Latest news with #StateTourismandCreativeEconomyCommittee
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Exco: Boon Siew Villa not under Unesco, state, or national protection list
Boon Siew Villa in Batu Ferringhi, which was recently demolished to make way for a luxury condominium project, is outside the George Town United Nationas Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Site, a state executive councillor said. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the property, once the residence of Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew, known as 'Mr Honda', was not listed under national or state heritage protection. "The private property is outside George Town's World Heritage Area," he told the New Straits Times. The demolition of the villa has sparked strong reactions from heritage advocates and Penangites, who see the loss as another blow to the island's cultural identity. The villa, regarded as a symbol of Penang's colonial-era architecture, was listed in the Penang Built Heritage Inventory in 2012. On whether the property should have been protected, Wong said there were other landmarks, such as Wisma Boon Siew and Jalan Loh Boon Siew, that still existed in the state capital here. "There are many properties and land banks under the family of Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew. There is even one Boon Siew Building in neighbouring Singapore." Earlier this week, the state government confirmed that all technical and safety requirements had been met for the luxury condominium project, despite public concern over traffic congestion and safety in the area. Last October, it was reported that Singaporean real estate and lodging company The Ascott Ltd was partnering with Malaysian developer Instant Icon Sdn Bhd to develop Ascott Residences Batu Ferringhi, which is set to welcome residents from January 2028. Ascott country general manager for Malaysia, Mondi Mecja, had said that the greenfield development would feature 99 residences for sale and the project was expected to break new ground in Penang's luxury living market, with a strong focus on owner occupation. The development would feature a diverse selection of spacious living options, ranging from 185sq m to 370sq m, along with a penthouse exceeding 740sq m. The NST has contacted both The Ascott Ltd and Instant Icon for comment.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang to launch track and trace system to safeguard local durian industry
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will roll out a smart Track and Trace system starting June 1 to allow comprehensive monitoring of locally grown durians, particularly from Balik Pulau, timed with the arrival of the upcoming fruit season. State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said the initiative, developed in collaboration with MIMOS Sdn Bhd, aims to address complaints from growers regarding fraudulent sales and and the misrepresentation of Penang durians. 'There have been many cases where durians from other states are falsely claimed to be from Balik Pulau, Penang, which sidelines our local growers. Some vendors even sell Thai durians by the roadside and market them as Penang durians when they're not,' he said when contacted today. Fahmi expressed hope that the tracking technology will help curb such practices by enhancing product traceability, improving regulatory compliance, and restoring consumer confidence in the Penang durian brand. He added that the initiative is also part of the state's broader efforts to strengthen the industry and protect the livelihoods of local growers. The project is a collaboration between the State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), Department of Agriculture, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS), and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) in Penang. Fahmi said Malaysian durians, particularly those from Penang, are in high demand overseas due to their quality, backed by the myGAP certification recognised by importing countries such as China. Last year, Penang exported 67,203 kilogrammes of durians. Among the most sought-after varieties are Musang King (D197) and Ochee or Black Thorn (D200). The latest registered clones introduced in the state in 2023 include Kim Long D230 and Cenderawasih D229. Penang is home to over 30 durian varieties, including Dato Nina (D2), Lipan Bara, Ikan Emas, Kulit Hijau (D165), Tekka (D160), Labu (D163), Lipan, Kunyit, Ang Bak Kia, Khoon Poh (D164), Ais Krim, Lin Feng Jiao, Muntri (D14), and Yi Dian Hong.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang launches durian tracking system starting June 1
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will roll out a smart Track and Trace system starting June 1 to allow comprehensive monitoring of locally grown durians, particularly from Balik Pulau, timed with the arrival of the upcoming fruit season. State Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said the initiative, developed in collaboration with MIMOS Sdn Bhd, aims to address complaints from growers regarding fraudulent sales and and the misrepresentation of Penang durians. 'There have been many cases where durians from other states are falsely claimed to be from Balik Pulau, Penang, which sidelines our local growers. Some vendors even sell Thai durians by the roadside and market them as Penang durians when they're not,' he said when contacted today. Fahmi expressed hope that the tracking technology will help curb such practices by enhancing product traceability, improving regulatory compliance, and restoring consumer confidence in the Penang durian brand. He added that the initiative is also part of the state's broader efforts to strengthen the industry and protect the livelihoods of local growers. The project is a collaboration between the State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), Department of Agriculture, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services (MAQIS), and the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) in Penang. Fahmi said Malaysian durians, particularly those from Penang, are in high demand overseas due to their quality, backed by the myGAP certification recognised by importing countries such as China. Last year, Penang exported 67,203 kilogrammes of durians. Among the most sought-after varieties are Musang King (D197) and Ochee or Black Thorn (D200). The latest registered clones introduced in the state in 2023 include Kim Long D230 and Cenderawasih D229. Penang is home to over 30 durian varieties, including Dato Nina (D2), Lipan Bara, Ikan Emas, Kulit Hijau (D165), Tekka (D160), Labu (D163), Lipan, Kunyit, Ang Bak Kia, Khoon Poh (D164), Ais Krim, Lin Feng Jiao, Muntri (D14), and Yi Dian Hong.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang to launch track, trace system to safeguard local durian industry
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will roll out a smart Track and Trace system starting June 1 to allow comprehensive monitoring of locally grown durians, particularly from Balik Pulau, timed with the arrival of the upcoming fruit season. State Agrotechnology, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said the initiative, developed in collaboration with MIMOS Sdn Bhd, aims to address growers' complaints regarding fraudulent sales and the misrepresentation of Penang durians. "There have been many cases where durians from other states are falsely claimed to be from Balik Pulau, Penang, which sidelines our local growers. Some vendors even sell Thai durians by the roadside and market them as Penang durians when they're not," he said when contacted on Thursday (May 22). Fahmi expressed hope that the tracking technology would help curb such practices by enhancing product traceability, improving regulatory compliance, and restoring consumer confidence in the Penang durian brand. He added that the initiative is also part of the state's broader efforts to strengthen the industry and protect the livelihoods of local growers. The project was a collaboration between the State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, Agriculture Department, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Penang. Fahmi said Malaysian durians, particularly those from Penang, are in high demand overseas due to their quality, backed by the myGAP certification recognised by importing countries such as China. Last year, Penang exported 67,203 kilogrammes of durians. Among the most sought-after varieties are Musang King (D197) and Ochee or Black Thorn (D200). The latest registered clones introduced in the state in 2023 include Kim Long D230 and Cenderawasih D229. Penang is home to over 30 durian varieties, including Dato Nina (D2), Lipan Bara, Ikan Emas, Kulit Hijau (D165), Tekka (D160), Labu (D163), Lipan, Kunyit, Ang Bak Kia, Khoon Poh (D164), Ais Krim, Lin Feng Jiao, Muntri (D14) and Yi Dian Hong. – Bernama
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang hits RM1.29bil milestone in business events tourism in 2024
GEORGE TOWN: Penang has marked a significant milestone in the business events tourism sector, recording an Estimated Economic Impact (EEI) of RM1.29 billion in 2024 from hosting over 2,000 events attended by more than 300,000 delegates. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai attributed this achievement to the sustained efforts of the state government through the Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), which has implemented a series of strategic initiatives to attract high-impact events to the state. "Through active participation in international trade exhibitions such as IMEX Frankfurt, The Meeting Show London, and IBTM Barcelona, as well as the organisation of the Penang Roadshow to India, we have ensured Penang remains relevant and competitive in the global business events industry. "We are also in the process of bidding for a further 27 international events through to 2030," he said during the state legislative assembly sitting today. Wong (DAP – Paya Terubong) was responding to a question from Lee Boon Heng (PKR – Kebun Bunga) regarding the state government's efforts and accomplishments in attracting high-value, high-impact meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) to Penang. He said that these efforts had been reinforced through the hosting of prestigious events such as the Penang International Travel Exchange (PITE) and BE @ Penang. "These events not only expand our network with international buyers but also strengthen the capabilities of local industry players — including professional conference organisers, travel agencies, and hotel operators," he said. Among the international events successfully secured to take place in Penang are the World Research Travel Conference 2024, the International Advertising Association World Congress 2024, and the International Conference of Butterfly Exhibitors and Suppliers 2024. Wong added that, according to PCEB data, there had been a significant increase in business event activity since the country entered the endemic phase. "In 2023, the EEI reached RM1.03 billion from 604 events involving 162,964 delegates, compared to RM375.91 million in 2022," he said.
