Latest news with #VillageCommunityManagementCouncil
Malay Mail
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
What's sweet and pungent and disappears in just one hour? In Penang, over 300kg of homegrown durians at party by Chow Kon Yeow
GEORGE TOWN, July 12 — Once you start, you just can't stop — at least not when it comes to Penang's famously addictive durians. That was Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's verdict after sampling a spread of the state's best at a recent durian party with the media at the Penang Youth Centre Hall on Acheh Street. 'They are so good that once you start, it's almost impossible to stop,' he was quoted as saying by The Star today. The event featured an impressive buffet of Balik Pulau favourites — from the coveted Black Thorn to crowd-pleasers like Green Skin, Capri and Chow's personal pick, Red Prawn. 'If I have to name my favourite, it would be Red Prawn, which locals call Ang Heh in Hokkien. 'It's sweet, creamy, has a soft texture and is affordable,' he was quoted as saying. Chow didn't just talk durians – he rolled up his sleeves, helped open some of the thorny fruits using a special tool, and even served the creamy pulp to guests. And guests came hungry. Within an hour, more than 300kg of durians had been polished off by some 130 attendees – including members of the Village Community Management Council – many of whom eyed their picks like seasoned durian sommeliers, judging size, shape and thorn layout. Others happily took whatever was cracked open next. Chow made his rounds to check in with guests and pose for selfies, clearly in his element. 'My office has been hosting these durian parties for many years – starting from when I was Tanjong MP,' he was quoted as saying. Also present at the feast were his political secretary Lau Keng Ee and Batu Kawan parliamentary service centre director Ewe Chee Way.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
130 guests feast on 300kg of durian at CM's annual treat
Chow opening durian at the event. THEY are so good that once you start, it's almost impossible to stop, says Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow about the state's durian. He sampled many of the types laid out by a Balik Pulau vendor, including the much-heralded Black Thorn and crowd-pleasers like Red Prawn, Green Skin and Capri at a durian party with the media in George Town. 'If I have to name my favourite, it would be Red Prawn, which locals call Ang Heh in Hokkien,' Chow said at the event held at Penang Youth Centre Hall in Acheh Street. 'It's sweet, creamy, has a soft texture and is affordable.' The state leader even helped open some of the fruits with the aid of a special tool and served some to the 130-strong crowd. The session also included members of the Village Community Management Council, and within an hour, they devoured an estimated 300kg of durian. Some of the durian-savvy guests were able to handpick the individual ones they wanted from crates based on size, shape and layout of thorns. Others accepted whatever was being cracked open. Chow made the rounds to ensure his guests were satisfied and posed for selfies. 'My office has been hosting these durian parties for many years – starting from when I was Tanjong MP,' he said. Also present were Chow's political secretary Lau Keng Ee and Batu Kawan parliamentary service centre director Ewe Chee Way. – By JEREMY TAN
The Star
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Indian settlements hoping for access to traditional village benefits
Rajiv: More than 300 traditional villages in Selangor are eligible for ministry allocations. A PROPOSAL will be submitted to the Selangor government to gazette several Indian settlements as traditional villages to give them access to certain benefits. Five to 10 settlements have been identified, including in areas such as Klang and Kuala Selangor under the proposal by assemblymen Rajiv Rishyakaran (Bukit Gasing), Preakas Sampunathan (Kota Kemuning) and Gunaraj George (Sentosa). Rajiv said there were more than 300 traditional villages in Selangor that were eligible for allocations from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. He said traditional villages were managed by a Village Community Management Council (MPKK) and led by a village chief. 'The allocations provided by the ministry must be applied for through MPKK. 'However, these Indian settlements, which mostly consist of private lots, don't qualify as they are either not part of a bigger group or have set up residents associations. 'But there is a dire need for better infrastructure such as road and drainage at these places.' Rajiv said this during a press conference along with the other two assemblymen on the sidelines of the Selangor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Dewan Negeri Selangor in Shah Alam. On a separate matter, Rajiv said there was a need for Tamil-speaking officers at state-level to explain the various government programmes available to the B40 community. He said there had been numerous complaints from the Indian community about the lack of access to state programmes, such as affordable housing, microcredit schemes as well as technical and vocational education and training. 'Some Indians struggle to understand the information provided due to their limited proficiency in Malay. 'They need assistance to understand the programmes and to complete the application forms. 'While we do assist individuals who come to our service centres, such support should be made available at state-level to ensure a wider reach,' he said. He said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari was verbally informed about the proposal, and gave an assurance that he would look into the matter.
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Marine viaduct to be built to link southern Penang with Silicon Island
GEORGE TOWN: A 380-metre marine viaduct connecting southern Penang with Silicon Island will be built and is expected to open to the public by December 2028. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the four-lane viaduct is a key component of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A) project, which is a strategic infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity between Silicon Island and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge or the Second Penang Bridge, as well as supporting the state's long-term urban growth. He said construction work on the viaduct would begin this month, with the first phase expected to be completed by mid-2027 to support the opening of the first factory to operate on Silicon Island in the same year. 'The total cost of PIL2A phase one is RM390 million, covering the construction of 1.5 kilometres of infrastructure connecting the land area at Permatang Damar Laut to Silicon Island, including the construction of a 380-metre permanent marine viaduct. 'The components in PIL2A phase one will also connect Silicon Island with the Second Bridge at Batu Maung Roundabout and the Penang International Airport (LTAPP) through the construction of an elevated highway to improve connectivity,' he told reporters after visiting Silicon Island to see the progress of development there, which has now reached 64.75 hectares. According to Chow, the contractor has completed the construction of a 378-metre temporary bridge to provide access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island, which will have a community hub, including Medan Selera Matang, to be built at Permatang Damar Laut overlooking Silicon Island. He said the initiative is to ensure that those affected by the development project there, especially food stall traders, can be relocated, thus reflecting the state government's commitment and concern. 'The development of the community hub on land covering approximately 0.8 hectares will also include a new Village Community Management Council (MPKK) hall, Fishermen's One-Stop Service Centre, food stalls and restaurants, as well as a shed for fishermen,' he said. Chow said to support the initial water supply needs of Silicon Island, a suction tank and pump house will be built on land adjacent to Medan Selera Matang, with construction work to commence in the third quarter of this year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Meanwhile, Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PICSB) chief executive Officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said that the total construction cost for the community facilities, pump houses and suction tanks is estimated at RM36 million. 'This facility (community hub) is expected to be a vibrant new destination that will not only benefit residents, but also have the potential to attract more tourists, thus supporting tourism and the local economy,' he said. Silicon Island, with a land area of 930.78 hectares, is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government. It marks the first time the state government is directly undertaking a reclamation project to ensure long-term economic growth.
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Penang to build viaduct linking mainland to Silicon Island
GEORGE TOWN: A 380-metre marine viaduct connecting southern Penang with Silicon Island will be built and is expected to open to the public by December 2028. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the four-lane viaduct is a key component of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A) project, which is a strategic infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity between Silicon Island and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge or the Second Penang Bridge, as well as supporting the state's long-term urban growth. He said construction work on the viaduct would begin this month, with the first phase expected to be completed by mid-2027 to support the opening of the first factory to operate on Silicon Island in the same year. 'The total cost of PIL2A phase one is RM390 million, covering the construction of 1.5 kilometres of infrastructure connecting the land area at Permatang Damar Laut to Silicon Island, including the construction of a 380-metre permanent marine viaduct. 'The components in PIL2A phase one will also connect Silicon Island with the Second Bridge at Batu Maung Roundabout and the Penang International Airport (LTAPP) through the construction of an elevated highway to improve connectivity,' he told reporters after visiting Silicon Island to see the progress of development there, which has now reached 64.75 hectares. According to Chow, the contractor has completed the construction of a 378-metre temporary bridge to provide access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island, which will have a community hub, including Medan Selera Matang, to be built at Permatang Damar Laut overlooking Silicon Island. He said the initiative is to ensure that those affected by the development project there, especially food stall traders, can be relocated, thus reflecting the state government's commitment and concern. 'The development of the community hub on land covering approximately 0.8 hectares will also include a new Village Community Management Council (MPKK) hall, Fishermen's One-Stop Service Centre, food stalls and restaurants, as well as a shed for fishermen,' he said. Chow said to support the initial water supply needs of Silicon Island, a suction tank and pump house will be built on land adjacent to Medan Selera Matang, with construction work to commence in the third quarter of this year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Meanwhile, Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PICSB) chief executive Officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said that the total construction cost for the community facilities, pump houses and suction tanks is estimated at RM36 million. 'This facility (community hub) is expected to be a vibrant new destination that will not only benefit residents, but also have the potential to attract more tourists, thus supporting tourism and the local economy,' he said. Silicon Island, with a land area of 930.78 hectares, is a reclamation project owned by the Penang government. It marks the first time the state government is directly undertaking a reclamation project to ensure long-term economic growth.
