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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Heritage Penang... who calls the shot?: I hope the NST journalist, and all other journalists with strong conscience, will continue to enlighten us on the "series of errors" in this whole episode of Heritage vs. Sustainable Development stalemate. In fact, NST's Emmanuel has pointedly said: "If the Penang government is sincere about continuing to be investor-friendly, while showing its commitment towards heritage conservation, then it should not drag its feet any longer on the matter." (Screenshots, 02.05.09)

UNESCO team in George Town to check on hotel approvals: Looks like it's crunch time. Over the past days, a team of people from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre have been making their rounds in George Town for a crucial evaluation of four high-rise hotels coming up in the heritage zone. (Anything Goes, 30.04.09)

“We’re sorry Pakatan has to deal with BN’s mess, but…”: Tanjung Bunga Residents Association chairman George Aeria reflects after handing in a residents’ memo calling for a ban on property development on steep hill-slopes in Penang. With the submission of the memorandum to our state government (via YB Phee), the TBRA and the Chee Seng Gardens Action Committee have decided to give our new and better state government (from the last one-lah) a two-month period to see concrete action. (Anil Netto, 29.04.09)

Ban steep hill-slope projects, urge Tg Bunga residents: At 3.15pm today, sirens blared and then two thunderous blasts followed by a smaller one unnerved residents of the Coastal Towers apartment blocks in Tanjong Bunga. At the nearby Straits Regency apartments, windows vibrated - even above the 10th floor It is not surprising that residents groups from Tanjung Bunga, Penang, have joined forces to call for a ban on current and future projects on steep hill-slopes. Yesterday morning, representatives from these groups handed over a memorandum, signed by 1,558 residents, urging the Penang state government to do something.(Anil Netto, 28.04.09)

Unconcerned about conservation: I REFER to the letter “Getting rid of priceless legacy, a costly move on the wrong track” (The Star, April 27). Perhaps, the writer has forgotten that most administrators in the government service have failed their History papers or simply do not like the subject history and historical issues. (Star Online, 28.04.09)

Getting rid of priceless legacy a costly move on the wrong track: I AM shocked by the news that our cherished Penang Hill Railway is to be dismantled and replaced with a new system. This would be like replacing the Tower Bridge with a modern new bridge over the River Thames. After all, why retain an antiquated lift-bridge when there are no more big ships plying the river? (Star Online, 27.04.09)

Comeback Kid defends his corner: APRIL 27 – Penang’s fourth Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, may be called The Comeback Kid not only for his perseverance during a rocky political career but also for his dry rejoinders to pesky reporters’ questions. “I never miss a beat,” the 48-year-old likes to say. He has been detained twice – in 1988 and 1998 – under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act and its Sedition and Printing Presses And Publications Act. One of his detentions was due to having been outspoken in defence of the grandmother of a girl who had been allegedly raped by a Malacca chief minister. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

Not plastic people: Learning that Earth Hour may not be so effective in the long run allows me to look at the environmental spectrum in a whole different light. The environment doesn’t need our attention for just an hour over 365 days a year, but every minute, every day. Thus, I took the chance to attend the Earth Day dialogue “Plastic Bag: To Ban, or Not to Ban?” organised by the Penang state government last weekend. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

Fairus episode — more than meets the eye?:  GEORGE TOWN - Will there be a by-election in Penanti? That was the question after former Penang deputy chief minister 1 (DCM1) and Penanti assemblyman Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin was cleared of wrongdoing by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) last Thursday. The Election Commission (EC) gave Fairus until today to retract his resignation letter following the MACC findings. The MACC decision and the EC statement suited BN fine, as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said there should not be a by-election. (The Edge Malaysia, 27.04.09)

Change with the times: THE period between the 1960s to the 1980s were the years when the cinemas of yesteryear played movies to sell-out audiences and stood high and mighty throughout Penang. More than a dozen cinemas ruled on the island and several more on the mainland — three in Butterworth, three in Bukit Mertajam and one in Sungai Bakap — attracting the young and old with tickets priced as low as 40 cents. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

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Penang is a new emerging IT-BPO destination - global report: KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Penang has been named as one of the new emerging information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) destinations that would allow companies to provide diversity to their global operations and reduce their costs of doing business, according to KPMG’s Exploring Global Frontiers report. In a statement here today, executive director and head of KPMG’s Business Performance Services, Woon Tai Hai, said Penang has all the strengths to become a major outsourcing hub. (Malaysian Insider, 01.05.09)

Electrical & electronics orders picking up: THERE has been a pick-up in export orders in certain sectors, such as electrical and electronic (E&E) products, in the current quarter, International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said in Shah Alam, Selangor, yesterday. "We have received reports from Penang that show orders slowly picking up, but we have to see the longer period," he told reporters after flagging off Naza Bikes Sdn Bhd's exports to Iran and Brunei. (Business Times, 29.04.09)

Penang Port to go big in barter trade: THE Penang Port Commission (PPC) wants to expand barter-trading activities and bunkering services at the Prai wharf, which will be included in the port’s new 20-year master plan. The expansion of these activities, which had received the green light from the Transport Ministry, would stimulate economic activities and create job opportunities in the state, PPC chairman Tan Cheng Liang told StarBiz. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

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Residents' landslide fears: GEORGE TOWN - More than 20 families in Hilir Pemanchar, Gelugor, have been fearful for their safety since a slope near their homes was cleared for the expansion of a lodge.  Residents fear the clearing of a 7m high piece of land will cause landslides during heavy downpours. (NST Online, 01.05.09)

Hillslope danger claim to be probed: THE state government will investigate a claim that a hillslope development in Tanjung Bungah is posing a threat to the environment and neighbouring residential areas State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said he made a few visits to the site after being informed of the matter. (Star Online, 28.04.09)

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Booming business: A little publicity can give one’s business a big boost. The Star's Penang food columnist Helen Ong revisits eateries to catch up those who have felt the power of the pen. (Star Online, 03.05.09)

The newest food court in Penang: Metro Café Food Court - It seemed like there are more and more restaurants and food courts opening within the last one week. The latest being Metro Café which was opened on 1 May 2009, located just within a stone’s throw away from Northam Beach Café. (Criz Bon Appetite, 03.05.09)

Penang Hawker Food at 127 Burma Road Food Court: We recently went to a newly opened food court in Burma Road. The 127 Food Court which offers many different kind of Penang hawker food is conveniently located with its front facing Burma Road and its side behind Jemput Tree and Isaribi Japanese Restaurant. It has a relaxing, airy and clean outdoor environment. (What2see, 30.04.09)

The Travelling Table: Rasa Penang: Hainanese Chicken Rice from Kadai Kopi Kheng Pin: The skies are clear and sun is shining bright. Today, A and I are on our own, exploring Penang on foot (with an occasional taxi ride here and there). While A is looking forward to exploring some picturesque heritage homes and doing some jewellery shopping, I am on a mission to have the best chicken rice in town. (table for three, 29.04.09)

Penang Hawker Food | Wan Tan Mee at Eng Loh Coffee Shop: The moment we entered Eng Loh coffee shop, the wantan mee stall and its menu attracted our attention. There are around 10+ items displayed in a big signboard. (Alliefoodtalk, 26.04.09)

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Penang is all prepared for the worst, assures Guan Eng: GEORGE TOWN - The Penang Government is prepared for the worst in the event of an outbreak of influenza A(H1N1) in the state. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state, together with the Penang Hospital and all related agencies, were “on top of the situation”. “The state wants to assure the people that everything that can be done is being done right from the preliminary investigation to the treatment stage in our hope to overcome this latest health threat. (Star Online, 03.05.09)

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Calling the shots on heritage site: IS it the end of the road for the four "offending" projects which are said to be threatening George Town's place on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (Unesco) World Heritage List? The answer hinges on whether the Penang government intends to make a last-ditch bid to save the situation, now being regarded as messy and hopeless. (NST Online, 02.05.09)

Unesco heritage inspectors evaluate George Town's hotel projects: GEORGE TOWN (April 29, 2009) - The two Unesco heritage inspectors here to evaluate four proposed hotel projects and their impact on George Town's listing as a Unesco Heritage Site met with the project developers and local council officials this morning. It is learnt that the closed-door meeting was held in the City Hall and immediately after the meeting ended, the inspectors went to meet Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. (theSun)

Heritage zone jobs on table for Spain meeting: GEORGE TOWN - Four property developments in the Unesco-listed heritage enclave here will remain in limbo for at least another month.  It is learnt that the projects being carried out by Eastern & Oriental Bhd, Boustead Holdings Sdn Bhd, Asia Global Business Sdn Bhd and the Low Yat Group will be discussed at a Unesco World Heritage Committee meeting in Spain in June. (NST Online, 30.04.09)

Kampung on church land pleads for more time: GEORGE TOWN - A century-old quaint "kampung" within the Unesco heritage enclave is under serious threat of being demolished following instructions from the landowner to vacate the compound by the end of next month.  Some 120 residents, 90 per cent of whom are senior citizens, living on the grounds of St Francis Xavier Church, off Jalan Penang, face the prospect of becoming homeless after May 31. . (NST Online, 30.04.09)

Guan Eng: Unesco decision in June: GEORGE TOWN - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government and the relevant parties have done their work well to prepare for the visit of the officials from Unesco and ICOMOS. Lim met the officials twice to discuss the four projects in question. Asked if there were positive vibes from Giovanni Boccardi (Unesco) and David Lung (International Council of Monuments and Sites) that these projects, approved before George Town's inscription on July 7, would be allowed to continue Lim said: "The main contention are the technical areas and we should respect their confidentiality and let them decide. (The Edge Malaysia, 29.04.09)

Unesco inspectors to look into highrise hotels: GEORGE TOWN (April 28, 2009) - Two heritage inspectors from Unesco are in Penang to evaluate four proposed highrise projects and examine their impact on George Town listing as a Unesco Heritage Site. Giovanni Bocardi, from the Unesco office in Paris, and Prof David Lung, of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), arrived on Monday and are expected to meet the four developers, as well as officials from the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP), and heritage experts and activists. (theSun)

World tender to develop Fort Cornwallis: GEORGE TOWN (April 28, 2009) - Fort Cornwallis, the first structure built by the British upon their landing in Penang in 1786, is being earmarked for an international tender exercise in a state initiative to develop it as an iconic monument. The state government has identified the star-shaped structure as a unique symbol to promote George Town inner city, listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. (theSun)

Guan Eng defends his appointment as state tender board chairman: GEORGE TOWN (April 27, 2009) - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Air Putih) defended his appointment as the chairman of the state Tender Board amid questions from Barisan Nasional (BN) opposition assemblymen as to whether it compromised the board’s integrity. He stressed the position would help him to ensure tender processes would now be improved and run smoothly, while holding him responsible over the board’s decisions.(theSun)

SiVatican: GEORGE TOWN (April 27, 2009) - The Catholic Church has asked a hundred-year old community in the only kampung left in George Town's Unesco heritage zone to vacate, prompting the Vatican to be alerted about the matter. Sources told theSun that long-time residents of the historic quarters in the grounds of the Francis Xavier Church have been told to move out by the end of next month. (theSun)

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70% of retrenched workers still jobless: BUTTERWORTH - Almost 70% of the 948 Nikko Electronics Bhd workers who were retrenched when the wireless toy manufacturer suddenly closed its Prai factory 10 months ago, have yet to find new jobs. Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Penang branch secretary K. Veeriah said most of them were women, aged above 25. (Star Online, 03.05.09)

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100 more multi-lingual signs to be up from May 1: FROM May 1, 100 more multi-lingual signs will be placed at 30 roads under the second phase of the project in the heritage zone in George Town. State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow Chow said these signs were in addition to the 78 signs put up at 19 roads by the end of this month.(Star Online, 28.04.09)

Discovered: Federal buildings with no approvals: GEORGE TOWN - There are fourteen Federal Government buildings without building plans and planning approvals on the island of Penang. There were also four such buildings that did not have planning approvals on the mainland, said State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow Chow. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

Go for coupons or meters: POLICE have asked the Penang Municipal Council to do away with the car parking attendant system on the island to weed out the jaga kereta menace. OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said Penang was the only place to have parking attendants since other places had already introduced the metered or coupon parking system. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

Help us in land scam probe, Guan Eng tells Koh: GEORGE TOWN - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is urging his predecessor Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to come forward to assist a state committee which is investigating an alleged land scam. “We want Dr Koh to ask his former deputy Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah to come forward. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

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Keeping dialects alive through the arts: WHILE many people either take the common dialects for granted or ignore them, Ai FM deejay Chong Keat Aun has great appreciation for them and considers them an amazing and beautiful heritage to be enjoyed and preserved. (Star Online, 02.05.09)

Beauty in distorted reality: TWENTY-seven paintings on the theme of water reflections are on display at a solo art exhibition — Reflections: Works by Hoe Say Yong — at the Alpha Utara Gallery in George Town. Hoe, a local artist who has done over 50 joint exhibitions, said he did not like putting up his art in exhibitions. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

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Malaysia - Asia On Training Wheels: They say that Malaysia is "Asia On Training Wheels". In other words, it is not as hard to travel around in comparison to the more "Asian" countries, like Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos. Well, if Malaysia is Asia On Training Wheels, then I am going to need to do a few more laps of this country before I take the training wheels off!! (Kate on the Bike, 01.05.09)

Tropical Spice Garden Penang: You’ll find the Tropical Spice Garden on Penang between Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang. To be exactly: between Bayview Beach Resort and the Mutiara Hotel. It’s a wonderful escape if you’re tired of the busy life in Georgetown. It is a garden of discovery for the tourists, who miss out on simply pleasure like walking barefoot on dewy grass or stopping to smell flowers or spices. The tropical Spice Garden shows us over 500 species of local and foreign flora from Malaysia and around the world. (raaja, 01.05.09)

Little Penang Street Market photo's: I would like to share with you all some shots I took in Little Penang Street Market, it was my 1st visit recently. ( Techarp Forum, 30.04.09)

Grand mansions of Penang: There is always an air of mystery surrounding the rich and famous of Penang from the 19th Century. My romance with history was rekindled when I visited the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Leith Street, Pinang Peranakan Mansion in Church Street and Syed Al-Attas Mansion and Sun Yat Sen (Tung Meng Hui) Base in Armenian Street. (NST Online, 28.04.09)

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Penang exco give thumbs up for Mansor as DCM I: GEORGE TOWN - Penang state executive councilors have unanimously agreed to appoint PKR’s Mansor Othman as Deputy Chief Minister 1 if he succeeds in his bid for the Penanti state seat.Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state exco had come to an agreement on Wednesday after their weekly meeting. (Star Online, 01.05.09)

No PAS candidate for Penanti by-election: PENANG - PAS will not be fielding a candidate in the Penanti by-election. PAS election director Datuk Mustafa Ali said the Pakatan Rakyat coalition of PAS, DAP and PKR had an understanding that there shall be no infighting among themselves in elections. (Star Online, 01.05.09)

PKR candidate to be made DCM 1 if he wins Penanti: GEORGE TOWN - Penang state executive councillors have unanimously agreed to appoint PKR’s Mansor Othman as Deputy Chief Minister I (DCM I) if he wins the Penanti state seat in the May 31 by-election. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said it was agreed upon on Wednesday at the state exco meeting. (Star Online, 01.05.09)

Penanti candidate disarray: BUTTERWORTH - Pakatan Rakyat's solidarity is facing another test as Penang Pas Youth is standing firm to its decision to field a candidate in the Penanti by-election on May 31.  Penang Pas Youth chief Mohd Hafiz Mohd Nordin said: "There is a request from the grassroots for the party to recapture the seat and the Youth already has a candidate. (NST Online, 30.04.09)

Guan Eng okay with Mansor as Penang DCM 1: GEORGE TOWN - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has given his personal approval to PKR’s Penanti by-election candidate Mansor Othman to take over as Deputy Chief Minister I. “Deciding on the DCM I is my prerogative but personally, I have no objection to (PKR deputy Penang liaison committee chairman) Mansor Othman. (Star Online, 30.04.09)

Despite unhappiness with PKR candidate, Pas won't boycott Penanti: Penang Pas has no intention of boycotting the Penanti by-election on May 31. Talk has been rife that the party would stay away when none of its leaders attended a gathering with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday when he announced state PKR deputy chief Mansor Othman as Pakatan Rakyat’s candidate for the by-election. (NST Online, 30.04.09)

Zaid: Barisan will contest in Penanti: GEORGE TOWN - Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim expects Barisan Nasional to contest in the Penanti by-election. “No matter what the circumstances, Umno should not reject the call for a by-election as it allows the constituents a chance to be heard. (Star Online, 30.04.09)

Najib’s Penanti dilemma: KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is coming under considerable pressure from Umno to change his stand that Barisan Nasional should give the Penanti by-election a miss. Some party officials, especially those aligned to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, have been parlaying straw polls and ground reports to push two messages: that the voters in the state constituency want Barisan Nasional to field a candidate and chances of victory are better than ever. (Malaysian Insider)

Anwar Ibrahim's statement on the candidate for the Penanti by-election:  In the aftermath of the March 2008 political Tsunami, Malaysians have gone back to the polls five times. In four elections they have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Pakatan Rakyat and, in the fifth, but for the influence of money politics and electoral fraud, demonstrated a growing preference for change and for a new style of politics.  (Malaysia Today, 29.04.09)

Fairus determined to make a political comeback: BUKIT MERTAJAM: Former Deputy Chief Minister I (DCM1) and former Penanti assemblyman Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has vowed to make a “strong” political comeback on completing his studies. He has also expressed interest in contesting in a parliamentary seat in less than five years. (Star Online, 28.04.09)

Mansor to be DCM if PKR wins Penanti: KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — PKR today announced its deputy Penang party chief Mansor Othman as the candidate for the Penanti by-election. The announcement was made by the party’s de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at a public rally in the Penang state constituency which is situated within his stronghold Permatang Pauh. (Malaysian Insider, 29.04.09)

Umno to decide on Penanti tomorrow: KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 – Umno’s political bureau will meet tomorrow to decide if the party should contest the Penanti by-election. The meeting is shceduled to take place at the party’s headquarters here at 5 pm and will be chaired by party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak. (Malaysian Insider, 29.04.09)

No Decision Yet On Mansor's Appointment As DCM1, Says Lim: PENANG, April 29 (Bernama) - The Penang state executive council (exco) has yet to decide on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's intention to have its candidate for the Penanti state by-election, Mansor Othman, to fill the vacant Deputy Chief Minister I's post. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that although he had no objections to it, but the matter had to be discussed by the state exco first. 

Gerakan hails Hindraf dialogue call: GEORGE TOWN - Penang Gerakan has welcomed Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy’s request for a dialogue with the Government, saying it is a “positive step”. State party chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said social and economic problems affecting the Indian community raised by the outlawed group must be solved urgently. (Star Online, 28.04.09)

Guan Eng: No "kowtowing" to Anwar: GEORGE TOWN - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP - Air Putih) hit out at his detractors, especially those from the Barisan Nasional (BN) who accused him of "kowtowing" to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) defacto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the deputy chief minister 1 appointment. Lim said the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was a unified force unlike Umno and Gerakan in Penang, which had severed cooperation at the height of the Datuk Ahmad Ismail debacle, which saw several Umno members tearing up Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon's portrait. (The Edge Malaysia, 28.04.09)

Do battle, survey results tell BN: GEORGE TOWN - A recent survey by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the Penanti state constituency has revealed that 80% of the 300 respondents want Barisan Nasional to contest in the by-election there. Another 19% preferred Barisan to stay out while 1% was undecided, said Permatang Pauh Umno division head Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid, who stressed that the survey did not involve Umno but was fully done by the NGO, which he declined to name. (Star Online, 28.04.09)

PENANTI BY-ELECTION: PKR likely to choose Mansor: GEORGE TOWN - It looks like Penang PKR deputy chief Dr Mansor Othman will most likely be fielded as the party's candidate for the upcoming Penanti by-election on May 31. Mansor, 56, is almost certain to be the party's candidate after he was not named as PKR's nominee for senator by the state assembly yesterday. (NST Online, 28.04.09)

PENANG ASSEMBLY: CM apologises for wrong info over Mat Sabu - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Air Putih) has apologised for giving the wrong answer concerning the appointment of Pas vice-president Mohamad Sabu as the director of Penang Water Supply Corporation Holdings Berhad. This came about because the answer he gave during his winding up speech was different from the information given in a written reply to a question from Datuk Jasmin Mohamed (BN-Sungai Dua).(NST Online, 27.04.09)

Assembly needs people-based debate, says Azhar: GEORGE TOWN - State Opposition Leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim wants more people-oriented debate in the state legislative assembly instead of those dwelling on partisan politics. “The debates lack maturity and, at times, assemblymen from Pakatan Rakyat bring up issues of no relevance to Penang. Perhaps, age is a factor as many Pakatan assemblymen are relatively (too) young to become effective backbenchers. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

Umno to decide if to contest Penanti seat: PM: PUTRAJAYA, Mon - The Umno Political Bureau will meet soon to decide whether a party representative will contest the Penanti state by-election in Penang, Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.  "Wait. We will meet soon," said Najib, who is also chairman of the Umno political bureau. (NST Online, 27.04.09)

Buck up, Penang Umno tells Permatang Pauh: KEPALA BATAS - Penang Umno wants the fractious Permatang Pauh division to sort itself out to ensure victory should the party decide to contest the Penanti by-election.  Penang Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim yesterday urged division leaders to resolve their differences so that they could pool their resources should there be a contest. (NST Online, 27.04.09)

Penanti By-election On May 31: PUTRAJAYA, April 27 (Bernama) - The question of whether there will be a by-election for the N.12 Penanti state assembly seat in Penang was answered today when the Election Commission (EC) fixed May 23 for nomination and May 31, for polling. EC Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof in declaring the Penanti seat vacant as of April 17, the date EC was officially informed by the Penang state assembly speaker, said both the dates were chosen as the seat must be filled within 60 days after being declared vacant.

EC: Nomination For Penanti State By-election On May 23: PUTRAJAYA, April 27 (Bernama) - The nomination for the Penanti state by-election in Penang will be held on May 23, and in the event of a contest, polling will be on May 31, Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof announced at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

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Urban poor get federal aid: A TOTAL 241 urban destitute and low income families in Penang who are registered under the Federal Government’s urban poor eradication scheme, have been distributed cash aid worth RM445,560. State Development Department deputy director II Abdul Aziz Ashaari said 215 families in Seberang Prai received RM402,180, while 26 families on the island received RM43,380. (Star Online, 30.04.09)

Ramasamy Admits Poverty Cannot Be Eradicated In Penang: PENANG, April 27 (Bernama) - Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, P. Ramasamy on Monday admitted that poverty could not be eradicated in the state but the number of poor could be reduced. He said that so far 728 families had been registered as hardcore poor in the state and that they were being given assistance.

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Teng: Cable car will affect park - GEORGE TOWN: The proposed cable car from Penang Hill to Botanical Gardens will have far-reaching consequences on the future of the gardens. State Gerakan vice-chairman Teng Chang Yeow, the former state executive councillor in charge of tourism, yesterday said any proposal for a project of this magnitude must take into account the environmental impact. (NST Online, 03.05.09)

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Penang YDP Takes Of Oath Of Office For Third Term: PENANG, May 1 (Bernama) - Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri (YDP) Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas today took his oath of office as the Yang Dipertua Negeri of the state for the third term. The oath taking ceremony was performed at his residence Seri Mutiara here before Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Arifin Zakaria.

Pandemic could hit local economy: InvestPenang: GEORGE TOWN: If the global swine flu pandemic reaches a full-blown scale like the previous bird flu and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreaks, it could clip 1% or 2% off from economic growth, warned InvestPenang executive committee chairman Datuk Lee Kah Choon. (Star Online, 30.04.09)

Forum on Penang Hakka folk: CHUNG Ling High School, Chinese daily Kwong Wah Yit Poh and the Penang Philomathic Union all have one thing in common — Sun Yat-Sen and the Penang Hakka community. Their history and connection are among the topics that will be discussed during the upcoming ‘Hakka Study and Research and the Chinese Communities of Penang’ forum at Han Chiang College on May 2. (Star  Online, 29.04.09)

Hospice home in Penang in dire straits: GEORGE TOWN - The current hard times have forced the Penang Hospice Home to stop accepting cancer patients, at least for now, due to lack of funds. Run by the Penang branch of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, the home provides free palliative care for such patients but its funds have been dwindling. (Star Online, 28.04.09)

Disabled have right to freedom, urges MCA: PENANG MCA has urged the Government to give the disabled community the right to freedom by making it easier for them to get around. Speaking to the press after the state assembly session recently, state Wanita MCA chief Tan Cheng Liang said the party had received numerous requests from the community to make the state disabled-friendly. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

Penang cycling event to be extended to the rurals beginning June: GEORGE TOWN - The state government’s monthly cycling event within the city, now into its third edition, will be extended to several villages beginning June. Expedition leader, Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu, said the event would be extended to villages in Balik Pulau and Bukit Mertajam to give more people a chance to participate. (Star Online, 27.04.09)

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