We Have Nothing to Hide with Regard to the Bypass Road Project Affecting 19 Burial Plots at a Cemetery in Batu Lan- Chang Lane
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
JANUARY 16 – 31, 2020 JANUARY Economy to stay strong Story and pix by Edmund Lee ENANG is set to see a more vi- brant economy this year with Pmore job opportunities to be gen- erated. On the first day of the year 2020, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said many infrastructure projects are sched- uled to take off this year. “It will spur the economy and bring the state to greater heights. “Among these are the Penang Inter- national Airport and Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal expansion projects, the Package Two road project, the Gurney Wharf, and the Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. “Things are moving though some of the work may not have started. Among them are the signing of agreements and the tender processes,” Chow told a press conference after taking part in the City Walk 2020 at the Esplanade on Jan 1. On a separate matter, Chow said the state practises transparency. “We have nothing to hide with regard to the bypass road project affecting 19 burial plots at a cemetery in Batu Lan- chang Lane. Judging by the exuberance on their “It was listed in the Environmental faces, these participants can’t wait Impact Assessment (EIA) report and for the walk to be flagged off. the report was available for public view- We have nothing to hide ing during the public display period,” he Earlier, Chow expressed his grati- said. with regard to the bypass tude to the people for joining the eighth It was reported that 11 of the affect- edition of the event. ed 19 burial plots would remain at the He was glad to see people from all cemetery, with a special access path to road project - CHOW walks of life coming together to join the be built for family members; while re- healthy walk on first day of the year. mains in the other eight affected plots ticipants taking part in the 5km-walk. ing, Chulia Street, Penang Road and Ar- Also present were Chow’s wife Tan would be relocated. They started at the Esplanade, pass- menian Street before ending in Beach Lean Kee, several state executive coun- The event saw more than 5,000 par- ing through Jalan Masjid Kapitan Kel- Street. cil members and state assemblymen. Pic low resolution, pls resend, TQ 2 NEWS january 16 – 31, 2020 BULETIN MUTIARA Penang kicks off 2020 in style Story by Riadz Akmal “Another statistic from Pen- Pix by Law Suun Ting ang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) also shows the total amount of cruise HE Esplanade grounds ship passengers to Penang re- came alive when hordes of corded an increase of 32.71% Tpeople from all walks of life from 258,478 passengers in thronged the first-ever Penang October 2018 to 343,039 pas- Grand Parade 2020 that was sengers in October last year. held on New Year’s Day. “Thus, I believe 2020 will be The grand parade started at another year that we can achieve Gurney Drive at around 6pm, great success in promoting Pen- passing through Jalan Sultan Ah- ang to domestic and internation- mad Shah and Farquhar Street al tourists. before ending at the Esplanade “And I hope that EPY 2020 at about 8.15pm. would be a great success and all Visitors were entertained with the people in Penang will work some eye-catching performances together with the state govern- by the participants from a variety ment to ensure that year 2020 of 20 cultural groups and asso- Chow (centre), Phee (third from left), Yeoh (fifth from left), Yew (sixth from left) and Ong will be a successful year for the ciations, including some bands. (second from right) together with other VIPs taking part in the soft launch of the ‘Experience tourism industry in Penang,” Some colourful and decorated Penang International Coastal Run 2020’. Chow added he was proud floats that were specially de- that people from different back- signed could also be seen during grounds and religions gathered the night procession that also to celebrate the New Year in marked the start of the “Experi- peace and harmony. ence Penang Year 2020” (EPY Also present was State Tour- 2020). ism Development, Arts, Culture Chief Minister Chow Kon Ye- The dragon dance and Heritage Committee chair- ow, who graced the event, said was one of the high- man Yeoh Soon Hin. the state government was offi- lights at the event. At the Esplanade, the visitors cially launching the campaign of also enjoyed some exciting per- Experience Penang Year 2020, formances by popular comedian themed “The Diversity of Asia”, and actor Gurmit Singh through to boost the state’s tourism in- his popular character as ‘Phua dustry. Chu Kang’, and UK Bhangra “Through this campaign, the Award winner Kamal Chopra be- state government is committed fore the event ended with a mag- to presenting a variety of tourism nificent fireworks display. elements in terms of arts and Also present were state Wel- cultural heritage, food diversity, fare, Caring Society, and Environ- the uniqueness of George Town ment Committee chairman Phee as a Unesco World Heritage Site Boon Poh, Penang Island City and a variety of interesting trea- laysian Airports Holdings Bhd (2019) recorded 7,555,275 pas- in 2018 at 7,032,974 passen- Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew sures available in the state. (MAHB), the passenger move- sengers which is 7.43% growth gers,” Chow said in his speech Tung Seang and Batu Lancang “Based on statistics from Ma- ments until November last year compared to the same period during the event on Jan 1. assemblyman Ong Ah Teong. Visitors thronging the first ever Penang Grand Parade 2020. A colourful float bearing the ‘Experience Penang 2020’ logo excites the crowd. BULETIN MUTIARA january 16 – 31, 2020 NEWS 3 Revellers taking a Marvellous start wefie at the party. to the New Year A grand fireworks display at The TOP Penang. Story by Christopher Tan Pix by Law Suun Ting and Christopher Tan The TOP dancers showing off their dance moves. T was a party mood as revel- lers welcomed 2020 in style at citing features and events in the Ithe state’s tallest iconic tower, year 2020. Komtar! “We hope to showcase the The exciting New Year’s Eve state’s splendour in nature, cul- Countdown Party started as early ture, heritage, food, and the arts as 8pm, with non-stop music and through the ‘Experience Penang dance performances by Chakora 2020’,” he said. Band and The TOP dancers. Yeoh also lauded The TOP Those who arrived early did Penang for being an active tour- not miss the opportunity to take ism industry player. memorable photos with the Hap- Also present were state Youth py New Year 2020 backdrop at and Sports Committee chairman Window of The TOP in Komtar. Soon Lip Chee, Ministry of Tour- Penang Tourism Development, ism, Arts and Culture Malaysia Arts, Culture and Heritage Com- (MOTAC) Penang director Jona- mittee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin The VIPs and performers taking a group photo than Freddy Bagang, Penang said the state was listed by CNN after the launching ceremony of the Visit Global Tourism chief executive Travel in June as one of the best Malaysia 2020 (Penang state level). officer Ooi Chok Yan, Tourism Ma- destinations for visitors to enjoy laysia (northern region) director the ultimate Asia experience. pening all year round and we have the state’s main economic con- increase from 7.2 million passen- Ahmad Husni Ahmad Basri, OWG “Penang is the ultimate holi- an amazing diversity in culture, tributors. gers welcomed in 2017,” he said Group Holdings Berhad founder day destination. We offer our visi- heritage, arts, food as well as “People love Penang. We re- in his speech at the party on Dec and chief executive officer Tan Sri tors beyond sun and beach. natural surroundings. ceived an all-time high of 7.79 31, last year. Richard Koh and chief operating “We have exciting events hap- “The tourism sector is one of million passengers in 2018, an Yeoh said that the ‘Experience officer Puan Sri Jean Koh. Penang 2020’ campaign by The VIPs jointly launched the Penang Tourism Development, Visit Malaysia 2020 (Penang Arts, Culture and Heritage (Pet- state level) during the event, be- ach) was aimed at welcoming fore the night capped off with a more visitors to Penang with ex- grand fireworks display. Chakora Band entertain- ing the crowd at Window of The TOP in Komtar. 4 NEWS january 16 – 31, 2020 BULETIN MUTIARA Ready to serve Seberang Perai community EIGHT new faces are among 24 economy, social, health and com- Seberang Perai city councillors munity welfare. picked by the state government to “What is the point of being serve from Jan 1 to Dec 31 this awarded with the city council sta- year. tus if the community is suffering This was announced by state from those issues? These are the Local Government, Housing, Town things that I want to highlight.” and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo dur- ing a press conference at Komtar on Jan 8. Chow with Jagdeep, Phee and Yew (right) congratulating the newy-appointed MBPP councillors. They are Zainuddin Mohamed, Ahmad Rizal Abdul Hamid, S. Galaimani, Fahmi Zainol (all from PKR), Chee Yeeh Keen (DAP), Mu- Serve diligently, hamad Suzuki Ahmad (Amanah), Siti Shahanis Md Sharif (NGO – Persatuan Komuniti Harapan Pulau Pinang) and Tan Choo Eng (NGO – Penang Forum). S. Galaimani, 41, (Sungai councillors advised The swearing-in ceremony for Bakap assemblyman Dr Amar Pr- Story by Edmund Lee Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyud- Council (MBSP), a total of 24 the MBSP councillors took place itpal’s publicity officer) Pix by Chan Kok Kuan din Abdul Rahman, state Local councillors were sworn in at the on Jan 11.