SUNDAY, April 3, 2011

Penang to be country's third metropolis - Najib: The federal government is to develop Penang into the third metropolis (urban area) in the country, after the Klang Valley and Johor Baharu, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today. (theSun, 2.4.11)

PM Meets Online Friends In Penang: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today met his online friends in the state and urged them, especially the younger generation, to give their trust in him as the prime minister in creating a brighter future for the country. (Bernama, 2.4.11)

Penang PKR man quits party, plegdes support for BN: PKR’s former Bayan Baru division deputy chief M. Ngana Segaran ended weeks of speculation when he announced his resignation from the party to throw his support behind Barisan Nasional (BN) at a function attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday. (Star Online, 3.4.11)

Things looking up for BN in Penang: The nation is experiencing a political shift in favour of Barisan Nasional, including in the so-called DAP-stronghold of Penang, BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak said. (New Straits Times, 3.4.11)

CM lauds ‘Greater Penang’ programme: The Greater Penang Transformation Programme reflects the stable and mature Federal-state relations, said Chief Mini­ster Lim Guan Eng. (Star Online, 3.4.11)

Chong Wei triumphs against quad squad in Penang fundraiser: Two-time All England champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei took on four players at the same time and won during a charity exhibition match at the Dewan Tunku Geodesic Dome in Komtar here. (Star Online, 3.4.11)

SATURDAY, April 2, 2011

Putrajaya, Penang join forces: Putrajaya and Penang will work together to develop a Greater Penang Transformation Programme to accelerate the northern state’s growth in an “inclusive, sustainable and holistic” manner, the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) has said. (Malaysian Insider, 1.4.11)

Penang to turn into a megapolis: The Federal and state governments will jointly develop a Greater Penang Transformation Programme to unlock development opportunities within the region. (Star Online, 2.4.11)

Guan Eng shelves plans, will aid Najib’s ‘Greater Penang’: In a first between political foes, the Penang government declared its willingness today to shelve its own completed development masterplan in order to help Putrajaya co-develop its “Greater Penang Transformation Programme”. (Malaysian Insider, 2.4.11)

Najib Confident Of BN Recapture Of Penang In Next General Election: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today there were signs of a wind of change in Penang, and the Barisan Nasional (BN) was confident of recapturing the state in the next general election. (Bernama, 2.4.11)

PM's tight schedule in Penang: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will have a hectic schedule during his one-day working visit here today. (New Straits Times, 2.4.11)

PM in Penang for walkabout, gets memo from cab drivers: Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is on a day-long visit to Penang today, went on a walkabout in the city centre, meeting and chatting with the people, particularly traders. (Malaysiakini, 2.4.11)

Closure Of Driveway To Penang Airport's Departure Hall Deferred To April 7: The closure of the driveway to the departure hall of Penang International Airport will be deferred to April 7. (Bernama, 1.4.11)

Penang Umno Youth Confident Of Support From Young People: Penang Umno Youth is confident of attracting the young to support Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming general election. (Bernama, 1.4.11)

May 26 ruling on RM10mil suit in Jeff Ooi's case: The RM10mil defamation suit filed by a former PKR Penang municipal councillor against Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi will be decided by the High Court on May 26. (Star Online, 2.4.11)

Brunei Exchange Students Graduate From USM: Exchange programme students under Asean University Network (AUN) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang, officially graduated from their programme. (BruDirect.com, 2.4.11)

FRIDAY, April 1, 2011

Penang youth set to rock for rights: The final phase of the 'Rock 4 Rights' and 'Myconstitution' campaign, which kicks off tomorrow at Fort Cornwallis, Penang, is aimed at educating youth on their fundamental rights, weaning them away from total dependence on politicians. (Malaysiakini, 1.4.11)

Documents, pictures of bungalow sought: The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) is in the midst of locating documents of a colonial-era bungalow here which was illegally demolished last year. (theSun, 31.3.11)

It’s nature that draws the tourists: WE stay every year for a couple of weeks for holidays at Batu Ferringhi beach and have observed a very drastic change to the island’s beauty from year to year. (1.4.11)

THURSDAY, March 31, 2011

Intermittent rain in Penang until Sunday: Intermittent and sometimes moderate rain coupled with strong wind are expected in the next few days in Penang, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said. (theSun, 31.3.11)

Penang MCA Wanita chief gets RM375K in damages: Penang MCA Wanita chief and Jawi Barisan Nasional coordinator Tan Cheng Liang (pix) was awarded RM375,000 in damages by the High Court today in a defamation suit she had brought against former Nibong Tebal DAP division chairman Teh Hock Yong in 2005. (theSun, 30.3.11)

Good response to BEST service: Penang’s free cross-channel "Park and Ride" bus service has received good response from workers in the industrial area here. (30.3.11)

Police detain seven men for drug-related crimes: The police have detained seven men for drug-related offences during a joint operation on commercial vehicle drivers in the Perai industrial area here yesterday. (MySinchew.com, 30.3.11)

WEDNESDAY, March 30, 2011

Storm havoc in Kedah and Penang: Strong winds blew off the roofs of more than 200 houses in three districts in Kedah and two in Penang as continuous rain since Monday evening caused havoc. (Star Online, 30.3.11)

PM to meet Penang friends: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will meet his online friends in Penang on Saturday. (New Straits Times, 30.3.11)

TUESDAY, March 29, 2011

Corporation Hopeful New Penang Hill Train Will Operate By May: The Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) is hopeful the new funicular train service will begin operations by the end of April or early May, using new Swiss-made coaches. (Bernama, 28.3.11)

Kindergarten director who raped 4-year-old girl gets 20 years jail: The Penang Sessions Court sentenced a kindergarten director, 48, to 20 years in jail and to be whipped 10 times for raping a 4-year-old girl at his kindergarten here in 2008. (Star Online, 29.3.11)

Taipei, Georgetown ink friendship memorandum: Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin signed a memorandum on building friendship with Georgetown, Malaysia Monday to promote bilateral trade and exchanges in the fields of culture, education and tourism. (CNA English News, 28.3.11)

Doctor: Murder accused was schizophrenic: A man charged with murdering his wife and causing grievous hurt to his daughter by splashing acid was diagnosed as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and diabetes, a High Court heard. (Star Online, 29.3.11)

SMJK Union students show their generosity: The 1,300 students of SMJK Union have been generous in offering help to the earthquake and tsunami victims of Japan. (Star Online, 29.3.11)

Let’s talk business: The Malaysian business sector wants to negotiate stronger terms for bilateral business programmes in Indonesia following the Malaysian  delegation’s shock pullout from the Medan Fair earlier this month. (theSun, 28.3.11)

XOX Aims To Increase Subscribers In Northern Region By 500 Per Cent: Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) XOX Bhd aims to increase its subscribers in the northern region by 75,000 or 500 per cent by year-end with the new set-up in Penang. (Bernama, 29.3.11)

MONDAY, March 28, 2011

Penang council takes down 70 banners of Najib: The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has taken down 70 banners featuring the image of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. (Star Online, 28.3.11)

Perak Runners Win Malakoff Run: Perak runners Nik Fakaruddin Ismail and Noor Amelia Musa won the men's and women' category of Penang Malakoff Run 2011 at Taman Perbandaran Sunday. (Bernama, 27.3.11)

Guan Eng: No open tender for WiFi project: Only one public-listed company has come forward to provide free broadband access under the Penang Government's free WiFi initiative, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. (Star Online, 28.3.11)

Lim: Criteria for wi-fi company in place to ensure delivery: The state government chose REDtone International Berhad to carry out the free wi-fi project in the state as it has commercial value and fulfilled the requirements needed, says Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. (theSun, 27.3.11)

Penang airport records 25% passenger growth rate: The Penang International Airport registered the highest growth rate among airports in Malaysia last year, recording a 25% increase with some 4.1 million passengers in 2010 compared with 3.3 million the year before. (theSun, 27.3.11)

Hard Rock Hotel Penang Aims to Raise RM10,000 for The Japan Relief And Recovery Efforts: In response to the tragic earthquake and tsunami, Hard Rock International is supporting the Red Cross which provides immediate assistance to Japan through Hard Rock Unite for Japan. (eTravel Blackboard, 28.3.11)

Leader still keen on Saudi ops: PENANG-BASED wire and cable maker Leader Universal Holdings Bhd is still keen to expand in Saudi Arabia although last week it said it had scrapped out its plan to set up a joint-venture firm in the kingdom. (Star Online, 28.3.11)

Crowds and congestion at Qing Ming Festival: Cemeteries and columbariums in Penang were packed over the weekend as the Chinese community began the annual round of praying for their departed ancestors in conjunction with the Qing Ming Festival (Chinese All Souls Day). (Star Online, 28.3.11)