Chow leads delegation to Switzerland, Austria for Penang Hill cable car project
An artist's impression of the Penang Hill cable car project.
PETALING JAYA : Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow is leading a state delegation to Switzerland and Austria to support the development of the Penang Hill cable car project.
In a statement, his office said the seven-day visit, which starts today, is hosted by Austrian ropeway specialist Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH and local rail firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd.
Chow's office said the visit is key to ensuring the project meets international standards for sustainable mobility and safety.
The delegation will visit several key suppliers involved in the project, including Doppelmayr in Wolfurt, Austria; Fatzer AG, a cable ropeway supplier in Romanshorn, Switzerland; Garaventa AG, a funicular system expert in Goldau, Switzerland; and CWA Constructions SA, a gondola cabin manufacturer in Olten, Switzerland.
The delegation will also meet with the mayor of Bettmeralp and representatives from local cable car operator Aletsch Bahnen AG. Bettmeralp is a well-known car-free village accessible only by cable car and serves as a model for sustainable mountain tourism.
The statement added that insights gained from the visit will help guide the long-term development of Penang Hill as a sustainable and accessible destination.
'This visit is vital for understanding the engineering, operations and safety measures behind world-class cable car systems,' the statement said.
'The state government is committed to delivering the Penang Hill cable car project with the highest standards of safety, quality and reliability. This mission reflects that commitment,' it said.
The RM245 million Penang Hill cable car project was awarded to Hartasuma under a 30-year public-private partnership using a design-finance-build-operate-transfer model.
Doppelmayr has been tapped to supply the cable car technology.
The cable car line will span 2.73km from the Penang Botanic Gardens to the top of Bukit Bendera.
The project includes three main stations, namely the Garden Station at the base, a mid-route Turn Station and the Hill Station at the summit, as well as a multi-storey car park, commercial plaza opposite the Botanic Gardens department and a dedicated bus parking space.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Rising costs top concern of Malaysian businesses: HSBC survey
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian businesses are grappling with rising costs and persistent supply chain disruptions, prompting them to reconsider their strategies and investment plans. According to HSBC's 2025 Global Trade Pulse Survey, the ongoing changes in tariffs and evolving trade policies continue to exert pressure on local companies, reshaping the landscape for growth and operations. Insights from the survey capture the perspectives and intentions of more than 5,700 international firms across 13 markets, including Malaysia, on the challenges and outlook related to tariffs and global trade. The survey found that, currently, the biggest concern for more than half of Malaysian businesses (55%) is rising costs due to tariffs and other trade-related factors. In response to this, 42% of Malaysian businesses have shifted their focus to domestic markets, prioritising local customers and reducing international exposure while 40% of businesses plan to do the same. In addition, the survey showed 37% of Malaysian businesses have increased their inventory levels to manage supply disruptions, with 49% planning to do so as well. Despite global uncertainties, 250 Malaysia-based companies surveyed are optimistic about their international growth but need external strategic advice on the matter, the findings showed. Furthermore, 91% of companies are confident that they can grow international trade, surpassing the 89% global average. More encouragingly, 73% believe that trade uncertainty has prompted their business to evolve and explore new opportunities, while 55% are seeking strategic advice on international expansion, restructuring or supply chain realignment. Considering current trade dynamics, Malaysia-based businesses are adapting their trade strategy to significantly increase connections with China (61%), South Asia (55%) and North Asia (44%). Beyond Asia, Malaysian businesses also plan to trade more with Europe and the United States (both 32%). HSBC Malaysia CEO and head of banking Datuk Omar Siddiq said despite the challenges posed by the uncertain tariff and trade landscape, businesses in Malaysia are demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the way they operate. 'While supply chains may be further reconfigured, there continues to be strong potential for local companies to leverage on Malaysia's strong trade ties, particularly in Asia. Having said that, it is key to note that markets like the US remain key trade destinations for Malaysia for high-value sectors such as electronics and semiconductors,' he said in a statement. While managing costs is top of mind for Malaysian businesses during this period of global uncertainty, the HSBC survey noted that companies are using the opportunity to innovate and adopt new technologies to boost operational efficiencies. It showed that 64% of Malaysian businesses have adopted new technology or digital platforms, while 48% have developed new products and services. Other growth opportunities that Malaysian businesses are considering include shifting their focus to domestic or regional growth (57%) and improving their internal efficiencies or changing their cost structures (54%). During the current period of trade disruption, Malaysian businesses find cash and liquidity management as the most helpful form of support in managing working capital (64%), followed by improved payment terms with buyers and suppliers (56%) and supply chain finance (55%). 'With over 70% of Malaysian businesses anticipating sustained cost increases from the impact of tariffs and trade uncertainty on the cost of doing business, and businesses facing an average 18% drop in revenue, the imperative for strategic adaptation is clear. 'Despite uncertainties, the world is also full of opportunities. Navigating this climate requires not only agility, but strong partnerships to ensure sustained growth in a shifting global economy,' Omar said.
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Nuclear energy partnership the way forward for S'pore and M'sia, says researcher
Linking the border regions of Malaysia and Singapore, the JS-SEZ is nearly twice the size of China's Shenzhen – a success story that Malaysia is hoping to emulate. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : Incorporating a nuclear energy partnership into the Johor-Singapore special economic zone (JS-SEZ) will mark the way forward for collaboration between Malaysia and Singapore, argues an energy transition researcher. Victor Nian, the founding co-chairman of the Centre for Strategic Energy and Resources, said as JS-SEZ is set to become a defining project for industrial and economic collaboration between the two nations, it will need 'stable, 24/7 carbon free energy'. In a commentary published by Channel News Asia, he said current clean energy solutions could not quite keep up with the energy-intensive sectors the JS-SEZ hoped to attract. 'Solar energy cannot provide round-the-clock reliability even with battery energy storage, while hydrogen is expensive and lacks infrastructure and regulations for large industrial applications. 'Nuclear energy, on the other hand, offers a more realistic solution. It has been proven to provide reliable baseload electricity with zero emissions, such as in France, Spain, South Korea and the US,' he said. Linking the border regions of both countries, the JS-SEZ is nearly twice the size of China's Shenzhen – a success story that Malaysia is hoping to emulate. Nian pointed to the Krsko nuclear power plant in Slovenia near the Croatian border, the ownership of which is split equally between Slovenia and Croatia, with both nations sharing the electrical output and responsibility for nuclear waste. 'Krsko has delivered stable electricity to both countries for decades. 'A similar model could work for the JS-SEZ, bringing together Malaysia's land availability and regulatory readiness and Singapore's financing capabilities and intention to import clean energy from the region,' he said. Nian also said there is an opportunity for collective technology transfer and supply chain development, pointing to how Japan, South Korea and China have strengthened domestic nuclear industries through partnerships with established nuclear states. 'The JS-SEZ could do the same for Malaysia and Singapore. Talent development is already stated as a goal of the JS-SEZ. 'Nuclear energy requires a highly skilled and well-educated workforce. Both Malaysia and Singapore have the ability and the motivation to form academic and vocational training programmes supporting the nuclear energy sector,' he said. Nian said while such a partnership would not be easy to pull off, there is a clear path to success that builds on the existing relationship between the two countries and past efforts. He underlined the need to address domestic social and political sensitivities and geopolitical considerations, and called for both nations to collaborate in doing so. 'Again, there are international examples to follow. South Korea and Finland engaged with their citizens to build support for nuclear adoption. 'A Singapore-Malaysia endeavour would need to proactively be transparent in communication and initiate public consultations and educational initiatives to help shape public attitudes,' he said.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Bus slams into tow truck on NSE near Ipoh, driver injured, passengers unhurt
IPOH, June 12 — A double-decker bus driver was injured while nine of his passengers were unhurt when the bus they were in hit the back of a tow truck at Kilometre (KM) 311.4 northbound of the North South Expressway here early this morning. Perak Fire and Rescue Department operations division director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said they received a report at 1.28am and dispatched fire engines from Tapah and Gopeng fire and rescue stations to the scene. 'Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that the bus driver was trapped in his seat while all the passengers, including the second driver, were unhurt. 'The driver, 29, suffered injuries to his right leg and was taken to the hospital for further treatment,' he said in a statement today, adding that the tow truck driver and attendant were unhurt. This is the third bus accident reported this week, following the bus crash that killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students near Gerik and another between an express bus and a trailer near Maran, Pahang, where no one was hurt. — Bernama
