Ramadan

Ramadan is the fasting and is celebrated for 40 days, it is a time where you will find a great variety of food in Penang.

Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎, pronounced: /rɑmɑd̪ˤɑːn/) (also written Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, Ramdan, Ramadaan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured; from dawn until sunset [1] Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality. Ramaḍān is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (Arabic: الله‎, Allāh), and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramaḍān, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving forward about ten days each year. Ramadhan was the month in which the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed

Karipap

Tea break afternoons…rm1 each only….hot fresh & crisp….calls of “karipap! karipap!” (curry puff) from the seller…extra pickled onions…can be found along Penang Road.

Curry puff (Kari Pap) is a Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai, snack which is of Malay origin. It is a small pie consisting of specialised curry with chicken and potatoes in a deep-fried pastry shell. The curry is quite thick to prevent it from oozing out of the snack.

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Penang MNCs

GEORGE TOWN: The improvement in orders seen in the electronics sector in Penang in the second quarter is expected to expand into the third and fourth quarters. This is a departure from four months ago when the state’s electronics companies had been mixed in their forecasts for the second half outlook when they were interviewed. The increased orders seen in the second quarter came largely from South Korea, Japan, the US, and European multinational corporations (MNCs).

This trend is expected to improve in the third and fourth quarters, as distributors and wholesalers are now stocking up to prepare for the festive season sales in the fourth quarter, according to industry players.

P.I.E. Industrial Bhd managing director Alvin Mui said the third and fourth quarters were traditionally the best quarters of the year.

“We anticipate that demand will continue to increase for the rest of the year, although it will not be able to match the result of last year’s corresponding period,” he said.

For the second quarter, P.I.E. Industrial posted RM8.5mil in pretax profit on the back of RM52mil in revenue, compared to RM6.9mil and RM46mil achieved respectively in the first quarter.

“The increase in demand is due to the higher orders from most of our existing customers in the US and Europe,” Mui said. “The electronic manufacturing services business has become more competitive during this economic downturn.”

Eng Teknologi Holdings Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Y.K. Teh said the global demand for hard disk drives was expected to grow by about 6.6% to 140 million units in the third quarter compared to the second quarter, according to US-based research firm TrendFocus.

“In the fourth quarter, the global demand is expected to increase by 3.8% to 145 million units over the third quarter,” he said. “The group is spending RM15mil to expand its hard disk drive operations in the country and overseas this year.”

GUH Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Kenneth H’ng said the company’s month-to-month sales for the third quarter so far were as good as the corresponding period last year, just before the crisis started in October 2008.

“For such challenging economic times, we are not disappointed at all,” he said. “In fact, due to the growth in the second quarter, we are going to spend RM15mil to expand the production capacity of our plants in Penang and Suzhou for the second half of 2009.”

In the second quarter, the group posted RM20mil in pretax profit on the back of RM74mil in revenue, compared to RM4.7mil in pretax profit and RM53mil in revenue achieved in the first quarter of 2009.

For the first six months of 2009, the group generated RM25mil in pretax profit on the back of RM127mil in revenue, compared to RM2mil in pretax profit and RM133mil in revenue a year earlier.

“The orders for our printed circuit boards (PCBs) products in the second quarter, secured by the group’s operations in Suzhou, came largely from Korean and Japanese MNCs operating in China,” H’ng noted.

Globetronics Technology Bhd chief financial officer Ng Kok Choon said the group’s business for the third quarter was expected to improve compared to the second quarter.

“We have increased monthly production by 10% to about 30 million units of integrated circuits and light emitting diode dies for the third quarter,” he said. “The group also expects to receive more orders from customers in Japan, the US and China.”

Ng said Globetronics’ overseas sales “should comprise about 35% of the group’s revenue for 2009, representing a 10% to 15% increase from last year’s overseas contribution” with the MNCs and local factories in the country contributing the remainder.

For the second quarter ended June 30, Globetronics’ sales revenue improved by 38% to RM52mil from RM38mil, while its profit after tax improved 18-fold from RM200,000 to RM3.6mil.

“The improvement has to do with the customers’ replenishment programme to stock up the inventory,” he said.

Penang Wind Orchestra

THE Penang Wind Orchestra (PWO) will be performing for the first time at renowned international concerts in South Korea and China this month.

The 55-member orchestra, conducted by local music maestro Woon Wen Kin, will perform at the Jeju International Wind Ensemble concert in South Korea and at another concert in Shenzen, China, under the invitation of the Shenzen City Cultural Department.

Woon, who is also Penang Symphony Orchestra music director, said the concert in South Korea would be held until Aug 20, and after that, they would perform for three days in China.

Woon said it was an honour to perform at both concerts as they would not only represent Penang but the country as well.

“The PWO has performed at various public and official state functions for the past years. This will be the first time that our members will participate in international concerts,” he said during interval time of a concert by the orchestra at Dewan Sri Pinang recently.

Woon said PWO had gained a reputation and recognition as one of the country’s top wind orchestra since its formation in 2002.

At the recent two-hour concert, the orchestra performed theme songs and tunes from movie blockbusters such as Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Sound of Music besides Putra Putri and Big Band Stomp.

Woon said since the formation of PWO, the orchestra had cultivated many talented and young musicians who were now employed by professional organisations and music bodies.

The orchestra has a wide repertoire ranging from classical symphonic works to pop and jazz music.

Also performing at the concert was guest vocalist Serene Yoon How Wan, who is a leading soprano in the state.

New Trains for Penang Hill

The RM60mil project on a new funicular train system for Penang Hill is expected to be completed by July next year.

The new system – which is safer, low on maintenance and cost effective – is able to fetch up to 80 people per trip in about 10 minutes non-stop.
The present 82-year-old system can only ferry 60 people on 30-minute trips and passengers have to get down at the middle station to take another coach up the hill.

This has resulted in passengers having to wait for several hours to catch the train during peak periods.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the new system would be more comfortable and convenient to passengers as the interchange stop could be a hassle especially during rainy days.

“The new coach is air-conditioned with a glass roof that allows travellers to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the hill,” she told a press conference at her office here yesterday.

She said the decision on the new system was made following meetings with the Works Ministry, Penang Hill residents and non-governmental organisations including Penang Heritage Trusts and Friends of Penang Hill.

Dr Ng said the ministry was expecting more tourists to visit Penang Hill which had great potential in garden and park tourism.

“My wish is to make Penang Hill the most beautiful garden in the world.

“Last year, the hill received 368,000 tourists of which over 36% were foreigners,” she said, adding that the state government would manage, operate and maintain the funicular service.

Dr Ng said the funicular service would be closed for about six months next year to facilitate the construction work.

During the closure, travellers would have to travel up the hill in jeeps, she said.

“I hope the residents will help monitor the construction to make sure there is minimal damage,” she added.

Penang Govt To Reward Senior Citizens RM100 Each From Next Year

PENANG, Aug 12 (Bernama) — The Penang government will reward each registered senior citizen in the state RM100 a month under the Senior Citizens Appreciation Programme by March 8, next year.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state executive council (exco) meeting Wednesday decided to reward registered senior citizens aged 60 and above for their contribution to the state’s development.

“We are expecting about 100,000 to receive the aid from the state government as we are now collecting details on the senior citizens,” he told reporters after chairing the exco meeting here today.

He said if the state’s financial situation was sound, the government hoped to give the reward every year to the senior citizens.

However, Lim said the state government would also reward Penangites who took care of their aged parents.

“Those deserving will be given RM1,000 under the programme if they are named as beneficiaries upon the death of their parents,” he said.

He said the state government wanted to reward children who took care of their elderly parents as “we want to build a caring society”.

Meanwhile, he said the state government also managed to save up on its administrative and development costs for last year.

“We only spent RM435 million out of RM481 million allocated as the current state government has been spending wisely on the people’s money,” he said.

BERNAMA

International Lion Dance On Stilts and Dragon Dance Competition

Troupes from five countries will compete for three days of traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances in Penang, Malaysia. The lion dances on “stilts” manipulated by, well, something like puppeteers? Besides Malaysia, the troupes will come from mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada and Thailand. Perhaps there will be entries from additional countries because that country listing dates from a June announcement from the state tourism agency.

Date: 25th to 27th September 2009

Location: Komtar Dome, Penang

Organizer: Penang State Government

Contact: 604-6505136

Penang will hold a Lion Dance On Stilts and Dragon Dance competition at Komtar Dome this September.

Current Penang Government “A Bigger Robbers” – Azhar

PENANG, Aug 11 (Bernama) — Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim on Tuesday labeled the current Penang state government as ‘bigger robbers’ for accepting the balance of RM2.2 million from the sale of Kampung Buah Pala.

Azhar (BN-Penaga) said if Barisan Nasional (BN) are labeled as ‘robbers’ for selling the land, the Pakatan-led government are ‘bigger robbers’ for accepting the balance of the premium.

“If they called us robbers for accepting RM1 million as part payment for the sale of the land, then, they are ‘bigger robbers’ for accepting the balance of RM2.2 million,” said Azhar when Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was winding up debate on the Penang Hill Corporation Bill 2009 at the state assembly sitting.

Azhar said the endorsement of the land was also done by the current state government on March 27, 2008 after the balance of the premium was received on March 14, 2008.

Lim however said, the present government did not sign any documents pertaining to Kampung Buah Pala, but rather just continued what was done by the previous BN government.

“Why did the BN government sell the land for such a low price? asked Lim.

Syed Amerruddin Syed Ahmad (BN-Bayan Lepas) immediately stood up to clarify that the land price was cheap because Kampung Buah Pala was swapped for another piece of land next to Dewan Sri Pinang which was owned by Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang (KPKPP).

“So, the low price of the land does not arise because the sale of the land was done according to the proper procedures. But before BN could complete the deal, there was a change in the government,” he said.

Lim later said the state government viewed the Kampung Buah Pala issue seriously and would do everything possible to guarantee the welfare of the residents.

– BERNAMA

Little Penang Street Market

Little Penang Street Market is a monthly market which takes place on the last Sunday of each month, in Upper Penang Road.

Since the first market in July 2006, the Market has become established as a major venue for the showcasing of Penang’s culture and creativity.

It combines some 70 craft stalls with food, live performances in The Space, visual arts, children’s activities, hands-on demonstrations and book readings. All resulting in a wonderful ambience, unique in Penang.

Check out our various activities! Come and visit! Tell your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours! And become a sponsor!

The Arts & Crafts Market

Our Market promotes the best of Penang crafts and local products. Vendors are carefully screened, and products have to meet one or more of the following criteria.

- Related to heritage or tradition

- Hand-made in Malaysia

- 70% made from Malaysian materials

The Market also is committed to Vendor Development – Nurturing artisans and cultural entrepreneurs to develop their markets, through improved sourcing to production linkages, business know-how and branding. Mentoring relationships are set up by the Little Penang creative team.

The Space

Showcases Penang’s performing arts. Our programming provides a venue to highlight Penang’s diverse cultures and traditions, while also providing room for more contemporary entertainment. Performers are drawn from Penang’s many communities, covering all age groups and levels. Professional performers are found alongside the less experienced: the Market is committed to being a venue whereby newer talents are given the opportunity to learn and to flourish. The Market is also concerned to promote social harmony through inter-cultural participation and an appreciation of our cultural diversity, and The Space helps explain, perform and share the various aspects of Malaysian festivals and cultural traditions to our appreciative and mixed audience.

The Gallery

Displays the work of emerging Penang artists, bringing art to the people in an accessible and affordable way. Visual Arts is becoming an increasingly significant part of Penang’s arts industry, and the Market is committed to supporting its development. This initiative is sponsored by Community Works.

Book Reading

Provides an opportunity for the Penang public to meet Penang and Malaysian authors, to listen to their work and discuss it together. Again, making the written word more directly accessible to Penang audiences is what drives this activity. It also gives an opportunity for newer writers to showcase their work and for their talents to be nurtured.

Children’s Activities, including an Arts & Culture Programme

The Market has always provided activities for children, part of which is a conscious effort to promote fun activities which also serve as arts and culture education. Children from residential homes are also encouraged to come and participate in our Market: an initiative developed in partnership with Reading For Life.

Community Works Tent

Promotes community-based crafts. The Market prides itself on its community base, and this tent, sponsored by Community Works, engages a number of local charity organisations and empowers the marginalized (mainly by adopting single mothers and other marginalized women) through creative employment in the field of arts and crafts. This tent is very popular, and its success has been achieved in partnership with organisations such as Penang Prisons, St Nicholas’ Home for the Blind, and Asian Community Service.

The Exhibition Space

Community participation is also nurtures through our provision of an exhibition space. This can and has been used by local NGOS, schools and institutes of higher learning to present exhibitions, highlight their work and invite community comment and participation.

Eco-initiatives

The Market is committed to being eco-friendly. Products such as natural soaps, herbal plants, hand-woven animals and crafts made out of recycled materials, are specially promoted. We also strongly encourage packaging to be made of recyclable material, and provide recycling facilities on site.

The Little Penang Street Market is a non-profit market, run by a volunteer committee, under the auspices of the Penang Arts Council. Come and support us!

Penang Hill Corporation Bill 2009 Tabled

PENANG, Aug 10 (Bernama) — The Penang Hill Corporation Bill 2009 which was tabled at the State Assembly sitting Monday, is aimed at, among others, giving the corporation the power to manage, operate, control and maintain the Bukit Bendera train service.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the corporation would also be responsible for developing and encouraging the economic, social and infrastructural development in Bukit Bendera.

“It is also aimed at developing the area as a tourist destination,” he said when tabling the bill.

Besides, he said, the corporation would also act as a coordinator and conduct research on all activities implemented in the 464ha area.

When the Penang Hill Corporation 2009 Enactment finally took effect, he said, the Penang Hill Railway Ordinance 1950 would be deemed null and void.

On the fate of employees of the Bukit Bendera train service, Lim said: “The workers will be offered work under the corporation with quite similar salaries and service schemes.

“Those who did not opt to serve under the corporation will be laid off.”

– BERNAMA

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