Firefly, the subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines’ has launched its charter service directly from Penang to Nanning, China with the Boeing 737-400 aircraft. The chartered flights to and from Nanning are scheduled to fly on 19th April and 26th April 2012 via the Penang – Nanning route and back.

In conjunction with the new charter service, Forever Travel Service is having a promotion with an eight-day promotion tour package to Nanning at only RM2,488.00. The package is inclusive of air tickets, visa fees, accommodation and meals.

This chartered flights aims to bring more tourist from China to Penang and also introducing Penangites to the delights and fascinations of Nanning. The itinerary includes the county of Yangshuo, Guilin and Longsheng aside from Nanning.

Opening Hours: 10am to 5pm Mon to Friday
Ticket price: RM5 adult and RM3 for children

The KOMTAR Scenic View observation deck is now open to visitors!

Perched on the 60th floor of the KOMTAR Tower, visitors will be able to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the island’s northeastern region. Aside from the beautiful view, there is also an ongoing photography exhibition on local attractions and events festivals and sights and a souvenir shop where visitors can purchase accessories and local snacks.

The KOMTAR Scenic View is open from 10am to 5pm from Mondays to Fridays, with admission priced at a nominal fee of RM5 for adults and RM3 for children. Locals with MyKad enjoy a discounted rate of RM3 (adults) and RM1 (children) respectively.

Athi Shankar

GEORGE TOWN: A consumer association leader has claimed that “mafia developers” have usurped Penang to turn the island into an exclusive place for the affluent.

Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam (CASSA) president Jacob George said this had triggered an exodus of the lower income people from their home state.

“Secret deals are done not only here but in Singapore and Hong Kong to turn Penang island exclusively for the rich. It’s clear that mafia developers have taken over Penang,” he alleged.

He slammed the Pakatan Rakyat state government for letting this happen unabated.

George blasted Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for caving in freely to the demands of property developers, who were bent on turning the island into an elitist dwelling.

“The state government is doing nothing about the displacement of communities taking place right under their noses,” he told a press conference here.

He said CASSA received numerous complaints from helpless local residents about the wrongdoings in the state, especially on the island.

He said the association’s ground study revealed that the developers virtually control and dictate all happenings in Penang.

“They even announce policy decisions,” he added.

George pointed to a 2009 news report on a property developer announcing the state government’s decision to raise density for property development.

He was amazed that the state government could allow a developer to usurp its power to make the important announcement.

“It clearly shows developers dictate and manipulate policies in Penang,” he added.

The CASSA president challenged the state government to prove developers’ boast that “higher density would lead to lower property prices.”

He called on Lim’s government to address the pressing issue instead of bragging about rosy statistics to show the state’s high investments and cash reserves.

Culture of fear

He accused Lim of promoting a culture of fear by slapping legal notices against or even insulting and humiliating those who voiced out against his government on the lack of public consultation in development plans.

George said massive development projects were taking place despite complaints from residents like in the Gurney Drive vicinity

He criticised the authorities for turning a deaf ear to numerous complaints regarding late night construction works.

He claimed that residents were threatened and intimidated openly for lodging reports instead of getting help from the authorities.

For the first time in their history, George said, Penangites were being forced to keep their mouth shut.

He said the vocal Penang NGOs were also being shut out and not consulted by the state government on issues of public interest.

“The state government seems to think that the vision for Penang should be what Lim thinks it should be and not what the people want it to be. It’s time for the people to regain their power and stop the state government from having a free way,” he added.

Runners from Kenya dominated the Penang Malakoff Run 2012 taking the top three placings in the 17km race in Georgetown yesterday.

Muindi Onesmus Muasya won in 53 minutes and 49.74 seconds followed by David Kipkirui Mutai (53:51.74s) and Frederick Mathiu (55:52.99s).

In the women’s category, Njihia Ann Makuhi, also of Kenya, won in 1:06:37.79s while Malaysians Angel Tan and Karen Geh Cheng Hoon finished second and third in 1:23:57.74s and 1:25:48.25s respectively.

Malaysia’s Khir Salleh won the veteran’s category with a time of 1:04:06.75s, followed closely by compatriots K. Kathirasan (1:04:58.74s) and Chuah Kean Kok (1:06:52.24s).

Malaysians dominated the women’s veteran category with Ng Sun Nee winning in 1:17:05.75s from Deborah Chinn (1:17:48:50s) and Ewe Bee Hong (1:23:12.50s). Bernama

Read more: ATHLETICS: Kenyans dominate Penang Malakoff Run – Other – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/athletics-kenyans-dominate-penang-malakoff-run-1.66156#ixzz1qCJuJPCU

ABOOK which traces the dramatic events at the beginning of World War I, was launched here recently.

Written by Dr John Robertson, The Battle of Penang tells the story of the events where the British, French, Russian and Japanese naval forces expelled the German navy from their colonial possessions in the Far East and the Pacific.

“It follows the desperate rear-guard action fought by the German cruiser Emden, sinking a score of Allied merchant ships over many weeks and culminating in the Battle of Penang almost 100 years ago,” he said.

Dr Robertson said this was where the Emden destroyed two Allied warships, Zhemtchug and Mousquet. The lax security at the Penang harbour also contributed to the destruction of the warships. The Emden, however, met its match in the HMAS Sydney two weeks later.

Dr Robertson, 72, who has a naval background, said he wrote the book at the request of Penang Heritage Trust president Khoo Salma Nasution.

“The research took about 18 months, beginning in mid-2009, where I looked through the French, British and Russian archives, as well as other published books,” he said at the launch at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O).

The hosting of the event at the hotel, said Eastern & Oriental Bhd director of group hospitality and lifestyle Michael Saxon, had historical significance.

“In 1914, the E&O was host to the Russian captain Baron Cherkasov and his wife when his ship, the Zhemtchug, was sunk in the battle that came to be known as the Battle of Penang.

“It happened in the outer harbour, and after the first shots rang out before dawn on Oct 28, 1914, many guests tumbled out of bed and together with the staff, ran to the E&O terrace to witness the battle between Emden and Zhemtchug, with the ending being the dramatic sinking of the latter before their very eyes,” said Saxon.

Saxon added that E&O staff were instrumental in getting as many people as possible down to the jetty, including the captain, who was transported by car, to assist the Russian casualties who were being brought ashore by the locals in all sorts of boats.

“A short time later, the Emden sank the Mousquet, just over the horizon to the west at the end of the North Channel beyond the present-day Straits Quay, opposite Muka Head,” Saxon said.

Also present at the launch were the Russian Ambassador Lyudmila Vorobyeva, French Ambassador Martine Dorance, German Ambassador Dr Guenter Gruber and Consul-General of Japan Tetsuro Kai.

Dorance said she was pleased to find her first mission to Penang was to “pay tribute to my compatriots”, in reference to those in the French navy who lost their lives.

Buy Books on Penang

GEORGE TOWN: Tropicana Ivory Sdn Bhd’s (TISB) RM10bil Penang World City (PWC) project in Bayan Mutiara will have affordably priced high-rise units and a world culture’ component, featuring different cultural residential enclaves.

TISB is a joint-venture company in which Dijaya Corporation Bhd holds a 55% stake, while Ivory Properties Group Bhd the remaining 45%.

Ivory group chairman and chief executive officer Datuk Low Eng Hock says about 15% of the properties for the 800 to 1,000 high-rise units for the first phase will be priced between RM300,000 and RM500,000, depending on the built-up area which ranged between 600 sq ft and 800 sq ft.

The first phase, to be located on a 10-acre site and scheduled for launch in the third quarter of 2012, will have a gross development value (GDV) of around RM600mil to RM700mil.

Subsequent phases for PWC will also see 15% of the properties priced in the affordable range of between RM300,000 and RM500,000, Low adds. Low said the group might consider using the plot ratio guidelines introduced in 2010 for the island to build medium-priced properties.

Malaysia Kini

Taxi drivers in Penang have let the nation down Malaysia Star We have visited many places on our way to Penang and have never had cause to complain about any of the locations we have visited. In fact, so far Penang would be very near the top of our favourite destinations in the world; we really love Malaysia, … CM Lim injects new vigour into PenangMalaysia Kini Guan Eng rocks boat in MalaysiaFree Malaysia Today all 5 news articles »

penang – Google News

Malaysia Star

Masssive Penang blackout caused by damages to main switch The Sun Daily by Bernard Cheah GEORGE TOWN (March 16, 2012) : The massive blackout which affected some 19000 consumers around Air Itam, Paya Terubong and Penang Hill was caused by the damages to the main switch on the Farlim main substation. Five-hour blackout in PenangMalaysia Star all 2 news articles »

penang – Google News

New Train Brings More Tourists To Penang Hill Bernama By Samantha Tan Chiew Ting GEORGE TOWN, March 15 (Bernama) — The tram ride on Penang Hill was once the bane of visitors because of its slow and often irregular service. Thanks to the efforts made by the federal government in upgrading the funicular …

penang – Google News

Penang has long been known to have the best hawker food in Malaysia among its fellow countrymen. It is not uncommon for outstation travellers to go on a hunt around the island for the best Char Koay Teow, Nasi Kandar and Laksa the very moment they arrive, even after a four-hour long drive.

Over the years, with the increase of tourists, word has spread and Penang is now known to be Asia’s best place for street food. An Australian premier food and travel magazine, the Australian Gourmet Travelers recently did an eight-page review on Penang, what they call “a paradise for hungry diners”.

The editor, Pat Nourse covers everything Penang is famous for, from Peranakan food and Nasi Kandar to durians and to each hawker dish, giving credit especially to Balik Pulau’s Laksa, calling it “one of the best things” one will eat anywhere and at any time. Penang is indeed Asia’s food paradise, setting the benchmark and “showing the world just how good hawker food can be”.