
MB: Negeri Sembilan gets RM10.14m for 18 heritage and tourism projects under Tourism Ministry plan
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said the allocation reflects the federal government's holistic and strategic commitment to ensuring the state's heritage, tourism and cultural identity are preserved, elevated and developed.
Aminuddin said 18 tourism and conservation projects have been approved under PPUN in districts including Port Dickson, Kuala Pilah, Rembau, Jelebu and Tampin.
'All these projects will breathe new life into the state's tourism destinations and reinforce the Visit Negeri Sembilan Year 2026 campaign,' he told reporters here today.
According to him, one of the key projects is the RM1.2 million conservation and relocation of Masjid Lama Parit Istana to the Masjid Tanjung Beringin area, aimed at preserving Islamic history and traditional Malay architecture.
He said RM800,000 has been allocated to upgrade Masjid Tanjung Beringin, transforming the mosque into a more inclusive and conducive heritage and worship centre, as well as improving the lighting and landscape of the Port Dickson Clock Tower.
'(Other projects include) the maintenance of landmarks at the Sunggala Roundabout, the Lukut-Sepang junction and the Port Dickson gateway (as well as) development of ecotourism at the Gunung Datuk Eco Forest Park, Kenaboi State Park and Ulu Bendul Eco Forest Park.
'RM500,000 has been allocated to upgrade the Pulau Burung jetty and the watchtower (phase two), which will create new opportunities for the maritime tourism sector and biodiversity conservation,' he said.
Aminuddin said that based on Tourism Malaysia's accommodation survey, the state recorded a significant rise in international tourist arrivals last year, with 0.46 million visitors compared to 0.34 million in 2023, an increase of 35.1 per cent.
He added that the increase placed Negeri Sembilan sixth among 13 states and three Federal Territories, making it one of Malaysia's emerging tourism destinations. — Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Petroleum Development Act can't supersede relevant Sarawak laws, says senator
Senator Ahmad Ibrahim disputed law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said's statement that Petronas's rights on O&G resources in Sarawak remain protected under the PDA. (Petronas pic) PETALING JAYA : The Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974 cannot supersede the relevant laws in Sarawak, especially the Oil Mining Ordinance (OMO) 1958, a senator said in disputing a statement by a federal minister. Ahmad Ibrahim said Sarawak had been producing oil and gas since the discovery of oil in Miri in 1910, some 53 years before Malaysia was formed, the Sarawak Public Communications Unit reported. Ahmad said Sarawak had developed the industry under the state's own laws way before the PDA was enacted. Apart from the PDA, he said, the other relevant laws were the Distribution of Gas Ordinance (DGO) 2016, the Sarawak Land Code, and the State Sales Tax regime. He said Section 73 of the Malaysia Act 1963 preserved all state laws in force before Malaysia was formed, which included the OMO. Moreover, the ordinance, following its amendment in 2018, granted the state full authority over petroleum licensing onshore and on its continental shelf. 'The PDA (only) applies fully in states that do not have their own petroleum laws like the OMO, and therefore, in those states, Petronas is the sole aggregator of oil and gas,' he was quoted as saying. On Tuesday, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the national oil company's rights on oil and gas resources in Sarawak remained protected under the PDA. In a written parliamentary reply, Azalina said the PDA would remain in force, in accordance with existing legal provisions. 'Petronas is vested with the ownership of petroleum, and the rights, powers, freedoms, and exclusive privileges to explore, exploit, obtain, and acquire petroleum, whether onshore or offshore Malaysia, as provided for under the Act,' she was quoted as saying. Ahmad said that under the DGO, Sarawak has exclusive authority to license and regulate domestic gas distribution, with state-owned Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) having been formally recognised by the federal government as the sole gas aggregator for Sarawak's domestic market, excluding liquefied natural gas. As for the State Sales Tax, he said, a 2020 High Court ruling upheld Sarawak's right to impose such a tax on petroleum products, noting that Petronas withdrew its appeal and settled the dues. On Feb 5, Azalina said Sarawak had accepted that the PDA, not the state ordinances, dictated the operation of Malaysia's petroleum sector. She said Sarawak's concession was among key matters agreed upon by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg during a meeting on Jan 7. On Feb 7, Anwar said the federal and Sarawak governments had agreed to Petronas and its subsidiaries retaining all existing contractual obligations, domestic and international. However, to fulfil Sarawak's aspirations in the oil and gas sector, it was agreed that the DGO will come into force on March 1, he said. 'The DGO will be read together with the PDA, and therefore Petros will act as Sarawak's aggregator,' he had said. Anwar said this after Abang Johari reiterated the state's contention that it had regulatory authority over oil and gas activities within its territory.


Free Malaysia Today
6 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Public feedback still required for key projects, says DBKL
DBKL said it is committed to public engagement, transparency, and inclusive decision-making in urban planning. PETALING JAYA : New planning regulations for Kuala Lumpur will continue to require stakeholder consultation, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said today. DBKL said although formal objections to the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (PTKL 2040) no longer apply following its gazettement on June 11, it remains committed to best planning practices through the implementation of Rule 3 of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Planning Rules 2025, which mandates stakeholder consultations. It explained that such consultation is required for specific types of proposed developments, such as high-density projects or temporary developments, which require public feedback before approval is granted. 'Additionally, every approved development project in Kuala Lumpur is required to implement a communication strategy covering the pre-construction, construction, and post-construction phases,' it said in a statement. 'This ensures that developers engage with nearby residents to clearly explain the planned development and the benefits it will bring to the local community.' DBKL said these measures reflect its ongoing commitment to public engagement, transparency, and inclusive decision-making in urban planning. It was responding to criticism by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok over the 'secret' gazettement of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Planning Rules 2025, which took place on June 13 and became effective three days later. Kok said the rules, which replace decades-old planning laws, weaken transparency and limit public objections to development projects. In its statement, DBKL said it remains dedicated to ensuring that the city is developed in an organised, inclusive, and liveable manner, with public input serving as a key foundation of its planning process. It also stressed that PTKL 2040's preparation was carried out transparently and in full compliance with legal provisions, with all stakeholders given the opportunity to provide input. It said it implemented a variety of publicity and public engagement methods to ensure broad community participation in line with Sections 14 and 15 of the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982. The public participation period began on Jan 31, 2024, was extended twice, and ended on April 15, 2024, it said. During this time, DBKL said it hosted permanent and mobile exhibitions across Kuala Lumpur and conducted 13 public briefing sessions, including ones involving Kuala Lumpur MPs. It also said it went beyond the legal requirements by conducting more engagement sessions than required under the Federal Territory (Planning) Act. Fifty-one engagement sessions involving more than 1,500 individuals and groups were organised. The participants included academics, MPs, professionals, residents' associations, government bodies, and local authorities. These engagement efforts spanned several years and formats, and included early pre-consultation sessions in 2019, informal meetings with MPs in 2020, and technical meetings with 32 government bodies. DBKL also said it gathered feedback through online surveys from 300 residents' associations, hosted focus group discussions with 521 participants, held consultation sessions with MPs in 2023, and organised an open day for the draft amendment in May.


Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Number of Malaysians with at least RM1.2mil to double over 10 years, says HSBC
HSBC Bank said affluent Malaysians are increasingly seeking investment solutions that not only accelerate wealth accumulation but also safeguard their health and lifestyle. (Reuters pic) PETALING JAYA : HSBC Bank expects the number of Malaysians with at least US$250,000 (RM1.18 million) in assets to double over the next 10 years. HSBC's head of international wealth and premier banking Asia, Kai Zhang, said Malaysia's growing economy is creating more opportunities to build and sustain wealth. 'We estimate that the percentage of adults in Malaysia with at least US$250,000 in financial wealth will double over the next decade,' she said in a statement to mark the launch of HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd's revamped HSBC Premier for its affluent and high-net-worth customers today. Linda Yip, HSBC Malaysia's country head of international wealth and premier banking, said affluent Malaysians are increasingly seeking investment solutions that not only accelerate wealth accumulation but also safeguard their health and lifestyle. In 2023, a report from property consultancy Knight Frank stated that the number of Malaysians with at least US$1 million (RM4.6 million) in wealth will nearly double from over 85,000 in 2022 to more than 164,000 in 2027.