Penang: Pulau Mutiara Thread - Page 3

Vince · September 17th, 2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nazrey

Penang Umno plans to sue Lim for RM30mil
Wednesday September 14, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...681&sec=nation

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Umno plans to sue Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for RM30mil for accusing the party of being behind the illegal demonstrations around Komtar and the Penang Bridge on July 2.

Its chief Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said they would give Lim seven days to issue a public apology and retract his statements, failing which the matter will be taken to court.

“Our lawyers will first issue a letter of demand to Lim before filing the summons in court,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

He said Lim had made the accusations without concrete evidence.

Zainal Abidin said he received a Twitter post from Lim on Aug 19 daring him to sue him for defamation without the seven-day notice.

“We have been patient all this while whenever Lim made various accusations against us because we believe in freedom of speech.

“However, this time we feel he has crossed the line,” he said.

Leaflets to prove Umno’s role in Penang riot

Athi Shankar
Free Malaysia Today
July 14, 2011

The Penang government has printed leaflets in various languages to show that Umno, Perkasa and Suara Anak Anak Mamak Pulau Pinang were responsible for the chaos in the city.

GEORGE TOWN: Now, the buzz word is documented evidence. The Penang government says it has proof of Umno’s involvement in the July 1 rioting that brought the city to a three-hour standstill. It has published a four-page leaflet to prove that the rioting in George Town was a Umno-sponsored demonstration.

Umno’s state chairman Zainal Abidin Osman has denied Umno’s involvement in the rioting. So far, only the Malay and Mandarin editions of the leaflet have been distributed across the state.

The Malay edition contains 11 images of the rioting and the state government’s argument is that the presence of Umno Senator Ezam Mohd Nor indicates that Umno was behind the demonstration.

“Umno is hoodwinking the people by denying its involvement in the violent street rally. Based on evidence, it’s clear that the violent protest was carried out by Umno leaders, members and supporters,” the state government charged.

State executive councillor in charge of information, Abdul Malik, confirmed that the communications team under the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s office published the leaflets.

The leaflets have been distributed since last Saturday and many have found the leaflets in their mailbox this week.

Malik said the leaflets were important to disseminate the correct information about the riot to the people of Penang.

During the protest, some 300 supporters from Umno, Perkasa and an unregistered NGO Suara Anak Anak Mamak Pulau Pinang held a noisy march and a violent demonstration in the city centre, condemning both the Pakatan state government and the Bersih 2.0 rally.

Chanting anti-government and anti-Bersih slogans, the rioters marched between Masjid Kapitan Keling and Komtar against the traffic flow causing traffic to come to a standstill.

The rowdy protesters hit the windshields of cars, violenshoved media personnel and intimidated panic-stricken passers-by and motoriststly .

Several Umno leaders, including Ezam, gave anti-state government and anti-Lim speeches.

Rally at the bridge

Another group proceeded to the Penang Bridge and held a separate rally, carrying banners, waving the Malaysian flag and handing out flags to passers-by.

The rioters even threatened to throw reporters off the bridge. Their illegal demonstration near the middle span caused a massive 10-km long traffic congestion on the island.

Police detained eight people, including Ezam and the Mamak group chief Mohamed Ghani Abdul Jiman but all were released a few hours later.

There were rumours claiming that the rioters were paid between RM50 and RM100 per person to take part in the illegal rally.

It’s learnt that Umno’s partners in the state Barisan Nasional have strongly censured the rioting and criticised the “big brother” for sponsoring it.

They said during the June 12 convention, BN leaders had agreed unanimously that the coalition would move as a collective opposition to check the Pakatan government.

“But Umno, being Umno, won’t listen and still wants to hang on to outdated political tactics. Umno still wants to act shamefully like a big bully,” some BN leaders said.

nazrey · September 20th, 2011, 07:12 AM

BN: Report it to MACC Penang
By WINNIE YEOH Tuesday September 20, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...1478&sec=North

THE state Barisan Nasional has challenged the Penang Government to lodge a report with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the Pulau Jerejak development project if they have proof of corruption.

Penang Barisan Nasional information head Datuk Dr Loga Balan Mohan said the state government has to stop misleading the people about the project.

“I don’t understand what he (Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng) is up to. I think he has no other issue to talk about anymore. If Lim has proof, lodge a report.”

He was responding to a question asked by a reporter on reports that Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy would be submitting documents on the RM30mil losses of the project during the next state assembly.

On a separate issue, state Barisan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said state Barisan co-ordinators would assist Jit Sin High School in its bid to build a school branch in south Seberang Prai.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin had said a meeting would be arranged between the Education Ministry and the school board of governors soon.

It was reported that the school had waited for more than 20 months to obtain approval and fund to build the school on a 3.24ha land.

They were speaking to reporters after some 30 Barisan component party members participated in a walkabout at the Chowrasta Market on Penang Road yesterday where they distributed about 3,000 reusable bags to market traders and shoppers.

During the visit, Komtar Barisan Nasional co-ordinator Loh Chye Teik also pointed out that the sagging ceiling on the second floor of the market had yet to be fixed even though he had highlighted the matter more than two weeks ago.

“I will give the Penang Municipal Council one more week to rectify the matter. Failing which, I will bring my own team to fix it.”

nazrey · September 20th, 2011, 07:13 AM

HTC invests RM1.5m in new Penang centre
By Marina EmmanuelPublished: 2011/09/20
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_New...#ixzz1YSzIWsUe

Quote:

HTC Global Services is a technology company with expertise in providing multiple technologies, such as Mainframe, SAP, Oracle, UNIX and Java.

GEORGE TOWN: American software services company HTC Global Services Inc is expanding its investment footprint in Malaysia, by opening up a new software development centre in Penang.

The company - via subsidiary HTC Global Services (MSC) Sdn Bhd - will plough in RM1.5 million for the new software development centre at Bayan Lepas in Penang which it is opening this week.

HTC Malaysia was established in 2002. The MSC-status company, which operates from the MSC zone Cyberjaya, is currently working with several leading companies in Malaysia, which include a host of Fortune 500 firms.

"HTC intends to bring in business from countries like the UK, the US, Australia and Hong Kong to unleash the excellent infrastructure available in Malaysia, thereby creating more jobs for Malaysians.

"It is also putting up a 15 seater in-house training centre to train and develop fresh graduates in Java technology, and this is subject to the approval of the Multimedia Development Corporation," HTC business development director Saji Abraham said.

In Cyberjaya, HTC has some 100 people on its payroll, while in Penang, over 40 jobs are expected to be created by the company every three months.

The company said the opening of its new Penang development centre, which will be located within the Mayang Mall at Bayan Baru, is aimed at catering to the growing demand of its clients, who are made up of some of the world's top technology players.

It is learnt that the setting up of the centre in Penang is one way for HTC to enable local unemployed graduates to be trained as software programmers and developers.

The opening of the Penang centre tomorrow will be officiated by HTC Global Services Inc's vice-president and director Chary Mudumby and Penang Development Corporation's general manager Datuk Rosli Jaafar.

Apart from Malaysia, HTC boasts an offshore development facility in Chennai, India, which houses more than 4,000 people.

buildship · September 20th, 2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nazrey

BN: Report it to MACC Penang
By WINNIE YEOH Tuesday September 20, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...1478&sec=North

THE state Barisan Nasional has challenged the Penang Government to lodge a report with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the Pulau Jerejak development project if they have proof of corruption.

Penang Barisan Nasional information head Datuk Dr Loga Balan Mohan said the state government has to stop misleading the people about the project.

“I don’t understand what he (Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng) is up to. I think he has no other issue to talk about anymore. If Lim has proof, lodge a report.”

He was responding to a question asked by a reporter on reports that Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy would be submitting documents on the RM30mil losses of the project during the next state assembly.

On a separate issue, state Barisan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said state Barisan co-ordinators would assist Jit Sin High School in its bid to build a school branch in south Seberang Prai.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin had said a meeting would be arranged between the Education Ministry and the school board of governors soon.

It was reported that the school had waited for more than 20 months to obtain approval and fund to build the school on a 3.24ha land.

They were speaking to reporters after some 30 Barisan component party members participated in a walkabout at the Chowrasta Market on Penang Road yesterday where they distributed about 3,000 reusable bags to market traders and shoppers.

During the visit, Komtar Barisan Nasional co-ordinator Loh Chye Teik also pointed out that the sagging ceiling on the second floor of the market had yet to be fixed even though he had highlighted the matter more than two weeks ago.

“I will give the Penang Municipal Council one more week to rectify the matter. Failing which, I will bring my own team to fix it.”

MACC is useless, let the public witness them 1st, then challenge in the court

buildship · September 20th, 2011, 03:35 PM

Tuesday September 20, 2011

A cool celebration
By HAN KAR KAY
hankk@thestar.com.my

Spectators reacting as fire-eaters spew brillant flames that light up the cool night sky during the Malaysia Day celebrations atop Penang Hill.
THE Malaysia Day celebration at Penang Hill ended with a bang with an awesome seven-minute fireworks display across the hill top.

More than 500 visitors thronged the top to catch an interesting line-up of activities such as snake show, bamboo dance, boria and a fire show.

Children aged between three and 12 were seen queuing to have the hibiscus flower and a heart-shaped Jalur Gemilang painted on their faces.

While the children were enjoying themselves, adults were reliving the good old days playing traditional games such as congkak and batu seremban.

Squeals and claps thundered the stage as the crowd continued to cheer during the snake show that featured the deadly King Cobra and mangrove snakes.

Dancers swinging the fireballs attached to a chain kept the audiences enthralled.

Penang Hill Corporation senior assistant manager (promotions and marketing) Anne Goh said this was the first time a Malaysia Day celebration was held on the hill.

“We are glad that more than 500 visitors turned up to celebrate the meaningful day on the hill and that include 250 Sabahans and Sarawakians who rode up for free,” she said.

Spotted among the lively crowd was Lim Siaw Yin.

Lim, 34, from Kuching, came with her family to catch the fireworks and celebrate Malaysia Day in a different way.

“We reckoned it would be a fun outing with the wide array of activities while enjoying the cool breeze on the hill,” she said.

An array of colourful fireworks display that left bright streaks across the sky ended the historic event.

buildship · September 20th, 2011, 03:37 PM

Tuesday September 20, 2011

Cultural grandeur wows foreigners
By FONG KEE SOON
keesoon@thestar.com.my

A GROUP of 70 foreigners, including children, had an unforgettable time carrying brightly lit lanterns on the grounds of the Ong Kongsi clan temple in Penang Road.

Many of them came dressed in traditional Asian costumes such as the cheongsam and yukata.

There were various types of lanterns, including those shaped like mythical creatures such as phoenix and dragon.

Amidst the rich heritage setting, the group enjoyed a spectacular mask-changing performance by a nine-year-old local artiste who trained in Szechuan, China.

The group, which comprised French, Japanese, Irish, British, Dutch, Chilean, Australian, German and Mexican nationalities, also took the opportunity to tour and marvel at the building’s ornate architecture.

A live performance of traditional Chinese musical instruments completed the mood that recent Saturday night.

Teoh Lay Hoong, 40, whose maternal grandfather was on the committee of the Ong Kongsi, which is over 160 years old, had organised the get-together for her friends, most of whom are expatriates working here.

Earlier on, Teoh served her guests dinner, which included the special Nyonya dish kiam chai ark (salted vegetable and duck soup).

“It’s just a way of letting the parents have a good time with their children during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is one of the most celebrated traditional Chinese festivals.

“I thought it would be special to have it at a heritage site,” said Teoh, who also hoped the setting would help create awareness of traditional Chinese culture.

The housewife also hoped that the night would help her 10-year-old son grow up knowing more about his roots.

“Culture is very important, and it’s our responsibility to bring it to the next generation,” she said.

Among her friends present were French automotive project manager Vincent G., his wife Anne-Claire and their children Louis, 11, Bastien, eight, and Titouan, five.

Vincent described the experience of attending a cultural show at a Chinese clan house at night as unique and interesting.

“I was very impressed by the mask-changing feat considering that the boy is only nine.

“I don’t think my kids will ever manage to do that,” said the 42-year-old, adding that his family had been celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival since they moved from Paris to Penang two years ago.

buildship · September 20th, 2011, 03:39 PM

Monday September 19, 2011

Historic gathering of 20,000
By ANDREA FILMER, FONG KEE SOON, JOSEPHINE JALLEH, KOW KWAN YEE, SIMREN KAUR, HAFIZ MARZUKHI and KIATISAK CHUA Photos by NG AH BAK, K.T. GOH, GOH GAIK LEE, CHIN CHENG YEANG, ZAINUDIN AHAD, ASRI ABDUL GHANI, GARY CHEN, LIM BENG TATT, CHAN BOON KAI

Mammoth crowd: A record of 20,000 participants surging forward after being flagged off from the century-old Birch House at Penang Time Square on Jalan datuk Keramat during Penang Starwalk 2011.
PENANG Starwalk moved back to George Town this year and celebrated the city’s heritage in the process.

Clocking in the largest number of participants in the walk’s 34-year history, some 20,000 walkers converged on Jalan Datuk Keramat at the starting line in front of Birch House.

Many Starwalk participants who were afraid of getting caught in jams in the city centre were seen arriving for the walk on Rapid Penang buses.

Rapid Penang provided 33 buses to shuttle participants from five pick-up points to Komtar or Penang Times Square yesterday.

At 6.30am, Star Publications (M) Bhd executive director Tan Sri Kamal Hashim fired the pistol to start the competition race participated by some 4,270 competition walkers.

This was followed by a 7.15am flag-off by Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas for non-competition walkers and a 7.30am 1km charity walk that featured seven charities and the corporations which adopted them.

The showers that were forecasted held up and allowed for a beautiful morning for walkers to make their way through Penang’s heritage zone.

Competition walkers, who took a 10km route, were treated to additional heritage sights compared to their non-competition counterparts who walked a 6km route.

Participant Mok Keng Yee, 63, reading The Star while taking part in the fun walk.
However, non-competition walkers arguably enjoyed the sights more as many were seen taking their time absorbing the state’s tangible history.

Technician Wan Hamzah Wan Abdullah, 37, who has participated in Penang Starwalk since 2000, said the heritage route was a good idea as he could enjoy many scenic landmarks along the way.

“Usually, I don’t really spend time to know more about the heritage site here until now,” he said.

Among heritage icons on the walk’s route were the Town Hall, City Hall and Fort Cornwallis, all located around the Esplanade, E&O Hotel built in 1885 and two historic schools — Convent Light Street, the oldest girls’ school in South-East Asia, and St Xavier’s Institution, the first La Sallian school in the country.

Many non-competition walkers were also seen stamping heritage ‘passports’ sponsored by Penang Global Tourism to redeem prizes in a lucky dip sponsored by Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd.

Among Starwalkers seen admiring the heritage landmarks was Christina Chan, 25, who was spotted enthusiastically taking photos in front of Kuan Yin Temple on Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling.

“I came all the way from Kuala Lumpur to take part in this Starwalk. It’s an amazing feeling when I walk around the town with another 16,000 participants,” she said.

After the walkers made their way back to the finish line, they were treated to free flows of Milo, 100Plus, Malta, Sunquick and Nestle Fitnesse whole wheat cereal while games were also available at various sponsor booths.

McDonald’s also pitched in and sponsored breakfast for 700 officials and volunteers.

After a lively variety show held at the outdoor stage, lucky draw prizes including five motorcycles, iPad 2s, handphones, air tickets and GPS devices were given away to lucky participants.

State Education Department sports unit head Lee Swee Seng presented prizes to the top three schools with the highest participation in the walk.

They were SMJK Jit Sin, SMJK Chung Ling Butterworth and SMJK Heng Ee which received RM700, RM500 and RM300 in Popular book vouchers respectively.

Aside from the 1,367 students from these schools, many other school-going children were seen participating in the walk, a number of which had received complimentary movie passes from Golden Screen Cinemas during the event’s registration drive.

Penang Starwalk 2011 was jointly organised by The Star and the Penang Amateur Athletic Association (PAAA).

Event co-chairman and PAAA president Datuk Syed Mohd Aidid Syed Murtaza, Star Publications non-executive director Datin Linda Ngiam and regional operations manager (North) Chung Chok Yin were also present.

The platinum sponsor for the event was Genneva Syariah while the other main sponsors were Equine, 100Plus, AmBank, BP Diagnostic Centre, Golden Screen Cinemas, Magnum, Malta, Maxis, Milo, Modenas, Nikon, One Community Worldwide, Pallas, Sunquick and Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd.

Penang Global Tourism was the supporting partner while Penang Times Square was the official venue provider. Rapid Penang was the official transport provider.

buildship · September 20th, 2011, 03:40 PM

Monday September 19, 2011

State wants feedback on Swettenham Pier plans

The Penang Government is pro-posing the redevelopment of Swettenham Pier and wants feedback and views from the public on its plans.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state was considering putting together a Request for Proposal (RFP) application for the development of an integrated waterfront and seaport at Lot 4 and an adjoining lot at the pier.

“We are considering the RFP for the development of the pier which sits on land belonging to the state government,” he said at a press conference on Saturday.

In a handout that was later distributed to reporters, it was stated that both lots had seabed soil and they covered 1.45ha altogether.

Lim said the state was willing to listen to views from all inclu-ding the Penang Port Commis- sion.

“The state is thinking of deve-loping the pier so it can be better organised and professionally run,” he said.

“Where necessary, expansion projects can be carried out to optimise its value.

“We hope to commercialise the pier,” he said.

buildship · September 22nd, 2011, 08:57 AM

Boon Siew Honda facility expansion with additional investment of RM200M (BE/BM/BC)
by CM Lim Guan Eng on Thursday, 22 September 2011 at 14:33
Speech by the Rt. Hon. Chief Minister of Penang, Mr Lim Guan Eng
Announcement by Boon Siew Honda on their Expansion Plan
September 22, 2011 at the Chief Minister Office, Level 28, Komtar

Good morning

Mr. Satoshi Okada, Managing Director and CEO Boon Siew Honda and Senior officials

Dato’ Lee Kah Choon, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of investPenang

Dato’ Rosli Jaafar, General Manager of Penang Development Corporation (PDC)

Puan Maimunah bt Mohd Sharif, Mayor of the Municipal Council in Seberang Perai (MPSP)

Cik Zabidah bt Daud, Director of Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), Penang

Representatives from the various Federal & State Government Agencies and Utilities Organisations - Department of Environment (DOE), Penang Water Authority (PBA),
Telekom Malaysia ( TM ) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)

Member of the Press

Ladies and Gentlemen

Penang is the proud location of the only motorcycle production facility of Boon Siew Honda. Boon Siew Honda, I understand, is the strategic partnership that dates back to 1958, when the late Tan Sri Dato' Loh Boon Siew and the late Mr Sochiro Honda, founder of Honda, one of the world’s mightiest corporations, met for the very first time. This meeting actually developed into a business collaboration and eventually in September 2008, Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd, a 50:50 joint-venture between Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Oriental Holdings Bhd, came into operation. As we are aware, Boon Siew Honda solely supplies to the domestic market, which relates very well with the goals of the company, i.e. (i) to consolidate motorcycle production and sales in Malaysia; and (ii) to achieve higher customer satisfaction and efficiency.

Presently, Boon Siew Honda is the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in Malaysia with major competitors comprising Hicom-Suzuki in Perai, Penang; Modenas in Kedah; and Hong Leong Yamaha in Selangor as well as lesser competitors such as SYM or Sanyang Motorcycle in Perai, Penang; Kawasaki in Selangor as well as Demak in Kuching.

Today, we have the representatives of Boon Siew Honda here to share with us their expansion plan in Penang. This expansion plan will encompass the consolidation of their present operation at Mak Mandin with their proposed development. To be located in Batu Kawan Industrial Park, the new Boon Siew Honda facility will incur additional investment of RM200 million. The new facility will provide additional 100 new jobs to further complement its existing 1,000 workers, out of which 85% are production workers. What amazes me is that all of Boon Siew Honda’s production workers are local. Boon Siew Honda must have very good human resource strategies that are able to attract and retain the local workforce despite its labour intensive nature of the industry.

Today, Boon Siew Honda dominates 45% of the Malaysian motorcycle market share with the production of 250,000 units of motorcycles of various models per year. The company is expected to produce about 350,000 units of motorcycles once the new facility is operational.

Motorcycle was once a mode of transportation for the working class population but today, it is a popular mode of transportation for small businesses such as retail and petty trading; alternative mode of transportation for those with cars as well as for leisure transport. Given the diverse applications of motorcycles today, it justifies that our number one motorcycle producer has a wide range of models to offer today, which includes a variety of Wave series, EX5 and Icon. Boon Siew Honda plans to introduce additional CUB models.

Although I have been told that the new facility at Batu Kawan which will commence construction in November 2011 and begin operation in February 2013, will only be for manufacturing activities, I strongly urge the management of Boon Siew Honda, who are represented here today, to take full advantage of what Penang can offer, and to extend your operation to include design & development as well as vendor development.

We are currently planning to set up a SME Village at Batu Kawan Industrial Park, not far from the Boon Siew Honda’s new facility. The proposed 150-acre SME Village will be an ideal location to accommodate parts and components vendors of Boon Siew Honda, thus will further enhance supply chain development for the industry.
This RM200 million investment only deepens the the long standing relationship between Boon Siew and Honda. Further we hope for more Japanese investment in the high precision automation and chemical engineering, electrical and electronics as well as renewable energy. Penang is the location of choice for investors not just for our availability of human talent, proficiency in English and mastery of technical processes, efficient supply chain management, logistics hub and a livable city filled with culture and lifestyle but also a good government that protects intellectual property rights. Many prominent Japanese have made Penang their home such as Tan Sri Konishi, the Japanese Bon Odori Festival is the largest in Malaysia with 70,000 visitors and their investors extend even to running the Penang Golf and Country Club(formerly BJCC).

I wish to thank MIDA for all the assistance given especially to Cik Zabidah.

Last but not least, I would like to thank Boon Siew Honda for considering Penang and expand its operation in Penang. Thank you.

nazrey · September 22nd, 2011, 03:23 PM

Najib reaching out to Penang Chinese
ANALYSIS By JOCELINE TAN
Thursday September 22, 2011

The Prime Minister wants to keep the conversation going with the Chinese and his visit to Penang this Sunday to raise funds for Chinese schools is yet another signal that he is not giving up on them.

DATUK Seri Najib Tun Razak's knee is mending quite well following surgery more than a month ago. And he may get the chance to put it to the test in Penang this Sunday where he is scheduled to cycle with several hundred Penangites to raise funds in the name of charity.

If everything goes according to plan, the Prime Minister will be pedalling around the Tanjong Tokong area, once a quaint seaside suburb famous for its seafood but which is now more famous for traffic jams.

The event comes under Najib's 1Malaysia programmes and could be one of Najib's most major gestures to the Chinese community. The 1Malaysia Charity Ride for Education 2011, as the event is known, is to help raise funds for some 15 Chinese schools in Penang.

“The Prime Minister is showing that he is for all Malaysians by coming down to join us,” said Datuk Ong Gim Huat, a Penang businessman and chairman of Kwong Wah Yit Poh, which is the organiser of the event.

Kwong Wah Yit Poh is the most widely-read Chinese newspaper in Penang and the northern parts and is quite influential in that sense. Ong's late father Datuk Ong Hoo Kim was a prominent philanthropist famed for his role in raising funds for Chinese education and the son is now following in his father's footsteps.

READ MORE: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...777&sec=nation

buildship · September 27th, 2011, 05:26 AM

Thursday January 20, 2011

Penang tops total capital investment list for 2010

GEORGE TOWN: Penang attracted RM12.2bil worth of total capital investments in 2010, the highest in the country and a 465% increase from 2009.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state’s total capital investments last year was a five-fold increase from the previous year’s total of RM2.2bil.

“Penang has moved up from its No 4 spot in 2009.

“This 465% increase reflects investors’ confidence in the energy, expertise and entrepreneurship of our human talent,” he said.

Lim said Penang contributed 26% of the country’s total investments of RM47.2bil in 2010, based on figures from the Malaysian International Development Agency (Mida)

“We are proud that Penang is No 1 in total capital investments in manufacturing projects.

“This is the first time in history Penang has topped the list of investments in the country,” Lim said.

He said the sum came from new investments of RM2.8bil and the expansion of existing investments of RM9.4bil.

Meanwhile, Lim said state exco members welcomed the move by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to look into Pulau Jerejak island resort development’s alleged losses of RM30mil.

“We hope for the investigations to be conducted immediately,” he said. It was reported yesterday that PAC wanted the Auditor-General to compile a special report on the financial losses.

dinoleon · September 27th, 2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buildship

Thursday January 20, 2011

Penang tops total capital investment list for 2010

GEORGE TOWN: Penang attracted RM12.2bil worth of total capital investments in 2010, the highest in the country and a 465% increase from 2009.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state’s total capital investments last year was a five-fold increase from the previous year’s total of RM2.2bil.

“Penang has moved up from its No 4 spot in 2009.

“This 465% increase reflects investors’ confidence in the energy, expertise and entrepreneurship of our human talent,” he said.

Lim said Penang contributed 26% of the country’s total investments of RM47.2bil in 2010, based on figures from the Malaysian International Development Agency (Mida)

“We are proud that Penang is No 1 in total capital investments in manufacturing projects.

“This is the first time in history Penang has topped the list of investments in the country,” Lim said.

He said the sum came from new investments of RM2.8bil and the expansion of existing investments of RM9.4bil.

Meanwhile, Lim said state exco members welcomed the move by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to look into Pulau Jerejak island resort development’s alleged losses of RM30mil.

“We hope for the investigations to be conducted immediately,” he said. It was reported yesterday that PAC wanted the Auditor-General to compile a special report on the financial losses.

Nazrey and Buildship are mix dancing to show the result and efforts of both team. As ordinary citizen and voter to enjoy fruit of bipartisan in Malaysia. What I wanna to yell is, I just love it !! That's the benefit of having bipartisan in Malaysia.

buildship · September 27th, 2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinoleon

Nazrey and Buildship are mix dancing to show the result and efforts of both team. As ordinary citizen and voter to enjoy fruit of bipartisan in Malaysia. What I wanna to yell is, I just love it !! That's the benefit of having bipartisan in Malaysia.

is good, anyhow huge development in penang in contrast during BN management...anyhow, I am Penangite.

nazrey · September 27th, 2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nazrey

sPICE deal benefits only the developer, say BN reps
Tuesday September 13, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...4589&sec=North

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Barisan Nasional representatives are claiming that the agreement of the proposed subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition (sPICE) Centre here will only benefit the developer.

Expressing his disappointment after viewing the concession agreement, state Gerakan Local Government bureau chairman Teh Leong Meng said that the developer would be allowed to build an additional 1,500 houses, above the maximum permissible density in any future project that it undertakes in Penang.

“Furthermore, the state government must also provide land for the developer or any of its nominees to build the required 450 units of low medium-cost residential units (LMC) within the next 20 years. Each unit must not exceed 650sq ft and sold at a price not lower than RM72,500,” he said here yesterday.

He added that the profits from the sale will then be given to the developer despite the land being provided by the state government.

Teh said according to the Penang Municipal Council’s requirements, for every residential development that exceeds 150 units, 30% of the units must be LMC units.

Teh said since it is stated in the agreement that all 450 units must be built on one piece of land, the state government will have to allocate 16ha of land.

“Where will the land location be for the developer to build the 450 units as there is limited land on the island?” he asked.

He was speaking to reporters after viewing the agreement with other state Barisan representatives at the Penang Municipal Council’s Management Services Department in Komtar yesterday.

The representatives also called for Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik to apologise to the people for hiding the truth by dismissing claims by Penang Gerakan in May that no such clause to build 1,500 houses, existed in the concession agreement of the proposed sPICE Centre.

The project is proposed to be within the vicinity of the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) in Relau.

“After viewing the concession agreement, it is proven that such a clause exists,” Teh said.

Ng could not be reached for comment.

Penang BN Youth lodges report with MACC over spice project
2011/09/27
http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/P...oject/Article/

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth today lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to urge the comission to investigate alleged irregularities involving the Penang International Convention Centre (sPICE) project.

Its chairman Oh Tong Keong said the people of Penang had the right to know if the awarding of the project was above board.

"If it is true the agreement for the project favours the developer more than

the state, it should be stopped so that there is no abuse of taxpayers money," he told reporters after filing the report at the MACC office here.

He added that Penang BN Youth would be going on a signature drive to oppose
the project.

Costing some RM300 million, the centre is being built in Relau near here. - Bernama

buildship · September 28th, 2011, 04:34 PM

Boon Siew Honda to invest RM200m in new plant
Posted on 23 September 2011 - 05:41am
By Aaron Ngui
sunbiz@thesundaily.com

GEORGE TOWN (Sept 22, 2011): Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd is to build a RM200 million motorcycle production facility in Penang to replace the existing Mak Mandin plant in Butterworth.

Construction of the new facility in Batu Kawan is to begin in November for completion in the first half of 2013.

It will be five times larger than the existing plant and have an annual production capacity of 350,000 units per year.

CEO Satoshi Okada said the new plant will employ another 100 people in production and quality assurance, in addition to the existing 1,000 all-local workforce when operational.

He said it will be an "environmentally-responsible and people-friendly plant" as it would employ various advanced technologies such as a solar photovoltaic system, a lighting system using sunlight and technologies for better ergonomics.

"The motorcycle market in Malaysia has been showing steady growth and a further growth trend is expected. It was in this context that Boon Siew Honda made the decision to build a new motorcycle plant," Okada told a press conference Thursday.

Also present were Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, senior executives of Boon Siew Honda, and representatives from Penang Development Coropration (PDC), InvestPenang and other government agencies.

The current plant manufactures six motorcycle models — the EX5 Dream, Wave 100, Wave Dash, Wave 110, Wave 125 and the Icon — for the local market.

Production of the six models will continue at the new plant and there are plans to produce models with medium-size engines as well as high-value-added models.

Boon Siew Honda, a joint venture between Oriental Holdings Bhd and Honda Motor Co Ltd, is the market leader for motorcycles with a 45% share. It sold some 220,000 units in 2010.

Since local production of Honda motorcycles started in 1969, a total of 4.23 million units have been manufactured.

Meanwhile, Lim said Honda is an important part of the Penang economy because it has a large spillover effect.

"Lots of providers of ancillary services rely on Honda and these services are an important part of Penang's strategy for growth," he said.

buildship · September 28th, 2011, 04:35 PM

Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng visit to Surabaya, Indonesia
by CM Lim Guan Eng on Monday, 26 September 2011 at 11:31
26th September 2011

Press Statement by Wong Kim Fei
Press Secretary to Chief Minister of Penang

The Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng will be visiting Surabaya, Indonesia from 26 September to 27 September 2011. As Indonesia's second largest city, this visit will help to build up a new relationship and develop strong bilateral cooperation between the city of Surabaya and Penang. Surabaya is on of the new markets for Penang in health tourism. With direct flights three times a week, there have been an increasing number of patients seeking treatment in Penang private hospitals. Surabaya will play a major role not only in Malaysia's but also Penang's economy.

In our quest to be an international an intelligent city, Penang has to develop linkages and networkings with cities apart from capital cities in neighbouring countries. Only by undertaking initiatives to build bridges and strengthening people-to-people links with these cities, can Penang remain on the tourism and trading map. This would be the first visit by the Chief Minister to Surabaya.

While in Surabaya, the Chief Minister will pay a courtesy visit to the the Governor of Jawa Timur, Bapak Soekarwo and Mayor of Surabaya, Ibu Tri Rismaharini. The Chief Minister will also take the opportunity to meet the business leaders and the business community with the purpose of promoting Penang to Surabaya as well as to tap into the potential of medical tourism from Surabaya to Penang .

During this visit, the Chief Minister will also meet the Pak Djono Antowijono, Pengusaha TiongHua PERPIT (Perhimpunan Pengusaha TiongHoa Jawa Timur. This is to strengthen stronger relationship with the Indonesian Chinese community. The Chief Minister will also be interviewed by Java POS editors during this visit/

The Chief Minister will be accompanied by YB Dato Haji Mokhtar Bin Mohd Jait, State Financial Officer; YB Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim Bin Hussain, Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri; YB Senator Dato’ Mustafa Kamal Bin Mohd Yusoff;YB Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Bin Tunku Ibrahim; Yg Bhg. Dato Lee Kah Choon, Chairman of the Executive Committee of InvestPenang; Tuan Zairil Bin Khir Johari, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister; Ms. Nor Diana Binti Mohd Zabidi, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister; Mr. Iskandar Basha Abdul Kadir, Special Officer to the Chief Minister; Mr Lee Soo Cheran, Senior Manager of InvestPenang and Ms. Shazanah Abdul Wahab, Executive of InvestPenang.

nazrey · September 28th, 2011, 06:06 PM

Penang National Park
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

buildship · September 29th, 2011, 06:56 PM

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/161459

IHS to invest US$8m in Penang centre of excellence
Posted on 30 September 2011 - 12:12am
BY AARON NGUI
sunbiz@thesundaily.com
GEORGE TOWN (Sept 30, 2011): IHS Inc, a US-based business process outsourcing (BPO) company, has picked Penang to set up a centre of excellence for the Asia-Pacific, with an initial investment of US$8 million (RM25.44 million).

The centre, located at Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah here, is expected to be operational by December and will initially have 20 employees.

IHS CEO Jerre L. Stead said the investment will be raised to US$50 million and the workforce to some 1,600 people by 2015.

"The centre of excellence will be the largest IHS centre in the world and will be staffed and led by locals. For us, it's always locals as I believe it is the only way to success," he told a press conference yesterday.

Also present were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, IHS Asia-Pacific human resource vice-president Paul McAvoy, CFO Richard Walker, and InvestPenang executive committee chairman Datuk Lee Kah Choon and general manager Loo Lee Lian.

Lim said IHS' entry into Penang would help the state achieve its aim of becoming an intelligent and international city.

The company is one of the world's leading sources of information and insight providers and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005.

IHS, which expects to post a revenue of US$1.3 billion for the financial year ending Nov 30, 2011, provides information on industries such as energy and power, oil and gas, design and supply chain, defence, risk and security, environmental, health and safety and sustainability, country and industry forecasting and commodities.

It has been in business since 1959 with its headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, USA and employs more than 5,000 people in more than 30 countries.

buildship · October 1st, 2011, 09:08 AM

Saturday October 1, 2011

Faster broadband next year

GEORGE TOWN: The first phase of the 110km fibre optic cable project on Penang island is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of next year.

Penang Development Corporation (PDC) Telecommunication Services Sdn Bhd chairman Jeff Ooi said when the project was completed, households in George Town would be able to access broadband speed of 100Mbps (Megabits per second.

The project to lay the fibre optic cable is being done in collaboration with several telecommunication companies.

“This is 25 times faster than the current speed available,” Ooi told reporters here at a press conference by IJM Land Bhd managing director Datuk Soam Heng Choon on the ICT Partnership between Time and Astro on The Light Water-front Penang project on the eastern coastline (beside the Penang Bridge).

Also present were Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and IJM Group chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Teh Kean Ming.

Meanwhile, Lim said that when the second phase of IJM Land’s The Light Waterfront project was completed, some 30,000 jobs would be created.

The second phase comprises hotels, retails malls, cultural centre, and convention centre.

buildship · October 1st, 2011, 09:10 AM

Penang Govt defends RM300mil sPICE project

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has defended the bidding process for the subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition (sPICE) Centre amid growing criticism from Gerakan and some civil groups.

All interested parties had a fair chance to propose plans for sPICE, state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow declared.

Chow said the state had decided to call for a Request For Proposal (RFP) after no company submitted bids during the open tender period.

“In an open tender, we asked for bids on a structured invitation where aspects of the project are listed in detail. In an RFP, on the other hand, all parties are asked to come up with their own proposals to suit a general need,” Chow said.

Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan was reported as saying the award of the RM300mil project was unfair due to major concessions accorded to the developer.

To this, Chow said the concessions were proposed by the developer and negotiated before the contract was signed on Aug 19.

September 20th, 2011, 07:12 AM	#42
nazrey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 72,635 Likes (Received): 298	BN: Report it to MACC Penang By WINNIE YEOH Tuesday September 20, 2011 http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.as...1478&sec=North THE state Barisan Nasional has challenged the Penang Government to lodge a report with the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the Pulau Jerejak development project if they have proof of corruption. Penang Barisan Nasional information head Datuk Dr Loga Balan Mohan said the state government has to stop misleading the people about the project. “I don’t understand what he (Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng) is up to. I think he has no other issue to talk about anymore. If Lim has proof, lodge a report.” He was responding to a question asked by a reporter on reports that Penang Deputy Chief Minister Dr P. Ramasamy would be submitting documents on the RM30mil losses of the project during the next state assembly. On a separate issue, state Barisan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said state Barisan co-ordinators would assist Jit Sin High School in its bid to build a school branch in south Seberang Prai. He said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin had said a meeting would be arranged between the Education Ministry and the school board of governors soon. It was reported that the school had waited for more than 20 months to obtain approval and fund to build the school on a 3.24ha land. They were speaking to reporters after some 30 Barisan component party members participated in a walkabout at the Chowrasta Market on Penang Road yesterday where they distributed about 3,000 reusable bags to market traders and shoppers. During the visit, Komtar Barisan Nasional co-ordinator Loh Chye Teik also pointed out that the sagging ceiling on the second floor of the market had yet to be fixed even though he had highlighted the matter more than two weeks ago. “I will give the Penang Municipal Council one more week to rectify the matter. Failing which, I will bring my own team to fix it.” __________________ Malaysia Photo Gallery - Click Here for Malaysia Galleries City & Town - \| Kuala Lumpur \| Penang \| Malacca \| Putrajaya \| Cyberjaya \| Langkawi Alor Setar, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Kangar, Kota Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Seremban, Shah Alam, etc!

September 22nd, 2011, 03:23 PM	#50
nazrey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 72,635 Likes (Received): 298	Najib reaching out to Penang Chinese ANALYSIS By JOCELINE TAN Thursday September 22, 2011 The Prime Minister wants to keep the conversation going with the Chinese and his visit to Penang this Sunday to raise funds for Chinese schools is yet another signal that he is not giving up on them. DATUK Seri Najib Tun Razak's knee is mending quite well following surgery more than a month ago. And he may get the chance to put it to the test in Penang this Sunday where he is scheduled to cycle with several hundred Penangites to raise funds in the name of charity. If everything goes according to plan, the Prime Minister will be pedalling around the Tanjong Tokong area, once a quaint seaside suburb famous for its seafood but which is now more famous for traffic jams. The event comes under Najib's 1Malaysia programmes and could be one of Najib's most major gestures to the Chinese community. The 1Malaysia Charity Ride for Education 2011, as the event is known, is to help raise funds for some 15 Chinese schools in Penang. “The Prime Minister is showing that he is for all Malaysians by coming down to join us,” said Datuk Ong Gim Huat, a Penang businessman and chairman of Kwong Wah Yit Poh, which is the organiser of the event. Kwong Wah Yit Poh is the most widely-read Chinese newspaper in Penang and the northern parts and is quite influential in that sense. Ong's late father Datuk Ong Hoo Kim was a prominent philanthropist famed for his role in raising funds for Chinese education and the son is now following in his father's footsteps. READ MORE: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...777&sec=nation __________________ Malaysia Photo Gallery - Click Here for Malaysia Galleries City & Town - \| Kuala Lumpur \| Penang \| Malacca \| Putrajaya \| Cyberjaya \| Langkawi Alor Setar, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Kangar, Kota Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Seremban, Shah Alam, etc!

September 28th, 2011, 06:06 PM	#57
nazrey Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 72,635 Likes (Received): 298	Penang National Park image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr __________________ Malaysia Photo Gallery - Click Here for Malaysia Galleries City & Town - \| Kuala Lumpur \| Penang \| Malacca \| Putrajaya \| Cyberjaya \| Langkawi Alor Setar, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Kangar, Kota Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Seremban, Shah Alam, etc!

September 29th, 2011, 06:56 PM	#58
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	http://www.thesundaily.my/news/161459 IHS to invest US$8m in Penang centre of excellence Posted on 30 September 2011 - 12:12am BY AARON NGUI sunbiz@thesundaily.com GEORGE TOWN (Sept 30, 2011): IHS Inc, a US-based business process outsourcing (BPO) company, has picked Penang to set up a centre of excellence for the Asia-Pacific, with an initial investment of US$8 million (RM25.44 million). The centre, located at Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah here, is expected to be operational by December and will initially have 20 employees. IHS CEO Jerre L. Stead said the investment will be raised to US$50 million and the workforce to some 1,600 people by 2015. "The centre of excellence will be the largest IHS centre in the world and will be staffed and led by locals. For us, it's always locals as I believe it is the only way to success," he told a press conference yesterday. Also present were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, IHS Asia-Pacific human resource vice-president Paul McAvoy, CFO Richard Walker, and InvestPenang executive committee chairman Datuk Lee Kah Choon and general manager Loo Lee Lian. Lim said IHS' entry into Penang would help the state achieve its aim of becoming an intelligent and international city. The company is one of the world's leading sources of information and insight providers and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2005. IHS, which expects to post a revenue of US$1.3 billion for the financial year ending Nov 30, 2011, provides information on industries such as energy and power, oil and gas, design and supply chain, defence, risk and security, environmental, health and safety and sustainability, country and industry forecasting and commodities. It has been in business since 1959 with its headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, USA and employs more than 5,000 people in more than 30 countries. Last edited by buildship; September 29th, 2011 at 07:03 PM.

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September 20th, 2011, 03:35 PM	#45
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Tuesday September 20, 2011 A cool celebration By HAN KAR KAY hankk@thestar.com.my Spectators reacting as fire-eaters spew brillant flames that light up the cool night sky during the Malaysia Day celebrations atop Penang Hill. THE Malaysia Day celebration at Penang Hill ended with a bang with an awesome seven-minute fireworks display across the hill top. More than 500 visitors thronged the top to catch an interesting line-up of activities such as snake show, bamboo dance, boria and a fire show. Children aged between three and 12 were seen queuing to have the hibiscus flower and a heart-shaped Jalur Gemilang painted on their faces. While the children were enjoying themselves, adults were reliving the good old days playing traditional games such as congkak and batu seremban. Squeals and claps thundered the stage as the crowd continued to cheer during the snake show that featured the deadly King Cobra and mangrove snakes. Dancers swinging the fireballs attached to a chain kept the audiences enthralled. Penang Hill Corporation senior assistant manager (promotions and marketing) Anne Goh said this was the first time a Malaysia Day celebration was held on the hill. “We are glad that more than 500 visitors turned up to celebrate the meaningful day on the hill and that include 250 Sabahans and Sarawakians who rode up for free,” she said. Spotted among the lively crowd was Lim Siaw Yin. Lim, 34, from Kuching, came with her family to catch the fireworks and celebrate Malaysia Day in a different way. “We reckoned it would be a fun outing with the wide array of activities while enjoying the cool breeze on the hill,” she said. An array of colourful fireworks display that left bright streaks across the sky ended the historic event.

September 20th, 2011, 03:37 PM	#46
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Tuesday September 20, 2011 Cultural grandeur wows foreigners By FONG KEE SOON keesoon@thestar.com.my A GROUP of 70 foreigners, including children, had an unforgettable time carrying brightly lit lanterns on the grounds of the Ong Kongsi clan temple in Penang Road. Many of them came dressed in traditional Asian costumes such as the cheongsam and yukata. There were various types of lanterns, including those shaped like mythical creatures such as phoenix and dragon. Amidst the rich heritage setting, the group enjoyed a spectacular mask-changing performance by a nine-year-old local artiste who trained in Szechuan, China. The group, which comprised French, Japanese, Irish, British, Dutch, Chilean, Australian, German and Mexican nationalities, also took the opportunity to tour and marvel at the building’s ornate architecture. A live performance of traditional Chinese musical instruments completed the mood that recent Saturday night. Teoh Lay Hoong, 40, whose maternal grandfather was on the committee of the Ong Kongsi, which is over 160 years old, had organised the get-together for her friends, most of whom are expatriates working here. Earlier on, Teoh served her guests dinner, which included the special Nyonya dish kiam chai ark (salted vegetable and duck soup). “It’s just a way of letting the parents have a good time with their children during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is one of the most celebrated traditional Chinese festivals. “I thought it would be special to have it at a heritage site,” said Teoh, who also hoped the setting would help create awareness of traditional Chinese culture. The housewife also hoped that the night would help her 10-year-old son grow up knowing more about his roots. “Culture is very important, and it’s our responsibility to bring it to the next generation,” she said. Among her friends present were French automotive project manager Vincent G., his wife Anne-Claire and their children Louis, 11, Bastien, eight, and Titouan, five. Vincent described the experience of attending a cultural show at a Chinese clan house at night as unique and interesting. “I was very impressed by the mask-changing feat considering that the boy is only nine. “I don’t think my kids will ever manage to do that,” said the 42-year-old, adding that his family had been celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival since they moved from Paris to Penang two years ago.

September 20th, 2011, 03:39 PM	#47
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Monday September 19, 2011 Historic gathering of 20,000 By ANDREA FILMER, FONG KEE SOON, JOSEPHINE JALLEH, KOW KWAN YEE, SIMREN KAUR, HAFIZ MARZUKHI and KIATISAK CHUA Photos by NG AH BAK, K.T. GOH, GOH GAIK LEE, CHIN CHENG YEANG, ZAINUDIN AHAD, ASRI ABDUL GHANI, GARY CHEN, LIM BENG TATT, CHAN BOON KAI Mammoth crowd: A record of 20,000 participants surging forward after being flagged off from the century-old Birch House at Penang Time Square on Jalan datuk Keramat during Penang Starwalk 2011. PENANG Starwalk moved back to George Town this year and celebrated the city’s heritage in the process. Clocking in the largest number of participants in the walk’s 34-year history, some 20,000 walkers converged on Jalan Datuk Keramat at the starting line in front of Birch House. Many Starwalk participants who were afraid of getting caught in jams in the city centre were seen arriving for the walk on Rapid Penang buses. Rapid Penang provided 33 buses to shuttle participants from five pick-up points to Komtar or Penang Times Square yesterday. At 6.30am, Star Publications (M) Bhd executive director Tan Sri Kamal Hashim fired the pistol to start the competition race participated by some 4,270 competition walkers. This was followed by a 7.15am flag-off by Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas for non-competition walkers and a 7.30am 1km charity walk that featured seven charities and the corporations which adopted them. The showers that were forecasted held up and allowed for a beautiful morning for walkers to make their way through Penang’s heritage zone. Competition walkers, who took a 10km route, were treated to additional heritage sights compared to their non-competition counterparts who walked a 6km route. Participant Mok Keng Yee, 63, reading The Star while taking part in the fun walk. However, non-competition walkers arguably enjoyed the sights more as many were seen taking their time absorbing the state’s tangible history. Technician Wan Hamzah Wan Abdullah, 37, who has participated in Penang Starwalk since 2000, said the heritage route was a good idea as he could enjoy many scenic landmarks along the way. “Usually, I don’t really spend time to know more about the heritage site here until now,” he said. Among heritage icons on the walk’s route were the Town Hall, City Hall and Fort Cornwallis, all located around the Esplanade, E&O Hotel built in 1885 and two historic schools — Convent Light Street, the oldest girls’ school in South-East Asia, and St Xavier’s Institution, the first La Sallian school in the country. Many non-competition walkers were also seen stamping heritage ‘passports’ sponsored by Penang Global Tourism to redeem prizes in a lucky dip sponsored by Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd. Among Starwalkers seen admiring the heritage landmarks was Christina Chan, 25, who was spotted enthusiastically taking photos in front of Kuan Yin Temple on Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Keling. “I came all the way from Kuala Lumpur to take part in this Starwalk. It’s an amazing feeling when I walk around the town with another 16,000 participants,” she said. After the walkers made their way back to the finish line, they were treated to free flows of Milo, 100Plus, Malta, Sunquick and Nestle Fitnesse whole wheat cereal while games were also available at various sponsor booths. McDonald’s also pitched in and sponsored breakfast for 700 officials and volunteers. After a lively variety show held at the outdoor stage, lucky draw prizes including five motorcycles, iPad 2s, handphones, air tickets and GPS devices were given away to lucky participants. State Education Department sports unit head Lee Swee Seng presented prizes to the top three schools with the highest participation in the walk. They were SMJK Jit Sin, SMJK Chung Ling Butterworth and SMJK Heng Ee which received RM700, RM500 and RM300 in Popular book vouchers respectively. Aside from the 1,367 students from these schools, many other school-going children were seen participating in the walk, a number of which had received complimentary movie passes from Golden Screen Cinemas during the event’s registration drive. Penang Starwalk 2011 was jointly organised by The Star and the Penang Amateur Athletic Association (PAAA). Event co-chairman and PAAA president Datuk Syed Mohd Aidid Syed Murtaza, Star Publications non-executive director Datin Linda Ngiam and regional operations manager (North) Chung Chok Yin were also present. The platinum sponsor for the event was Genneva Syariah while the other main sponsors were Equine, 100Plus, AmBank, BP Diagnostic Centre, Golden Screen Cinemas, Magnum, Malta, Maxis, Milo, Modenas, Nikon, One Community Worldwide, Pallas, Sunquick and Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd. Penang Global Tourism was the supporting partner while Penang Times Square was the official venue provider. Rapid Penang was the official transport provider.

September 20th, 2011, 03:40 PM	#48
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Monday September 19, 2011 State wants feedback on Swettenham Pier plans The Penang Government is pro-posing the redevelopment of Swettenham Pier and wants feedback and views from the public on its plans. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state was considering putting together a Request for Proposal (RFP) application for the development of an integrated waterfront and seaport at Lot 4 and an adjoining lot at the pier. “We are considering the RFP for the development of the pier which sits on land belonging to the state government,” he said at a press conference on Saturday. In a handout that was later distributed to reporters, it was stated that both lots had seabed soil and they covered 1.45ha altogether. Lim said the state was willing to listen to views from all inclu-ding the Penang Port Commis- sion. “The state is thinking of deve-loping the pier so it can be better organised and professionally run,” he said. “Where necessary, expansion projects can be carried out to optimise its value. “We hope to commercialise the pier,” he said.

September 22nd, 2011, 08:57 AM	#49
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Boon Siew Honda facility expansion with additional investment of RM200M (BE/BM/BC) by CM Lim Guan Eng on Thursday, 22 September 2011 at 14:33 Speech by the Rt. Hon. Chief Minister of Penang, Mr Lim Guan Eng Announcement by Boon Siew Honda on their Expansion Plan September 22, 2011 at the Chief Minister Office, Level 28, Komtar Good morning Mr. Satoshi Okada, Managing Director and CEO Boon Siew Honda and Senior officials Dato’ Lee Kah Choon, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of investPenang Dato’ Rosli Jaafar, General Manager of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) Puan Maimunah bt Mohd Sharif, Mayor of the Municipal Council in Seberang Perai (MPSP) Cik Zabidah bt Daud, Director of Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), Penang Representatives from the various Federal & State Government Agencies and Utilities Organisations - Department of Environment (DOE), Penang Water Authority (PBA), Telekom Malaysia ( TM ) and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Member of the Press Ladies and Gentlemen Penang is the proud location of the only motorcycle production facility of Boon Siew Honda. Boon Siew Honda, I understand, is the strategic partnership that dates back to 1958, when the late Tan Sri Dato' Loh Boon Siew and the late Mr Sochiro Honda, founder of Honda, one of the world’s mightiest corporations, met for the very first time. This meeting actually developed into a business collaboration and eventually in September 2008, Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd, a 50:50 joint-venture between Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Oriental Holdings Bhd, came into operation. As we are aware, Boon Siew Honda solely supplies to the domestic market, which relates very well with the goals of the company, i.e. (i) to consolidate motorcycle production and sales in Malaysia; and (ii) to achieve higher customer satisfaction and efficiency. Presently, Boon Siew Honda is the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in Malaysia with major competitors comprising Hicom-Suzuki in Perai, Penang; Modenas in Kedah; and Hong Leong Yamaha in Selangor as well as lesser competitors such as SYM or Sanyang Motorcycle in Perai, Penang; Kawasaki in Selangor as well as Demak in Kuching. Today, we have the representatives of Boon Siew Honda here to share with us their expansion plan in Penang. This expansion plan will encompass the consolidation of their present operation at Mak Mandin with their proposed development. To be located in Batu Kawan Industrial Park, the new Boon Siew Honda facility will incur additional investment of RM200 million. The new facility will provide additional 100 new jobs to further complement its existing 1,000 workers, out of which 85% are production workers. What amazes me is that all of Boon Siew Honda’s production workers are local. Boon Siew Honda must have very good human resource strategies that are able to attract and retain the local workforce despite its labour intensive nature of the industry. Today, Boon Siew Honda dominates 45% of the Malaysian motorcycle market share with the production of 250,000 units of motorcycles of various models per year. The company is expected to produce about 350,000 units of motorcycles once the new facility is operational. Motorcycle was once a mode of transportation for the working class population but today, it is a popular mode of transportation for small businesses such as retail and petty trading; alternative mode of transportation for those with cars as well as for leisure transport. Given the diverse applications of motorcycles today, it justifies that our number one motorcycle producer has a wide range of models to offer today, which includes a variety of Wave series, EX5 and Icon. Boon Siew Honda plans to introduce additional CUB models. Although I have been told that the new facility at Batu Kawan which will commence construction in November 2011 and begin operation in February 2013, will only be for manufacturing activities, I strongly urge the management of Boon Siew Honda, who are represented here today, to take full advantage of what Penang can offer, and to extend your operation to include design & development as well as vendor development. We are currently planning to set up a SME Village at Batu Kawan Industrial Park, not far from the Boon Siew Honda’s new facility. The proposed 150-acre SME Village will be an ideal location to accommodate parts and components vendors of Boon Siew Honda, thus will further enhance supply chain development for the industry. This RM200 million investment only deepens the the long standing relationship between Boon Siew and Honda. Further we hope for more Japanese investment in the high precision automation and chemical engineering, electrical and electronics as well as renewable energy. Penang is the location of choice for investors not just for our availability of human talent, proficiency in English and mastery of technical processes, efficient supply chain management, logistics hub and a livable city filled with culture and lifestyle but also a good government that protects intellectual property rights. Many prominent Japanese have made Penang their home such as Tan Sri Konishi, the Japanese Bon Odori Festival is the largest in Malaysia with 70,000 visitors and their investors extend even to running the Penang Golf and Country Club(formerly BJCC). I wish to thank MIDA for all the assistance given especially to Cik Zabidah. Last but not least, I would like to thank Boon Siew Honda for considering Penang and expand its operation in Penang. Thank you.

September 27th, 2011, 05:26 AM	#51
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Thursday January 20, 2011 Penang tops total capital investment list for 2010 GEORGE TOWN: Penang attracted RM12.2bil worth of total capital investments in 2010, the highest in the country and a 465% increase from 2009. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state’s total capital investments last year was a five-fold increase from the previous year’s total of RM2.2bil. “Penang has moved up from its No 4 spot in 2009. “This 465% increase reflects investors’ confidence in the energy, expertise and entrepreneurship of our human talent,” he said. Lim said Penang contributed 26% of the country’s total investments of RM47.2bil in 2010, based on figures from the Malaysian International Development Agency (Mida) “We are proud that Penang is No 1 in total capital investments in manufacturing projects. “This is the first time in history Penang has topped the list of investments in the country,” Lim said. He said the sum came from new investments of RM2.8bil and the expansion of existing investments of RM9.4bil. Meanwhile, Lim said state exco members welcomed the move by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to look into Pulau Jerejak island resort development’s alleged losses of RM30mil. “We hope for the investigations to be conducted immediately,” he said. It was reported yesterday that PAC wanted the Auditor-General to compile a special report on the financial losses.

September 28th, 2011, 04:34 PM	#55
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Boon Siew Honda to invest RM200m in new plant Posted on 23 September 2011 - 05:41am By Aaron Ngui sunbiz@thesundaily.com GEORGE TOWN (Sept 22, 2011): Boon Siew Honda Sdn Bhd is to build a RM200 million motorcycle production facility in Penang to replace the existing Mak Mandin plant in Butterworth. Construction of the new facility in Batu Kawan is to begin in November for completion in the first half of 2013. It will be five times larger than the existing plant and have an annual production capacity of 350,000 units per year. CEO Satoshi Okada said the new plant will employ another 100 people in production and quality assurance, in addition to the existing 1,000 all-local workforce when operational. He said it will be an "environmentally-responsible and people-friendly plant" as it would employ various advanced technologies such as a solar photovoltaic system, a lighting system using sunlight and technologies for better ergonomics. "The motorcycle market in Malaysia has been showing steady growth and a further growth trend is expected. It was in this context that Boon Siew Honda made the decision to build a new motorcycle plant," Okada told a press conference Thursday. Also present were Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, senior executives of Boon Siew Honda, and representatives from Penang Development Coropration (PDC), InvestPenang and other government agencies. The current plant manufactures six motorcycle models — the EX5 Dream, Wave 100, Wave Dash, Wave 110, Wave 125 and the Icon — for the local market. Production of the six models will continue at the new plant and there are plans to produce models with medium-size engines as well as high-value-added models. Boon Siew Honda, a joint venture between Oriental Holdings Bhd and Honda Motor Co Ltd, is the market leader for motorcycles with a 45% share. It sold some 220,000 units in 2010. Since local production of Honda motorcycles started in 1969, a total of 4.23 million units have been manufactured. Meanwhile, Lim said Honda is an important part of the Penang economy because it has a large spillover effect. "Lots of providers of ancillary services rely on Honda and these services are an important part of Penang's strategy for growth," he said.

September 28th, 2011, 04:35 PM	#56
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng visit to Surabaya, Indonesia by CM Lim Guan Eng on Monday, 26 September 2011 at 11:31 26th September 2011 Press Statement by Wong Kim Fei Press Secretary to Chief Minister of Penang The Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng will be visiting Surabaya, Indonesia from 26 September to 27 September 2011. As Indonesia's second largest city, this visit will help to build up a new relationship and develop strong bilateral cooperation between the city of Surabaya and Penang. Surabaya is on of the new markets for Penang in health tourism. With direct flights three times a week, there have been an increasing number of patients seeking treatment in Penang private hospitals. Surabaya will play a major role not only in Malaysia's but also Penang's economy. In our quest to be an international an intelligent city, Penang has to develop linkages and networkings with cities apart from capital cities in neighbouring countries. Only by undertaking initiatives to build bridges and strengthening people-to-people links with these cities, can Penang remain on the tourism and trading map. This would be the first visit by the Chief Minister to Surabaya. While in Surabaya, the Chief Minister will pay a courtesy visit to the the Governor of Jawa Timur, Bapak Soekarwo and Mayor of Surabaya, Ibu Tri Rismaharini. The Chief Minister will also take the opportunity to meet the business leaders and the business community with the purpose of promoting Penang to Surabaya as well as to tap into the potential of medical tourism from Surabaya to Penang . During this visit, the Chief Minister will also meet the Pak Djono Antowijono, Pengusaha TiongHua PERPIT (Perhimpunan Pengusaha TiongHoa Jawa Timur. This is to strengthen stronger relationship with the Indonesian Chinese community. The Chief Minister will also be interviewed by Java POS editors during this visit/ The Chief Minister will be accompanied by YB Dato Haji Mokhtar Bin Mohd Jait, State Financial Officer; YB Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim Bin Hussain, Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri; YB Senator Dato’ Mustafa Kamal Bin Mohd Yusoff;YB Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Bin Tunku Ibrahim; Yg Bhg. Dato Lee Kah Choon, Chairman of the Executive Committee of InvestPenang; Tuan Zairil Bin Khir Johari, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister; Ms. Nor Diana Binti Mohd Zabidi, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister; Mr. Iskandar Basha Abdul Kadir, Special Officer to the Chief Minister; Mr Lee Soo Cheran, Senior Manager of InvestPenang and Ms. Shazanah Abdul Wahab, Executive of InvestPenang.

October 1st, 2011, 09:08 AM	#59
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Saturday October 1, 2011 Faster broadband next year GEORGE TOWN: The first phase of the 110km fibre optic cable project on Penang island is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of next year. Penang Development Corporation (PDC) Telecommunication Services Sdn Bhd chairman Jeff Ooi said when the project was completed, households in George Town would be able to access broadband speed of 100Mbps (Megabits per second. The project to lay the fibre optic cable is being done in collaboration with several telecommunication companies. “This is 25 times faster than the current speed available,” Ooi told reporters here at a press conference by IJM Land Bhd managing director Datuk Soam Heng Choon on the ICT Partnership between Time and Astro on The Light Water-front Penang project on the eastern coastline (beside the Penang Bridge). Also present were Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and IJM Group chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Teh Kean Ming. Meanwhile, Lim said that when the second phase of IJM Land’s The Light Waterfront project was completed, some 30,000 jobs would be created. The second phase comprises hotels, retails malls, cultural centre, and convention centre.

October 1st, 2011, 09:10 AM	#60
buildship BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 810 Likes (Received): 0	Penang Govt defends RM300mil sPICE project GEORGE TOWN: The state government has defended the bidding process for the subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition (sPICE) Centre amid growing criticism from Gerakan and some civil groups. All interested parties had a fair chance to propose plans for sPICE, state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow declared. Chow said the state had decided to call for a Request For Proposal (RFP) after no company submitted bids during the open tender period. “In an open tender, we asked for bids on a structured invitation where aspects of the project are listed in detail. In an RFP, on the other hand, all parties are asked to come up with their own proposals to suit a general need,” Chow said. Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan was reported as saying the award of the RM300mil project was unfair due to major concessions accorded to the developer. To this, Chow said the concessions were proposed by the developer and negotiated before the contract was signed on Aug 19.