JITRA - Hotel-hotel bajet memiliki kelebihan untuk memikat pengunjung khususnya pelancong asing dan membantu kerajaan mencapai matlamat menarik lebih 36 juta pelancong ke Malaysia menjelang tahun 2020.
Naib Presiden Persatuan Hotel Bajet Malaysia (MBHA), Ir Mohamed Hassan KB Hamzah berkata, kelebihan itu kerana pengusaha hotel bajet sentiasa berhadapan dan melayan pelancong yang datang dan sekaligus dapat memikat mereka.
Beliau berkata, kedudukan strategik kebanyakan hotel bajet yang berdekatan pelbagai kemudahan awam dan dengan pengetahuan pengusaha mengenai asal usul dan produk-produk pelancongan tempatan, membantu mereka memberi penerangan kepada pelancong.
"Kelebihan-kelebihan ini tidak terdapat pada hotel-hotel bertaraf empat bintang ke atas, malah untuk bertemu pemiliknya amat sukar sekali," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan kursus sehari pengurusan dan pemasaran untuk kakitangan hotel bajet peringkat zon utara di Hotel Bustani di sini hari ini.
Menurut beliau, kursus itu selaras dengan rancangan kerajaan memperkenalkan Pelan Transformasi Pelancongan Malaysia yang mensasarkan pendapatan sebanyak RM168 bilion daripada lebih 36 juta pelancong berkunjung ke negara ini pada tahun 2020. - Bernama
Monday, December 6, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tourism boost for hotel operations
Higher international tourist arrivals to contribute towards improved hotel occupancy rates
PETALING JAYA: The sustained recovery in the business and leisure tourism markets in Malaysia, on the back of improving global economic conditions, augurs well for the local hotel and resort operators.
Industry observers told StarBiz in general, the number of international tourist arrivals in Malaysia was set to grow further, and local hotel and resort operators were well-positioned to benefit from this favourable trend.
Latest data from the Tourism Ministry showed that international tourist arrivals between January and September this year grew to 16.18 million from 15.38 million in the same period last year.
The number of international tourist arrivals for the whole of 2010 is expected to touch 24 million, up from 23.65 million in 2009.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation recently said the increasing government support and rising promotional activities would continue to boost international tourist arrivals in Malaysia.
The international body, which listed Malaysia among the top 10 tourist destinations across the globe for 2009, projected international tourist arrivals in the country to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of around 8% between 2011 and 2013.
Providing further impetus to the Malaysian tourism market is the growing number of domestic travellers or interstate tourists.
"Such encouraging trend will contribute to improved hotel occupancy rates in the country going forward," an analyst said.
Statistics from the Malaysian Association of Hotels showed that the overall hotel occupancy rate for the nine months to September this year stood at 62%.
That's a slight improvement from the average 60% for the same period last year, but still below the average of 65% for the first nine months of 2008, before the effects of the global financial crisis were felt in Malaysia.
"With improved business and consumer sentiments following the recovery of the global economy, it won't be surprising to see local hotel and resort operators chart strengthening operating performance over the medium term," the analyst said, pointing to the encouraging results of Shangri-La Hotels (M) Bhd as an example.
Shangri-La is among the few hotel and resort operators listed on Bursa Malaysia.
Announcing its financial results on Tuesday, the company said its net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30 grew to RM26.7mil on group revenue of RM111.95mil, compared with a net profit of RM15.89mil on group revenue of RM93.06mil in the previous corresponding period.
In its statement, Shangri-La attributed its stronger financial performance to extensive renovations to the guestrooms and facilities at both its Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Golden Sands Resort late last year and better operating performances of its Rasa Ria Resort in Sabah and Golden Sands Resort in Penang, as a result of good improvements in both occupancy and average room rates.
"On the whole, market conditions for the company as well as the industry have only gotten better; and that will be reflected in the results of the company and ultimately, its share price," an analyst said.
Shangri-La's share price has been rising steadily since the start of the year. From RM1.80 to its closing price at RM2.84 yesterday, the counter made a year-to-date gain of 58%. The average target price for the stock is RM3.
PETALING JAYA: The sustained recovery in the business and leisure tourism markets in Malaysia, on the back of improving global economic conditions, augurs well for the local hotel and resort operators.
Industry observers told StarBiz in general, the number of international tourist arrivals in Malaysia was set to grow further, and local hotel and resort operators were well-positioned to benefit from this favourable trend.
Latest data from the Tourism Ministry showed that international tourist arrivals between January and September this year grew to 16.18 million from 15.38 million in the same period last year.
The number of international tourist arrivals for the whole of 2010 is expected to touch 24 million, up from 23.65 million in 2009.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation recently said the increasing government support and rising promotional activities would continue to boost international tourist arrivals in Malaysia.
The international body, which listed Malaysia among the top 10 tourist destinations across the globe for 2009, projected international tourist arrivals in the country to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of around 8% between 2011 and 2013.
Providing further impetus to the Malaysian tourism market is the growing number of domestic travellers or interstate tourists.
"Such encouraging trend will contribute to improved hotel occupancy rates in the country going forward," an analyst said.
Statistics from the Malaysian Association of Hotels showed that the overall hotel occupancy rate for the nine months to September this year stood at 62%.
That's a slight improvement from the average 60% for the same period last year, but still below the average of 65% for the first nine months of 2008, before the effects of the global financial crisis were felt in Malaysia.
"With improved business and consumer sentiments following the recovery of the global economy, it won't be surprising to see local hotel and resort operators chart strengthening operating performance over the medium term," the analyst said, pointing to the encouraging results of Shangri-La Hotels (M) Bhd as an example.
Shangri-La is among the few hotel and resort operators listed on Bursa Malaysia.
Announcing its financial results on Tuesday, the company said its net profit for the third quarter ended Sept 30 grew to RM26.7mil on group revenue of RM111.95mil, compared with a net profit of RM15.89mil on group revenue of RM93.06mil in the previous corresponding period.
In its statement, Shangri-La attributed its stronger financial performance to extensive renovations to the guestrooms and facilities at both its Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Golden Sands Resort late last year and better operating performances of its Rasa Ria Resort in Sabah and Golden Sands Resort in Penang, as a result of good improvements in both occupancy and average room rates.
"On the whole, market conditions for the company as well as the industry have only gotten better; and that will be reflected in the results of the company and ultimately, its share price," an analyst said.
Shangri-La's share price has been rising steadily since the start of the year. From RM1.80 to its closing price at RM2.84 yesterday, the counter made a year-to-date gain of 58%. The average target price for the stock is RM3.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
How Johorean are you?
How well do you know Johor? On facebook there is a quiz that asks several questions to prove how Johorean one is.
And its Jalan Wong Ah Fook is also famous.
One of the brain-teasers posed by the organisers was to name the 10 tourism icons of Johor.
Mind you, as a journalist, I though it would easy and I zealously jotted down 11 of them.
My team was the third to cross the finishing line out of the 10 that took part.
However, later that night we found we were at eighth place.
This was because the challenge was not based on time, but rather on points given for answering questions correctly.
We finished our physical tasks at record time but fared badly when it came to the questions comprising 60 per cent of the total score.
Unfortunately, we only knew this when the winners were announced. All that rushing was to no avail!
It was an eye-opener. We arrived at the finishing line more than five hours earlier compared with the last team to finish. What a shock to learn that last team was the one who won the challenge!
So, just you know, the 10 tourism icons in Johor are:
The Sultan Ibrahim Building on Bukit Timbalan. It is perhaps the most distinctive structure symbolising Johor Baru.
Then there is the Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum at Istana Besar. It was commissioned in 1864 by the Father of Modern Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar.
Kota Iskandar, that was named after the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar, comes next.
It was formerly known as the Johor State New Administrative Centre. Now it is fondly known as the Jewel of Johor and is the current administrative centre for the state government in Nusajaya.
Tanjung Piai National Park is home to many species of birds and mangrove flora and fauna, while Tanjung Kukup is the world's largest uninhabited mangrove island in the world.
Pulau Rawa is renowned for its beautiful beaches and offshore coral reefs, while Pulau Sibu is a an island of lush tropical rain forest.
Danga Bay or Teluk Danga is often referred to as the vision city of the south for being JB's premier waterfront city and the largest recreational park.
Endau Rompin National Park is one of the remaining large tracts of pristine lowland tropical rainforest.
Gunung Ledang or Mount Ophir is shrouded in mystical legends and folklore.
According to the legend of the Princess of Gunung Ledang, the Sultan of Malacca wanted the princess's hand in marriage and she, not wanting to marry him, demanded that the Sultan present her with seven jars of women's tears, seven trays of mosquitoes' hearts and seven bowls of the blood of the sultan's son.
After he was unable to meet these impossible requests, she fled to the mountain and continues to live in a hidden cave to this day.
Desaru boasts 25km of inviting beaches fringed by palms and casuarinas.
Kluang has the biggest dragon fruit orchard, organic vegetable farm, organic padi field, and pineapple and tea plantation.
To Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Johor Office acting director Nizam Abdul Wahid, thank you, sir for making me more of a Johorean!
I am not a Johorean but have been based in Bandar Baru Uda in Johor Baru for almost five years. I took the quiz and found out I am 98 per cent Johorean.
So, how well do I actually know Johor?
 |
The Johor State New Administrative Centre (above) is also known the Jewel of Johor while Danga Bay (below) is JB’s premier waterfront city. |
I know that it's known as the Southern Getaway of Malaysia, is known for its zapin and kuda kepang dances, and is blessed with beautiful beaches.
But on a recent assignment to Endau-Rompin Johor National Park to cover and participate in Tourism Malaysia-Johor Office's Media-Tourist Agent Eco-Challenge, I realised that what I knew of Johor is just the tip of the iceberg.
It was my first trip to the park, also known as Peta, because of an Orang Asli settlement called Kampung Peta located along the route into the area.
Because there is no proper road into the park, I had to endure a bumpy ride in a four-wheel-drive as it made its way through the pothole-riddled muddy road.
Still, it was lots of fun and an unforgettable experience.
One of the brain-teasers posed by the organisers was to name the 10 tourism icons of Johor.
Mind you, as a journalist, I though it would easy and I zealously jotted down 11 of them.
My team was the third to cross the finishing line out of the 10 that took part.
However, later that night we found we were at eighth place.
This was because the challenge was not based on time, but rather on points given for answering questions correctly.
We finished our physical tasks at record time but fared badly when it came to the questions comprising 60 per cent of the total score.
Unfortunately, we only knew this when the winners were announced. All that rushing was to no avail!
It was an eye-opener. We arrived at the finishing line more than five hours earlier compared with the last team to finish. What a shock to learn that last team was the one who won the challenge!
Though they were slow at the physical tasks, they won because they had all the answers right.
Upon returning to Johor Baru, I surfed the Internet to learn more about the state that I was tested on. I was amazed at how much I didn't know!
So, just you know, the 10 tourism icons in Johor are:
The Sultan Ibrahim Building on Bukit Timbalan. It is perhaps the most distinctive structure symbolising Johor Baru.
Then there is the Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Museum at Istana Besar. It was commissioned in 1864 by the Father of Modern Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar.
Kota Iskandar, that was named after the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Iskandar, comes next.
It was formerly known as the Johor State New Administrative Centre. Now it is fondly known as the Jewel of Johor and is the current administrative centre for the state government in Nusajaya.
Tanjung Piai National Park is home to many species of birds and mangrove flora and fauna, while Tanjung Kukup is the world's largest uninhabited mangrove island in the world.
Pulau Rawa is renowned for its beautiful beaches and offshore coral reefs, while Pulau Sibu is a an island of lush tropical rain forest.
Danga Bay or Teluk Danga is often referred to as the vision city of the south for being JB's premier waterfront city and the largest recreational park.
Endau Rompin National Park is one of the remaining large tracts of pristine lowland tropical rainforest.
Gunung Ledang or Mount Ophir is shrouded in mystical legends and folklore.
According to the legend of the Princess of Gunung Ledang, the Sultan of Malacca wanted the princess's hand in marriage and she, not wanting to marry him, demanded that the Sultan present her with seven jars of women's tears, seven trays of mosquitoes' hearts and seven bowls of the blood of the sultan's son.
After he was unable to meet these impossible requests, she fled to the mountain and continues to live in a hidden cave to this day.
Desaru boasts 25km of inviting beaches fringed by palms and casuarinas.
Kluang has the biggest dragon fruit orchard, organic vegetable farm, organic padi field, and pineapple and tea plantation.
To Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Johor Office acting director Nizam Abdul Wahid, thank you, sir for making me more of a Johorean!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Hotel Penaga: A unique fusion
HERITAGE conservation and hospitality are about to take a novel turn in George Town's historic enclave in Penang by the end of the year.
This is when owners of a new hotel raise the bar in luxury boutique accomodation with retail and artistic spin-offs.
"We have had a lot of fun over the project in sourcing for materials from all over the region and we will open a shop selling most of these things, in particular mirrors and lights from Indonesia, reconstructed antique furniture from China, and contemporary art works from the region," Hotel Penaga Sdn Bhd director Angela Hijjas told Business Times in Penang.
Angela said she and Hijjas will also provide a link to others interested in restoring old buildings for materials like tube line decorations, wall tiles and second-hand timber.
"With all the experience we have garnered over the last two years, we can virtually be a one-stop shop for people trying to source appropriate materials and fittings," she added.
The project, when completed, will boast a spa, a restaurant, a bar and garden.
"Officially we are three-star but this is mainly because we do not have many outlets and lack the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhbitions facilities," Angela said
"Our rooms in terms of size and finish, however, will be equal to anything provided by the five-star hotels, and service will also be the highest priority." Angela said although Hotel Penaga cannot market itself as a five-star hotel, its owners will position it as a luxury boutique hotel "at the doorstep of the old city, where a fusion of heritage and cultures, art and green buildings merge."
This is when owners of a new hotel raise the bar in luxury boutique accomodation with retail and artistic spin-offs.The RM15 million job involved the puchase of 15 pre-war terraced houses and shophouses, and restore them into Hotel Penaga.
The hotel is slated for opening by the middle of December.
It is set to see its owners, international architect Hijjas Kasturi and his wife Angela offering a residency programme for artists, and a shop selling most of the materials, fixtures and furniture found in the hotel.
"We have had a lot of fun over the project in sourcing for materials from all over the region and we will open a shop selling most of these things, in particular mirrors and lights from Indonesia, reconstructed antique furniture from China, and contemporary art works from the region," Hotel Penaga Sdn Bhd director Angela Hijjas told Business Times in Penang.
Angela said she and Hijjas will also provide a link to others interested in restoring old buildings for materials like tube line decorations, wall tiles and second-hand timber.
"With all the experience we have garnered over the last two years, we can virtually be a one-stop shop for people trying to source appropriate materials and fittings," she added.
The project, when completed, will boast a spa, a restaurant, a bar and garden.
"Officially we are three-star but this is mainly because we do not have many outlets and lack the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhbitions facilities," Angela said
"Our rooms in terms of size and finish, however, will be equal to anything provided by the five-star hotels, and service will also be the highest priority." Angela said although Hotel Penaga cannot market itself as a five-star hotel, its owners will position it as a luxury boutique hotel "at the doorstep of the old city, where a fusion of heritage and cultures, art and green buildings merge."With Singapore as it primary target market, Angela says the hotel is banking on the fact that there are currently 70 flights a week into Penang from the island republic.
"Singaporeans are in the free, independent travellers (FIT) category, who make their own arrangements without the need for an intermediary, especially as Penang is so familiar even if they have never visited the island before.
"Most come for the food, but they also expect to find an interesting place to stay and they may well economise by flying on a budget airline, but accomodation is something they may want to splurge on a bit," she added.
Angela added that the company is looking to acquire more buildings in George Town, but contended that it is not easy.
"Many are held in multiple names or by family trusts and although they may be decrepit, they are not on the market.
"We would like to extend our role within the MICE industry, as there is a great shortage of venues with an old-town heritage character," she added.
Singling out the recently-restored Suffolk House by reknowned architect Laurence Loh, as one such venue, she pointed out that there is still demand for more.
"So we are on the lookout but with no luck so far. Even through we only have 50 rooms to sell, having an affiliated venue would be beneficial in broadening our appeal," Angela added.
Habib Jewels gears to open more hotels
HOMEGROWN jeweller Habib Jewels Sdn Bhd, which recently ventured into its first hotel business in Kota Baru, is ready to open more hotels locally and abroad.
Habib Holding general manager Abdul Razak Abdul Kadir said the company is looking at Kuala Lumpur, Penang and even overseas if there are opportunities.
The hotel, which had its soft opening on August 31, is offering a special promotion for travellers during the Hari Raya period with the superior room at RM130 and deluxe room at RM150.
Abdul Razak said Habib had bought one-third of a row of shophouses in the centre of town in Jalan Maju and spent more than RM12 million to renovate the building into a 32-room hotel.
He said the hotel will also house a Habib Jewel outlet and a jewel factory, which has already started operations with 60 workers.
"We are looking to October for the official opening simultaneously with the Habib Jewel outlet, which is expected to be ready by the end of this month," he said.
Abdul Razak said the Kota Baru Habib Hotel, which has 26 superior and six deluxe rooms, has been branded as a boutique budget hotel targeted at business and local travellers.
On choosing Kota Baru as its first hotel, Abdul Razak - who has about 20 years in the hotel industry - said the company did a study two years ago and found that there was a market for rooms in the one- to three-star hotel category in the town.
He said Habib Hotel currently has a staff of 18, but plans to increase this to 28.
Habib Holding general manager Abdul Razak Abdul Kadir said the company is looking at Kuala Lumpur, Penang and even overseas if there are opportunities."We started moving away from our core business last year when we opened an Ar-Rahn outlet in Ampang, Selangor.
"We see the hotel business as a property investment which pays good returns if managed properly.
"The other reason is that we have at least eight senior executives in the company with vast experience in the hotel sector and we can rely on their expertise," he said when met at the Habib Hotel in Kota Baru yesterday.
The hotel, which had its soft opening on August 31, is offering a special promotion for travellers during the Hari Raya period with the superior room at RM130 and deluxe room at RM150.
Abdul Razak said Habib had bought one-third of a row of shophouses in the centre of town in Jalan Maju and spent more than RM12 million to renovate the building into a 32-room hotel.
He said the hotel will also house a Habib Jewel outlet and a jewel factory, which has already started operations with 60 workers.
"We are looking to October for the official opening simultaneously with the Habib Jewel outlet, which is expected to be ready by the end of this month," he said.
Abdul Razak said the Kota Baru Habib Hotel, which has 26 superior and six deluxe rooms, has been branded as a boutique budget hotel targeted at business and local travellers.
On choosing Kota Baru as its first hotel, Abdul Razak - who has about 20 years in the hotel industry - said the company did a study two years ago and found that there was a market for rooms in the one- to three-star hotel category in the town.
He said Habib Hotel currently has a staff of 18, but plans to increase this to 28.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
En route to HK listing
Listing of Kosmopolito, a unit of Far East Consortium International, to include five Malaysian hotels, sources say.
Hong Kong-based Far East Consortium International Ltd (FEC) plans to include all five Malaysian hotels in a planned listing of its unit on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, sources say.
Collectively, they made a pre-tax profit of HK$55.03 million (RM22.74 million) on revenue of HK$237.23 million (RM98.04 million) for the year to March 31 2010, according to FEC's latest annual report.
On June 30, FEC submitted an application to list Kosmopolito Hotels International Ltd on the main board. FEC's deputy chairman and chief excutive officer is Tan Sri David Chiu Tat-cheong.
According to the listing request documents, FEC, which now wholly-owns Kosmopolito, plans to maintain over 50 per cent equity in the company once the spin-off is completed.
Kosmopolito is described as a developer, owner and operator of value to upscale and boutique hotels in Asia with a strong presence in Hong Kong and Malaysia and a primary focus on expansion in China.
It is also involved in hotel investment, operation, management and development. It now owns and operates seven hotels in Hong Kong.
The listing will help FEC raise funds to support organic growth and acquisitions and separate the business of property development from hotel investment, operation and management.
Sources also said the listing is due to take place in the last quarter of 2010.
FEC's chief financial officer Bill Mok declined to speak to Business Times, pending the company's planned listing.
In 2008, it was reported that FEC was planning on a real estate investment trust (REIT) listing that would include the Malaysian properties. However, this did not happen.
The same year, it announced that it was delaying a planned REIT in Hong Kong, comprising seven hotels, to raise HK$4 billion (RM1.65 billion).
As at March 2010, FEC operates a total of seven hotels in Hong Kong, two hotels in China and five hotels in Malaysia with a combined total of over 3,600 rooms. The five Malaysian hotels have a total of 1,407 rooms.
The group also has eight hotels in various stages of development, including five in Hong Kong, two in China and one in Singapore, representing an additional 2,752 rooms that will bring its total number of hotel rooms to 6,356 rooms by 2013.
Hong Kong-based Far East Consortium International Ltd (FEC) plans to include all five Malaysian hotels in a planned listing of its unit on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, sources say.It is understood that the Malaysian hotels have a combined value of about RM600 million. They are Dorsett Regency KL, Grand Dorsett Subang, Grand Dorsett Labuan, Dorsett Johor and Maytower Hotel.
On June 30, FEC submitted an application to list Kosmopolito Hotels International Ltd on the main board. FEC's deputy chairman and chief excutive officer is Tan Sri David Chiu Tat-cheong.
According to the listing request documents, FEC, which now wholly-owns Kosmopolito, plans to maintain over 50 per cent equity in the company once the spin-off is completed.
Kosmopolito is described as a developer, owner and operator of value to upscale and boutique hotels in Asia with a strong presence in Hong Kong and Malaysia and a primary focus on expansion in China.
It is also involved in hotel investment, operation, management and development. It now owns and operates seven hotels in Hong Kong.
The listing will help FEC raise funds to support organic growth and acquisitions and separate the business of property development from hotel investment, operation and management.
Sources also said the listing is due to take place in the last quarter of 2010.
FEC's chief financial officer Bill Mok declined to speak to Business Times, pending the company's planned listing.
In 2008, it was reported that FEC was planning on a real estate investment trust (REIT) listing that would include the Malaysian properties. However, this did not happen.
The same year, it announced that it was delaying a planned REIT in Hong Kong, comprising seven hotels, to raise HK$4 billion (RM1.65 billion).
As at March 2010, FEC operates a total of seven hotels in Hong Kong, two hotels in China and five hotels in Malaysia with a combined total of over 3,600 rooms. The five Malaysian hotels have a total of 1,407 rooms.
The group also has eight hotels in various stages of development, including five in Hong Kong, two in China and one in Singapore, representing an additional 2,752 rooms that will bring its total number of hotel rooms to 6,356 rooms by 2013.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Business hotel to open in Klang
KLANG: An 18-floor deluxe business hotel will open on Oct 10 in Jalan Langat, Bandar Bukit Tinggi, here.
Premiere is WCT Land Sdn Bhd’s — a wholly-owned subsidiary of WCT Bhd — first foray into the hotel industry.
The RM75 million hotel will feature 250 rooms including suites and a pillarless meeting space of 1,689sq metres for meetings, conferences and weddings to accommodate up to 1,500 guests.
Premiere is positioned to attract corporate customers and leisure travellers looking for an affordable alternative without compromising on service or quality, said Eddie Tan, director of BBT Hotel Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of WCT Bhd and an investment holding company that invests in hotels.
“All rooms will be adequately equipped for the business needs of the hotel guests,” he said.
He said Premiere’s location at the commercial hub of Klang would appeal to one to appeal to residents of the nearby neighbourhood as well as the corporate and individual clients in North Port, Port Klang, Shah Alam and Subang Jaya.
The hotel has non-smoking rooms and facilities to cater for individuals with special needs. All rooms are equipped with 32-inch LCD televisions with a selection of channels, mini bars, IDD telephone, in-room safes, spacious desks, and tea and coffee-making amenities. Broadband cable and wireless Internet access are available in all guest rooms and common areas
The executive floor features a private lounge with a dedicated concierge service and complimentary refreshments.
The hotel will also offer guests a host of facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness centre, a spa and two restaurants serving Chinese, local and continental delights.
Premiere is WCT Land Sdn Bhd’s — a wholly-owned subsidiary of WCT Bhd — first foray into the hotel industry.
The RM75 million hotel will feature 250 rooms including suites and a pillarless meeting space of 1,689sq metres for meetings, conferences and weddings to accommodate up to 1,500 guests.
Premiere is positioned to attract corporate customers and leisure travellers looking for an affordable alternative without compromising on service or quality, said Eddie Tan, director of BBT Hotel Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of WCT Bhd and an investment holding company that invests in hotels.
“All rooms will be adequately equipped for the business needs of the hotel guests,” he said.
He said Premiere’s location at the commercial hub of Klang would appeal to one to appeal to residents of the nearby neighbourhood as well as the corporate and individual clients in North Port, Port Klang, Shah Alam and Subang Jaya.
The hotel has non-smoking rooms and facilities to cater for individuals with special needs. All rooms are equipped with 32-inch LCD televisions with a selection of channels, mini bars, IDD telephone, in-room safes, spacious desks, and tea and coffee-making amenities. Broadband cable and wireless Internet access are available in all guest rooms and common areas
The executive floor features a private lounge with a dedicated concierge service and complimentary refreshments.
The hotel will also offer guests a host of facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness centre, a spa and two restaurants serving Chinese, local and continental delights.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Baron Group to invest RM20m in Langkawi
The Baron Group, with five budget hotels in this tourist haven, is to invest RM20 million to build 300 rooms to meet growing demand for hotel rooms.
Managing Director Zailina Mohd Zain said 200 rooms will be built in Kuah and 100 in Pantai Cenang. The group has a chain of three-star hotels and chalets in Kuah and Pantai Cenang, with a combined room capacity of 400.
The group's latest resort, de Baron Resort, near Pekan Rabu Complex in Kuah, which commenced operations in December last year, has 137 rooms.
Zailina told Bernama Langkawi often faced room shortage during festive seasons, school holidays and when international events are staged, hence the decision to build more rooms.Currently, Langkawi has a cumulative 8,000 rooms from hotels, resorts, chalets and lodging houses, an additional 800 rooms from last year.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Kedah Chapter chairman Pishol Ishak said some 2.4 million local and foreign tourists are expected to visit Langkawi this year.
A total of 2.37 million tourists came to Langkawi last year.
-- Bernama
Managing Director Zailina Mohd Zain said 200 rooms will be built in Kuah and 100 in Pantai Cenang. The group has a chain of three-star hotels and chalets in Kuah and Pantai Cenang, with a combined room capacity of 400. The group's latest resort, de Baron Resort, near Pekan Rabu Complex in Kuah, which commenced operations in December last year, has 137 rooms.
Zailina told Bernama Langkawi often faced room shortage during festive seasons, school holidays and when international events are staged, hence the decision to build more rooms.Currently, Langkawi has a cumulative 8,000 rooms from hotels, resorts, chalets and lodging houses, an additional 800 rooms from last year.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Kedah Chapter chairman Pishol Ishak said some 2.4 million local and foreign tourists are expected to visit Langkawi this year.
A total of 2.37 million tourists came to Langkawi last year.
-- Bernama
Friday, June 25, 2010
Aero Mall to liven up Senai airport
Developments at the Senai International Airport in Johor are expected to accelerate following the set-up of the Aero Mall, a stand-alone and external airport mall.
"There are now RM2.5 billion worth of ongoing projects at the airport area," Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman told Business Times in an interview.
They include the RM2 billion Senai High Tech Park and the Free Zone Logistics and Aerospace Industrial Park.
Sidik said the Aero Mall, which will open on July 1, will set a new wave of development for SATS, which has 1,120ha surrounding the Senai airport.
The RM80 million, 173,338 sq ft mall is an integrated lifestyle complex adjoining the airport. It has 29 retail outlets and 30,000 sq ft piazza area. Some 70 per cent of the lots have been taken up for shopping, entertainment and dining facilities.
Sidik said that there are also plans for a cineplex and a digital complex.
Ongoing projects at Iskandar Malaysia include Legoland, premium factory outlets, universities and hospitals, targeted to be ready by 2012.
Still, SATS may face stiff competion from Singapore, the KL International Airport and the Port Klang Free Zone, which are also aggressively attracting investors through various incentives.
"There are now RM2.5 billion worth of ongoing projects at the airport area," Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATS) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Sidik Shaik Osman told Business Times in an interview.
They include the RM2 billion Senai High Tech Park and the Free Zone Logistics and Aerospace Industrial Park.
Sidik said the Aero Mall, which will open on July 1, will set a new wave of development for SATS, which has 1,120ha surrounding the Senai airport.
The RM80 million, 173,338 sq ft mall is an integrated lifestyle complex adjoining the airport. It has 29 retail outlets and 30,000 sq ft piazza area. Some 70 per cent of the lots have been taken up for shopping, entertainment and dining facilities.
Sidik said that there are also plans for a cineplex and a digital complex."When we took over the airport in 2003, it was just a building to service passengers flying to Kuala Lumpur. We have expanded service to include flights to Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, and other facilities.
"Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia operate some 220 flights a week (out of the airport) and we hope that will be increased as we work to grow air traffic and passenger volume," Sidik said.
"Passenger traffic at the airport is now more than two million, including meeters and greeters. We expect this to double in the next three years."
Sidik expects new developments in Iskandar Malaysia in the state to contribute to the airport's growth.
"Iskandar is expecting some four million visitors a year. We think this will increase air traffic and passenger volume. The airport can handle up to 4.5 million passengers a year before it requires any expansion."
On the Senai High Tech Park and the Free Zone Logistics, Sidik said that SATS might undertake a fund-raising exercise, in the form of internal funds and loans, to get the projects moving.
He is ambitious about both projects and is confident that they will attract investors.
The high-tech park has drawn interest from investors in the US, Europe and China who are in various sectors, including semiconductor and solar energy.
There are confirmed investments from China's EQ Solar Technology International Sdn Bhd, which will invest US$500 million (RM1.6 billion) to produce solar modules, and leading industrial gas provider MOX-Linde Gases Sdn Bhd, which plans to set up an industrial gas separation plant.
"We have incentives to attract investors. Those who come into the Iskandar region will enjoy low income tax, among other things," Sidik said.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Majukan Industri Pelancongan Untuk Pasaran Istimewa Tertentu - Najib
MELAKA: Industri pelancongan negara bukan sahaja perlu dimajukan secara umum tetapi hendaklah mencari pasaran istimewa tertentu yang boleh meningkatkan keupayaan dan daya tarikannya, kata Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Perdana Menteri berkata pada tahun lepas, negara mencatatkan pertumbuhan pelancong amat memberangsangkan dan Malaysia merupakan antara tiga negara di dunia memperlihatkan pertambahan pelancong.
"Kementerian Pelancongan menganggarkan bahawa kita mengalu-alukan ketibaan seramai 23.6 juta pelancong, yang menghasilkan pendapatan berjumlah RM53.4 bilion," katanya ketika berucap pada majlis perasmian Philea Resort & Spa di Ayer Keroh di sini Sabtu malam.
Beliau berkata angka itu ternyata amat berbeza sekali dengan bilangan 5.5 juta pelancong dan pendapatan sebanyak RM8.5 bilion yang dicatatkan pada tahun 1998.
Katanya industri pelancongan menyumbang sebanyak sembilan peratus kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) dan sektor itu merupakan antara 11 sektor yang dikenal pasti sebagai Bidang Ekonomi Utama Negara (NKEA).
Menjelang 2015, industri itu dijangka menyumbang sebanyak RM115 bilion kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) dan menghasilkan sebanyak dua juta peluang pekerjaan.
Najib berkata kerajaan berhasrat menarik "pelancong berkualiti" menginap selama lapan malam dan membelanjakan antara RM4,000 hingga RM5,000 secara purata bagi setiap kunjungan.
Pada masa kini, pelancong secara am menginap selama 6.7 malam dan membelanjakan RM2,300 secara purata bagi setiap kunjungan.
Mengenai industri pelancongan di Melaka yang disifatkan mempunyai potensi besar, Najib berkata dalam Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh, kerajaan meluluskan peruntukan supaya "Melaka River Cruise" dipanjangkan lagi.
Projek pelancongan Sungai Melaka kini kira-kira sepanjang empat kilometer bermula dari Taman Rempah dan berakhir di Quayside, di Muara Sungai Melaka.
"Tak tahu sama ada (akan dipanjang) dua atau tiga kilometer supaya pengalaman bagi pelancong lebih bermakna lagi," kata Najib, yang menyusuri Melaka River Cruise dalam lawatan terakhirnya di Melaka pada 4 Feb lepas.
Philea Resort dan Spa adalah sebuah log resort terbesar di Asia yang dibangunkan di kawasan seluas enam hektar dengan kos sebanyak RM140 juta yang dimiliki oleh Majestic Hotels dan Resorts Sdn Bhd.
Turut hadir ialah Ketua Menteri Melaka Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, isteri perdana menteri Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor dan Pengarah Urusan Majestic Hotels dan Resorts Sdn Bhd, Tan Sri KK Chai. - BERNAMA
Perdana Menteri berkata pada tahun lepas, negara mencatatkan pertumbuhan pelancong amat memberangsangkan dan Malaysia merupakan antara tiga negara di dunia memperlihatkan pertambahan pelancong."Kementerian Pelancongan menganggarkan bahawa kita mengalu-alukan ketibaan seramai 23.6 juta pelancong, yang menghasilkan pendapatan berjumlah RM53.4 bilion," katanya ketika berucap pada majlis perasmian Philea Resort & Spa di Ayer Keroh di sini Sabtu malam.
Beliau berkata angka itu ternyata amat berbeza sekali dengan bilangan 5.5 juta pelancong dan pendapatan sebanyak RM8.5 bilion yang dicatatkan pada tahun 1998.
Katanya industri pelancongan menyumbang sebanyak sembilan peratus kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) dan sektor itu merupakan antara 11 sektor yang dikenal pasti sebagai Bidang Ekonomi Utama Negara (NKEA).
Menjelang 2015, industri itu dijangka menyumbang sebanyak RM115 bilion kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) dan menghasilkan sebanyak dua juta peluang pekerjaan.
Najib berkata kerajaan berhasrat menarik "pelancong berkualiti" menginap selama lapan malam dan membelanjakan antara RM4,000 hingga RM5,000 secara purata bagi setiap kunjungan.
Pada masa kini, pelancong secara am menginap selama 6.7 malam dan membelanjakan RM2,300 secara purata bagi setiap kunjungan.
Mengenai industri pelancongan di Melaka yang disifatkan mempunyai potensi besar, Najib berkata dalam Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh, kerajaan meluluskan peruntukan supaya "Melaka River Cruise" dipanjangkan lagi.
Projek pelancongan Sungai Melaka kini kira-kira sepanjang empat kilometer bermula dari Taman Rempah dan berakhir di Quayside, di Muara Sungai Melaka.
"Tak tahu sama ada (akan dipanjang) dua atau tiga kilometer supaya pengalaman bagi pelancong lebih bermakna lagi," kata Najib, yang menyusuri Melaka River Cruise dalam lawatan terakhirnya di Melaka pada 4 Feb lepas.
Philea Resort dan Spa adalah sebuah log resort terbesar di Asia yang dibangunkan di kawasan seluas enam hektar dengan kos sebanyak RM140 juta yang dimiliki oleh Majestic Hotels dan Resorts Sdn Bhd.
Turut hadir ialah Ketua Menteri Melaka Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, isteri perdana menteri Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor dan Pengarah Urusan Majestic Hotels dan Resorts Sdn Bhd, Tan Sri KK Chai. - BERNAMA
Friday, June 11, 2010
Rahsia Estates bina resort RM180j di Langkawi
KUALA LUMPUR 11 Jun - Rahsia Estates Sdn. Bnd. membuat pelaburan RM180 juta dengan membina sebuah resort dan spa bertaraf enam bintang di Pulau Langkawi, kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulannya, Hanizah Tun Abdul Hamid.
Menurutnya, resort yang dikenali sebagai Rahsia Estates Resorts Residences and Spa Langkawi yang akan dibina di atas tanah seluas 6.8 hektar itu dijangka beroperasi sepenuhnya pada awal 2014.
"Resort berkenaan akan dibahagikan kepada empat bahagian kepada empat bahagian iaitu butik hotel yang menawarkan 18 vila mewah, kompleks hotel dengan 110 kelab suit dan 31 vila cabana.
Beliau berkata demikian pada majlis menandatangani memorandum persetujuan (MoA) dengan Asian Finance Bank (AFB) di Pusat Konvensyen Sime Darby, di sini hari ini.
Turut Hadir, Timbalan Menteri Perlancongan, Datuk Dr. James Dawos Mamit, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AFB, Datuk Mohamed Azahari Kamil dan Pengerusi Rahsia Estates, Datin Seri Azian Aiyub Ghazali.
Hanizah berkata, projek ini akan mengikut garis panduan yang telah ditetapkan oleh Indeks Bangunan Hijau bagi memelihara dan mengekalkan kehijauan yang menjadi daya tarikan Langkawi.
"Peluang yang ada di pulau itu masih belum diterokai sepenuhnya dan saya yakin jenama hospitaliti resort ini akan menawarkan gaya hidup masyarakat Malaysia kepada pengunjung.
"Apabila beroperasi kelak resort ini akan menjadi mercu tanda Langkawi yang baru dan menawarkan kediaman mewah, perkhidmatan pelanggan kelas dunia serta keselamatan yang terjamin sepanjang masa," katanya.
Tambah Anizah, walaupun mengusahakan pembangunan berstatus mewah, Rahsia Estates tidak akan mengabaikan penduduk tempatan yang berada di sekitar kawasan itu.
"Kami akan berusaha sedaya upaya untuk mengekalkan keadaan semula jadi kawasan tersebut untuk mengelakkan pendapatan nelayan tempatan terjejas.
"Kami akan membina jeti khas baru untuk mereka serta sedang merancang beberapa projek lain dan ini termasuk dalam tanggungjawab sosial syarikat (CSR)," katanya.
Mengulas mengenai MoA dengan AFB, Hanizah berkata, persetujuan ini merupakan perkongsian strategik yang mana mereka akan menarik pelabur dari dalam dan luar negara.
Sementara itu, Mohamed Azahari berkata, AFB sebahagian daripada Kumpulan Qatar Islamik Bank dan ia memberi kelebihan kepada kami dalam menerokai pasaran Asia.
"AFB akan mencari pelabur terpilih dari Timur Tengah dan juga Eropah untuk melabur untuk projek ini kerana kami yakin dengan kebolehan Rahsia Estates," katanya.
Hanizah Abdul Hamid (kanan) menerangkan konsep pembangunan Rahsia Estates Resorts Residences and Spa Langkawi kepada James Dawos Mamit (dua dari kanan), Azian Aiyub Ghazali (dua dari kiri) dan Mohamed Azahari Kamil, semalam.
Menurutnya, resort yang dikenali sebagai Rahsia Estates Resorts Residences and Spa Langkawi yang akan dibina di atas tanah seluas 6.8 hektar itu dijangka beroperasi sepenuhnya pada awal 2014.
"Resort berkenaan akan dibahagikan kepada empat bahagian kepada empat bahagian iaitu butik hotel yang menawarkan 18 vila mewah, kompleks hotel dengan 110 kelab suit dan 31 vila cabana. "Projek ini dijangka meningkatkan nilai hartanah di kawasan tersebut yang dianggarkan mempunyai nilai pembangunan kasar (GDV) sebanyak RM250 juta," katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian pada majlis menandatangani memorandum persetujuan (MoA) dengan Asian Finance Bank (AFB) di Pusat Konvensyen Sime Darby, di sini hari ini.
Turut Hadir, Timbalan Menteri Perlancongan, Datuk Dr. James Dawos Mamit, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif AFB, Datuk Mohamed Azahari Kamil dan Pengerusi Rahsia Estates, Datin Seri Azian Aiyub Ghazali.
Hanizah berkata, projek ini akan mengikut garis panduan yang telah ditetapkan oleh Indeks Bangunan Hijau bagi memelihara dan mengekalkan kehijauan yang menjadi daya tarikan Langkawi.
"Peluang yang ada di pulau itu masih belum diterokai sepenuhnya dan saya yakin jenama hospitaliti resort ini akan menawarkan gaya hidup masyarakat Malaysia kepada pengunjung.
"Apabila beroperasi kelak resort ini akan menjadi mercu tanda Langkawi yang baru dan menawarkan kediaman mewah, perkhidmatan pelanggan kelas dunia serta keselamatan yang terjamin sepanjang masa," katanya.
Tambah Anizah, walaupun mengusahakan pembangunan berstatus mewah, Rahsia Estates tidak akan mengabaikan penduduk tempatan yang berada di sekitar kawasan itu.
"Kami akan berusaha sedaya upaya untuk mengekalkan keadaan semula jadi kawasan tersebut untuk mengelakkan pendapatan nelayan tempatan terjejas.
"Kami akan membina jeti khas baru untuk mereka serta sedang merancang beberapa projek lain dan ini termasuk dalam tanggungjawab sosial syarikat (CSR)," katanya.
Mengulas mengenai MoA dengan AFB, Hanizah berkata, persetujuan ini merupakan perkongsian strategik yang mana mereka akan menarik pelabur dari dalam dan luar negara.
Sementara itu, Mohamed Azahari berkata, AFB sebahagian daripada Kumpulan Qatar Islamik Bank dan ia memberi kelebihan kepada kami dalam menerokai pasaran Asia.
"AFB akan mencari pelabur terpilih dari Timur Tengah dan juga Eropah untuk melabur untuk projek ini kerana kami yakin dengan kebolehan Rahsia Estates," katanya.
Hanizah Abdul Hamid (kanan) menerangkan konsep pembangunan Rahsia Estates Resorts Residences and Spa Langkawi kepada James Dawos Mamit (dua dari kanan), Azian Aiyub Ghazali (dua dari kiri) dan Mohamed Azahari Kamil, semalam.
Tourists to Malaysia can apply special pass for maids
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign tourists are allowed to bring along their maids when they visit the country by applying for a special pass with immediate effect.
The special pass is issued free of charge at the Immigration counter at all entry points, said Immigration Department public relations officer Abdul Haider Mohd Shukor in a statement today.
Previously, foreign tourists had to apply for visas for their maids.
Abdul Haider said for the special pass to be issued, foreign travellers or employers must become the sponsor of their maids, who must enter the country together with them (employers) on the same date and time.
Foreign travellers must be responsible for their maids and not abuse the facility, he said, adding that the maid special pass would be coordinated with the social visit pass of the employer.
In other development, he said travellers from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh were again covered by the transit without visa provision concession to from July 1.
This is to entice more tourists from the four countries to visit Malaysia with 650,000 arrivals and between 8,000 and 10,000 on transit expected this year, he added. - BERNAMA
The special pass is issued free of charge at the Immigration counter at all entry points, said Immigration Department public relations officer Abdul Haider Mohd Shukor in a statement today.
Previously, foreign tourists had to apply for visas for their maids.
Abdul Haider said for the special pass to be issued, foreign travellers or employers must become the sponsor of their maids, who must enter the country together with them (employers) on the same date and time.
Foreign travellers must be responsible for their maids and not abuse the facility, he said, adding that the maid special pass would be coordinated with the social visit pass of the employer.
In other development, he said travellers from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh were again covered by the transit without visa provision concession to from July 1.
This is to entice more tourists from the four countries to visit Malaysia with 650,000 arrivals and between 8,000 and 10,000 on transit expected this year, he added. - BERNAMA
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
6-star Malacca resort opens next week
MALACCA'S first six-star resort and spa will open its doors next week, following a RM140 million investment by timber group Sanbumi Holdings Bhd.
The Philea Resort & Spa, claimed to be Asia's largest log resort, is located on a 5.7ha site in Ayer Keroh, Malacca. It was designed by Symbios Design Associates Sdn Bhd.
Philea's general manager Ung Beng Huat said Philea is Sanbumi's maiden venture in the hospitality management industry. Sanbumi is also involved in the tourism industry
Speaking at the preview of the resort on Monday evening, he said a thorough study had been done for two years involving concept and other details before Philea's construction started in August 2008 and was completed in May this year.
The company plans to bring in tourists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and China via chartered flights four times a week.
Philea consists of 180 Pavillion Villas, 19 units of Philea Suites and two units of Royal Villas. Each villa is uniquely designed, complemented with pine-log walls and a host of amenities.
The resort will also have five in-house food and beverage outlets as well as a host of other facilities and services such as outdoor-landscaped swimming pool and a spa village which will be opening soon.
The Philea Resort & Spa, claimed to be Asia's largest log resort, is located on a 5.7ha site in Ayer Keroh, Malacca. It was designed by Symbios Design Associates Sdn Bhd.
Philea's general manager Ung Beng Huat said Philea is Sanbumi's maiden venture in the hospitality management industry. Sanbumi is also involved in the tourism industry
Speaking at the preview of the resort on Monday evening, he said a thorough study had been done for two years involving concept and other details before Philea's construction started in August 2008 and was completed in May this year.
The company plans to bring in tourists from Hong Kong, Taiwan and China via chartered flights four times a week.
Philea consists of 180 Pavillion Villas, 19 units of Philea Suites and two units of Royal Villas. Each villa is uniquely designed, complemented with pine-log walls and a host of amenities.
The resort will also have five in-house food and beverage outlets as well as a host of other facilities and services such as outdoor-landscaped swimming pool and a spa village which will be opening soon.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Yayasan Wakaf plans to build 5 hotels
Yayasan Wakaf Malaysia (YWM) plans to build five hotels at a cost of RM100 million in Terengganu, Perak, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan to help the Muslims.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Maj Gen (Rtd) Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, said the construction of a hotel in Melaka has started and was expected to be completed by this September.
He said YWM's 'Small Projects with Big Impact' programme, comprising building of wakaf markets and people''s bazaars in the mosques and selected wakaf land nationwide, would be ready by year-end.
"They would also be handed over the respective state's Majlis Agama Islam upon completion," he said.
The minister said YWM has also launched Cash Wakaf Scheme via salary deductions.
The scheme, he said, would initially be for civil servants in the Klang Valley.
Meanwhile, ARB chairman, Datuk Dusuki Ahmad, said the MOU would offer Muslims an alternative solution to contribute to charities.
"ALS will manage the properties productively and will arrange for transfer to YWM for the benefit of the needy Muslims," he said. -- Bernama
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Maj Gen (Rtd) Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, said the construction of a hotel in Melaka has started and was expected to be completed by this September.
"When completed, the management of these hotels will be handed over the hotel to the state's Majlis Agama Islam," he told reporters after witnessing the the signing of a memorandum of understanding between YWM and Amanah Raya Bhd's (ARB) subsidiary, AmanahRaya Legacy Services Sdn Bhd (ALS), here today.
He said YWM's 'Small Projects with Big Impact' programme, comprising building of wakaf markets and people''s bazaars in the mosques and selected wakaf land nationwide, would be ready by year-end.
"They would also be handed over the respective state's Majlis Agama Islam upon completion," he said.
The minister said YWM has also launched Cash Wakaf Scheme via salary deductions.
The scheme, he said, would initially be for civil servants in the Klang Valley.
Meanwhile, ARB chairman, Datuk Dusuki Ahmad, said the MOU would offer Muslims an alternative solution to contribute to charities.
"ALS will manage the properties productively and will arrange for transfer to YWM for the benefit of the needy Muslims," he said. -- Bernama
From asam laksa to dim sum
Where can you get Penang specialties and Hong Kong dim sum at one sitting? Penang Village of course.
FOR 10 years, Penang Village has become synonymous with asam laksa, char kway teow and prawn mee. But dim sum? “Yes, we’re offering dim sum now but only at our outlet in Great Eastern Mall,” says restaurateur Connie Su, who started Penang Village with husband Tony Leow in Desa Sri Hartamas. There are now Penang Village restaurants not only in the Klang Valley but also in Sabah and Indonesia. Not a couple to let grass grow under their feet, the Leows are always thinking of new dishes to titillate the appetites of their customers. “So many customers requested for halal dim sum as this is not easily available,” says Su. “So we researched and experimented and we came up with an initial 28 dim sum items last September.” That has grown to an impressive 40 items, says dim sum chef Chin Woo Loong, 33. “But it was still a challenge as now, I use only chicken to make the dumplings.” Xiu mai, for instance, is normally made with minced meat but Chin’s chicken xiu mai has cubed chicken instead. “When chicken meat is minced, it tends to turn hard and loses its flavour,” he says.
He also notices that customers in the Ampang like their dim sum in more dainty sizes. “All dim sum are freshly made on the premises which is why we’re not offering it in our other outlets as Chin is here only,” says Su. Customers tick off their dim sum selections (RM6.90 to RM8.90) on a coloured menu. Naturally, we must have perennial faves like xiu mai and har gow, char xiu bao and egg tarts. But there’s much more to the offerings. Golden prawn dumplings have an unusual filling of pumpkin mash with prawns, carrots, parsley and water chestnuts to give it a crunch. It’s topped with black tobiko (fish roe).Despite its name, crab roe prawn dumpling does not have crab roe. Instead, it’s like xiu mai, topped with a big prawn and red tobiko. Happily, the prawns are extremely fresh. Indeed, the ingredients are so fresh you won’t need the chili dip. Fried and baked dim sum are popular with the customers, like fried yam custard shrimp where mashed yam is stuffed with prawns and deepfried while the yummy fried avocado cake looks pretty with its jacket of golden vermicelli to protect a filling of avocado, eggs and custard. Children love the roll crabstick with cheese. Here, Chin wraps an unlikely combination of crabstick and ham with a slice of cheese and then a slice of bread for deepfrying. It’s tasty, with the creaminess of the melted cheddar enhancing the flavours of the ham and crabstick. We’ve ordered fried carrot cake. The cubes of carrot (radish actually) are fried with beansprouts and chives for added fragrance. Slightly pedas, it’s so good I’m tempted to finish the plateful by myself.
But there are other personal favourites to taste, like chicken and century egg congee. The congee is done just the way I like it, not too smooth. You can actually feel the soft grains of rice still. Likewise pumpkin congee where Chin adds cubes of pumpkin to the rice to give it added texture. Then he cleverly adds deepfried ikan bilis to perk it up with a sweet taste and crunchy texture. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love the blueberry pudding, mango pudding, durian roll and durian pancake. And if you still have room for more, there are Penang Village’s signature items as well as dishes to eat with rice. For Two-style Kailan (RM19.90), the leaves are shredded and deepfried with ikan bilis while the stems are stirfried with crunchy prawns. You’re actually getting two dishes in one.
I love the Salted Egg Prawn. The prawns are coated with batter combined with salted egg yolk and deepfried. Then, chopped chili padi is added for a fiery touch and more salted egg yolk is crumbled over the dish. And Petai Fried Rice (RM14.90) is perfect for fans of stinky beans. Fried kampung style with big prawns and eggs, the rice is fragrant and delicious, especially when served with keropok (crackers), mango salad and deepfried shrimp paste chicken. The restaurant is open from 11am to 10pm but dim sum is only available up to 5pm. From 3pm to 5pm, dim sum is offered at special prices of RM29.90 for eight items and RM49.90 for 14 items.
PENANG VILLAGE Level 3, Great Eastern Mall 303 Jalan Ampang, KL Tel: 03-
4257 1698
TAN BEE HONG
phoenixbee@nst.com.my
Friday, May 7, 2010
"Teh tarik" a crowd-puller at Malaysia tourism pavilion in Dubai
His little stall may be tucked away at the back of the Malaysia Pavilion, but this has not stopped thousands of visitors to the Middle East's premier travel fair from making a beeline for a delicious cuppa.
With a poster of Kuala Lumpur's Petronas Twin Towers serving as a backdrop, the 47-year-old Perakian can be seen "pulling" the tea mixture this way and that to the delight of the people who drop by at the pavilion.
"This is my second time in Dubai but this time around the response has been tremendous. I'm serving up to 1,500 cups a day," a pleased Mior Sazali said when met by Bernama. Teh tarik is a hot beverage that can be commonly found in restaurants, outdoor stalls and "kopitiam" in Malaysia.
Its name is derived from the pouring process of "pulling" the drink during preparation. It is made from tea, condensed milk and water. Mior Sazali's tea-making talent has not gone unnoticed as he has been regularly roped in by Tourism Malaysia for its promotional drives abroad.
"I've been to countries like Australia, the United States, Saudi Arabia and South Africa," said the winner of the 1995 Federal Territory Teh Tarik Competition who is heading for Mauritius next month.
"And I'm happy to be of service to the country," he added. He has been attached to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre since 1984.
The four-day ATM 2010 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre ends today. -- Bernama
Pulau Besar's RM20m tourism makeover
MALACCA: The mystical island of Pulau Besar will have a RM20 million facelift which will turn it into a major tourist destination.
A special feature of the island is that it resembles a pregnant woman lying on her back.
Ali said this to reporters after visiting the island with Malacca's Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, here, yesterday.
"Pulau Besar has the potential to be the next tourism attraction in the state."
From the RM20 million, Ali said RM10 million would be for the refurbishment of a hotel and RM3 million each for the upgrading of the chalets and landscaping.
"The rest would be for infrastructure facilities such as the roads and to purchase the vans."
Ali also said the museum, which would be called "Muzium Pulau Besar" would be completed by August, this year.
He added that it would house artifacts related to the island with some of them dating back to the start of the Malacca sultanate era.
"We would be getting most of the artifacts from a private collector, Ana Fakir from Kuang, Selangor, who has agreed to display his collection of historic artifacts, some of which are rare items, at the museum," he said, adding that the museum was now 40 per cent completed.
Ali said the state was hoping to attract 200,000 visitors to the island in a year.
"We are expecting the island to generate some RM10 million a year from tourism and this would create an economic spin off not only for the islanders but also to boat operators."
In a related development, Ali said the state government had also agreed to sell a few plots of land on the island to individuals to build chalets and bungalows, which would be leased out.
Pulau Besar is also a place of pilgrimage for a large number of Indian Muslims in the country who come to the island to visit a mausoleum, believed to be that of Sultan Ariffin Syeikh Ismail Waliallah, who was believed to be the 18th descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
He was said to have preached Islam in the 15th century after receiving a vision while visiting the prophet's grave in Madinah.
There are also numerous other graves visited by pilgrims such as that of Datok Janggut, Datuk Puteh and Nenek Kebayan, a cluster of seven graves called "Makam Tujuh Beradik".
At the highest point on the island is a large boulder that is split down the middle, which is known as "Batu Belah", also a favourite destination for local pilgrims.
Pulau Besar is located some 12km from the heart of Malacca city and is part of a chain of five smaller islands.
It takes about 25 minutes to an hour to reach the island by boat or a chartered ferry from the mouth of Sungai Malacca or the jetties in Umbai and Anjung Batu.
By Jason Gerald John
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said this included landscaping, the setting up of a museum and the upgrading of basic infrastructure, and the purchase of a new fleet of vans to transport tourists around the famed island.
A special feature of the island is that it resembles a pregnant woman lying on her back.Ali said this to reporters after visiting the island with Malacca's Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, here, yesterday.
"Pulau Besar has the potential to be the next tourism attraction in the state."
From the RM20 million, Ali said RM10 million would be for the refurbishment of a hotel and RM3 million each for the upgrading of the chalets and landscaping.
"The rest would be for infrastructure facilities such as the roads and to purchase the vans."
Ali also said the museum, which would be called "Muzium Pulau Besar" would be completed by August, this year.
He added that it would house artifacts related to the island with some of them dating back to the start of the Malacca sultanate era.
"We would be getting most of the artifacts from a private collector, Ana Fakir from Kuang, Selangor, who has agreed to display his collection of historic artifacts, some of which are rare items, at the museum," he said, adding that the museum was now 40 per cent completed.
Ali said the state was hoping to attract 200,000 visitors to the island in a year.
"We are expecting the island to generate some RM10 million a year from tourism and this would create an economic spin off not only for the islanders but also to boat operators."
In a related development, Ali said the state government had also agreed to sell a few plots of land on the island to individuals to build chalets and bungalows, which would be leased out.
Pulau Besar is also a place of pilgrimage for a large number of Indian Muslims in the country who come to the island to visit a mausoleum, believed to be that of Sultan Ariffin Syeikh Ismail Waliallah, who was believed to be the 18th descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
He was said to have preached Islam in the 15th century after receiving a vision while visiting the prophet's grave in Madinah.
There are also numerous other graves visited by pilgrims such as that of Datok Janggut, Datuk Puteh and Nenek Kebayan, a cluster of seven graves called "Makam Tujuh Beradik".
At the highest point on the island is a large boulder that is split down the middle, which is known as "Batu Belah", also a favourite destination for local pilgrims.
Pulau Besar is located some 12km from the heart of Malacca city and is part of a chain of five smaller islands.
It takes about 25 minutes to an hour to reach the island by boat or a chartered ferry from the mouth of Sungai Malacca or the jetties in Umbai and Anjung Batu.
By Jason Gerald John
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Plans to build an Empire of hotels
THE Empire Hotel in Subang, Selangor, may be a new player in the market, but plans are already afoot to grow the brand and its business.
The RM60 million hotel is part of the RM250 million Empire Gallery project, which is developed and managed by Mammoth Empire Holdings Bhd.
The Empire Hotel is a 198-room boutique business class hotel that is scheduled to open at the end of this month.
Although a new hotel brand, Ng feels that it can be successful as the combination of location, product and service will surely lure guests to its doors.
"The hotels will be located in prime areas, and we expect that we will do well with competent people on board," Ng told Business Times in an interview.
"Our focus will be on guest experience," he said, adding that it has hired staff from five-star hotel chain.
The hotel, which has four restaurants, has a lean staff to room ratio of 0.65.
For the maiden Empire Hotel, Ng expects that the hotel will be able to rake in an average room rate (ARR) of between RM230 and RM250 per night and fill 65 per cent of its rooms in the first year of operation.
Should the hotel achieve its projection, it would be a commendable feat, as most hotels in their first year of operations garner about 50 per cent occupancy.
Ng said the optimism stems from the fact that its product is new and the Empire Gallery also houses a mall and offices.
In the first year, the Empire Hotel also aims to achieve gross operating profit (GOP) of 32 per cent. GOP is the gross revenue from rooms, food and beverage, laundry or business centre minus cost of operations like wages, electricity and amenities.
In the second year, the hotel is looking to improve occupancy to 70 per cent and post an ARR of RM250 per night.
The hotel, described as having an artistic feel, plays with a lot of colours. The owners brought in 10 carpenters from China to help with the numerous details in the decoration.
The person behind Mammoth Empire is Datuk Sean Ng and the group's projects include The Ara, The Loft and The Atrium in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. It has also done projects in Senawang, Negri Sembilan, and Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor.
The RM60 million hotel is part of the RM250 million Empire Gallery project, which is developed and managed by Mammoth Empire Holdings Bhd.
The Empire Hotel is a 198-room boutique business class hotel that is scheduled to open at the end of this month.Its general manager, Ng Yee Ming, said the company is looking to open a second boutique hotel in Kuala Lumpur and possibly a third in the suburbs of Selangor.
The group may run as many as three hotels in the next three years.
Although a new hotel brand, Ng feels that it can be successful as the combination of location, product and service will surely lure guests to its doors.
"The hotels will be located in prime areas, and we expect that we will do well with competent people on board," Ng told Business Times in an interview.
"Our focus will be on guest experience," he said, adding that it has hired staff from five-star hotel chain.
The hotel, which has four restaurants, has a lean staff to room ratio of 0.65.
For the maiden Empire Hotel, Ng expects that the hotel will be able to rake in an average room rate (ARR) of between RM230 and RM250 per night and fill 65 per cent of its rooms in the first year of operation.
Should the hotel achieve its projection, it would be a commendable feat, as most hotels in their first year of operations garner about 50 per cent occupancy.
Ng said the optimism stems from the fact that its product is new and the Empire Gallery also houses a mall and offices.
In the first year, the Empire Hotel also aims to achieve gross operating profit (GOP) of 32 per cent. GOP is the gross revenue from rooms, food and beverage, laundry or business centre minus cost of operations like wages, electricity and amenities.
In the second year, the hotel is looking to improve occupancy to 70 per cent and post an ARR of RM250 per night.
The hotel, described as having an artistic feel, plays with a lot of colours. The owners brought in 10 carpenters from China to help with the numerous details in the decoration.
The person behind Mammoth Empire is Datuk Sean Ng and the group's projects include The Ara, The Loft and The Atrium in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. It has also done projects in Senawang, Negri Sembilan, and Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Scenic coastal drive
From beautiful mosques and the charm of the countryside to picturesque sunsets, ELIZABETH LEONG is fascinated by the sights and sounds along the way to Morib
PANTAI Morib and its sister beach Pantai Kelanang in Kuala Langat district do not hold much in terms of water sports activities.
Nevertheless, it’s a delightful journey with interesting sights along the way.
Personally, I feel the lesser-known Pantai Kelanang holds more potential than Pantai Morib but only if the dead branches of mangrove trees are cleared away and more facilities are set up.
Pantai Kelanang beach stretches further than Pantai Morib and has volleyball courts, children’s playground and camp sites. Camping here costs RM5 per head, with barbecue pits, and there is a lookout tower for admiring the sunsets. Digging for clams or kepah is a favourite activity when the tide is down.
In contrast, Pantai Morib offers more eateries. Troops of monkeys scampering around the children’s playground and occasional fights with stray cats provide a source of amusement. The seafood here is nothing to shout about but it is affordable. For instance, at D’Nelayan Corner, the set dinner for my companion and I costs only RM36. We had steamed siakap, tom yam soup, fried belacan, roasted cockles and a jug of sirap with cincau.
Stalls selling packed food, sotong bakar, slippers, shades, T-shirts and other bric-a-brac are interesting diversions.
I savour my best moments at Pantai Morib during the sunset. Like a flourish of a magician’s wand, the rather murky sea changes to a deep blue caused by the reflection from the setting sun, conjuring up a picture-postcard setting.
But let’s focus on the more interesting journey to these coastal weekend getaways.
Sights Along The Way
From Petaling Jaya, take the Kesas Highway and after paying toll near Bandar Sunway, proceed ahead and turn left as indicated by a signboard that says Pulau Indah. You will pass a few villages before reaching Jenjarom. The turquoise-blue Masjid Al-Firdaus at Taman Kota is a landmark here.
Sleepy Jenjarom bursts into a frenzy only during Chinese New Year when hordes of visitors pray at Dong Zen Temple at Jalan Sungei Buaya. You can also find landscaped gardens, fountains and granite statues in addition to prayer halls and a tea house here.
Next door is the famed Hao Bee Bak Kut Teh Enterprise (Tel: 016-2707-557) housed in the Selangor Ang Clan Association.
Proceed to Banting, which is basically a three-street town. Its heartbeat is The Store and the adjacent Banting Bowl. However, dozens of shops stretch from Wisma MDKL along Jalan Sulan Abdul Samad, flashing a veritable riot of colours along five-footways. They are flowing swatches of textiles complemented by baju kurung, drapes, scarves, selendang and sarung made of silk, rayon, nylon cotton, spandex, acetate and polyester, among other fabrics. This is Banting’s golden mile of textiles!
Parallel to Jalan Sulan Abdul Samad is Jalan Pekan Bunga 2, the town’s fashion and beauty centre.
Get your jamu and traditional cosmetics from CTS Cyber Arked and have your pick of pretty baju kurung from Mora Senang, Kedai Pakaian Maritah Bt. Ahmad and Busana Muslimah.
Siti Beaut Images offers mandian pengantin and facials, and Zazie Aronma & Slimming specialises in resdung (sinusitis) treatment, bleaching, slimming and sauna. Other notable shops include Koldan Silk Paradise, Kedai Pakaian KST, Pusat Kasut KST, Kedah Kain Indah Jelita, Pusat Pakaian Beatrice, Angel Girl Shoes, Seri Flora Collection and the eye-catching K. Charmz.
At K. Charmz, which is elegantly decorated with mannequins at its window front, my purchase of a yellow dress, a black belt and a pair of matching yellow high-heeled shoes cost only RM150! These would have cost more than RM200 in Kuala Lumpur.
Boutique owner Karen Goh (Tel: 012-2339-090) is a great fashion consultant, at the ready to recommend accessories to her customers.
Food And Relaxation
Now what about food? Cruising along Jalan Pekan Bunga 2, I notice a motley collection of stalls at Restoran High Luck food Court. Yong Kee Bak Kut and Uncle Yam Kopitiam also seem to be well-patronised.
For the best accommodation in town, check out Hotel Comfort.
As for relaxation, Rest Day Traditional Massage, which is housed within the hotel premises, offers foot reflexology while opposite it stands Mic Karaoke. I recommend Restoran Ibrahim Cendol at the junction of Jalan Pulau Banting and Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad opposite KFC if you are craving for a bowl of cendol. To create the ice shavings, the hawker repeatedly slides an ice block over a wooden block fitted with a blade. A bowl costs only RM1.20.
Along the road also lies Asam Jeruk House which sells a variety of pickled fruits. The shop, however, closes on Saturday afternoons.
The only other restaurant in Banting town centre is Restoran Dragon Pheonix.
Nearing Morib
As I head out of Banting towards Morib, I pass Dataran Banting opposite the police station, where pensioners were practising tai chi in the evening.
Now, the food scene begins to change. Restaurant after restaurant whizzes past as I zip out of town: Rashid Tom Yam, Arina Seafood Frenz Sizzle Station (offering Western fare and tom yam), Seri Seafood (looks enticing with thatched huts), Pa Ya Sate, Kerepek House, Morib Seaview Restaurant and more.
Keep a lookout for Masjid Jamek at Kampung Kanchong Darat for its beautiful design and architecture. Its cupola-crowned minaret has louvres and parapets rise from the edges of its roof while its back annexe features symmetrical fretwork.
Behind the mosque, pop over to Orchid D’Kanchong nursery at Jalan Masjid for potted plants.
Another attraction is Homestay Kampung Kanchong Darat. Overnighters can join villagers in a variety of agricultural activities. Another alternative is Homestay Kampung Sungei Lang Tengah further south.
Masjid Ar-Rahman is another fascinating mosque. You will find it when you turn right at the traffic light to Kampung Sungei Manggi further south. Three pillars reach skyward and end with prongs resembling music tuning forks. The minaret is actually a tower with a balcony topped with a cupola that sadly needs a fresh coat of paint.
Further ahead, I am tempted to stop at one of the few makeshift stalls that proclaim “Ikan Segar”.
Buyers have a choice of a variety of fresh fish packed in crushed ice in styrofoam boxes.
Then I catch sight of Kuil Arulmigu Sri Perumal Alaya Devasthanam at Simpang Morib, followed by a golf driving range a few kilometres ahead.
On the left side of the road stands a mosque with langsat-coloured rectangles and circles adorning its façade.
From Pantai Morib, a narrow straight road through oil palm estate leads to Pantai Kelanang. You can also get to Pantai Kelanang from Simpang Morib but you risk getting lost as there are several left and right turns.
PANTAI Morib and its sister beach Pantai Kelanang in Kuala Langat district do not hold much in terms of water sports activities.
Personally, I feel the lesser-known Pantai Kelanang holds more potential than Pantai Morib but only if the dead branches of mangrove trees are cleared away and more facilities are set up.
Pantai Kelanang beach stretches further than Pantai Morib and has volleyball courts, children’s playground and camp sites. Camping here costs RM5 per head, with barbecue pits, and there is a lookout tower for admiring the sunsets. Digging for clams or kepah is a favourite activity when the tide is down.
In contrast, Pantai Morib offers more eateries. Troops of monkeys scampering around the children’s playground and occasional fights with stray cats provide a source of amusement. The seafood here is nothing to shout about but it is affordable. For instance, at D’Nelayan Corner, the set dinner for my companion and I costs only RM36. We had steamed siakap, tom yam soup, fried belacan, roasted cockles and a jug of sirap with cincau.
Stalls selling packed food, sotong bakar, slippers, shades, T-shirts and other bric-a-brac are interesting diversions.
I savour my best moments at Pantai Morib during the sunset. Like a flourish of a magician’s wand, the rather murky sea changes to a deep blue caused by the reflection from the setting sun, conjuring up a picture-postcard setting.
But let’s focus on the more interesting journey to these coastal weekend getaways.
From Petaling Jaya, take the Kesas Highway and after paying toll near Bandar Sunway, proceed ahead and turn left as indicated by a signboard that says Pulau Indah. You will pass a few villages before reaching Jenjarom. The turquoise-blue Masjid Al-Firdaus at Taman Kota is a landmark here.
Sleepy Jenjarom bursts into a frenzy only during Chinese New Year when hordes of visitors pray at Dong Zen Temple at Jalan Sungei Buaya. You can also find landscaped gardens, fountains and granite statues in addition to prayer halls and a tea house here.
Next door is the famed Hao Bee Bak Kut Teh Enterprise (Tel: 016-2707-557) housed in the Selangor Ang Clan Association.
Proceed to Banting, which is basically a three-street town. Its heartbeat is The Store and the adjacent Banting Bowl. However, dozens of shops stretch from Wisma MDKL along Jalan Sulan Abdul Samad, flashing a veritable riot of colours along five-footways. They are flowing swatches of textiles complemented by baju kurung, drapes, scarves, selendang and sarung made of silk, rayon, nylon cotton, spandex, acetate and polyester, among other fabrics. This is Banting’s golden mile of textiles!
Parallel to Jalan Sulan Abdul Samad is Jalan Pekan Bunga 2, the town’s fashion and beauty centre.
Get your jamu and traditional cosmetics from CTS Cyber Arked and have your pick of pretty baju kurung from Mora Senang, Kedai Pakaian Maritah Bt. Ahmad and Busana Muslimah.
Siti Beaut Images offers mandian pengantin and facials, and Zazie Aronma & Slimming specialises in resdung (sinusitis) treatment, bleaching, slimming and sauna. Other notable shops include Koldan Silk Paradise, Kedai Pakaian KST, Pusat Kasut KST, Kedah Kain Indah Jelita, Pusat Pakaian Beatrice, Angel Girl Shoes, Seri Flora Collection and the eye-catching K. Charmz.
At K. Charmz, which is elegantly decorated with mannequins at its window front, my purchase of a yellow dress, a black belt and a pair of matching yellow high-heeled shoes cost only RM150! These would have cost more than RM200 in Kuala Lumpur.
Boutique owner Karen Goh (Tel: 012-2339-090) is a great fashion consultant, at the ready to recommend accessories to her customers.
Now what about food? Cruising along Jalan Pekan Bunga 2, I notice a motley collection of stalls at Restoran High Luck food Court. Yong Kee Bak Kut and Uncle Yam Kopitiam also seem to be well-patronised.
For the best accommodation in town, check out Hotel Comfort.
As for relaxation, Rest Day Traditional Massage, which is housed within the hotel premises, offers foot reflexology while opposite it stands Mic Karaoke. I recommend Restoran Ibrahim Cendol at the junction of Jalan Pulau Banting and Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad opposite KFC if you are craving for a bowl of cendol. To create the ice shavings, the hawker repeatedly slides an ice block over a wooden block fitted with a blade. A bowl costs only RM1.20.
Along the road also lies Asam Jeruk House which sells a variety of pickled fruits. The shop, however, closes on Saturday afternoons.
The only other restaurant in Banting town centre is Restoran Dragon Pheonix.
Nearing Morib
As I head out of Banting towards Morib, I pass Dataran Banting opposite the police station, where pensioners were practising tai chi in the evening.
Now, the food scene begins to change. Restaurant after restaurant whizzes past as I zip out of town: Rashid Tom Yam, Arina Seafood Frenz Sizzle Station (offering Western fare and tom yam), Seri Seafood (looks enticing with thatched huts), Pa Ya Sate, Kerepek House, Morib Seaview Restaurant and more.
Keep a lookout for Masjid Jamek at Kampung Kanchong Darat for its beautiful design and architecture. Its cupola-crowned minaret has louvres and parapets rise from the edges of its roof while its back annexe features symmetrical fretwork.
Behind the mosque, pop over to Orchid D’Kanchong nursery at Jalan Masjid for potted plants.
Another attraction is Homestay Kampung Kanchong Darat. Overnighters can join villagers in a variety of agricultural activities. Another alternative is Homestay Kampung Sungei Lang Tengah further south.
Masjid Ar-Rahman is another fascinating mosque. You will find it when you turn right at the traffic light to Kampung Sungei Manggi further south. Three pillars reach skyward and end with prongs resembling music tuning forks. The minaret is actually a tower with a balcony topped with a cupola that sadly needs a fresh coat of paint.
Further ahead, I am tempted to stop at one of the few makeshift stalls that proclaim “Ikan Segar”.
Buyers have a choice of a variety of fresh fish packed in crushed ice in styrofoam boxes.
Then I catch sight of Kuil Arulmigu Sri Perumal Alaya Devasthanam at Simpang Morib, followed by a golf driving range a few kilometres ahead.
On the left side of the road stands a mosque with langsat-coloured rectangles and circles adorning its façade.
From Pantai Morib, a narrow straight road through oil palm estate leads to Pantai Kelanang. You can also get to Pantai Kelanang from Simpang Morib but you risk getting lost as there are several left and right turns.
AirAsia to use nasi kandar as selling point
PENANG'S gastranomic icon - the nasi kandar - will be the marketing channel tapped by low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd (5099) to promote its newly launched Penang-Chennai route.
Chairman Datuk Aziz Bakar said nasi kandar outlets in the island state will be one marketing source for the airline, where restaurant workers are mainly Indian nationals.
"The nasi kandar operators, who themselves are wealthy, are also another potential group of travellers for us," he told reporters at the Penang International Airport yesterday.
Aziz welcomed 165 passengers on board AirAsia's inaugural AK 5702 flight, which landed from Chennai at 3.40pm. The route is a welcome relief to South Indian-bound passengers from the northern states who have had to fly either via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to Chennai previously.
Malaysia Airlines had stopped serving the Penang-Chennai route more than eight years ago.
"With this new route connecting Malaysia's most popular northern state and India's fifth most populous city, we hope to bring in more Indian tourists to discover Penang, and the rest of Malaysia, in line with Tourism Malaysia's target of 650,000 Indian tourist arrival this year," said Aziz.
AirAsia conquered the Indian skies in January this year by launching six new routes to the sub-continent. They include Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
The Kuala Lumpur-Chennai route will be operating on May 17.
Read more: AsiaAsia to use nasi kandar as selling point http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/nasik/Article/index_html#ixzz0mXRR4tOe
Chairman Datuk Aziz Bakar said nasi kandar outlets in the island state will be one marketing source for the airline, where restaurant workers are mainly Indian nationals.
"The nasi kandar operators, who themselves are wealthy, are also another potential group of travellers for us," he told reporters at the Penang International Airport yesterday.Aziz welcomed 165 passengers on board AirAsia's inaugural AK 5702 flight, which landed from Chennai at 3.40pm. The route is a welcome relief to South Indian-bound passengers from the northern states who have had to fly either via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to Chennai previously.
Malaysia Airlines had stopped serving the Penang-Chennai route more than eight years ago.
"With this new route connecting Malaysia's most popular northern state and India's fifth most populous city, we hope to bring in more Indian tourists to discover Penang, and the rest of Malaysia, in line with Tourism Malaysia's target of 650,000 Indian tourist arrival this year," said Aziz.
AirAsia conquered the Indian skies in January this year by launching six new routes to the sub-continent. They include Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
The Kuala Lumpur-Chennai route will be operating on May 17.
Read more: AsiaAsia to use nasi kandar as selling point http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/nasik/Article/index_html#ixzz0mXRR4tOe
Go diving with responsibility
Avid scuba diver RIDZWAN A. RAHIM thinks there may be merit in limiting the number of visitors to Redang
I feel like a water-baby these days. I love snorkelling and scuba diving. And even the simple pleasure of jumping off jetties and boats to swim in the clear waters of our islands.
And I do prefer paying less for my island holidays.
What that means in ringgit and sen is this: Expect to pay some RM1,600 a night for your future Redang getaway.
That’s a quantum leap from the few hundred ringgit that you can get from budget resorts currently operating on the island. Lots of people have already started moaning.
The reason for the move, according to Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, is to protect the island’s fragile natural beauty, especially its coral reef and marine life.
Because of the affordable accommodation, too many people are visiting Redang, he said. As a result, pollution and environmental damage have gone out of control.
“We want to turn Redang into a niche market to control the number of visitors. We are concerned about the environmental damage that is happening on Redang,” he added. Redang is widely regarded as one of 10 most beautiful islands in the world.
It is so beautiful that in the late 90s, a Hong Kong production team chose the island as the location site for the film, Summer Holiday, starring Richie Ren and Sammi Cheng.
The screening of the film in 2000 gave the island a huge amount of publicity and created a surge in both local and international visitors.
And they have not stopped coming since, in particular because a trip here is very affordable.
Businessman Neoh Jiun Yih came to Redang with his wife, child and five of his staff.
He paid for everything, including airfare, to reward the staff for hitting their sales target.
“I’m very happy for my staff. Some of them had never been on an island trip before, never taken the plane before,” he said when met recently in the island.
“I spent a total of RM5,500, including flight tickets and three days, two nights full accommodation for seven. That’s the great thing about this place.
“But if we go with what the State government is suggesting — that is, RM1,600 per night for a single person — this trip will be impossible for a small business owner like me,” said Neoh.
Protecting Redang’s
Natural Treasures
For me personally, Redang has a special place in my heart. This was where I overcame my fear of water and other obstacles and completed my Padi Open Water diver certification.
One of my most memorable dives was at the Bahagia shipwreck, a cargo ferry that lies 15m under the sea. It has been there for the past six years. You can swim through the ship’s small toilet without having to pay 30 sen.
More recently, my friends and I chanced upon a brand new shipwreck in Redang. The two Vietnamese boats, each about 30m long, were at a dive site called Sandy Bottom.
Our dive master said we were the first to visit the shipwreck as the boats sank only about two days earlier. It was a pleasant surprise.
But, as I mentioned earlier, I can understand if the government wants to somehow control the number of divers coming to the island.
Ever since taking up scuba diving more than a year ago, I am more aware of how interaction with humans can have an adverse effect on the fragile marine environment.
One of the misconceptions people have about the marine life is that they are there for touching.
If they find a turtle, for example, they would try and see if they can ride on it.
They think the whole point of taking up scuba diving is so that you could go down there and touch things or ride on things — something you can’t do when snorkelling. This is wrong.
As a scuba diving student, I was taught from very early on that diving is a passive activity. You are free to observe the marine creatures but never to touch them.
In fact, our instructors told us to keep our arms folded most of the time, and to move slowly and silently so as not to disrupt the natural rhythm of the marine life.
We were also forbidden from wearing gloves, because with gloves, you are more likely to touch things.
I follow these rules religiously.
However, things can still go wrong. For example, during underwater photography.
I am not a photographer but I now see that if you intend to dabble in underwater photography, you must have good buoyancy control — the ability to suspend in mid-water.
Without this skill, a photographer will constantly kick, scull or wave to stay in place or worse, hold on to or step on a coral.
Sometimes, the photographer gets too engrossed in the activity without realising that his gauge has gotten unclipped and is dragging across the coral reefs, destroying them.
Of course, some allowances can be made. For example, when there’s strong undersea current, you have no choice but to hold on to something.
The point is, accidents can and will happen. We cannot design a system that does not allow people to make mistakes.
But we must do all we can to minimise mistakes, to tell people that they must avoid contact with the sensitive marine life.
That is why the use of fins (or flippers) for snorkelling is banned in Redang. There have been instances in the past where snorkellers used their fins to rest on the corals.
Making It Really Special
We want people to enjoy our country’s beautiful islands but we want them to do it responsibly. Otherwise, our children and their children may not get to enjoy what we have today.
Now about the proposed pricing. Most of the visitors to Redang are locals and personally, I don’t know anyone who can afford a RM1,600-per-night stay.
So it must be not for Malaysians.
Redang risks losing tourists to alternative destinations like Pulau Perhentian, or even Pukhet or Bali, which have become affordable now with cheap AirAsia flights.
I don’t think people are not willing to pay, but it has to be substantiated.
Perhaps packages can be tailored for different segments of the market.
The problem with scuba divers, though, is that we are typically not fussy. We are happy with a decent room, decent buffet meals and Internet access.
So it’s going to take a lot — A LOT — of imagination on the part of the resort and the State government to come up with something that will make us pay RM1,600 a night.
One idea is underwater videography. Based on my experience, resorts can make a handsome profit from this.
On a diving trip in Sipadan last year, someone approached our group, offering to shoot videos of our dives, edit them and burn them to DVD.
MAN not the only ones to blame
But human interaction is not the only cause of damage to the fragile marine environment. There are a host of other factors as well, many of which are beyond our control.
Corals are sensitive to water temperature and global warming has a catastrophic impact on coral reefs. Corals bleach and die when their upper temperature threshold is exceeded.
The El Nino phenomenon of 1998 destroyed much of the world’s coral reefs through mass bleaching. Some of these corals are still in recovery process now.
Other natural threats include storms and, on this side of Malaysia, monsoons. They bring about powerful waves that can damage corals and churn up seabed, causing sedimentation that can block sunlight needed by the coral.
And then, there’s disease. Bacteria, fungi and virus may attack coral polyps and kill them.
There is also damage by reef animals. Crown of Thorn starfish is among the biggest natural predator of corals. A single starfish can devour as much as six square metres of coral a year. Therefore, an outbreak in their number can destroy entire reefs.
Which is why, during ocean clean-up exercises, divers hunt for the Crown of Thorn.
Other threats include damage caused by fishermen through destructive fishing practices (using cyanide or explosives) and fishing boats that anchor on coral reefs.
I feel like a water-baby these days. I love snorkelling and scuba diving. And even the simple pleasure of jumping off jetties and boats to swim in the clear waters of our islands.
And I do prefer paying less for my island holidays. But I can understand why the authorities are looking to increase the cost of staying in Redang Island.
Recently, the Terengganu State government announced that from now on, only five-star resorts and hotels will be allowed to operate on the island.
That’s a quantum leap from the few hundred ringgit that you can get from budget resorts currently operating on the island. Lots of people have already started moaning.
The reason for the move, according to Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, is to protect the island’s fragile natural beauty, especially its coral reef and marine life.
Because of the affordable accommodation, too many people are visiting Redang, he said. As a result, pollution and environmental damage have gone out of control.
“We want to turn Redang into a niche market to control the number of visitors. We are concerned about the environmental damage that is happening on Redang,” he added. Redang is widely regarded as one of 10 most beautiful islands in the world.
It is so beautiful that in the late 90s, a Hong Kong production team chose the island as the location site for the film, Summer Holiday, starring Richie Ren and Sammi Cheng.
The screening of the film in 2000 gave the island a huge amount of publicity and created a surge in both local and international visitors.
And they have not stopped coming since, in particular because a trip here is very affordable.
Businessman Neoh Jiun Yih came to Redang with his wife, child and five of his staff.
He paid for everything, including airfare, to reward the staff for hitting their sales target.
“I’m very happy for my staff. Some of them had never been on an island trip before, never taken the plane before,” he said when met recently in the island.
“I spent a total of RM5,500, including flight tickets and three days, two nights full accommodation for seven. That’s the great thing about this place.
“But if we go with what the State government is suggesting — that is, RM1,600 per night for a single person — this trip will be impossible for a small business owner like me,” said Neoh.
Protecting Redang’s Natural Treasures
For me personally, Redang has a special place in my heart. This was where I overcame my fear of water and other obstacles and completed my Padi Open Water diver certification.
One of my most memorable dives was at the Bahagia shipwreck, a cargo ferry that lies 15m under the sea. It has been there for the past six years. You can swim through the ship’s small toilet without having to pay 30 sen.
More recently, my friends and I chanced upon a brand new shipwreck in Redang. The two Vietnamese boats, each about 30m long, were at a dive site called Sandy Bottom.
Our dive master said we were the first to visit the shipwreck as the boats sank only about two days earlier. It was a pleasant surprise.
But, as I mentioned earlier, I can understand if the government wants to somehow control the number of divers coming to the island.
Ever since taking up scuba diving more than a year ago, I am more aware of how interaction with humans can have an adverse effect on the fragile marine environment.
One of the misconceptions people have about the marine life is that they are there for touching.
If they find a turtle, for example, they would try and see if they can ride on it.
They think the whole point of taking up scuba diving is so that you could go down there and touch things or ride on things — something you can’t do when snorkelling. This is wrong.
As a scuba diving student, I was taught from very early on that diving is a passive activity. You are free to observe the marine creatures but never to touch them.
In fact, our instructors told us to keep our arms folded most of the time, and to move slowly and silently so as not to disrupt the natural rhythm of the marine life.
We were also forbidden from wearing gloves, because with gloves, you are more likely to touch things.
I follow these rules religiously.
However, things can still go wrong. For example, during underwater photography.
I am not a photographer but I now see that if you intend to dabble in underwater photography, you must have good buoyancy control — the ability to suspend in mid-water.
Without this skill, a photographer will constantly kick, scull or wave to stay in place or worse, hold on to or step on a coral.
Sometimes, the photographer gets too engrossed in the activity without realising that his gauge has gotten unclipped and is dragging across the coral reefs, destroying them.
Of course, some allowances can be made. For example, when there’s strong undersea current, you have no choice but to hold on to something.
The point is, accidents can and will happen. We cannot design a system that does not allow people to make mistakes.
But we must do all we can to minimise mistakes, to tell people that they must avoid contact with the sensitive marine life.
That is why the use of fins (or flippers) for snorkelling is banned in Redang. There have been instances in the past where snorkellers used their fins to rest on the corals.
Making It Really Special
We want people to enjoy our country’s beautiful islands but we want them to do it responsibly. Otherwise, our children and their children may not get to enjoy what we have today.
Now about the proposed pricing. Most of the visitors to Redang are locals and personally, I don’t know anyone who can afford a RM1,600-per-night stay.
So it must be not for Malaysians.
Redang risks losing tourists to alternative destinations like Pulau Perhentian, or even Pukhet or Bali, which have become affordable now with cheap AirAsia flights.
I don’t think people are not willing to pay, but it has to be substantiated.
Perhaps packages can be tailored for different segments of the market.
The problem with scuba divers, though, is that we are typically not fussy. We are happy with a decent room, decent buffet meals and Internet access.
We don’t need LCD TV, Astro or mini-bar. We don’t spend much time in our rooms anyway. Which is what budget (RM320 for 3D/2N) accommodations like Redang Pelangi Resort where I stayed at, is already offering.
So it’s going to take a lot — A LOT — of imagination on the part of the resort and the State government to come up with something that will make us pay RM1,600 a night.
On a diving trip in Sipadan last year, someone approached our group, offering to shoot videos of our dives, edit them and burn them to DVD.
Guess what? We agreed. We paid him RM1,000 on top of the RM2,000-plus per person that we had already paid for accommodation. But we got a nice little something to bring home.
People on holiday want to relax. They don’t want to have to fiddle with anything, much less cameras or video editing. But they want to bring back memories. If the place is special enough, and if the price is right, they will be more than willing to pay.
MAN not the only ones to blame ALL it takes is just one careless act by an irresponsible holidaymaker to destroy reefs that take hundreds of years to form.
But human interaction is not the only cause of damage to the fragile marine environment. There are a host of other factors as well, many of which are beyond our control.
Corals are sensitive to water temperature and global warming has a catastrophic impact on coral reefs. Corals bleach and die when their upper temperature threshold is exceeded.
The El Nino phenomenon of 1998 destroyed much of the world’s coral reefs through mass bleaching. Some of these corals are still in recovery process now.
Other natural threats include storms and, on this side of Malaysia, monsoons. They bring about powerful waves that can damage corals and churn up seabed, causing sedimentation that can block sunlight needed by the coral.
And then, there’s disease. Bacteria, fungi and virus may attack coral polyps and kill them.
There is also damage by reef animals. Crown of Thorn starfish is among the biggest natural predator of corals. A single starfish can devour as much as six square metres of coral a year. Therefore, an outbreak in their number can destroy entire reefs.
Which is why, during ocean clean-up exercises, divers hunt for the Crown of Thorn.
Other threats include damage caused by fishermen through destructive fishing practices (using cyanide or explosives) and fishing boats that anchor on coral reefs.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Shangri-La still the best business hotel
The hotel was awarded the BrandLaureate Awards 2009-2010 for Best Brand in the hospitality industry -- Best Business Hotel.
The award was given at a gala dinner held recently at the hotel.
"It is indeed an outstanding accomplishment for Shangri-La Hotel to be honoured with this prestigious award which bears testimony to the hotel's continuous commitment and effort in providing its guests with the best products and services," said Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur vice-president and general manager Lothar Nessman.
Launched and themed "Your Brand, Your Masterpiece" by the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation, the BrandLaureate Awards 2009-2010 was conceptualised to honour brand excellence among the best brands in Malaysia and the world.
The awards are given to deserving brands from multinationals, public-listed, government-linked companies and corporations that have shown best practices in branding and met stringent selection criteria of the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation.
These criteria include brand strategy, brand culture, integrated brand communications, brand equity and brand performance.
The Product Branding category honours companies that provide the best of products and services.
At the awards ceremony, Datuk Prof Jimmy Choo was conferred the BrandLaureate Country Branding award which honours personalities or icons that have helped promote and enhance Brand Malaysia.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Ng: Budget tourism to stay
KUALA LUMPUR: Budget tourism will continue to remain as Pulau Redang’s forte, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
She said islands had a limited capacity in terms of tourism.
She added that there will still be budget hotels around the island but urged them to operate appropriately.
Last Thursday, Ahmad announced that the state government would no longer approve the construction of chalet-type accommodation on the renowned island, which is a haven for the diving community.
He said the island would be turned into an exclusive getaway with rooms starting from US$500 (RM1,600) per night.
The announcement was not well received by several environmental organisations, tourists and divers.
“I believe that Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said is not going to close them down but maintain them,” she said after an appreciation dinner in conjunction with the Malaysia International Shoe Festival 2010.
She said islands had a limited capacity in terms of tourism.“We cannot cater for the influx of thousands. But I agree with the MB’s vision in wanting to make the island a high-yield market,” said Dr Ng.
She added that there will still be budget hotels around the island but urged them to operate appropriately.
Last Thursday, Ahmad announced that the state government would no longer approve the construction of chalet-type accommodation on the renowned island, which is a haven for the diving community.
He said the island would be turned into an exclusive getaway with rooms starting from US$500 (RM1,600) per night.
The announcement was not well received by several environmental organisations, tourists and divers.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Pulau Redang aims to lure the rich with room rates no less than RM1,600
KUALA TERENGGANU: Pulau Redang — rated as one of the world’s most beautiful islands — is set to be turned into a getaway exclusively for the rich and famous.
Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the state government would no longer approve the construction of chalet-type accommodation on the renowned island, which is much visited by the diving community.
“Only hotels rated five-star and above will be allowed to be built,” he said when met after the state assembly sitting here yesterday.
In future, only wealthy individuals would be able to afford holidays in Pulau Redang as hotel rooms will cost no less than US$500 (RM1,599) a night, Ahmad said.
He that said with the decision to turn the island into a high-end holiday destination, current chalets catering for backpackers would have to upgrade and raise their rates.
Asked if the move would draw criticism from non-governmental organisations, Ahmad said it was the only way to save the surrounding rich marine life and prevent environmental destruction due to pollution and indiscriminate littering.
“Some of the budget accommodation places on the island have no proper sewage system and waste is directed to the sea, and this destroys the corals,” he said.
Apart from that, Pulau Redang is a jewel for Terengganu and the 10th most beautiful island in the world, Ahmad said.
“Efforts must be made to save the island from deteriorating environmentally. Those on budget excursions can visit other islands like Pulau Kapas and Pulau Perhentian that are equally charming.”
Pulau Redang, a popular holiday destination for locals as well as foreigners, attracts about 100,000 visitors annually including many who flock there to visit the marine park.
Terengganu Tourist Association deputy president Alex Lee lauded the move, saying that it was time for Malaysia to create its own niche market.
“Redang has only one five-star hotel and others are mostly budget accomodations,” he said.
He believed the move by Ahmad was initiated out of concern for the environment as damage to the corals had been extensive.
The owner of an eight-room hotel in Redang, however, was worried that his livelihood would be affected if Pulau Redang became an exclusive holiday destination.
He said the move would affect many holidaymakers, both local and foreign, who would not be able to afford to stay in Pulau Redang if the state government went ahead with the niche market proposal.
“I hope the state government will meet budget hotel and chalet operators in Redang to get our views and include us in the planning,” said the man, who wanted to be known only as Dina,
He also said the state government should ensure there was proper drainage and sewage on the island for better waste disposal.
Another chalet operator, Nik Kamal Nik Husin, 43, said the move would only burden the villagers on the island as many were renting out rooms to budget travellers.
He also said only a handful of irresponsible chalet operators were directing the waste into the sea.
The state government, he said, should build a centralised sewage treatment to deal with the waste disposal problem.
Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the state government would no longer approve the construction of chalet-type accommodation on the renowned island, which is much visited by the diving community.
In future, only wealthy individuals would be able to afford holidays in Pulau Redang as hotel rooms will cost no less than US$500 (RM1,599) a night, Ahmad said.
He that said with the decision to turn the island into a high-end holiday destination, current chalets catering for backpackers would have to upgrade and raise their rates.
Asked if the move would draw criticism from non-governmental organisations, Ahmad said it was the only way to save the surrounding rich marine life and prevent environmental destruction due to pollution and indiscriminate littering.
“Some of the budget accommodation places on the island have no proper sewage system and waste is directed to the sea, and this destroys the corals,” he said.
Apart from that, Pulau Redang is a jewel for Terengganu and the 10th most beautiful island in the world, Ahmad said.
“Efforts must be made to save the island from deteriorating environmentally. Those on budget excursions can visit other islands like Pulau Kapas and Pulau Perhentian that are equally charming.”
Pulau Redang, a popular holiday destination for locals as well as foreigners, attracts about 100,000 visitors annually including many who flock there to visit the marine park.
Terengganu Tourist Association deputy president Alex Lee lauded the move, saying that it was time for Malaysia to create its own niche market.
“Redang has only one five-star hotel and others are mostly budget accomodations,” he said.
He believed the move by Ahmad was initiated out of concern for the environment as damage to the corals had been extensive.
The owner of an eight-room hotel in Redang, however, was worried that his livelihood would be affected if Pulau Redang became an exclusive holiday destination.
He said the move would affect many holidaymakers, both local and foreign, who would not be able to afford to stay in Pulau Redang if the state government went ahead with the niche market proposal.
“I hope the state government will meet budget hotel and chalet operators in Redang to get our views and include us in the planning,” said the man, who wanted to be known only as Dina,
He also said the state government should ensure there was proper drainage and sewage on the island for better waste disposal.
Another chalet operator, Nik Kamal Nik Husin, 43, said the move would only burden the villagers on the island as many were renting out rooms to budget travellers.
He also said only a handful of irresponsible chalet operators were directing the waste into the sea.
The state government, he said, should build a centralised sewage treatment to deal with the waste disposal problem.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)