Latest news with #LIMBENGTATT
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
Penang Neolithic gallery to open this year, says CM
Chow (in batik shirt) having a go at 'sepak raga bulatan'; at below, colourful display of Malaysiana as children take part in a costume contest at Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star 41 skeletons from Guar Kepah site to be displayed alongside 'Penang Woman' once repatriation complete Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery in Kepala Batas, Seberang Perai, is expected to open in the third quarter of 2025. The opening will take place once all 41 Guar Kepah site's Neolithic human skeletons are returned to Penang from the Netherlands where they have been stored for 152 years. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the skeletons would be handed to Universiti Sains Malaysia for assessment before being placed in the gallery. These will then be displayed alongside the 5,700-year-old skeleton known as 'Penang Woman' who is believed to be their ancestor. While Penang Woman was found in an ancient burial ground on mainland Penang in 2017, the other skeletons are believed to have been excavated by British archaeologists between 1851 and 1934. 'Once the remains are back, we can officially open,' Chow said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was expected to launch the gallery. Funded by a RM10mil Federal Government allocation, the double-storey gallery was built on nearly a hectare of land. Minimalist in design, it houses a research centre, lab and artefacts storage facilities. The gallery, which covers the spot where Penang Woman was discovered, will serve as a tourist attraction and centre for research and heritage preservation. There will be exhibits such as shell middens and interactive displays on early human settlements, while visitor facilities will include cafe, souvenir kiosks, and surau. According to previous reports, the Guar Kepah site was the first in Malaysia to have been studied by Western researchers, from the mid-19th century to 1936. The site yielded human remains, stone tools, food remnants, beads and pottery shards that offer insights into prehistoric life in the area. Between 1936 and 1960, the 41 skeletons were transferred to Naturalis Biodiversity Centre which in 1984 became part of the National Museum of Natural History in Leiden city. The remains are now stored at the Collection Centre Netherlands in Amersfoort. A delegation from Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is expected to travel to Leiden soon to complete the repatriation process, following Cabinet approval and final paperwork. Earlier, Chow launched Penang2030 Festival X Seberang Perai Heritage Day 2025 in Kampung Agong, Penaga, which drew some 5,000 participants. 'Amid the greenery and village traditions, this celebration strengthens the harmony we already have among Penang's diverse communities,' he said. 'It is a recognition of all we have achieved together over the past seven years.' He said this year's edition was special as it was the second time Penang2030 Festival was being held, with it moving out of Komtar for the first time into Kampung Agong in conjunction with Seberang Perai Heritage Day. He said the celebration also showcased Penang's cultural wealth as a shared asset. Visitors enjoyed activities such as batik painting, silat, wayang kulit and traditional games like sepak raga bulatan. There were also sack races, costume and colouring contests and a handicraft market. Guests enjoyed a 'Kenduri Rakyat' which had plenty of free food and drinks while a two-minute fireworks display concluded the event at 8pm. Also present were state executive councillors Jason H'ng Mooi Lye, Datuk Rashidi Zainol, Fahmi Zainol and Daniel Gooi Zi Sen along with state secretary Datuk Zulkifli Long.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Customs intercepts RM5.1mil cannabis shipment
False cargo: Rohaizad displaying some of the seized marijuana in rice bags at the Customs office in Perai. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star BUTTERWORTH: A covert enforcement team from the Customs Department discreetly tailed a suspicious vehicle along the North-South Expressway. The officers in unmarked enforcement cars had begun their surveillance at the Jitra toll plaza, patiently following the vehicle. Their break came when the car, after a 80km drive, exited the Sungai Petani (South) toll plaza. They intercepted the vehicle and upon inspection, uncovered a massive haul of cannabis worth more than RM5.1mil. Inside the car were three large sacks, resembling rice bags, each marked with Thai labels and branding. Instead of grain, the bags were stuffed with 49 tightly packed slabs of cannabis, weighing a total of 52kg. Two men in the car, in their 30s, were also detained during the operation on June 29, said Penang Customs Department director Rohaizad Ali. He said initial investigation showed that the drugs had been smuggled from a neighbouring country and were in transit at the time of the bust. 'Four teams were deployed to monitor the suspects' movements. 'We believe their original plan was to exit at the Sungai Dua toll plaza in Penang. 'However, realising they were being followed, they attempted to evade by taking the Sungai Petani exit instead. 'The car they used was a rented vehicle to avoid detection,' he said during a press conference at the department's office in Perai yesterday. Rohaizad said both suspects have since been charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. If found guilty, they face either the death penalty or life imprisonment along with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.
The Star
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Star
Conserve water amid dry spell, public urged
Water watch: A hiker checking out the current dam levels at the Ayer Itam Dam in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Penang's water usage surged to 899.2 million litres per day (MLD) in June, an increase equivalent to almost 3,000 additional water tanker lorries daily compared to last year's average of 870 MLD. This spike is concerning, especially as residents were just showing signs of improving their water conservation habits. Last year's average daily consumption was the lowest in 24 years. And with the south-west monsoon entering its second half, dry weather is expected to continue. This has prompted the Penang Water Supply Corporation to urge the public to conserve water as demand surges. Its CEO Datuk K. Pathmanathan confirmed that water usage had gone up with the prolonged hot spell. 'Penang is a water-stressed state with limited resources. It is not simple to respond to a sudden spike in consumption,' he said. The corporation has ramped up treated water production to meet demand, but dam reserves continue to shrink in the absence of significant rainfall. As of Wednesday, the effective capacity at Air Itam dam stood at 57.8%, Teluk Bahang dam at 53.6%, and Mengkuang dam at 91.4%. Based on current use, the Air Itam dam can supply water for another 57 days, Teluk Bahang for 163 days, and Mengkuang for 132 days if there is no rainfall. Citing last year's numbers, Pathmanathan said that each person in Penang uses, on average, 261 litres per day. He urged residents to support the 250-litre target set for 2025. In view of the hot spell, the corporation has reminded households to wash their cars less and to only run washing machines with full loads. In view of the dry spell, the Department of Environment (DOE) has intensified ground patrols and fire-risk monitoring in agricultural lands, peat lands and other vulnerable areas. DOE director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar warned against open burning, saying those found guilty under Section 29A of the Environmental Quality Act can face fines of up to RM1mil or five years' jail, or both. 'Do not carry out open burning for land clearing, waste disposal, or agricultural activity,' he said. Currently, the hot weather is proving to be a profitable opportunity for M. Joel Jeyachandran, who operates a coconut drinks stall along Datuk Keramat Road. 'People have been stopping by for coconut water and coconut shakes. We're selling up to 500 coconuts a day now, compared to 300 on normal days. 'Business has been booming the past two weeks!'
The Star
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
China tourists craving a taste of Penang's local life
Flocking to where the locals go: Chinese tourists are now visiting Pulau Tikus market along Jalan Burma, as part of their tour. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Tourists from China are showing greater interest in off-the-beaten-path experiences in Penang compared to the usual attractions. They are often spotted at local food haunts and wet markets that Penangites frequent every day instead of the heritage enclave. Penang Tourist Guides Association chairman Clement Liang said repeat travellers from China often avoid busy tourist areas within the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site. 'They have seen the main attractions, like the murals, British colonial and Peranakan architecture. 'Now, they want to explore quieter places. We take them to Pulau Tikus, Teluk Bahang on Penang island and even Seberang Perai.' Liang said Pulau Tikus has become increasingly popular for its food and temples, with many tourists arriving with lists of food stalls and attractions to explore. 'There is the award-winning char koay teow stall, apam balik cooked on charcoal stoves and a franchise coffee outlet run by the deaf and mute in Pulau Tikus. 'Some also visit the prominent temples along Burma Lane, such as Buddhist temple Wat Chayamangkalaram, as part of their tour.' Liang said the visa waiver has allowed Chinese visitors to make multiple trips to the state, often returning to their favourite spots. Tour guides are also curating itineraries that extend tourism beyond George Town, helping to spread visitors across other areas. 'This helps local businesses and promotes sustainable tourism,' he said. Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh said hotel operators have seen steady growth in Chinese visitors and are preparing for more. 'With more direct flights expected, we foresee a larger wave of arrivals in 2026. They love our heritage, culture and local food, especially seafood and durians. 'One of the main draws is durian, and many visitors time their trips in July to coincide with the durian season,' Goh said. He added that hotels have started offering durian packages, including orchard visits and subsidies on durian buffet, to attract this market. 'We anticipate even more arrivals next year, as those who fly to Kuala Lumpur are expected to make a stop in Penang,' he said. Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said China is now Penang's second-largest source of international arrivals, overtaking Singapore. 'From January to May this year, we recorded 76,532 Chinese arrivals, which is a 117% increase compared to 35,322 in the same period last year. 'We are expanding air connectivity and working closely with airlines and stakeholders to restore and introduce more direct flights from major Chinese cities to Penang. 'Since late 2023, routes from Xiamen, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Hong Kong have been added. This improved connectivity is the backbone of our China strategy. 'Chartered and scheduled flights from Guiyang, Chongqing, Kunming and Xi'an are in the pipeline. 'We're also strengthening promotion efforts through roadshows, digital campaigns and travel platforms like Douyin, Weibo and Xiaohongshu,' he said, adding that Penang has participated in major travel expos in China as well. He said Penang's multilingualism and cultural familiarity with China has increased its appeal as a destination. He added that Penang's promotion of wedding, cultural, heritage and culinary tourism resonates well with Chinese travellers seeking personalised and meaningful travel experiences. 'Many Penangites speak Mandarin and Chinese dialects such as Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese and Hakka. This makes Chinese tourists feel welcome and at ease.'
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Making every ringgit count
Welcomed relief: Residents waiting their turn to buy groceries at the Jualan Rahmah programme at Greenlane Heights, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Shoppers queued with baskets in hand, drawn by prices they had not seen in some time – RM3.90 for instant noodles, RM16.80 for 850gm packs of milk powder, RM11 for a whole chicken (almost 1.4kg) and much more. About 40 such essential items were up for grabs at the Jualan Rahmah programme at Greenlane Heights, organised by Seri Delima service centre and Greenlane Heights Village Community Management Council (MPKK). Residents from the neighbourhood were seen leaving with bags of groceries, bought at a discount. Vijayan Raj, 43, a security guard, said he regularly looks out for locations hosting Jualan Rahmah, where household essential items are sold cheaper than at regular retail shops. 'Jualan Rahmah has helped me cope with the spike in daily expenses. The prices here are much cheaper than in the shops,' he added. At the event yesterday he said that with his modest earnings and increasing household expenses, the initiative provides a much-needed cushion, especially when purchasing basic food items and necessities. Tan Teik Lun, 37, said he always finds ways to come to the Jualan Rahmah programme to buy essential items. 'Imagine buying 500gm of potatoes for only RM1, I will not be able to get this price at the morning market or even the grocery store,' said the father of two, who works at a car accessories shop. He also hopes the government will expand the programme to more communities, especially lower-income urban and semi-urban families. For Azimah Kamaruddin, 47, a civil servant, she often scrolls through social media to track the latest Jualan Rahmah programme in Penang. 'I always check Facebook and Instagram to find out where the next Jualan Rahmah will be. 'Whenever it's nearby, I make sure to go. The prices are much cheaper, it makes a difference,' she said, adding that she would end up spending much less for groceries, which would normally cost her over RM100. The mother of five said the initiative helped stretch her monthly salary, especially with the rising cost of basic necessities. 'With five growing children, every Ringgit counts and programmes like Jualan Rahmah help those like me lighten the load,' she said. Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan said the Jualan Rahmah programme yesterday was the 17th edition of the initiative for the people in her constituency. 'The initiative always receives a strong response from the local community,' she added. Tan said the strategic and convenient location makes it easier for nearby residents who prefer walking to the event. She said the programme was held two to three times a month at several locations in her constituency to help the community save on groceries. Describing the programme as a success, Tan said it will continue to be held from time to time to benefit more communities. She explained that the discounts offered during the sales are fully absorbed by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) through government subsidies, enabling consumers to enjoy lower prices without burdening the traders. 'This is part of the government's commitment to ease the cost of living, especially for the B40 and M40 groups,' she added. Launched on Jan 11, 2023, the programme introduced by KPDN, aimed at offering daily necessities at discounts ranging from 10% to 30% below local market prices. It is part of the ministry's broader Payung Rahmah initiative to ease the financial burden on Malaysians. The initiative provides discounts of 10% to 30% below market prices at major supermarkets and hypermarkets, with priority given to locations with high low-income populations. The programme is nationwide, spanning all 222 parliamentary constituencies, and includes a wide range of items from food to personal care and school supplies.
