Private Sector Interest in Airport Upgrade
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
State aid 槟政府塑造 精明州 for national 《珍珠快讯》 schools pg17 封面 JANUARY 1– 15, 2019 1– 15, JANUARY Private sector interest in airport upgrade The Penang International Airport is undergoing They are some upgrading works. proposing a 16-million passengers per annum capacity upgrade - CHOW Story by Christopher Tan SEVERAL private companies have expressed their interest to the Penang government to help upgrade the Penang International Airport (PIA). Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the private sector was proposing to expand the capacity of the PIA a “bigger” upgrade of the airport. from 6.5 million passengers per an- “They are proposing a 16-million num to 12 million. passengers per annum capacity up- “The expansion is to be con- grade. ducted within their land bank to- “However, this will require land wards the north of the airport without acquisition beyond the land bank of the need for land acquisition. the airport. “However with the change of “The proposals are on the table government, the ministry is now for the minister and the Transport looking at grouping the airports in Ministry to make a decision,” he said the country into various ‘zones’ - during the Malaysia Dutch Business northern, central, Sabah and The Penang International Airport bustling with activity. Council (MDBC) Penang Dialogue Sarawak. 2018 on Dec 7. “And of course the federal gov- ang Tourism Development, Heritage, riod of two years. ence in Komtar on Dec 14. Chow said the ministry was cur- ernment prefers to invite private fi- Culture and Arts Committee chair- “Among the scopes of work are Yeoh was responding to a news rently planning to improve the inte- nancial initiatives together with the man Yeoh Soon Hin said that the the relocation of airline ticket coun- report which stated that this year the rior of the airport to increase the airport authorities to help upgrade passenger traffic at the PIA had- in ters, the increase in check-in and airport was all set to surpass last comfort level of passengers during the airports in the country, rather than creased tremendously this year. immigration counters and the up- year’s passenger flow by over peak hours. financing the capital expenditure “There is definitely a need to ex- grading of the baggage claim carou- 500,000 passengers. He said that before the change of (capex) of the upgrading,” he said. pand the airport to cater to the in- sel. The report stated that PIA would the federal government in May this Chow added that the state was still crease in passenger flow. “MAHB is also implementing record more than 7.8 million arrivals year, Malaysia Airports Holdings waiting for the decisions of the “Malaysia Airports Holdings terminal optimisation measures to and departures this year. However, Berhad (MAHB) had been working Transport Ministry. Berhad (MAHB) is carrying out an reduce congestion, especially during the airport was built to handle up to on the appointment of a consultant In another press conference, Pen- expansion plan that will span a pe- peak hours,” he told a press confer- 6.5 million passengers a year. 2 JANUARY 1 – 15, 2019 ‘Mad’ Penang busker Jimmy has the last laugh Story by K.H. Ong The video generated a lot of interest Pix by Law Suun Ting and also earned them praises. But there was one unforgettable incident for THEY called him insane for convert- Jimmy that occurred some time later ing tyres, chairs, tins, cups, plastic when they were using the household containers and many other everyday items to perform. items to musical instruments. But to- “One woman scolded us for bring- The original Dreamers (from day, busker Jimmy Tan Swee Hin is ing shame to Penang for using the left) bass guitarist Joseph Kee, lead guitarist Jimmy, very proud to have used his creativity “inferior” musical instruments. I was rhythm guitarist Vicky Yeoh and musical talents to contribute to downhearted at first. When the crowd and drummer Eddy Tan. society. heard her comments, some of them Albert Yeoh, Alfred Ho and bands like The 74-year-old Penangite, who shooed her away.” The Strangers, The Thunderbolts, exhibition of Penang’s Popular Mu- performs every Saturday at Armenian Asked why he chose to support St Equinox, Teruna Ria, Tyros, The sic of the 40s, 50s and 60s in 2013. Street in the heritage site of George Joseph Orphanage in Betong, Jimmy Mysterians, Junior Jets, Edwin Raja- Encouraged, Jimmy decided to Town from 9am to 5pm, has been us- said he was touched by the plight of money and the Island Rhythmics and buy a guitar at a music shop called ing the money he receives from on- about 40 poor children. Jimmy Ooi and quartet. On the inter- LBS Music World in Bukit Jambul. lookers to support St Joseph Orphan- “I had travelled to a couple of national scene, the Beatles, the Shad- To his surprise, the proprietor, Lim age in Betong, Thailand, for the past countries like Thailand and Cambodia ows and Elvis Presley were the rage. Boon Seng, could recognise him and three years. and their orphanages are so much in Jimmy became a salesperson and presented a guitar as a gift to Jimmy “Even my parents, teachers and need of help compared to ours. Some a technician at the famed Cheng Lee as well as sponsored three other friends said I was insane by coming of them are just like cowsheds. And shop located then at Penang Road guitars and an amplifier to the St out with unbelievable things. Give me many of the children are infested with selling sports goods and musical Joseph Orphanage in Betong. anything, I can turn them into musical head lice.” instruments. At times, he appeared Now, when Jimmy is busking, instruments,” Jimmy, as he is more There are days when the fund is low as a guest artiste during some func- friends, including 88-year-old Gerry popularly known, said during an inter- but Jimmy said very strangely, a sav- tions and entertained the crowd by Clyde, will just pop by whenever they view with Buletin Mutiara at the iour would turn up at times like this. Augustin showing the book using glass, cups, chains, spanner are free to join in. With Christmas entitled “Just for the Love of Penang House of Music in Komtar. Just recently, he said a local man gave It” which he co-authored with and screwdriver as his musical in- nearing, he wears Santa Claus outfit to He started showing his knack for RM3,000 while he was busking as the James Lochhead. struments. spice up the occasion. this innovation in 1963 when he was man wanted to “support a good cause.” In later years, he worked part- Two weeks ago, Jimmy and his a Form Three student of Westlands Music seems to run in the blood in a band, first playing with recycla - time as a deejay for an entertainment friends had a pleasant surprise Secondary School. One of his earliest for Jimmy’s family as his son and ble items and now with proper instru- club in Penang and also sold second- when the Firsova sisters from Rus- “crazy ideas” was converting an un- four grandchildren are also involved ments. hand clothes, mostly jeans, that sia - Sonya and Viola - teamed up used bicycle to a steel guitar. It was by sheer chance that Jimmy were donated by the public at the with them by playing the violin and Another conspicuous instrument of came back to perform after leaving the Taman Free School pasar malam. mandolin. his was a shovel turned to a bass guitar music scene for 43 years. He co- The proceeds went to charity. Jim- “They told me they are composers, and the latest of his creations was a founded The Dreamers in 1964. There my had also worked as a part-time songwriters and models. They are guitar made from a motorcycle ex- were three others in the band. deejay at Sunshine Square in Bayan great musicians,” Jimmy said. haust pipe. It took him six months to After about five years, on the ad- Baru for 14 years. Augustin, a noted musician him- do it. vice of his father, he left the band as It was at the pasar malam that self, said if things go well, they may “I had to collect a lot of beer cans Jimmy drug abuse was becoming more Penang House of Music director Paul plan to hold an exhibition for Jimmy and Milo cans, melt them with the help showing prevalent among musicians then. Augustin won Jimmy’s heart back to to showcase his fascinating musical of my friend H.K. Mook for the gui- the bass In the halcyon days, there were the music fold as the former was instruments. tar’s body part,” he said. guitar he artistes like Joe Rozells, Jimmy Boyle, organising a gathering for artistes of “Life as a musician is not easy “Most of the musicians in the 60s made by Robert Tan, Rajamoney Brothers, yesteryear and holding the second because there is no pension and no using a and 70s could not afford to buy musi- motorcycle EPF (Employees Provident Fund). But cal instruments. So, we improvised. exhaust they enjoy playing and are happy. In That’s how it became a hobby to me.” pipe. our Malaysian environment, playing Jimmy and a few of his busker music is treated as a hobby. The old friends became famous when a video players are self-taught, using their ears of them playing instruments made of to listen to the cords,” he said. household items like tins, pots, kettles To record some of the achieve- and wok covers at Armenian Street ments of past musicians and the his- went viral in June.