Latest news with #Goh
Straits Times
11 minutes ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Holidaymakers flock to Penang as hotels offer all-you-can-eat durian deals
Many Penang hotels bundled room rentals with all-you-can-eat durian feasting. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK GEORGE TOWN - Never underestimate the power of the Musang King, Black Thorn and all their genetic cousins to pull in the crowds. With the durian season here as well as the school holidays, most hotels were at least 85 per cent full during the weekend while some were fully booked, said Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh. 'The hotels were packed and did well during the long weekend. 'Hotels by the beach and in the town area were almost full,' Mr Goh added. As with the yearly tradition, most hotels bundled room rentals with all-you-can-eat durian feasting. 'Penang is renowned for having orchards that produce durians you cannot find in other states. 'Other than the ever-popular Musang King and Black Thorn, there are 'vintage' clones like Hor Lor, Red Prawn, Green Skin and Capri, and rare variants like Tupai King and Lin Feng Jiao (purportedly named after Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan's wife). 'Each variant offers a slightly different tang, and for durian lovers, these are complex flavours to be appreciated and deciphered,' said Mr Goh. Penang tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the 'King of Fruits' was a fail-proof attraction. He said with the surge in visitors, the funicular train to Penang Hill also saw an increase in ridership: 6,691 on May 30, 8,183 on May 31, 9,396 on June 1 and 9,251 on June 2. 'The ridership totalled 33,521 in the past four days. 'On normal non-peak days, it is around 4,000 a day,' Mr Wong said. He said the increase in visitors was also attributed to Singapore's school holidays, which had started as well. Mr Wong urged tourism players, including hawkers, to give out good deals and provide top-level service during the holiday period. As for Penang's ever-popular murals, Mr Wong urged visitors to avoid scribbling, scratching or defacing them, which had happened in the past. 'The murals are meant to be admired, not vandalised,' he said. Penang Tourist Guide Association chairman Clement Liang advised tourists to avoid engaging unlicensed tourist guides. 'Many visitors unknowingly hire unlicensed guides and end up being disappointed by the tours organised,' he said. Mr Liang urged tourists to use only licensed hotels and facilities to avoid scams. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Room and durian a welcome combo
Cream of the crop: A worker holding a Musang King durian, which is one of the favourites among visitors from China, Hong Kong and Macau. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star Many hotels fully booked as holidaymakers flock to Penang GEORGE TOWN: Never underestimate the power of the Musang King, Black Thorn and all their genetic cousins to pull in the crowds. With the durian season here as well as the school holidays, most hotels were at least 85% full during the weekend, said Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh. He said that occupancy was strong during the period with some hotels fully booked, while others recorded over 85% full. 'The hotels were packed and did well during the long weekend. 'Hotels by the beach and in the town area were almost full,' Goh added. As with the yearly tradition, most hotels bundled room rentals with all-you-can-eat durian feasting. 'Penang is renowned for having orchards that produce durians you cannot find in other states. 'Other than the ever-popular Musang King and Black Thorn, there are 'vintage' clones like Hor Lor, Red Prawn, Green Skin and Capri, and rare variants like Tupai King and Lin Feng Jiao (purportedly named after Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan's wife). Breezy trail: Visitors enjoying their walk at the Esplanade in George Town, Penang. 'Each variant offers a slightly different tang, and for durian lovers, these are complex flavours to be appreciated and deciphered,' said Goh. Penang tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the 'King of Fruits' was a fail-proof attraction. He said with the surge in visitors, the funicular train to Penang Hill also saw an increase in ridership: 6,691 on May 30; 8,183 (May 31); 9,396 (June 1); and 9,251 (June 2). 'The ridership totalled 33,521 in the past four days. 'On normal non-peak days, it is around 4,000 a day,' Wong said. He said the increase in visitors was also attributed to Singapore's school holidays, which had started as well. Wong urged tourism players, including hawkers, to give out good deals and provide top-level service during the holiday period. As for Penang's ever-popular murals, Wong urged visitors to avoid scribbling, scratching or defacing them, which had happened in the past. 'The murals are meant to be admired, not vandalised,' he said. Penang Tourist Guide Association chairman Clement Liang advised tourists to avoid engaging unlicensed tourist guides. 'Many visitors unknowingly hire unlicensed guides and end up being disappointed by the tours organised,' he said. Liang urged tourists to use only licensed hotels and facilities to avoid scams.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Smart manufacturing and services is the future, and a new master's program is training the talent to lead it
The fourth industrial revolution (also called Industry 4.0) has been upon us for years. It's characterized as an amalgamation of different technologies — IoT, robotics, Big Data, 3D printing, and AI — that help companies become more digitalized and smarter in terms of how they handle their business and operations. But like everything else, it was accelerated by Covid, according to Puay Guan Goh, a professor with the National University of Singapore. "During the disruptions and shutdowns, companies realized they needed to digitalize and become more efficient," he said. "They needed to be able to do remote coordination. This was about control of what was happening in their remote sites." Places like Singapore, where there is limited manpower, are ripe for smart manufacturing using robotics and automation, Goh said. "We recognize we can't compete on cost and therefore we need to have more efficient operations and value-added services in order to be more effective," he added. And for a country like the US, that is looking to possibly reshore manufacturing, especially for semiconductors, electronics, and automotive, but does not have access to low-cost labor, there will be a need for high-end smart manufacturing, he added. A big part of Industry 4.0 over the past two years has been AI, and Goh said it can apply to many different parts of the business. For example, procurement departments can identify better cost savings, e-commerce operations can optimize to generate more revenue, and hospitality companies can figure out how to run efficiently even when occupancy is down. A new opportunity to learn In this environment, it's not enough to just teach technical skills, but also business skills to understand the context of the technologies. "Technology doesn't exist in a vacuum," Goh said. "We must know what our business process is, what our key drivers are, what we are trying to apply [technology] toward, and then bring in data technology to have the most impact on the business." Navigating this world brought on by Industry 4.0 is at the heart of the National University of Singapore's Master of Science program in Smart Industries and Digital Transformation, for which Goh serves as Program Director. This multidisciplinary graduate degree program combines both business and technical perspectives, bringing together courses on technology transformation and different domains of technology and implementation. It draws on the expertise of NUS's Business School, School of Continuing and Lifelong Education, School of Computing, College of Design and Engineering, Faculty of Science, and Institute of Systems Science. Goh said the program attracts a broad base of students — from recent graduates to people who have working experience. Both want to have a better understanding of the digital transformation process, including the business concepts around digital transformation and more technical aspects like data programming, IoT, and data analytics. For those who are already working, they could be in positions within companies where they can drive change and explain the business need for digital transformation. For recent graduates, they could go on to take these sorts of roles, but also engineering or data science roles within companies, where being able to incorporate business language could be valuable. Key components of the program One integral part of the program is the core Capstone Project Course, where students work with a sponsoring company to produce an innovative solution to solve a business problem, leaning on what they've learned about smart industries and digital transformation. The MSc curriculum is also designed in accordance with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) Singapore Smart Industry Readiness Index. It's intended to further aid companies in transforming their capabilities through the right talent and support Singapore's drive toward becoming a Smart Nation. The full-time one-year program (1.5 to 3 years for part-time) attracts students from across the world, though in the past the majority of students have come from Asia, with some coming from the Middle East and Europe. NUS is eager to welcome students from the United States as well, and has already taken steps to work with universities there. For example, students from USC Marshall MBA program recently joined students from NUS in Singapore for a global AI case competition, where the teams came up with ideas for AI use cases for a company of their choice. Applications for the MSc program in Smart Industry and Digital Transformation, beginning in August 2026, will be open from November 2025 to January 2026.
The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
A killer – in the blink of an eye
PETALING JAYA: Dr Julius Goh Liang Chye of Universiti Malaya remembers his childhood journeys back to Kedah from Kuala Lumpur very well. 'As children, we always depended on our father to do the heavy lifting, including driving long hours during festive seasons. 'One particular journey took a frightening turn when he briefly dozed off at the wheel, jolting awake just in time to avoid a crash,' he said. ALSO READ: Apnoea – something to lose sleep over 'At that time, we were unfamiliar with the term microsleep,' said Dr Goh, who is now a consultant otorhinolaryngologist at Universiti Malaya's Faculty of Medicine. Otorhinolaryngology deals with conditions affecting the ear, nose and throat (ENT), some of which have the potential to affect sleep quality. Experts agree: (From left) Siti Zaharah, Louis and Dr Goh say microsleep poses a menace that threatens road safety everywhere. Road safety experts as well as the medical fraternity now want sleep management, in particular addressing microsleep, to be part of the lexicon, given the immense potential of sleep-deprived persons causing accidents whether at the workplace or on the road. Dr Goh, who specialises in sleep surgery and medicine, said fatigue-related crashes are often under reported, yet they pose a significant risk, particularly among drivers who embark on long-haul journeys with inadequate rest. While microsleep is frequently associated with obstructive sleep apnoea, other sleep disorders can also contribute to its occurrence. 'These conditions include insomnia, restless legs syndrome, epilepsy and narcolepsy may all lead to episodes of microsleep, making accurate diagnosis by a medical professional essential,' said Dr Goh. Dr Louis Adaikalam, president of the Malaysia Sleep Apnea Association, said there are enough hints that microsleep is behind a significant number of road crashes in Malaysia. 'In fact, microsleep has been linked to several major industrial accidents, along with lots of road accidents,' he said. He believes that the emergence of the gig economy is also a contributing factor to sleep deprivation, where some people attempt to be e-hailing drivers or couriers after their official day job. 'Some people are sacrificing sleep to earn more, and of course, there is obstructive sleep apnoea and other sleep-related issues that need medical diagnosis. 'For example, fatigue can also be caused by diabetes or heart problems, which in turn, can lead to more dangerous driving such as greater risk-taking on the road,' said Louis. Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research director-general Assoc Prof Dr Siti Zaharah Ishak said a collaboration is on the cards with a company to offer courses on managing microsleep at the workplace. 'This is being done through capacity-building and innovative training,' she said. Get enough rest: Based on statistics provided by the police, drivers falling asleep due to fatigue caused over 1,300 fatalities on the road.— AZMAN GHANI/The Star 'Miros will also conduct more studies on sleep deprivation and its relation to road safety.' In 2023, Malaysia recorded 598,635 incidents that resulted in 6,443 fatalities, with nearly two-thirds of deaths coming from motorcyclists and pillion riders. Based on the last statistics provided by the police, 1,305 fatalities were attributed to drivers falling asleep due to fatigue between 2011 and 2021. Datuk Ng Koong Sinn, president of the Malaysia Trucking Federation, said drivers under his company must take a 30-minute break after every four hours of driving. 'They are only allowed to drive up to eight hours a day, while the daily work hours (inclusive of driving) cannot exceed 12 hours.' Another major logistics grouping, the Association of Malaysian Hauliers, acknowledged the risks posed by fatigue and microsleep among commercial drivers. 'Many of our members have implemented internal policies such as ensuring drivers are sufficiently rested before long hauls, providing safety bonuses for accident-free records, and encouraging break intervals where possible,' said association secretary Mohamad Azuan Masud. 'However, the reality on the road now poses several operational challenges. Long waiting times at port terminals, container depots and customer premises often stretch a driver's working hours unpredictably. 'The common practice of customers only allowing deliveries during office hours further restricts flexibility, while the ongoing driver shortage worsens the situation. 'Additionally, peak-hour road ban on heavy vehicles and a lack of proper rest facilities or parking bays at many R&R stops along highways make it harder for drivers to rest safely and on schedule,' said Azuan. 'Our members remain committed to upholding safety and continue to find ways to support their drivers through better scheduling, incentives, and the adoption of technology like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems where feasible.'
Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Straits Times
Charge withdrawn for man accused of helping trio allegedly linked to organised criminal group
SINGAPORE – A man accused of helping three Chinese nationals, who were allegedly linked to a global syndicate that conducted malicious cyber activities, has walked free after his charge was withdrawn on May 21. District Judge Ng Cheng Thiam granted Mr Goh Shi Yong, 35, a discharge amounting to an acquittal following a pre-trial conference that day. This means the Singaporean cannot be charged again over the same offence. Without revealing details, the Attorney-General's Chambers told The Straits Times on May 26: 'The charge pertained to Goh's alleged assistance to obtain residential internet access subscriptions for other accused persons. 'After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the matter, Goh's charge was withdrawn, and the prosecution applied for (the discharge). This was granted by the court on May 21.' Mr Goh had been accused of helping Liu Yuqi, 33, Huang Qin Zheng, 36, Yan Peijian, 39, subscribe to two Singtel broadband plans for a house in Mount Sinai Avenue near Holland Road where the trio lived. These four men were part of a group of six people who were charged in court in September 2024. Mr Goh is the sole Singaporean while the other five are Chinese nationals, whose cases are still pending. Liu, Huang and Yan are accused of multiple offences including being part of a locally linked organised criminal group between September 2022 and September 2024. The other two men are Sun Jiao, 43, and Zhang Qingqiao, 38. Sun now faces more than 20 charges including multiple counts of misusing a computer system, while Zhang is accused of offences including illegally obtaining the personal information of others without their consent. The six men were arrested after more than 150 officers from the Singapore Police Force's Criminal Investigation and Police Intelligence departments and Special Operations Command as well as the Internal Security Department (ISD) conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations islandwide on Sept 9, 2024. Sun was caught at his home in a Bidadari Park Drive condominium and was 'found in possession of a laptop that contained credentials to access internet servers used by known hacker groups', the police and ISD said in an earlier joint statement. 'Five laptops, six mobile phones, cash of more than $24,000 and cryptocurrency worth approximately US$850,000 (S$1.1 million) were seized from him,' the authorities added. Liu, Huang and Yan were caught at their Mount Sinai Avenue home, where they allegedly had multiple incriminating items in their possession, including a laptop that was said to contain various computer hacking tools. Officers arrested Zhang at his home in a Cairnhill Road condominium. A laptop, nine mobile phones and $465,000 in cash were seized from him, said the police and ISD in September 2024. Mr Goh was caught at a Housing Board flat in Hougang. For being part of an organised criminal group, an offender can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $100,000. Shaffiq Alkhatib is The Straits Times' court correspondent, covering mainly criminal cases heard at the State Courts. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
