Latest news with #SeberangPerai
Free Malaysia Today
21-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Explore Seberang Perai as future of Penang, says heritage activist
Seberang Perai mayor Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid signing a poster on Khoo Salma Nasution's new book, 'Exploring Seberang Perai'. SEBERANG PERAI : While most people are familiar with what Penang island is famous for, little is known about what the state's mainland, or Seberang Perai, has to offer. To overcome this, heritage activist Khoo Salma Nasution has compiled a guidebook that outlines the historical facts, cultural aspects, and places of interest on the 'other side' of Penang. 'Seberang Perai accounts for over 70% of Penang's land area and more than half of its population, yet is often overshadowed by Penang island,' Khoo said at the launch of her book, 'Exploring Seberang Perai', yesterday. She said the territory was originally part of Kedah. It came under British rule in 1800 and renamed Province Wellesley as part of the colony of Penang. Province Wellesley remains the mainland's gazetted English name in legal documents and government publications, while Seberang Perai is used in official Malay documents. Khoo said Seberang Perai is referred to by many names – Province Wellesley, Butterworth, or simply 'the mainland' by English-speaking residents, 'koe kang (crossing the port)' or 'pa hai (north sea)' by Hokkien-speaking residents, and simply 'Seberang' by Malay-speaking folk. 'However, Seberang Perai rolls off the tongue more easily, and the original British name transitioned naturally to what it is known as now. 'All these different names have led to a lot of confusion and a lack of what might be called 'destination branding',' she said. In 2016, Khoo researched and produced a bilingual book called 'Province Wellesley: A Pictorial History', deepening her understanding of Penang's 'other half'. While working on her new book, she discovered that many Penangites did not know much about Seberang Perai, and said it would serve to bridge that gap. 'What surprised me was that even Seberang Perai residents may not really know other parts of Seberang Perai that well,' she said. Many of its residents prefer to visit the island instead of exploring places nearer to them. She said Seberang Perai, being one of the biggest city councils in Malaysia, is now enjoying a fast pace of growth. 'We can say the future of Penang is going to be in Seberang Perai,' she said, noting the placement of most homegrown manufacturing plants in Seberang Perai, as well as the expansion of new housing and commercial development projects. Seberang Perai mayor Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid, who was present at the launch, said the book was a mini-encyclopedia suitable for everyone from schoolchildren to travellers. 'Exploring Seberang Perai' is published with support from Think City's Seberang Perai Small Towns Grants Programme. Get your copy from Areca Books or WhatsApp +6016-535 1731.
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Penang culls over 800 pigs over African Swine Fever, assures public no human risk
GEORGE TOWN, July 21 — A total of 822 pigs from two farms in Penang have been culled due to the African Swine Fever (ASF) as of July 17. According to the local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye, a total 13 samples from farms in North Seberang Perai, four from South Seberang Perai and one from the Southwest district on the island were found to be positive for ASF. 'To date, three farms are confirmed to be positive for ASF, while the rest are still under further investigation,' he said when contacted today. He said so far the 822 pigs culled have been disposed and the pigs were from two of the three farms that were confirmed to have positive cases. 'The Penang Veterinary Services Department (DVS) is actively conducting investigations and further sampling at the relevant farms,' he said. He said the number of farms with positive ASF results are expected to increase once the lab results are out. He said the DVS is also identifying suitable disposal sites to carry out safe disposal of the carcasses in compliance with environmental guidelines. He stressed that ASF is a zoonotic disease which cannot infect humans so it does not pose a threat to human health and does not affect food safety. Earlier, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said currently the culled pigs have been buried within the compounds of the respective farms. 'The DVS and district office are looking for other suitable sites in case there is a need,' he said. He added that all pig farms are being inspected and the DVS is carrying out tests to identify positive cases.
Free Malaysia Today
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Table no-confidence vote in Parliament if you dare, Anwar tells critics
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said political stability must be preserved to safeguard economic growth. (Bernama pic) SEBERANG PERAI : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has challenged his critics to table a vote of no confidence in the Dewan Rakyat if they wish to take over Putrajaya. He said building a nation takes time, but 'tearing it down is easy'. 'I know there are those who want to bring down the government. That is your right, but follow the proper process. 'Table a vote of no confidence in Parliament. If you don't have enough support, wait for the general election. Don't resort to street demonstrations or inciting the public,' he said at the National Unity Week celebration at Stadium Batu Kawan here today. Present were national unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang and Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow. Perikatan Nasional has planned a 'Turun Anwar' mass rally for July 26 to push for Anwar's resignation. The organisers claim they expect up to 300,000 participants, although a similar protest in Shah Alam earlier this month drew just over 300. Anwar also called for caution in responding to voices of hatred, including those from a handful of religious figures. He, however, did not name them. 'Many religious scholars are sincere. Just yesterday, I met with scholars from Indonesia, Morocco, Syria and India, all of whom offered wise counsel. 'Tonight, from Penang, I will head to Masjid Putra in Putrajaya for a gathering of religious teachers. I want to hear their advice as well,' he said. Earlier, Anwar said Malaysia has been recognised as a peaceful nation in the region, adding that this is not his achievement alone but the result of cooperation between ministries, civil servants, and corporate leaders. 'Political stability attracts investment, and investment drives economic growth. That is why many world leaders are choosing Malaysia as a venue for dialogue,' he said. He pointed out that foreign ministers from the US, China, Russia, as well as leaders from the Gulf countries, Brazil and South Africa have expressed their intention to attend the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October. Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has also said that Anwar should remain as prime minister until the end of his term to ensure political stability amid economic uncertainty.
Malay Mail
11-07-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
‘Every child deserves love': About 60 children enter Penang welfare system monthly, but few find adoptive families
GEORGE TOWN, July 12 — Every month, about 60 children are placed under the care of Penang's Welfare Department, but only a handful receive adoption applications. Many are left waiting for a permanent home — a luxury that some of them may never experience. Penang's social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the department handles about 12 new child protection cases per district each month. 'These numbers vary by district. For instance, Seberang Perai Tengah recorded 25 cases in April, while Seberang Perai Selatan had five,' she told Malay Mail in an interview recently. Yet despite this steady influx, she said only one or two adoption applications are submitted to the department each month. In recent months, she said there has also been a growing number of cases involving children of unknown or foreign parentage. Requirements for adoption Among the requirements to be eligible to adopt a child are being a Malaysian citizen or resident, above the age of 25, and at least 18 years older than the child. Applicants must be legally married for at least five years, although exceptions may be made for those facing fertility challenges. Single applicants are also eligible, but will be subjected to screening. 'Financial stability, good health, and a safe, supportive home environment are also essential criteria,' she said. 'There is no official waiting list for adoption, as each case is evaluated based on eligibility and suitability,' she added. She also revealed that, on several occasions, adoptive parents had returned children to the department — though she did not provide exact figures. 'In some cases, adoptive or biological parents may return children to the department, often due to difficulties with documentation, personal hardships or unplanned pregnancies,' she said. She said the department would then take these children in and continue its efforts to ensure they are placed in a safe and loving environment. 'No children have been permanently left without a solution,' she added. Facilities for vulnerable children As of May this year, the state welfare department has 52 children between the ages of two and 16 under its care. Lim said they are housed at the state's primary care facility, Kompleks Penyayang Sinar Kasih. 'A second facility is currently under reconstruction and is expected to be operational by the last quarter of this year, which will further enhance our capacity to care for vulnerable children,' she said. Lim also said the state has seen a decline in baby abandonment cases — two were recorded last year, and none so far this year. A baby hatch set up in a private hospital in Bukit Mertajam was shut down about two years ago due to it not being used at all. Lim said the state is open to proposals to establish a baby hatch or safe surrender facility as a compassionate and responsible option for unwanted infants. 'However, this requires careful assessment and coordination with relevant agencies to ensure legal compliance and child safety,' she added. Lim is also planning to meet with relevant agencies and non-governmental organisations to discuss establishing a safe surrender facility. 'We remain open to exploring more collaborative efforts, especially around adoption education, child protection campaigns, and family-based care,' she said. She called on prospective adoptive families to reach out to their nearest welfare department office for more information on adoption procedures. 'Every child deserves the right to be loved, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive,' she said.
Malay Mail
22-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Police launch probe as reckless Toyota Harrier SUV driver caught fleeing cops in Seberang Perai Selatan
SEBERANG PERAI, June 21 – The police said they have launched an investigation into a viral video showing a high-speed chase involving a patrol vehicle and a Toyota Harrier at the Jalan Paboi–Bukit Tambun junction yesterday morning. The 18-second video, which began circulating on Facebook, captured the SUV being driven recklessly while attempting to flee from the authorities around 11.15am on June 20. 'The incident involved a Toyota Harrier being driven recklessly and endangering other road users while attempting to evade the authorities,' Seberang Perai Selatan district police chief Superintendent Jay January Siowou said in a statement here. 'Dashcam footage of the incident has since gone viral on social media, prompting widespread public reaction.' Police said a report has been lodged, and investigations are ongoing under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant and Section 279 for reckless driving on a public road. He added that the Criminal Investigation Division of the district police headquarters is actively tracking down the suspect.
