Penang Malay Living Heritage Photo Contest : Dateline 14th March 2010

Photographers out there, what are you waiting for???

In conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul Celebration this weekend to celebrate the history of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W's teaching and in effort to further unite the Muslim Community, the Penang State Tourism Development & Culture will be organising a photo contest opened to all, to capture the uniqueness of the Malay living culture and customs in Penang.

Snap shots of anything from the Maulidur Rasul Celebration to the traditional and peaceful 'kampung' lifestyle, nightly 'pasar malam', the delicious food of curry, 'ikan panggang' and 'kuih-muih' delicacies and so much more, their religious daily devotion of prayers at the mosque, colourful and captivating costumes, enchanting cultural performances such as the gamelan and the kompang and just absolutely all things which represents the Malay culture as you view them through your lens.

Start submitting your best shots of all things representing the Malay culture in Penang now to http://www.visitpenang.gov.my/portal3/penangsocial.html from now until 14th March 2010 to stand a chance at winning attractive prizes that we have in store for you!

visitpenang.gov

Penang to host junior event after five years

My office is just beside the hotel where these young future champion stays...now I know why there are so many fit looking kids around for the past few days :)

THE Penang Badminton Association (PBA) will host the 100Plus National Junior Circuit Zone A competition at the PBA Badminton Hall, Bukit Dumbar, Penang on Feb 25.

Organising chairman Kevin Loh said the last time PBA hosted the tournament was in 2005 and will now host the four-day first leg event while Perlis will stage the second leg in Kangar in April.

He said junior players from Kelantan, Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Kuala Lumpur will compete in Zone A and battle for a spot in the National Junior Circuit Grand Prix finals in Kuantan at the end of May.

Kevin said the players will feature in the singles and doubles in the Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 Boys' and Girls' categories.

Each state can register a maximum of six singles and six doubles pairs per category while as hosts, Penang will register about 70 players.

The organising committee has scheduled all matches to start at 9am and finish by 6pm in order to get more school children to attend and to encourage better public participation.

NST

God of Prosperity's (Twa Peh Kong) Float Procession : 27th to 28th Feb 2010

Date: 27th and 28th Feb 2010

Time: 6pm

Venue: 35 & 57, Armenian Street, Penang

Organizer: Poh Hock Seah

Twa Peh Kong Hneoh Grand Float Procession In tune with tradition, the management of Poh Hock Seah has continued to organize and hold these Chneah Hoay ceremonies and processions annually.

There are basically two types of procession. i.e. the normal yearly procession known as ‘Twa Peh Kong Chneah Hoay’ procession and the once in 12 years, held in the year of the Tiger, which is called ‘Twa Peh Kong Hneoh’ Grand Float procession.

The difference is that the former are held by Poh Hock Seah itself, whereas the latter is done on a much grandeur scale with other participating units joining in. Another human aspect of this Twa Peh Kong Hneoh Grand Float procession, since independence, is that all the past Chief Ministers of Penang have had the occasion to lead the procession in the course of their tenure.

The last Grand Float procession was held in 1998. Come February 28th, 2010 the committee will hold another Grand Float procession. ‘Chneah Hoay’ Ceremony - Saturday, 27th February 2010 (14th Day of Chinese 1st Moon) @ 11:00p.m.Twa Peh Kong Hneoh Grand Float Procession 2010 - Sunday, 28th February 2010 (15th Day of Chinese 1st Moon) @ 08:00p.m.

Route for 27th Feb 2010's procession:

Route for 28th February 2010's procession:

visitpenang.gov

As far as I can remembered, this event is being held at a big and grand scale in Penang every year, so if you happens to be free and eager to find out more, you are welcome to join the procession, but I have to warn you, it's gonna be hot and sweaty yea...

MyPenang CNY Reunion celebration : 27th to 28th Feb 2010

Another great effort by the state government in promoting Penang as well as bringing out the festive mood of Penang folks :)

MyPenang CNY Reunion celebration

Date: 27th February 2010

Location: Esplanade, Penang

Time: 7pm to 11pm

Organizer: Penang State Government

Music + Local Food + Bazaar + Concert + Midnight Party

MY PENANG CNY Reunion Celebration 2010 & 'Chap Goh Meh' Celebration jointly organized by the Penang State Government and go international and co-hosted by MY Astro.

This Chap Goh Meh full moon... get ready for a colossal event in the heart of Penang Heritage city... 今年的元宵节，大家准备好于槟城旧关仔角庆祝这盛大的节日!

Over two days on 27 & 28 Feb 2010, MYPENANG REUNION celebration & full moon street party will be the playground for friends, relatives and visitors. Experience a truly Malaysian Chinese New Year with an exciting line-up of artistes from Taiwan, China, Kuala Lumpur and Penang! There's something for EVERYONE.

-- 27 Feb 2010 --

5pm-11pm @ Esplanade Penang

It begins with vendor stalls kick starting at 5pm followed by a 45-minute MYPENANG Variety Show featuring for the first time, Nyonya PohChu and Bahku Hokkien Rapper, KO-AI. Soon after, catch Astro's young & energetic MYFM radio DJs on centrestage and welcome celebrity entertainers from Taiwan and hot Malaysian stars: popular rock duo from Taiwan Y2J 神木与瞳, Cindy Yen 袁咏琳, Genie 卓文宣, Thomas Jack 东于哲, Danell Lee 李桀汉, Chen Keat Yoke 曾洁钰, Alvin钟健桦, Juztin Lan Kah Fai 刘界辉, Astro battleground 舞极限 as well as the entire MYFM radio DJ troupe! It's going to be fun fun fun! Get your 2-day festival pass for entry!

Then, at the stroke of midnight, adjourn to G Hotel for a full moon party unlike any other in Penang featuring Lap Sap's BLINK and XU as well as DJ Goldfish for a FIRST collaboration between the three - GBX. It's gonna be crazy!

-- 28 Feb 2010 --

5pm - 11pm @ Esplanade Penang is Chap Goh Meh!

Throw the traditional mandarin orange if you're still single, ladies! Otherwise kick your heels back and enjoy the 80s Schooldays Party co-organised by REDfm's DJs. Love songs dominate this Chinese Valentine's day.

The two-day festival pass is NOW ON SALE until 25 February 2010 at only RM28!

visitpenang.gov

GO Penang International: Go-kart & Food Festival 13th-14th Feb 2010

Wow...this is nice! Make sure you don't miss it especially for those who have free time during the weekend :)

Title: Go Penang - Go Kart & Food Festival 2010
When: 13.03.2010 - 14.03.2010 18.00 h - 22.00 h
Where: Esplanade, Penang - George Town

GO Penang International 2010 (Go Kart & Food Festival) is a total experience Mega Festival engineered to make your adrenaline rush and heart pumping throughout the three-day event.

Block your calendar from 12 to 14 March 2010 because you will not want to miss the chance to witness the most happening event of the year - the GO Penang International 2010 Megafest at Penang Esplanade! An event jointly organized by the Penang State Tourism Development & Culture and ROOTS Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, the Go Penang International 2010 is a total experience Mega Festival engineered to make your adrenaline rush and heart thumps throughout the three-day event with Go-kart and Food as one of the main attractions of the event.

GO Penang International 2010 is a three-day celebration to kick off the Visit Penang Year 2010 – 2012 - a platform for visitors to enjoy the distinctiveness and uniqueness of Penang in which we hope to attract more outstation visitors and foreign tourists to come to Penang for a good time and to enjoy all we have to offer them!

For go-kart, an experienced go-kart operator has been engaged to coordinate an exciting street competition demonstration by seasonal go-kart racers for the public's viewing pleasure. The crowd can then join in the excitement by taking part in the fun-kart activity which will be available for the public throughout the weekend event. A total of 40 go-karts will be brought into Penang, 30 of which are race-karts and 10 fun-karts!

For the food festival, many kinds of delicious food will be available for all to enjoy especially from the list of Penang's 12 Best Foods Must Eat namely our world famous Char Koey Teow, Laksa, Hokkien Mee, Satay, Ais Kachang and more! More food vendors are welcome to join us during this event in order to offer more varieties of food for the public to enjoy while they experience the exhilarating event which also has many other activities in line for all to be entertained by. During that weekend, Esplanade is the place to be where all the good food around Penang will be gathered and available in just one place along with a string of action-packed activities.

visitpenang.gov

Come voice your view !!!

Not satisfy or happy with the Local State government? Well now you have your chance :)

The public can give their feedback next week on the proposal to upgrade the Penang Municipal Council to the Penang Island City Council via the council’s website, www.mppp.gov.my.

State Local Government and Traffic Manage­ment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state government had held discussions with the Housing and Local Government Ministry on the matter.

“There are several procedures that we have to follow. We should be able to submit an official application to the ministry in May,” he told reporters at the Tanjung and Pengkalan Kota DAP Chinese New Year open house here yesterday.

Penang's hill railway makes its last run today

Ooooo...it's time to say goodbye and so long to our very own trademark of Penang - the Penang Hill Railway train. Being one of the icon of Penang and one of the 'antique' train system that still operates daily, after today it will cease operation to make way for the new one to be built at the same site. Hopefully the new one will continue to propel Penang further as a tourist destination eight months from now :)

Penang Hill’s iconic funicular train will make its final run today after 87 years, leaving residents with only fond memories of the famous attraction.

It will be replaced by a RM63mil upgraded system, which is expected to be ready in seven months.

Septuagenarian Sim Chooi Hoon said the old coaches made her nostalgic because her first trip on the train was with her late son.

“When I was small, I always yearned to go on a ride to view the scenery at the hilltop but my family was too poor.

“My son took me up some 20 years ago and I will remember the trip forever,” recalled the 75-year-old, whose son died 14 years ago.

Technician Carsson Tan, 28, said his first ride on the funicular train was at the age of six with his cousins.
“I was excited, especially when we had to switch coaches at the middle station.

“But I sweated all the way in the coach due to poor ventilation and overcrowding,” he said, adding that the mesmerising scenery at the top and the antics of the monkeys made it worth the ride.

Traders at the train’s foothill station in Air Itam, however, expressed dismay at the loss of business during the suspension of services.

“If I were to work as a clerk with a RM600-700 monthly income, I might have to fork out at least RM500 for baby-sitting,” said Janet Look who operates a snack food stall.

“So I’d rather stay at home and take care of my children.” Another trader, who only wished to be known as Chew, 70, said the exact date to resume business was uncertain.

“It is hard for me to get another job at my age. Still, I hope things will be better after the upgrading,” she added.

According to a sign at the foot of the hill, the upgrading will be completed on Sept 28.


Meanwhile, Penang Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee chairman Lim Hock Seng urged visitors and residents to take one last ride on the train today.

“Be part of the historic moment,” he said in statement yesterday.

He said Penang Hill residents and hotel operators would operate a jeep service up the hill from the Botanical Gardens during the closure.

Penang Hill Residents Association secretary Beh Chin Siang said there would be about 20 jeeps on standby from 8.30am to 7pm during the closure.

“We charge RM70 to RM90 for each jeep, per two-way trip. We can also help arrange for night trips or stay-over at the hotel on the hill,” Beh said, adding that the association could be contacted at 016-4747663.

Last year, the hill was voted as Penang’s top tourist destination by some 1,090 people who took part in an online poll conducted by the state government’s tourism website (www.visitpenang.gov.my).

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is expected to be on the last ride at 8.30pm today.