡X Pengkalan Sultan Abdul Halim on the mainland and Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda in George Town.

I just got back from Penang. Saw some architectural gems like the AWL mansion and Cheong Fatt Sze mansion as well as the E&O Hotel. Gurney drive has really transformed itself into a happening place will lots of nice condos. They should make the road pedestrian like those along Santa Monica and Venice Beach so people can walk, bike, skateboard etc along the ocean. I really loved the E&O. If you go, make sure you stand under the beautiful dome in the lobby - it has a cool echo effect when you talk - even if you whisper!!! An engineering marvel. And the pool area is lovely with cannons right by the sea!