Penang considering water rationing to reduce water consumption

Oh no...it's so hot during this CNY period...now water rationing ??? Please do a bit and save water usage...else just imagine your sweaty body without a bath :(

The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has suggested a forced rationing of piped water supply in Penang to compel Penangites to reduce excessive water consumption. Penangites consume the highest amount of water in Malaysia at 286 litres per capita daily.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is also the PBAPP chairman, said the action was being contemplated as Penangites have over the years topped the national water consumption levels.

Penang's water tariff is also the lowest in the country at 31 sen per cubic metre. Johor, which is currently facing water shortage, has the highest rate at 98 sen for the first 35 cubic metres for domestic supply.

In view of the current dry spell, Lim said that though the water supply from Muda River and Penang's three dams namely the Air Itam, Teluk Bahang and Mengkuang were enough to last from 100 to 276 days, even without a rainfall over the next few months, he urged Penangites to reduce their water consumption.

Lim said reports that Penang's water supply would only last for two weeks were untrue.

"We have to do something to reduce the water usage as at the rate Penangites use water, it could hit 300 litres per person per day while the United Nation's recommendation is 165 litres per person per day.

"Just because the rates are cheap, it should not be the excuse to waste water. It could lead to serious problems if we do not learn how to treasure or value the water supply from now.

"If Penangites can cooperate, we can prolong the availabity of water further," Lim said at a press conference.

He added the state government would also consider raising the water tariff if the situation worsens.

Also present at the press conference was PBAPP general manager Jaseni Maidinsa, who added that the PBAPP is planning a campaign to educate the public to value water if the dry weather continued and the levels at the dams dropped further.

Lim said Penangites should take heed of the situation in Johor, where several towns are facing acute water shortage and water rationing has commenced.

"We do not want this to happen in Penang," Lim said.

The worst drought in Penang was in 1977 when the water supply at the Air Itam Dam was reduced to 15 days.

The Edge Malaysia

Malaysia's richest getting richer !!!

I DON'T like this !!! Why are they keep on getting richer while many of us continue to work hard for our earnings and savings ???

Malaysia's 40 richest people recorded an increase in their fortunes as they were collectively worth RM156.7 billion as at Jan 15, or 63% more than the RM96.3 billion a year ago, on the back of a recovery in the stock market, a Malaysian Business survey shows.

However, according to the fortnightly magazine's survey results released in a statement yesterday, their combined wealth was still less than the RM171.9 billion recorded in 2008.

The benchmark FBM KLCI has risen 44.3% since its last survey as the world strives to get back on its feet following the global financial crisis.

The full list of the 40 tycoons and details of their wealth were published in the magazine's Feb 16 issue. As in the previous year, the wealth of the top 40 was assessed based on the value of their stakes in listed companies as at Jan 15 this year.

The survey also revealed that close to half on this year's list recorded a jump of 50% or more. There are also more billionaires this year — 22, eight more than last year.

Tan Sri Robert Kuok, the Kuok Group patriarch who relinquished his "Sugar King" crown last year, still tops the list with a wealth of RM42.76 billion, up RM16.1 billion from RM26.6 billion a year ago.

Media-shy and telecommunication tycoon Ananda Krishnan ranked second with RM27 billion.

IOI Corporation Bhd's Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng was third with a wealth of RM11.92 billion, followed by prominent banker Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow at RM10.86 billion.

Genting Group's Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, valued at RM10.38 billion, leapt a full 10 spots to five. This was because he assumed a large chunk of the wealth of his late father Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong.

Hong Leong Group's Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan took the sixth spot at RM7.09 billion while Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary of the Albukhary Foundation, valued at RM6.01 billion, settled at seventh.

Others in the top 10 ranking were Lim's widow Puan Sri Lee Kim Hua, Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King of Rimbunan Hijau Group and Tan Sri Vincent Tan of Berjaya Group.

There were five newcomers to the list, namely Lee Swee Eng of KNM Group, brothers Datuk Shahril Shamsuddin and Shahriman Shamsuddin of Sapura, Datuk Seri Nazir Razak of CIMB Group and OSK Holdings' Ong Leong Huat, who makes a comeback to the list after a one-year absence.

Bernama

Gong Xi Fa Cai and Happy Belated Valentine's Day 2010...

Sorry, I have been quite occupied for the past few days due to the CNY festive seasons, but still not too late to wish everyone out there Happy Chinese New Year and Kung Hei Fatt Choy....not forgetting happy belated Valentine's Day to all lovers out there.

Hope you'll have a good year of tigers ahead and lovebirds continue to have strong bond and relationship for your spouse / partner !

Penang Bridge clear but three ferries down for CNY

For those planning to join the Chinese New Year ‘balik kampung’ rush to Penang island this weekend, using the Penang bridge instead of the ferry may be a better idea.

A check with bridge authorities showed that all lanes would be clear during the holiday period while three ferries have been sent for repairs or servicing.

The ferry Pulau Kapas has been sent for an engine overhaul while Pulau Rawa and Pulau Talang Talang had been out of service since late January.

Under normal circumstances six ferries would ply between the mainland and island during peak hours but during the festive period only five would be operating, Penang Port Sdn Bhd ferry services head Kamaruddin Ismail said.

Meanwhile, Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd has assured motorists that all six lanes on the bridge would be open during the Chinese New Year season.

“During festive period, we will try to ensure that there are no repair works being done on the bridge.

“All lanes will be clear, although motorists should know that traffic will be particularly heavy during the weekend,” a spokesperson said.

Penang Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng said the state expected up to 140,000 motorists to ply the bridge in both directions during the run-up to the holidays.

Police are expecting a 30% increase in motor traffic the island for the Chinese New Year.

Please please please plan your trip and journey. I do not want to stucked in the jam everywhere I go in Penang ...

The Star

CNY 2010 activities in Penang

Got this from the Penang Government tourism website. They have a list of activities happening around Penang throughout this festive Chinese New Year. Looks great, you will never be short of ideas and events of where to go or what to do....enjoy!

Ang pow for highway users

Motorists joining the Chinese New Year balik kampung exodus this year will enjoy discounts and free tolls from 17 highway concessionaires.

Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor, who announced the "ang pow" offer, said concessionaires should offer similar gifts during other festivals and Merdeka Day to fulfil their social obligation.

Speaking after launching his ministry's road safety campaign for Chinese New Year here yesterday, Shaziman said there were 26 toll concessionaires in the country but some were not financially well-off to provide "ang pow" to users.

"The traffic volume during the Chinese New Year period this year is expected to exceed the 5.42 million mark of last year."

Motorists are not only leaving cities but also small towns and rural areas.

"However, in accordance with the theme of this year's road safety campaign to encourage the use of public transport, I hope public transport operators will accommodate more travellers by upgrading their services."

He called on express bus operators to enhance the safety of their services, in particular assuring the commitment of their drivers to safety. He said there was also a need to review the speed limit of double-decker buses.

He added that between April and December, his ministry had upgraded 10 of 30 accident-prone road areas.

To all my family, friends and colleagues and you out there travelling on the highway, safe journey and enjoy the trip! :D

NST Online

Higher EPF dividend for 2009 ?

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) dividend for 2009 is expected to be higher compared to the 4.5% paid out in the previous year.

EPF chairman Tan Sri Samsudin Osman said this was due to the local share market’s stable position and good investment returns.

“A meeting on dividend rates will be held this month, while an announcement on it will be made in March,” he told reporters on Feb 7.

In December, EPF announced that it obtained RM5.5 billion in profits in the third quarter last year, which was an increase of RM696.32 million or 14.51% compared to RM4.8 billion in the previous quarter.

EPF CEO Tan Sri Azlan Zainol said EPF funds had now increased to RM361.09 billion compared with RM353.93 billion in the second quarter last year.

For the year 2008, 12 million EPF members received a dividend of 4.5%, which was lower than the 5.8% for 2007.

I do not think that we will be getting as high as 5.8%, but anything in the region of 5% will be a good and fair return for me :)

Bernama