iGeorgeTown NetBuzz offers links to items on society, culture and heritage, about George Town and Penang in particular, and Malaysia in general, that are published on the Internet. It is updated daily. Views and opinion expressed in the links are solely those of the authors and/or their respective organisations and do not necessarily represent those of iGeorgeTown. Please contact them directly to comment or interact.

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OPINION • BUSINESS & INVESTMENT • EDUCATION • ENVIRONMENT • FOOD • GOVERNANCE • HERITAGE • HOUSING & PROPERTY • HUMAN RESOURCES • INFRASTRUCTURE • PLACES OF INTEREST • POLITICS • SOCIAL ISSUES • TOURISM • TRAVEL LOGS • OTHERS

Tiger park – Where stands the council?: THE proposal for a tiger park at Relau by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has attracted considerable attention. So far, public reactions, including those of the Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (Mycat) and Penang branch of the Malaysian Nature Society, have largely been negative. This is not to add to the many reasons why a tiger park is not suitable. It is to point out that the land owner and the local planning authority, namely the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP), does not seem to have much say in the project. (theSun, 07.03.09)

Penang has lost much of its lustre in the economic downturn: NOTWITHSTANDING the change in state government following the March 2008 general election, Penang remains one of the most important states in the country from an economic standpoint. (Star Online, 07.04.09)

Transparency: Guan Eng should explain: THE average Penangites' pre-occupation with heritage conservation at the expense of development can be puzzling to outsiders. However, Penang's rich heritage is one of the state's most important pull factors in respect of tourists and expatriates. That same factor also helps George Town to be placed consistently among the top 10 of the most liveable cities in Asia for expatriates. (NST Online, 07.04.09)

The (almost) forgotten Jimmy Boyle: Everybody in Malaysia seems to be holding P Ramlee in high esteem, even wanting to award him the title of Tun posthumously. They may feel that it is the right thing to do but personally, it's carrying hero worship too far. What's the use of honouring P Ramlee with so many accolades when he was already made a Tan Sri in death? Even as a Penangite, I don't agree to it. (Anything Goes, 05.04.09)

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PMC investing RM1.3bil in new HQ: KUALA LUMPUR - Nasdaq-listed PMC Sierra Inc is planning an initial investment of RM1.3bil over the next few years to move its operational headquarters to Malaysia from the current base in San Jose, California. Vice-president Ian Banks told reporters here yesterday at a joint press briefing with the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) that the Internet infrastructure company would start operations in the country as early as year-end. (Star Online, 09.04.09)

FAMA To Net RM30mil Sales From Northern Region Agro Projects: BUKIT MERTAJAM, April 8 (Bernama) - The Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (FAMA) hopes to make RM30mil sales from agriculture products grown at food production parks in the northern region this year. Northern region FAMA director Mohd Ariffin Awang said the target was based on the estimated vegetables and fruits to be supplied via contract farming. He said FAMA has signed contracts with 150 project participants for the supply of quality vegetables and fruits.

Rapid Penang buses to promote buying of local products: Some 180 Rapid Penang buses will act as mobile advertisers for a Buy Malaysian Product Campaign and will ply their routes with stickers to promote the campaign from today. Rapid Penang’s chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said the buses will ply 35 different routes with the stickers which read: “Beli Barangan Malaysia —Pilihan Bijak (Buy Malaysian Product — A Smart Choice).” (Star Online, 07.04.09)

Herbal venture to help poor: NOT wanting the hardcore poor to be dependent on handouts, the state will embark on a medicinal herbal park project in North Seberang Prai to promote self-sufficiency among them. State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said several youths and single mothers from the district’s hardcore poor families would be roped in to be part of the pilot project. (Star Online, 07.04.09)

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Tamil schools on mainland get dictionaries: A TOTAL of 2,200 Tamil-English dictionaries was distributed to all 21 Tamil schools on the three mainland districts in Penang, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Butterworth under its District Literacy project. Penang Deputy Chief Minister (II) Dr P. Ramasamy was invited to hand the dictionaries to the respective school principals at a simple ceremony held at the Safira Country Club in Seberang Jaya recently. (Star Online, 09.04.09)

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Sleepless in Nibong Tebal: SOME 5,000 residents in four villages living behind a hill in Nibong Tebal, Penang, are sleeping uneasily each time it rains heavily as flashfloods may occur. Nibong Tebal Umno division chief Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said a bridge across Sungai Hilir collapsed during a downpour recently when waters from an eroded hill gushed down and overflowed the river. (Star Online, 08.04.09)

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Hawker Food | Kedai Kopi Seng Thor Koay Teow Th’ng: Within the heart of Georgetown itself, there are many hawker food stalls which have been operating for many years, some even for generations. Growing up in Penang, we are sure that many of you like us, have been patronizing some stalls since young and still doing the same even up to now. The Koay Teow Th’ng at Kedai Kopi Seng Thor at the junction of Carnarvon Street and Kimberly Street is one such stall. In fact, it was Ken that brought us here for a breakfast and later on we came back a few times because Huat Koay has a liking towards the Koay Teow Th’ng here. (PenangTuaPui, 10.04.09)

Penang Hawker Food - Beef Koay Teow: One of my favorite places for Beef noodles has to be the shop at the intersection of Beach and Chulia Street. This place is also known as the BOMBA BEEF KOAY TEOW as the landmark that stands out would be the fire station, located right opposite it. The shop has been selling beef noodles for many years now, and is still a hit with the locals and foreigners alike. (What2seeonline, 08.04.09)

Kacang putih and muruku - A scene unique to Penang: It is an exceptionally beautiful evening today. For the past few days, dark clouds and thunderstorm filled the evening with gloom and wet, cold weather. However, the sky is so blue and filled with fluffy white clouds today. I just fetched my two sons from St. Xavier around 5 pm and we decided to have dinner because they are already famished. So, we stopped somewhere near 8-row where Jalan Macalister is for some economy rice. After our meal, we went back to where my car was parked and found an Indian man selling kacang putih nearby. (malaysianbest, 08.04.09)

Hawker Food | Sungai Ara Yam Rice: Weather lately has been quite unpredictable, sometimes hot and sometimes rainy with extremely cold temperature. It is as if our bodies have been stressed on two ends for durability and toughness that which of us can actually remain healthy. So we decided to head over to Sungai Ara for some healthy soup to nourish our bodies. But we were a bit unlucky that day cause the soup ran out of stock by the time we reached there. Suddenly, Tam Ciak smelled a familiar sour fragrant just few doors away…(PenangTuaPui, 07.04.09)

Loh Mee, best kept secret in Far Lim, Ayer Itam: It is little known to many out of Far Lim, Ayer Itam that there is one "Loh Mee" you should not miss. I have tried many in town, the famous Loh Mee at Carnavon Street, Jalan Masjid Kling and Pulau Tikus, there is no match if compared to this "well kept secret" located at Far Lim, Ayer Itam (Pearl of the orient, my Penang, 06.04.09)

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Penang Appeals Board Made Up Of Professionals: PENANG, April 10 (Bernama) - The Penang state government today appointed 13 professionals to the Penang Appeals Board. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the board chaired by Penang High Court judge Datuk Abdul Rahim Uda had lawyers, academicians and engineers as members.

Judge appointed head of Penang Appeals Board: GEORGE TOWN (April 10, 2009) - Penang High Court judge Datuk Abd Rahim Uda, has been appointed the chairman of the Penang Appeals Board. Announcing the appointment of 10 new members of the board, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state executive council made the decision on the new appointments in a meeting on Dec 19 last year. (theSun)

State to go after civil servants who smoke in public: THE Penang Government, in a bid to curb smoking, will beef up enforcement against smokers in public places, beginning with civil servants in government departments and agencies. State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said enforcement officers from the state Health Department would make more frequent rounds at these premises as well as other gazetted public places. (Star Online, 06.04.09)

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UNESCO World Poetry Day 2009 in Penang: On March 21 this year something very special happened in Penang. This was the first ever celebration of UNESCO's World Poetry Day in that State. In case there are readers not familiar with what this is all about, it may be worthwhile quoting a brief passage from Wikipedia. (lone traveler, 05.04.09)

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Bargains in property foreclosures and auctions: REAL estate offers good value for money at a time when economists are bickering if the slowdown in the economy has bottomed up. Even in the current economic situation, Penang developers have not reduced their prices but are just adding on some incentives to push sales, said property investment strategist Khoo Boo Yeang at a property forum at the recently concluded Penang International Property Expo 2009. (Star Online, 10.04.09)

Mah Sing to extend home campaign: THE Mah Sing Group will extend its Easy Home Ownership campaign by a month to April 30 to celebrate its success in winning the BrandLaureate Award 2008-2009 for "Best Brand in Property" recently. In a statement, Mah Sing said the campaign was a hugely successful financing programme for residential and commercial properties. (Business Times, 07.04.09)

Residents urged to be patient: IVORY Properties Group, developer of the Penang Times Square, has appealed to residents of several pre-war houses near the project to be patient until foundation work on Phase 2 is completed before it starts repairing the structural damage. Its executive director Datuk Nazir Ariff said that foundation work was expected to be completed in the next few months. (Star Online, 07.04.09)

Good news for 1,000 families: SOME 1,000 families living in flood-prone Kampung Masjid and Kampung Dodol in Sungai Pinang, Penang, can breathe easier when a RM3mil flood mitigation project in Sungai Jelutong is completed in the middle of next year. Datuk Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the project was expected to take off in three months. (Star Online, 06.04.09)

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Malays can do well on merit: Bukit Mertajam - The Pakatan Rakyat state government has appointed senior officers to key positions based on merit and not along a race-based quota system. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, however, said some Malays feared they might lose out to other races when competing for jobs under such an open policy. “I have met many successful Malays who hold high positions in Dubai. If they can make it there, there is no question of their capabilities of achieving the same here.” (Straits Times, 12.04.09)

Job Retrenchment Volume Has Been Stable: PENANG, April 6 (Bernama) - The volume of job retrenchment in the state has been stable for the past few weeks, according to the state labour department. Department director Hoe Lean Fatt said the rate of increase on the retrenchment of workers, especially in the manufacturing sector, has not been significant. "About 300 employees were retrenched last month as compared to 1,200 in January," he told Bernama here today.

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Swettenham pier to be ready by September: The Swettenham Pier redevelopment project is expected to be ready in September. Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Tan Cheng Liang said main contractor Izoma Sdn Bhd had signed an agreement with PPC to appoint a sub-contractor to complete the project by that month. (NST Online, 10.04.09)

Penang airport expansion slated for completion by end-2010: THE RM250 million expansion of the Penang International Airport is slated for completion by the end of 2010, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat says. He said work on the project, which is part of the RM60 billion economic stimulus package unveiled last month, is due to begin in July. (Business Times, 09.04.09)

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Down Madras Lane: Though the official name of the street is Jalan Sultan, no one ever calls Madras Lane by this name. Perhaps it may have something to do with the hawkers here who insist on hanging onto the memory of the Madras Cinema which burnt down in 1979. (Star Online, 12.04.09)

Mudskippers off Gurney Drive: I took this photo quite long ago, possibly about two to three months back. I just happened to be walking along Gurney Drive in the late afternoon, looking out into the sea at low tide when I noticed that life was teeming on the mudflat. There were practically thousands of the blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus boddarti) walking and skipping around on their pectoral fins and with their bulbous eyes moving in every direction. With some measuring 15cm to 20 cm long, they looked very mean. However, they disappeared quickly at the slightest hints of danger. (Anything Goes, 09.04.09)

Protestant Cemetery in Georgetown, Malaysia: Protestant Cemetery was the first Christian Cemetery open in 1789. The latest recorded burial took place in 1892. The cemetery is located in the middle of George Town along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah. (tribudragon, 07.04.09)

Penang Heritage Trail - Yap Kongsi (Clan House) and Yap Temple: Yap or written in Chinese as 叶 is a Chinese clan name or surname. The forefathers of Yap families in Penang mostly originated from Fujian Province of Southern China . Looking for greener pasture was the main reason that made the Chinese migrated to Penang back in 19th century being coolies at the beginning and soon turned into traders at the bustling port city of Penang. (My Wise Wife, 07.04.09)

Recent Visit to Penang State Museum: I wish people have a heart for and can spare time at the Penang State Museum. An adult visitor only pays a token of RM1.00, or 50 sen for children, to walk the double storey colonial building. And this paltry sum comes with a sepia tone entrance ticket and a beautiful brochure that highlights the early history of Penang. (June Ong, 06.04.09)

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Lim postpones naming DCM 1 on PKR request: GEORGE TOWN, April 9 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today postponed naming a new deputy chief minister 1 for a week at the request of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He was due to name a replacement for Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin who has quit under a cloud of suspicion. The Penang government took back his official car, a Mercedez Benz with the plate P1, yesterday. (Malaysian Insider, 09.04.09)

Lim Gives Anwar One Week To Submit Nominee For DCM1: PENANG, April 9 (Bernama) - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is giving Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim one week to nominate a candidate from the party for the post of Deputy Chief Minister 1 in place of Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin who resigned effective yesterday.

Penang takes back Fairus’ car a day early: GEORGE TOWN - The state government has repossessed former Penang Deputy Chief Minister (I) Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin’s official Mercedes Benz S320 a day earlier than scheduled. State protocol officer Azizan Hassan was at Mohammad Fairus’ home in Taman Guar Perahu, Penanti, at 3.15pm yesterday to inspect the car. (Star Online, 09.04.09)

Guan Eng offers Najib 6 reform measures: GEORGE TOWN - Newly minted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak must adopt six reform measures to make "1 Malaysia, People First And Performance Now" work, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. Following the Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang wins by the Pakatan Rakyat (PR), Lim who is also DAP secretary general said following BN's huge losses, the BN should focus on reforms. (The Edge Malaysia, 08.04.09)

Fairus remains an assemblyman, says Anwar: PETALING JAYA, April 8 — Former Penang deputy chief minister 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin will remain as Penanti state assemblyman until the next elections, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed today. He refuted rumours that Fairus, who officially quit today under a cloud of allegations linked to illegal quarrying activities, would vacate the seat for a by-election. (Malaysian Insider)

PKR Expects To Decide On Nominee For New DCM1 Soon: PENANG, April 8 (Bernama) - Penang Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is expected to announce the party's nominee to fill the post of Deputy Chief Minister I in the next few days. The seat fell vacant when Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin tendered his resignation as the Deputy Chief Minister on March 2 with effect from today.

Penang CM slams Umno rep for ‘not checking facts’: GEORGE TOWN - Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng hit out at Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya for “not checking his facts” when criticising the state government. “He is a sour grape for saying that my administration had misled the public by saying that we have eradicated hardcore poverty,” Lim told a press conference yesterday. (Star Online, 08.04.09)

Malik or Maktar tipped to fill deputy CM post: GEORGE TOWN - The money is on either Batu Maung state assemblyman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim or Sungai Bakap state assemblyman Maktar Shapee becoming the next deputy chief minister I of Penang. That is if incumbent Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin, who leaves the job on Wednesday, does not also quit his Penanti seat. (NST Online, 06.04.09)

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Scheme for only 22?: THE Penang Government is surprised that the Rural and Regional Development Ministry recently allocated RM1.1mil to help only 22 hardcore poor families in the state. State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the state had 706 more hardcore poor families registered in state which needed help too. (Star Online, 10.04.09)

Penang to query ministry on aid for hardcore poor: GEORGE TOWN (April 9, 2009) - The Penang state government has asked the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to explain what has happened to its reported RM1.1 million allocation meant for 22 hardcore poor families in the state. State health, welfare, caring society and environment committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said he has sent a letter to the ministry’s adviser, Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman, to seek clarification after Zainal announced the allocation in February. (theSun)

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Tiger park only a proposal, says council: GEORGE TOWN (April 9, 2009) - The final decision on the use of land in Relau for a tiger park lies with the Penang Island Municipal Council. Council president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman said today Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was merely suggesting to the council what to do with the land for the benefit of the state and the council. (theSun)

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Framing George Town: Continuing on my previous photo essay on arches and archways of George Town, the focus this week is on using natural and available structures or objects to frame some of the many famous landmarks in George Town. In this essay, I also intend to portray the inhabitants of the city by offering a glimpse into their lives and cultures from the daily activities to snapshots of one of the most colourful celebrations in Malaysia, the Thaipusam festival. (Malaysia Travel Guide, 06.04.09)

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Grand procession to mark Wesak Day: A series of activities will be held in Penang from tomorrow to May 30 in conjunction with this year’s Wesak Day with the highlight being the annual procession on May 9. Penang Wesak Celebration Committee chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun said more than 10,000 devotees from 37 Buddhist associations would take part in the 7km float and candlelight procession that would start at 6pm from the Malaysia Buddhist Association (MBA) on Burma Road. (Star Online, 11.04.09)

Gerakan chief ‘humbled and honoured’: PETALING JAYA: Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon is “humbled and honoured” to be included in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s team. As the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Unity and Performance Management), Dr Koh hoped to work with the people to realise the objectives of the 1Malaysia agenda. (Star Online, 10.04.09)

MACC Sends Probe Papers To Prosecution Division: PENANG, April 10 (Bernama) - The Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) today sent its investigation papers relating to alleged graft involving former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, to the prosecution division. MACC director of investigations Datuk Shukri Abdull said his side had studied the papers and found that they were in order.

Investigation papers on Fairus being scrutinised: GEORGE TOWN - Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin's resignation as deputy chief minister took effect yesterday just as the graft investigations against him reached its final stage. The Penanti state assemblyman tendered his resignation as the deputy chief minister and state executive councillor in a faxed letter to the chief minister's office on March 21. (NST Online, 08.04.09)

Reviving traditional games: AMIR Hamzah Mohd Rozali carefully moved his dam haji (checkers) piece across the old board. The 13-year-old student was engrossed in the game although some might find the non-computerised intellectual game a bore. “I know how to play congkak as well. I learnt from my older brother, sister and mother,” the Form One student of SM Jelutong said in between games at Taman Budaya Negeri in George Town. (Star Online, 07.04.09)

MACC probe on quarry almost done: GEORGE TOWN - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency is expected to complete its investigations into alleged illegal quarry activities in Penanti by this week. The commission’s state director Latifah Md Yatim said the investigation papers would then be handed over to the prosecution division for further action. (Star Online, 07.04.09)

Lim, Ramasamy speak to MACC over illegal quarries: GEORGE TOWN, April 7 — Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng and his deputy P. Ramasamy today gave statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over illegal quarry activities linked to former deputy chief minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin. The MACC is investigating allegations by a PKR member that two senior state party leaders had been working with local quarry operators to cover up illegal activities. (Malaysian Insider)

MACC wraps up probe into Fairus Khairuddin: PENANG, April 6 — The investigations into alleged graft involving Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin is expected to be completed today, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said. Penang MACC director Latifah Md Yatim told Bernama that the investigation papers would be forwarded to the prosecution division soon. (Malaysian Insider)

MACC gets access to state documents on quarry probe: GEORGE TOWN - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has asked the state to release some documents to facilitate its investigations into alleged illegal quarry activities involving former Penang Deputy Chief Minister (I) Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin. (Star Online, 06.04.09)

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