PPSB Ends 24-Hour Ferry Service starting 16th April 2010

Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) will stop its Friday to Saturday 24-hour ferry service between Penang and Butterworth beginning April 16.

PPSB in a statement here on Wednesday said the decision was taken following the 24-hour service no longer being profitable with the company accumulating losses of RM2.3 million thus far.

The company, however, said the Friday to Saturday service would continue to operate but follow the hours of the other days in the week.

At the island end (Raja Tun Uda jetty) the ferry hours are from 5.40am till 1am while at the opposite end (Sultan Abdul Halim jetty in Butterworth) it is from 5.20am till 12.40am.

If really not many users after the midnight, then I will support this move. Better save some resources than paying workers to sleep or do nothing, correct?

Bernama

Penang Earth Day Carnival : 17th and 18th April 2010

Public are invited to participate in the Penang Earth Day Carnival 2010 this Saturday and Sunday which will be held from 10am to 6pm on both days at Sunshine Square’s 4th floor banquet hall in Bayan Baru.

Themed ‘You Can Make a Difference’, the carnival is jointly organised by the assemblymen of Paya Terubong, Komtar, Tanjung Bungah and Pulau Tikus as well as Pertubuhan Sudarshan Kriya Pulau Pinang.

The activities will include a blood donation drive, vegetarian food fair, green creative competition, plant fair and a green concert.

Paya Terubong assemblyman Yeoh Soon Hin said they hoped to get at least 300 donors for the blood donation drive which would be held from 10am to 5.30pm on Sunday.

“Gifts will be given to the first 300 donors. Those interested can call Leong at 019-4490005, Soo Guan at 012-4941769 or Hor at 016-4226228 to register,” Yeoh said.

Sunshine Wholesaler Mart Sdn Bhd general manager Yee Kam Ming said there would also be free oral health talks and free oral health checks on both days for shoppers who would be entitled to RM2 rebate vouchers for participating.

Yee said a children’s camp would be held from 11am to 6pm on both days with a participation fee of RM20 per child aged between six and 13.

“We will be screening movies, educating the children on recycling and teaching them how to cope in emergencies. Those interested, can call 04-8901279 or 8992471,” he added.

Except for the children’s camp, admission for the other carnival activities is free. For details, visit the website www.enzymesos.com or e-mail to enzyme4u@gmail.com.

TheStar

Security upgrade at Penang airport...a minor change

Just a minor changes to the arriving guests....don't be panic of the new arrangements :)

In a move to further tighten security at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas, the authorities have put up a glass partition between the domestic and international lounges to segregate the movement of air travellers.

Work on the glass partition was completed recently.

Penang Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad airport manager Abdul Wahab Mohd Yusof said the move to have the glass partition was to also ensure easier and speedy screening, and faster movement of passengers for their domestic or international flights.

Previously, both the domestic and international passengers shared a common lounge as well as security check- point.

He said Gate 8 and Gate 10 are now strictly used for international flights while others are for domestic and connection flights.

“The new security arrangement is part of the airport extension plan,” he said.

Abdul Wahab said Penang airport was recently declared as the safest in the country by police following measures to upgrade its security.

“We are constantly looking at ensuring and maintaining high security in view of the global threats against the aviation industry,” he said.

Abdul Wahab said with the increase in flight routes in view of the “open skies” policy among Asian nations, there was a need to ensure that security was also beefed up.

TheStar

Rossi ends Stoner's spell, wins Qatar GP :)

Defending world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy won the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday after Casey Stoner crashed out early in the season-opening Moto GP race.

Rossi finished 1.022 seconds ahead of Yahama teammate Jorge Lorenzo of Spain for his 104th career win and his first in the opening race of a season since 2005 at Jerez, Spain.

Stoner was aiming for his fourth successive win in Qatar, but the Australian skidded off the Losail International Circuit while leading the race in lap five.

"I was fast enough to win," Rossi said. "It became easy after Casey went out, but it is great way to start a season. This win is great for myself, my team and my supporters."

Andrea Doviziso of Italy was 1.865 seconds back in third.

The 31-year-old Rossi finished in 42 minutes, 50.099 seconds in what is the only night race on the 17-stop Moto GP calendar. Nicky Hadyen of the United States was in the top three at one stage but was overtaken by Lorenzo and Doviziso to finish fourth.

"I did my maximum to overtake Hayden and I am glad I did that," Lorenzo said.

Ben Spies, Randy De Puniet, Dani Pedrosa, Colin Edwards, Loris Capirossi and Hiroshi Aoyama completed the top-10 riders.

GREAT start to the new season, DOCTOR !!! Keep it up :)

Times Book Clearance @ Penang 9th to 18th April 2010

Event : Times Book Clearance

Date : 9th April till 18th April 2010

Venue : Times Island Plaza, George Town, Penang.
Highlights : Up to 90% Off

Book lovers in Penang...how can you miss this !!!

EPF revises withdrawal amount

The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) yesterday announced a revision of the minimum amount that can be withdrawn from accounts containing more than RM1 million.

Its general manager for public relations, Nik Affendi Jaafar, said with the revision, the minimum amount that could be withdrawn each time had been reduced from RM100,000 to RM50,000.

"Members having at least RM1.05 million in their accounts are eligible to withdraw RM50,000 and above once every three months subject to there being sufficient savings," he said in a statement here.

Bernama

Penang Bridge Gets Top Score From MHA

Wow, so proud of this result, even though we are no more world's third longest bridge :)

The Penang Bridge obtained the top score from the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) in a 2009 survey for its maintenance and operational services.

In a statement Friday, Penang Bridge Sdn Bhd said the bridge scored an average rating of 92.4 per cent, which was an improvement over 2008 when the bridge scored an average of 83 per cent.

According to MHA's rating system, scores above 90 per cent is considered "Excellent".

Penang Bridge's Head of Public Relations and Marketing Department, Suriani Mansor said MHA conducts routine maintenance works to ensure the highest standards of safety and road usability.

She said any defects found during daily inspection would be remedied immediately and to keep the 25-year old bridge in top condition, regular repair and upgrading works are conducted while keeping traffic disruptions to a minimum.

Bernama