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The Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Over 1,000 spectators cheer on 50 muay thai boxers in Bkt Mertajam
Some 1,000 people converged in Taman Sireh for the festival. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star OVER 50 amateur and professional boxers from sports clubs in the country took part in a muay thai competition at the inaugural Festival Kebun Sireh X Penang2030. The event, held at a public field in Taman Sireh, Bukit Mertajam, was organised by Penang Muay Thai Association (PMTA) and Kebun Sireh Village Community Management Council. It was supported by the Batu Kawan parliamentary office, Bukit Tengah service centre and Seberang Perai City Council. Some 1,000 people attended the event which PMTA president Hilmie Ibrahim described as the festival's highlight. 'Besides muay thai, there were other events such as checkers and a colouring contest. 'It was good to see many youngsters showing interest in muay thai which helps with character building among youths,' said Hilmie. Bukit Tengah assemblyman Gooi Hsiao Leung said the event encouraged youngsters to be active in healthy sporting activities while promoting unity. 'It is good to see people from different walks of life coming together to attend the event and cheer for each other,' he said. He added that although muay thai was a serious sport that required intense training and discipline, it also fostered camaraderie among the boxers. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow described the event as a platform for Penangites to be involved in healthy activities and community building. 'The event is a clear reflection of the people of Penang being an active community, engaged in social and healthy activities. 'Not only does it promote the sport of muay thai, it also shows that festive occasions, traditions, sports, and community events can be celebrated in harmony,' he said in his speech. Chow expressed hope that Penang would continue progressing towards becoming a developed state, in line with Penang2030 Vision. 'The Penang2030 vision is a roadmap for developing the state during my tenure, aimed at advancing various industries, strengthening social development and achieving balanced growth that improves the overall quality of life for the people. 'It is also my hope that, with the time we have left, we can intensify efforts to mobilise greater community and public participation in support of these balanced development initiatives,' he said. Auxiliary police member Muhammad Sayuti Mad, 37, from Kuala Kedah, said he was invited by his friend in Taman Sireh to join the event. 'I am happy to be part of this event. I also asked my daughter to take part in the colouring contest,' he said. Technician Khairul Annur Harun, 35, who lives near Taman Sireh, said such events brought the community together, offering a break from routine. 'Such programmes create a positive atmosphere, especially when these combine culture, sports, and festive elements. 'I hope more such events will be held in future to strengthen the spirit of unity among residents,' he said.
The Star
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Happy hunting for ‘sad art' in George Town
Hidden in plain sight: One of the tiny figures seen (pic, right) on a corbel of a shop in Lebuh Pantai, George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: An art hunt for little 'sad' statues is gaining popularity here. What began as a George Town Festival project last year, the tiny figurines called 'Cement Eclipses' are still creating a buzz. With their woeful, almost dystopian expressions, the tiny figurines hidden in plain sight within the Unesco World Heritage site have become a treasure hunt of sorts. Standing at 17-20cm tall, they are placed on corbels, in window nooks or even on electrical boxes, making them a fascinating find. Upon closer inspection, their melancholic facial expressions stand in stark contrast to the generally cheerful atmosphere of George Town's colonial streets. With chins down, pensive looks, hooded heads, hands in pockets or poker faces, these figurines somehow compel visitors to search high and low for them. Some wear suits, one is dressed in casual tourist attire with a camera slung around the neck, while others are in shorts and T-shirts. All are securely fastened to structures, mostly more than 4m above road level. This public art project by Spanish artist Isaac Cordal was initially for last year's George Town Festival and is now a permanent feature. P. Chandra, 46, who recently turned it into a 'treasure hunt' for his family, successfully locating eight figurines. 'Someone forwarded a map link showing where these figurines are located to my wife,' he said. 'We tapped on the link, and the locations appeared on our Google Maps app. We decided to have a treasure hunt adventure in George Town.' Chandra added that many statues are in places they typically drive past without truly observing. 'This gave us the opportunity to walk around and discover small biscuit shops, street art and cafes,' he said. 'We had never explored these parts of town before, and while searching for the figurines, we had breakfast, stopped for drinks and checked out various historical buildings along the way.' Chandra, an associate director at a property management company, said it was a fun family day. 'We stopped after spotting eight figurines as it got too hot and my kids were becoming restless. 'We plan on returning to complete the hunt. This time, we will head out early to beat the heat,' he said. Chandra said what stood out was the forlorn expression on the figurines. 'They look depressed. I expected cheerful faces. 'It did create a conversation with my children about different feelings and expressions,' he said. George Town World Heritage Incorporated Communications and Collaborations Department manager Vick Quah said the installation was one that stood out at the festival last year. 'It's an installation that showcases different human emotions in our day-to-day lives,' she said. 'Art is truly subjective, and we all experience different emotions in a single day.' Quah explained that the figurines depict various jobs and lifestyles, hence their different outfits. 'They portray different emotions, just like us, and some even appear happy,' she said. She said Cordal has similar installations worldwide and that it was his idea to place the sculptures around George Town. 'There are many lanes in Penang that we simply pass through without noticing its beauty,' she said. 'Cordal's idea was to place them in random locations to encourage people to stop for a few minutes and enjoy the lanes and streets here. 'We received positive feedback during the festival and are glad people are still on the hunt for them.' Cordal, when installing the sculptures, previously said they were installed across George Town, including in streets, alleys and buildings. 'They were designed to be discovered by the public and to blend into the surroundings, creating a sense of mystery and wonder. 'I installed around 20 sculptures in different parts of the city,' he said. For a map app link to help you find the statues, email info@
The Star
24-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Former pride of Penang crumbling
Home to many: A view of the Rifle Range corridors in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star Rifle Range residents call for renewal of oldest public housing GEORGE TOWN: Leaking pipes, falling objects, cracked walls and broken floor tiles. These are just some of the long list of grievances faced by thousand of residents in Rifle Range, the country's oldest existing low-cost high-rise public housing project. Designed by a German firm and built in 1969, it was the pride of Penangites as the tallest building in the state back then. But almost 55 years on, the housing area is falling apart, with ageing infrastructure, traffic snarls and dirty surroundings. The 3,888 units are also cramped, with an average size of just 340 sq ft each. 'The building is too old. Parking is also a daily struggle. Thousands of residents are in a dilemma,' said Cheang Wai Long, a hawker. The 55-year-old, who has lived there for over 50 years, said her unit is among those that need urgent repairs, with persistent leaks, cracked walls and damaged floor tiles. She and her extended family, who also live in the flats, are willing to relocate if the state government decides to build new high-rise flats with better facilities under the Urban Renewal Act. Single mother Fauziah Ahmed, 49, who has lived there for over 20 years, said Rifle Range Flats offers good connectivity and reliable public transport. Hope for more: Fauziah at the Rifle Range flats in George Town. 'It's easy to get food as there are many shops around.' Housewife N. Parameswari, 37, who lives there with her ailing father, husband and four children, said she was grateful to the state government for allowing her family to rent a unit after their home was destroyed in a fire six years ago. 'With a monthly rent of RM110, we are all right here,' she added. She said she hopes to see more playgrounds for children besides better parking facilities. 'Infrastructure maintenance, including water piping, lift servicing and garbage management, is badly needed,' she added. Kuih seller Salmah Ibrahim, 62, said that if the government redeveloped the flats, a larger food court should be a priority. There are nine blocks of 17-storey buildings on the 16.7ha area, with every floor comprising 20 units of single bedrooms and four two-bedroom units. Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid agreed that it is time to improve things at the flats, along with Flat Uda in Tanjong Tokong. 'We must ensure that families have a clean, safe and dignified place to call home,' she added. Based on her discussions with the Penang Housing Board, Syerleena said it would be a long-term effort requiring careful planning and input from various stakeholders. The grounds where the flats are built was once a shooting range used by the British army and local police during the colonial days, hence the name. It is also known as Pak Cheng Poh in Hokkien or Padang Tembak in Malay. The Federal Reserve Unit barracks are also next to the flats.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Economists believe 10% baseline US tariffs will stay
On the upside: Yeah said with the two of the world's largest economies temporarily scaling back on tariffs, Malaysia's growth outlook has somehow brightened considerably with growth expectations for this year seeing an upward adjustment. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star PETALING JAYA: While Malaysia can take some comfort in the United States and China reaching a temporary ceasefire of sorts in the trade war by slashing sweeping tariffs on each other for 90 days, economists believe the 10% baseline US tariffs will stay. This is despite negotiations with the United States and the implementation of reciprocal tariffs currently on ice. Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng said the tariff de-escalation and 90-day truce signalled a step-back from a full scale US-China tariff war. 'While uncertainty still lingers over the negotiations, it is highly unlikely that the situation will re-escalate, given that both sides are appraising the mutually destructive damage to their respective economies caused by the month-long stoppage of trade and disruptions to supply chains due to the triple-digit tariffs,' he said. 'Malaysia and other Asean countries can take comfort that their continuing negotiations with the United States will not be as tough or acrimonious compared to China as the main adversary. 'Nevertheless, we have to be prepared to accept the 10% baseline tariff and make some concessions to achieve a win-win outcome as long standing trade partners,' he added. Yeah said with the two of the world's largest economies temporarily scaling back on tariffs, Malaysia's growth outlook has somehow brightened considerably with growth expectations for this year seeing an upward adjustment. He also said it is likely that the gloom over the global economy and trade has been partially lifted. 'The ringgit has benefitted from the weakening of the US dollar triggered by the tariff war and the US Fed's rate cut expectations. Global risk aversion and shift away from dollar assets due to investors' concerns over the United States' high debt level and fiscal vulnerabilities have also contributed to dollar weaknesses,' he said. Besides under-valuation, Malaysia's diversified economy, low inflation, continuing Foreign Direct Investment inflows and resilient banking and financial systems have lent support to the ringgit appreciation, he added. On the revised Growth Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast, Yeah said it is expected to be at about 4.5% instead of being slashed closer to the 4% mark. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said Malaysia would likely miss its GDP growth forecast target amid the current economic uncertainties. The GDP growth projection for 2025 was initially between 4.5 and 5.5%. Kenanga Research said in a note that the 10% tariff 'baseline' and 30% on China was still in play, and thus the situation has only partially de-escalated. 'Deals also take time to iron out but this being a joint statement, with mechanisms being established for further talks, render this a welcome development and could help improve risk-taking appetite. 'Most of this region have seen share prices recovering to levels prior to the reciprocal tariff,' it added. 'Likewise for FBM KLCI, which is somewhat a laggard despite ringgit strength. We watch for risk appetite rotating out of lower-beta/defensive sectors. As global economic stress gets a relief, banks which have been a laggard group since reciprocal tariffs (still down 3%), could come back into focus,' it added. Geopolitical analyst Dr Azmi Hassan commented that the 90-day pause would serve as a crucial window for both nations to negotiate and resolve outstanding issues. 'Both the United States and China have incurred significant costs from the ongoing trade war. It's unlikely that tariff rates will return to the previous triple-digit levels. 'However, I expect certain categories of goods, whether exported from China to the United States or vice versa, will continue to face specific tariff measures,' he said. Commenting on the potential implications for Malaysia, Azmi said select local industries such as glove manufacturing were expected to maintain their competitive edge amid the shifting trade landscape. 'The outcome will also hinge on the negotiations led by Malaysia's chief negotiator in the upcoming formal tariff discussions with the United States,' he added.
