Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow

‘Char Kway Teow’ or ‘stir-fried ricecake strips’ is arguably one of the most popular dishes among Malaysians of all races. The name is derived from the Hokkien term for ‘fried’ which is ‘char, while ‘kway teow’ refers to the ‘flat rice noodles’, which is the main ingredient.



The latter is stir-fried over very high heat with light or dark soy sauce, chili, while prawns, deshelled cockles, bean sprouts, chinese chives and eggs.

Among the chinese community, the char kway teow is traditionally stir-fried in pork fat with crisp croutons of pork lard and serve on a piece of banana leaf or plate. In some instances, slices of chinese sausage and fishcake are added to accentuate the taste.

Originally conceived as a poor man’s food, mostly consumed by laborers, farmers, fishermen and cockle-pickers, the dish has today evolved into one of the most-loved dishes among Malaysians – but with certain ingredients omitted to adhere to ‘halal’ guidelines of muslim community.

As the dish became more widespread, many cooks have come up with their own versions of ‘char kway teow’ but with the same essential ingredients ‘Char kway teow’ was said to have its origins in S.E.Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei) but the common consensus is that ‘Penang char kway teow’ tops the list when it comes to taste and originality.

In Kampar, Perak, the dish is cooked with cockles but no prawns, unless on request. In East Malaysia, other ingredients are used in the cooking eg beef, onions, sweet soya sauce etc.

There are also so-called ‘gourmet versions’ of char kway teow, especially in Ipoh, Penang, Taiping and even the Klang Valley, where seafood, crab meat and even duck eggs are added to suit discerning tastes.

~Info courtesy of Tourism Malaysia~

More evacuees in Kelantan and Terengganu

More evacuees in Kelantan and T’ganu

The number of flood evacuees in Kelantan and Tereng­ganu has risen with the flood situation in the two states growing more acute.

As of 1pm yesterday, the number reached 8,574, up from 6,961 at 8am, according to the Social Welfare Department’s infobanjir application.

The evacuees are being housed at 96 relief centres in nine districts, namely Kota Baru, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Bachok, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, Machang and Jeli.

Pasir Mas has the highest number of evacuees – 4,370 (1,694 families) put up at 38 centres.

The infobanjir.water.gov.my portal of the Drainage and Irrigation Department reported that the level of Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, rose to 10.61m at noon yesterday, up from 10.56m at 8am. The danger level is 9m.

The ebanjir.kelantan.gov.my portal by the state government reported that all roads were passable to traffic.

Rain, at times heavy, was reported in several areas of the state until noon.

The number of flood victims in Terengganu increased to 2,432 (833 families) as of 8am yesterday, compared to 2,201 (765 families) at midnight.

The State Disaster Management Committee secretariat said 15 relief centres were opened in seven districts, bringing the total number of active centres to 64.

In Besut district, the number of victims rose to 842 (250 families) in 23 centres, compared to 637 (194 families) on Tuesday night.

~News courtesy of Bernama~

Fanning new life into Terengganu batik craft

Fanning new life into Terengganu batik craft



Beautiful batik: Maryam showing off some of the items for sale at a pop-up booth in Publika.

It was while she was miles away from the country that Maryam Samirah Shamsuddin developed a love for one of Malaysia’s traditional crafts – batik.

Maryam, who is now in her mid-30s, said that she started collecting and learning about batik when she was studying in Britain.

“You miss home and Malaysian items are not accessible, so you start to dig around to find stuff that reminds you of home,” she said.

This love for batik led her to start Cotton and Sago, a social enterprise aimed at helping Kuala Terengganu’s batik artisans, over a year ago.

“At first I read about batik online and learnt how to differentiate the designs of each maker.

“Then I went to Kuala Tereng­ganu and found out that the number of batik producers had shrunk.

“In the 90s, they had over 300 batik artisans, but three years ago, when I visited, they had less than 10 who were still active,” she said, adding that hand-block batik manufacturing is a dying industry.

She said that the slowdown could be due to the fact that artisans were earning very low wages, which led to the younger generation’s reluctance to enter the trade.

“They were earning about 80 sen per sarong!” she added.

Seeing this situation, Maryam set about to create an enterprise that was not only focused on marketing the traditional hand-block batik, but one that will help create a sustainable future for the artisans.

She said that being a social enterprise, Cotton and Sago also tries to help raise the price of the batik products so that artisans can earn more.

“Now it is possible for them to earn a wage of RM1,000 per month, compared to about RM500 a month previously,” she said.

The profit that the enterprise earns, she said, is channelled into training and upskilling the artisans, including teaching them business skills.

Maryam said that there is a need to help revive the Terengganu traditional hand-block batik industry, as it is fast losing its skilled artisans to age.

“There is only one traditional blockmaker left in Terengganu. Now we have invested into getting a few young apprentices to learn from him,” she said.

“Otherwise there is only Pok Ya (Zakaria Ismail) and he is in his 60s.”

The tradition of producing batik needs to be preserved as batik tells the story of Malaysia, she said.

“The history of batik itself is about Malaysia. There is a theory that (the act of wearing) batik was a replacement for tattoos when Islam came into the country.

“The technique itself came from India. The (usage of) pastel colours came from the Chinese traders’ influences.

“Batik is a canvas and every culture that crosses our (country’s) path leaves a bit of its touch on it.”

~News courtesy of The Star~

气象局预测东北季风期间 东海岸砂西部高雨量

气象局预测东北季风期间 东海岸砂西部高雨量



东北季风的来临，将使马来半岛东海岸和砂拉越西部出现可引发水灾的高雨量。

气象局预测，马来半岛东海岸州属和砂拉越西部，将在本月起至明年1月的东北季风期间，出现可引发水灾的高雨量现象。

科学、工艺与革新部长拿督斯里威弗烈丹敖指出，在这期间，我国将发生4至5次的强降雨，可造成大水灾。

他说，在马来半岛吉兰丹和登嘉楼所展开的天气预测，本月和12月的雨量料达约700毫米，彭亨和柔佛东部的雨量，预测将在下月和明年1月高达400毫米。

“这个情况可导致水灾，尤其是在河谷和低洼地区。”

他今天在国会下议院回答巫统巴力士隆区国会议员拿督诺莱妮博士的提问时，这么指出。

~以上新闻转自光华日报~

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak



No visitors will leave Malaysia without tasting our very own Nasi Lemak. Hot cooked rice with pandan aroma steamed with coconut cream goes heavenly well with sizzling spicy sauce or “sambal”. 

Generous sprinklings of roasted peanuts and salty dried anchovies with a hard boiled egg perfect this dish. 

A platter of everything good all wrapped up in banana leaves to further enhance its unique taste. Nasi Lemak is truly a national heritage of Malaysia.

~Courtesy of Tourism Malaysia~

Expect more rain until January, says weatherman

Expect more rain until January, says weatherman

The start of the northeast monsoon today will bring more rain to the east coast of the peninsula and parts of Sabah and Sarawak.

The wet season is expected to last until January.

MetMalaysia director-general Alui Bahari said the northeastern winds from the South China Sea will mark the start of the monsoon season.

“Right now, the winds are still from the southwest, they are variable, but by tomorrow, they will persist from the northeast,” said Alui when contacted yesterday.

He said an episode would range between three and four days of moderate to heavy rain.

This monsoon season is expected to see four to five such episodes.

MetMalaysia has its own colour coding for rainfall, with yellow indicating heavy rain is expected within the next one to three days, and if there is continuous rain, it will not last for more than six hours and the rainfall will be less than 60mm.

Meanwhile, orange indicates continuous heavy rain that will exceed six hours and rainfall collection of at least 60mm while red shows continuous heavy rain exceeding 240mm a day.

Alui said the department would also be monitoring wind speeds and wave heights, as monsoon winds could whip up waves.

For the day’s weather forecast, log on to www.met.gov.my/in/web/metmalaysia/forecasts/general/country.

~News courtesy of The Star~

RM1 flight levy starts January 2018

RM1 flight levy starts January 2018

ALL passengers leaving Malaysia by air will have to pay a levy of up to RM1 from January, following changes to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) Act 2015.

“The Government spent almost RM30mil on Mavcom’s operational costs last year. The levy for air travellers is justified, considering the services Mavcom provides, which range from receiving and processing complaints to conducting educational activities,” he said.

The changes to the law also allows Mavcom to impose penalties for any non-compliance over guidelines on competition, regulatory fees and charges.

~News courtesy of The Star~

明年起离境征收1令吉

国会三读通过 明年起离境征收1令吉

国会下议院周二三读通过2017年大马航空委员会（修正）法案，当局将于明年1月起向离境乘客征收1令吉服务费。

该法案在进入委员会阶段后，正式三读通过。

1令吉的监管服务费，仅限于离境的所有大马人及外国游客支付，主要是用作协助航空委员会监管航空业在经济领域方面的事务。

交通部副部长拿督阿都阿兹卡巴拉威在为该法案总结时表示，此收费是按照航空委员会的营运费用计算得出的。

他说，政府未来不会调高该服务费，征收该费用是为应付航空委员会的营运成本，并非为了牟利。

他说，航空委员会的职责包括设置所有航空公司降陆的电子登记系统、客户投诉管理系统等，每年的营运费用大约2500万至3000万令吉。

~以上新闻转自光华日报~

Happy Deepavali!

Happy Deepavali!
தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!
屠妖节快乐！

Tourism Tax 旅游税

Happy Independence Day 独立日快乐

Travellers departing airports to pay RM1 levy from 2018

Travellers departing Malaysian airports to pay RM1 levy from 2018

Air travellers will be subjected to a RM1 (US$0.23) levy when departing Malaysian airports as early as 2018, the country's aviation regulator said on Tuesday (Aug 15).

The new levy to be imposed by the Malaysia Aviation Commission, MAVCOM will be tabled in parliament in October. It will apply to all departing passengers for both domestic and overseas destinations except for rural air services in interior Sabah and Sarawak.

The passenger service charge at all Malaysian airports may also be raised from the current RM50 to RM73 for all international flights beyond Asean beginning January 2018 to standardise the system.
v Currently a different rate applies to KLIA1 and KLIA2 international airports.

The passenger service charge is fixed at RM35 for all destinations in Asean.

MAVCOM, which was set up last year to regulate the civil aviation industry, is expected to collect RM30 million in the first year from the RM1 levy, according to its chief operating officer Azmir Zain.

"I can confirm there is a definite plan by Mavcom to charge RM1 levy to all departing passengers with exception of those flying the rural air services in Sabah and Sarawak. The purpose of the RM1 levy is to ensure financial sustenance and more importantly the independence of the commission. In the last 12 months we have shown results. Example, by lowering the passenger service charge from RM65 to RM35 flat for all ASEAN destinations. That's a saving of RM30 for customers."

MAVCOM, in tabling its first industry report on Tuesday, said it expects the air passenger traffic to grow between 7.8 and 8.6 per cent in 2017 with the number of air travellers expected to hit 99.6 million.

But amid decreasing air fare and competitive operating environment, revenues are expected to remain flat for most airlines. 

Source: Channel News Asia

8月1日落实酒店旅游税

Selamat hari raya 开斋节快乐

Clear skies expected over Raya

Clear skies expected over Raya

It will likely be a sunny Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year in most parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

The date for sighting the Syawal new moon to determine when Aidilfitri falls has been set for June 24, and many expect Hari Raya to start the next day.

Malaysian Meteorological De­­part­­ment director-general Alui Bahari said a detailed forecast for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period will only be released today but added that the weather is generally expected to be dry due to the current south-west monsoon.

The south-west monsoon started on May 17, and will continue until September, typically associated with lower rainfall in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

“There is always heavy traffic on the highways during the Raya pe­­riod, but good weather conditions will hopefully help to make journeys safer as the roads are dry and visibility is better,” said Alui.

The volume of vehicles that will hit the roads starting this week as families make their way back to their hometowns is expected to grow.

PLUS Malaysia Bhd said traffic plying the North-South Expressway during peak days starting Wednes­day to July 3 is set to hit 1.7 million vehicles per day.

The figure is an increase of 30% from the reported 1.2 million vehicles during the Raya peak period two years ago.

Another highway concessionaire, Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak), expects a 10% increase in the number of vehicles on the Sprint and Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highways in Selangor as the Hari Raya celebration draws closer.

The LDP, which is normally used by more than 470,000 vehicles each week, may see an increase of about 10,000 vehicles this week.

Association of Highway Con­cessionaires Malaysia said in a statement that the volume of traffic is expected to increase by between 30% and 40% during the coming Raya period compared to normal times.

“The Kuala Lumpur-Karak Express­­way, East Coast Expressway (LPT1) and East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) is expected to see an increase of 50% in traffic volume,” the statement said.

To cope with the traffic volume, PLUS has issued a travel time advisory to help the public plan their journey and to distribute traffic between June 21 and July 3.

Those planning to travel from the Klang Valley to their hometowns in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, northern Perak and Johor are advised to enter the highway before 10am.

Those heading towards nearer destinations such as in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, southern Perak and central Perak, are advised to start their journey and enter the North-South Expressway after 10am on designated days.

Meanwhile, Penang is expecting an influx of visitors who are set to take advantage of the four-day Aidilfitri holiday.

“Last year, the traffic was not so bad, but it is too early to predict the congestion this year,” said state traffic police enforcement chief Supt Roslan Ali.

He added that traffic police would be out daily under Ops Selamat from now until July 2.

Malaysian Hoteliers Association Penang Chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim said most hotels in the state were almost full.

“Penang is a top choice for local tourists and many are definitely coming here during the break,” he added.

~News courtesy of The Star~

DPM: Tourism tax will be imposed

DPM: Tourism tax will be imposed

The Government is going ahead with its tourism tax to be imposed from July 1.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who disclosed this yesterday, said more funds were needed to support tourism promotion activities.

“At present, some states receive little (funds), some get more,” he said. Under the new tax, hotel guests will be charged between RM2.50 and RM20 for every night’s stay, depending on the classification of the hotel.

Dr Ahmad Zahid disclosed that the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday directed that the tourism tax spat involving Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and the Sarawak and Sabah governments be put to an end.

“The Prime Minister chaired the Cabinet meeting and I have personally met with the Chief Ministers of Sarawak and Sabah.

“So the chapter is closed,’’ he told reporters after closing an Islamic education workshop here yesterday.

Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had called on the Government to defer the implementation of the tourism tax in Sarawak and Sabah. This invited criticism from Nazri.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also said RM10mil will be given to the Advisory Board for the Coordination of Islamic Education for the enhancement of Islamic educational institutions.

The workshop approved several resolutions, including one on a special mechanism to strengthen Federal-state cooperation in Islamic educational development.

~News courtesy of The Star~

More trains and buses for Raya

More trains and buses for Raya

The Transport Ministry hopes to add more trains and express buses to serve the balik kampung crowds during the coming festive season.

Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said he had already directed KTM Berhad to increase its services for the period.

“Most of the demand is from Kuala Lumpur to the northern states. So, they will be providing 27 trips daily to the northern states, some up to Padang Besar.

“There is a limit to how much we can increase for the time being, however, because we do not have enough train coaches,” he told reporters after launching the Hari Raya integrated operations and road safety campaign here yesterday.

The ministry, said Liow, was also working with express bus operators to try and increase the number of buses during the Hari Raya period.

However, he said there was a lack of bus drivers due to more stringent selection criteria.

Promoting safe trips: Liow talking to a passenger after launching the Hari Raya integrated operations and road safety campaign.

“(For some routes) we will need two drivers to take turns because of the long distance.

“These are among the shortcomings we have during the Raya season but we will work towards overcoming them,” he said.

On the road accident statistics for last year, Liow said the numbers had increased, especially for fatalities.

“Last year, we had 521,466 road accidents compared to 489,606 previously.

“The number of fatalities from road accidents showed a sudden increase – going up to 7,152 deaths last year compared to 6,706 in 2015.

“During the two-week road safety campaign last year, police recorded 20,982 accidents, with 299 deaths,” he said.

As over 60% of the fatalities involved motorcyclists, Liow said this year’s campaign would focus on raising awareness among this group of road users.

“None of these statistics mean that the previous campaign have failed. If you look at the ratio of accidents to registered vehicles, that has actually gone down.

“We went from four deaths for every 10,000 vehicles in 2010 to 2.59 deaths for every 10,000 vehicles last year.

“In developed countries, the ratio is two deaths for every 10,000 vehicles and we aim to reach this by 2020,” he said.

This year's road safety campaign, with the theme “Pandu Cermat Sampai Selamat” will run for two weeks and includes advocacy as well as enforcement of road safety rules and regulations.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Matta supports tourism tax

Matta supports tourism tax, but ...



The Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) is urging the Government to delay the rollout of the impending Tourism Tax (TTx), or at least parts of it.

While saying the association is behind the tax, its president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said the Aug 1 implementation date may not be an ideal time.

The TTx will not only affect domestic tourists, but also Malaysians who have to travel for other purposes such as studies, medical treatments or family obligations.

"Those people who have to travel will have to travel, and they will be forced to pay for it. It doesn’t just affect tourists," he said on Wednesday.

Hamzah suggests the TTx be imposed on 4-star and 5-star hotels first, but be deferred on lower-rated hotels, hostels and accommodation premises to a later date.

“I’m not saying that this tax shouldn't be imposed at all, but now is not the time for it,” he said.

Hamzah added that domestic travel is currently picking up due to the high cost of overseas travel, and he was concerned that an additional tax would deter Malaysians from travelling domestically.

The Penang, Langkawi and Malacca state governments are already charging RM2 to RM9 depending on the type of hotel the guest is staying in.

Passed as part of the Tourism Tax Bill 2017, TTx will see local and international tourists paying a levy to the operators of accommodation premises.

The tax rate is fixed and charged on a per-room, per-night basis.

The rates are RM20 for five-star accommodations, RM10 for four-star accommodations, RM5 for one- to three-star accommodations, and RM2.50 for non-rated accommodations, including budget hotels.

Engineer Lim Chze Hong, 33, who travels twice a month for work, said the TTx would be an unnecessary burden for Malaysians and should only be imposed on foreign tourists.

"It is an extra burden on top of the funds we need to spend to travel outstation for work, regardless if the rooms are paid for by the company or not.

“If this is a ‘tourism tax’, then they should not impose the tax on anyone who books a room using their MyKad,” he said.

Meanwhile, 41-year-old writer Vivan Chong said that she wouldn't mind paying the tax if the revenue was used to develop the local tourism industry.

She however asked if there are solid plans in place regarding the funding.

"The rates are not a burden money-wise, but I think the real question is, who is this supposed to benefit in the first place and why are we being taxed for already contributing to the economy by travelling locally," she added.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had said that the tax revenue would be spent mainly on tourism and infrastructure development throughout the country.

He said the tax was necessary because the Government needed to mitigate uncertainties in the oil-and-gas industry, adding that the Government was expected to collect about RM800mil annually through the new tax.

~News courtesy of The Star~

所有酒店8月起 向房客征旅游税

所有酒店8月起 向房客征旅游税

马来西亚政府宣布，从8月1日起，所有酒店将向房客征收每晚介于2.5令吉至20令吉的旅游税。

征税介于2.5至20令吉 视酒店级别而定

据关税局发表的公告，业者可从7月1日起向关税局登记。该局也列出不同酒店应征收的旅游税：五星级酒店20令吉；四星级酒店10令吉；一、二及三星级酒店5令吉；一、二及三胡姬花级酒店2.5令吉；无级别住宿2.5令吉。

无论如何，五种酒店及民宿可豁免登记及征收旅游税，分别为向旅游部民宿（Homestay）计划、甘榜住宿（Kampungstay）计划民宿、宗教团体所创办及注册的非商业用途住宿、少过10间客房的住宿及国州政府机构所经营的非商业用途住宿。

关税局说，业者必须在30天内向关税局注册，违例者可被判罚款不超过三万令吉或坐牢不超过一年，或两者兼施。

去年，旅游部长纳兹里坦承，由于国库收入减少，必须征收旅游税，作为推广马来西亚旅游业的经费。他预计这将为国家带来高达8.7亿令吉的税收。

由于马国目前落实消费税，加上马六甲、槟城及浮罗交怡的酒店早已征收文化遗产保护费、地方政府管理费及旅游推广费，因此酒店业者称这将进一步剥弱马来西亚旅游业的竞争力，因为一旦落实新的旅游税，国內酒店就会被征收双重或三重税务。

尽管旅游业者反对，但国会在4月通过了2017年旅游税法案。根据该法令，酒店业者必须向游客征收旅游税，游客若没有缴税，可被禁离境，直到还清旅游税为止，或给予一些能让关税局总监满意的抵押或保障。

~联合早报~

瓜登市厅落实美化计划·城市缤纷迎旅游年

瓜登市厅落实美化计划·城市缤纷迎旅游年

瓜登市政厅积极落实各项城市美化计划，让整座城市更有活力及魅力迎接2017登州旅游年。



孟莪路13间商店外墙将彩绘壁画，展示登州传统文化。（图：星洲日报）

瓜登市政厅积极落实各项城市美化计划，让整座城市更有活力及魅力迎接2017登州旅游年。

翁秀秀：建雨盖行人道粉刷花盆

马华瓜登市议员翁秀秀表示，瓜登市政厅应登州大臣的要求，配合2017登州旅游年，从今年年初开始落实一系列的城市美化计划。

她说，市政厅在瓜登市政厅巴士站前附近建设的雨盖行人道及街头装置色彩缤纷，不但成为一种艺术，也为城市添增了美感。

她说，市政厅也重新粉刷路边的景观花盆，并种植仙人掌打造绿化景观，营造绿意盎然的环境。



格泰巴央巴刹停车场外墙进行美化，瞬间焕然一新。（图：星洲日报）

开斋节前完成彩绘壁画

她透露，市政厅也授权给有意参与美化计划的团体或组织在市政厅的建筑物进行美化，最近格泰巴央巴刹的停车场就完成了美化工作，停车场外墙涂上不同的颜色，还有以登州传统手工艺术为主题的壁画，让整座停车场焕然一新。

她说，目前正要进行的美化计划就是在孟莪路（Jalan Banggol）13间商店的外墙彩绘壁画，5名本地画家将在这个星期开始彩绘工作，预计在开斋节之前完工。

“我们很庆幸获得热心企业及商家的赞助，他们履行社会责任，赞助我们这项计划需要用到的漆料及鹰架等，登嘉楼中华总商会也协助处理赞助画家酬劳的事宜，让这项计划得以顺利进行。”

她说，画家将在13间商店的外墙彩绘具有登州特色的壁画，当中包括海龟、制作峇迪、表演马来武术、木工雕刻、放风筝（wau）及传统马来舞蹈等。

“我们希望孟莪路商店的壁画完成后，不但可以带来新气象，也可以让游客通过这些壁画认识登州的文化及特色。”

此外，她表示，市民若对于城市美化有任何建议或看法，可以向她提出，以便她能够收集的意见，在市政厅会议时提呈及讨论。

“这座城市是大家的，我希望大家可以共同参与，一起让这座城市变得更好、更有魅力。”



瓜登市政厅置放在街头的装置点缀瓜登市景。（图：星洲日报）



雨盖行人道的柱子色彩缤纷，为城市添增美感。（图：星洲日报）

文章来源： 星洲日报·东海岸·2017.05.28

登州美食海外飘香．达岗饭明年销澳洲

登州美食海外飘香．达岗饭明年销澳洲

登州政府计划明年中把登州传统美食“达岗饭”（Nasi Dagang）出口至澳洲，除了让在当地生活及求学的登州子民品尝道地家乡味解乡愁，也把这道美食介绍给当地人。



冷冻包装达岗饭将在明年中出口至澳洲，只要放进微波炉热一热，就可以吃到原汁原味的达岗饭。（图：星洲日报）

登州政府计划明年中把登州传统美食“达岗饭”（Nasi Dagang）出口至澳洲，除了让在当地生活及求学的登州子民品尝道地家乡味解乡愁，也把这道美食介绍给当地人。

登州旅游局局长顿阿末法依沙在文告中表示，登州大臣拿督斯里阿末拉兹夫希望把登州道地美食打造成一项旅游产品，因此希望可以把登州企业发展机构推出的冷冻包装“达岗饭”带到澳洲。

他说，在澳洲生活及求学的马来西亚，尤其是登州学生可以把这道登州美食介绍给当地人品尝，顺带介绍登州的旅游景点及其他美食，以吸引他们到登州观光。

他说，州政府选择把冷冻包装的达岗饭出口至国外，因为大家一提起登州美食，第一样想到的绝对离不开达岗饭。

“不管我们去到什么地方，只要一提起登州，人家就会说‘达岗饭’。”

他说，除了冷冻达岗饭，州政府也建议把多道登州美食出口至国外，不过有关食物的研究工作正进行中，以保证冷冻包装不影响食物的素质。

文章来源：
星洲日報／东海岸‧2017.05.13

Hot, dry days until September

Hot, dry days until September

The southwest monsoon has brought with it hotter and drier weather to peninsular Ma­­laysia and Sarawak.

Malaysian Meteorological Depart­ment (MetMalaysia) director-general Alui Bahari said the monsoon season started yesterday.

He said the southwest monsoon came after the end of the inter-monsoon period which brought heavy rains to the peninsula last month.

The monsoon is expected to last until September.

“Generally, during the southwest monsoon, the country will experience lower rainfall in the peninsula and Sarawak,” Alui said in an email.

He said there would be more dry days ahead than wet ones in these two areas during this period.

“But Sabah will receive more rain than other states” he added.

According to the MetMalaysia website, there are four seasons in Malaysia - the southwest monsoon (May to September), northeast monsoon (early November to March), and two inter-monsoon seasons in between.

Rain is only expected to return in October during the next inter-monsoon period.

The northeast monsoon will bring heavy rain to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, west Sarawak and the northeast of Sabah.

Meanwhile, to escape the hot weather, more people have been seeking shelter in shopping malls

Malaysia Shopping Malls Asso­ciation adviser HC Chan said families would spend more time in malls when the weather got hotter.

“They will have many options in­­clu­­ding going to the restaurants and shops to escape the heat,” he said.

Chan said since the hot spell began recently, there has been a 10% increase in the number of visitors to shopping malls in the Klang Valley.

~News courtesy of The Star~

结构简单具中国风．甘榜忠新牌楼竣工

登中总：结构简单具中国风．甘榜忠新牌楼竣工

登嘉楼中华总商会配合唐人坡合作社及唐人坡行动小组向州政府争取的唐人街新牌楼落成，具有中华传统文化特色的牌楼成为唐人街新地标。



位于甘榜忠的新牌楼设计简单，不过带有中国风，并设有电子屏幕播放登州旅游宣传片。（图：星洲日报）

登嘉楼中华总商会配合唐人坡合作社及唐人坡行动小组向州政府争取的唐人街新牌楼落成，具有中华传统文化特色的牌楼成为唐人街新地标。

登中总会长刘保章向星洲日报表示，登中总配合唐人坡合作社及唐人坡行动小组在去年成功向州政府争取到在唐人街兴建两座新牌楼，一座位于甘榜忠，另外一座则位于唐人街街尾，即靠近巴央纪念巷的地段。

牌楼装饰分段进行

他说，位于甘榜忠的新牌楼已经完工，兴建整座牌楼的主体结构花了约20万令吉，牌楼的装饰则会分阶段进行，整座牌楼的经费约40万令吉。

他表示，相比登嘉楼中华大会堂位于唐人街街头的双龙戏珠牌楼，甘榜忠的牌楼主体结构简单一点，不过带有中国风，同时装有电子屏幕，播放登州旅游宣传片，向游客宣传2017年登州旅游年。

他透露，两座牌楼的经费部份由州政府出资，部份则由私人企业赞助，以政府与私人企业合作模式把两座新牌楼建起来。

他说，完成了甘榜忠的牌楼，他们接下来将着手处理唐人街街尾牌楼兴建事宜，希望登华堂街头牌楼加上两座新牌楼，可以勾划出唐人街的地域。

“我们希望三座中式牌楼形成登州唐人街的鲜明特色，让登州唐人街与其他地方的唐人街有所不同，成为独特旅游景点。”

文章来源：
星洲日报‧东海岸

大臣：载来游客 开拓登直飞柔航线

大臣：载来游客 开拓登直飞柔航线

登州政府将配合亚航，在今年斋戒月前开拓由瓜登直飞柔佛州航线，鼓励非穆斯林游客趁著斋戒月到登州观光。

登州大臣拿督斯里阿末拉昔夫指出，双方洽谈大致上已达致共识，目前仅欠签署相关合约，亦待商讨每周航班的班次等问题。

他说，双方将于近期进行签署合约仪式，并在斋戒月前投入运作，鼓励非穆斯林前来观光。

将开拓直飞中国航线

“穆斯林在斋戒月也许没有兴致旅游，但可以将目标锁定来自柔佛州甚至新加坡的非穆斯林游客。”

他昨晚为登嘉楼海南会馆主办的“2017年第6届妈祖海陆巡幸暨1057千秋宝诞”，妈祖陆上游行活动主持开幕礼后，向媒体这么说。

同时，他披露，州政府也将开拓由瓜登直飞中国深圳的航线，初步计划暂定每周三趟，以拓展中国游客市场。

他指出，配合直飞中国航线，州政府已着手装修坐落在可代峇扬巴 刹对面的华丽沙广场，以开设一家华人清真餐馆。

他说，该餐馆将推出45道源自中国的原汁原味道地菜式，也适合本地穆斯林品尝。

此外，他说，州政府目前也正洽商开拓更多直飞航线，以吸引更多游客到访登州，从中推广登访旅游业发展。

出席者有登嘉楼海南会馆会长邢福川及筹委会主席祝铭诚。

重点发展金三角

配合积极推广登州旅游业发展，州政府将重点发展唐人街周边的金三角旅游区。

阿末拉昔夫指出，金三角将锁定唐人街、可代峇扬巴刹、华丽山广场加上华丽沙岛区，以多元文化及河畔遗迹为旅游概念，也让地方人民及商家从中受惠。

他已指示登州旅游局加速成立登州文化理事会，安排在瓜登市各休闲区包括峇都布洛、港务局广场及华丽山广场等地点，每周呈献文化演出活动。

“文化理事会不只着重于马来文化，也将涵盖各族人民包括原著民的文化精髓。”

他说，由敦法依沙领导的文化理事会，将召集地方非政府组织，包括唐人街的民间组织，听取民意并共商有利的发展方向。

此外，他指出，州政府将唐人街商民提供漆油，为唐人街的建筑物进行重新髹漆工作。

他说，髹漆计划的细节如选色等问题将交由瓜登市政厅负责协调，确保达致美化唐人街目的。

同时，他也指示伊斯兰文明主题公园安排每周六游船河活动，唐人街的登船点及沿河一带将添加灯饰，让游客观赏灯火通明的河畔美景。

他说，游船河活动将于本周六开始，当局将视人民反应及需求安排增加班次。

~中国报~

女游客在热浪岛停泊岛被奸？ 警：没有的事别乱传！

女游客在热浪岛停泊岛被奸？ 警：没有的事别乱传！

登州警方今日否认接获女游客在热浪岛或停泊岛，遭强奸或非礼的传闻。

勿述警区主任莫哈末占里警监指出，警方迄今仍未接获任何来自本地或国外的游客，针对类似事件作出的相关投报。

“只有去年接获一名伊班裔女郎投报，指遭停泊岛一名船伕强奸。经过深入调查后，发现并非属实，因为该名女郎并无确凿证据。”

有鉴于此，他呼吁游客尤其是欲前往停泊岛度假的女性游客放心，切勿遭不确实传闻影响游兴。

登州旅游及文化委员会副主席东姑再汉也否认，登州著名的旅游海岛上发生有关事件的传闻。

“若真有其事，事主早已向警方投报。”

他说，警方应针对有关传闻的源头展开调查，因为这将严重打击登州旅游业。

国阵峇都拉吉区州议员峇兹兰阿都拉曼指出，不能故乱对船伕作出指控，因为大部分船伕都是本地人。

“难道他们会做出自断饭碗的事吗？这是非常不合理的说法。”

“Oh Bulan”网站转贴一名女网民贴文，内容指穿着性感的女性外国游客屡次成为本地游船船伕目标，轻而易举就被药物迷惑，尔后任人鱼肉，成为非礼及强奸事件的受害者。

贴文指出，受害者是在身上涂上“加料”防晒乳液，或喝下由船伕提供的加料饮料后中招，最后在迷迷糊糊之际任人为所欲为。

~以上新闻转自中国报~

苏丹：东海岸铁道计划下 登州发展有望转型

苏丹：东海岸铁道计划下 登州发展有望转型

登州苏丹米占再纳阿比丁殿下深信，将于2017年启建的东海岸铁道计划（ECRL），将直接让登州人民从中受惠。

殿下说，尾随东海岸铁道计划而来的长期正面经济冲击，将为登州发展带来重大转型契机。

“这并非一朝一夕间仓促决定，而是经过周详策划，东海岸经济特区发展中心也在2010至2015年间深入研究这项计划的潜能。”

殿下今日为登州第13届第5季州立法议会发表开幕御词时这么说。

殿下指出，该计划的承建工程是由隶属财政部的大马衔接铁道公司（MRL）负责，将兴建的铁轨全长600公里。

“由雪兰莪州的鹅唛开始，途经彭亨和登嘉楼州，直达吉兰丹州的华卡峇鲁，其中包括建在登州的铁轨长达234公里。”

殿下相信，该项非常适中的基本设备计划，将直接惠及州内人民。

赞同发展旅游业

殿下说，预料将于今年7月动工的东海岸铁道计划工程，若进度理想将于2024年全面落成，登州的停驻站将分别建立在甘马挽县的朱盖和甘马仕、龙运、彭加兰柏冷岸、瓜拉得乐蒙、瓜登、柏娜丽及甘榜拉惹。

此外，殿下认同州政府致力发展旅游业的计划，因为长远计可取代石油及天然气作为登州主要收入来源的地位。

殿下呼吁各造同心协力促成2017登州旅游年，除了强调为游客提供最佳服务，对于环境卫生和景点的安全也不可掉以轻心。

~以上新闻转自中国报~

All airports are safe, says Liow

All airports are safe, says Liow

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has assured Malaysians that airports in the country are safe following tight security.

 "The airports are safe, and we will we will continue to strengthen our security," he told reporters after the launch of the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Centre for Social and Policy Studies at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Sungai Long Campus).

This follows the Feb 13 murder of Kim Jong-nam at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2).

The 45-year-old half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was killed at KLIA2 when two women swiped his face with a liquid. 

The liquid has since been identified as the deadly nerve agent VX, a banned chemical weapon of mass destruction.

The airport was declared cleared of any trace of the VX nerve agent after a sweep by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB), the Fire and Rescue Department and police early Sunday.

~News courtesy of The Star~

企业家报效经费 唐人街建第三座牌楼

企业家报效经费 唐人街建第三座牌楼



瓜登唐人街第二座牌楼，正如火如荼兴建中。

获大企业家报效经费，唐人街将增建第三座牌楼，成为另一个具代表性的文化地标。

登嘉楼中华大会堂会长陈明山指出，暂不具名的大企业家，已同意全数报效在唐人街增建一座全新牌楼的费用，地点为由可代峇扬巴刹进入唐人街的入口处。

他说，由登华堂主导的牌楼工程，需要获得州政府及瓜登市政厅的认同及批准。

打造旅游景点

“由于经费来源已有着落，加上州政府也打算重点发展唐人街成为旅游景点，相信申请获批不成问题。”

他与多位理事一起宣布好消息，也是其中一项配合第34届全国华人文化节的重点计划。

他指出，增建牌楼工程将被列为登华堂近日成立，由财政张顺明领导的“瓜登唐人街发展小组”的其中一项发展计划。

“我们将在发展小组内讨论增建牌楼工程，也构思牌楼的设计。”

他说，目前牌楼尚未议决建筑设计，将与全国华人文化节筹备工作同步进行。

他希望能配合全国华人文化节，为兴建新牌楼工程进行动土礼。

唐人街首座充满古色古香文化设计的牌楼，建于19年前，目前已成为主要地标，第二座竖立在甘榜忠通往唐人街路段的牌楼，建筑工程正如火如荼进行中。

出席者有登华堂总务伍步雷、财政张顺明、妇女组主席督潘林薏华及登华青团长黎慧伶。

~以上新闻转自中国报~

唐人坡路不平积水 车过水溅．影响市容

唐人坡路不平积水 车过水溅．影响市容



翁秀秀（左）向唐人坡商家洪秀英了解情况。

唐人坡路面不平，每逢雨天引发积水问题，造成商民诸多不便。

瓜登市议员翁秀秀接获商家投诉，尤其是针对牌楼附近一带的路面情况，除了车辆驶过道致积水四溅，亦影响市容。

她说，唐人坡牌楼下的道路欠平坦，每逢下雨便出现积水问题，附近一带商家对此不满。

她说，每逢下雨道路便积水，引致很多不便，也让唐人坡看起来显得邋遢、不干净。

工程公司应承担责任

“我二度亲往现场视察，实地了解状况和寻求解决方案。”

她说，经过向瓜登市长反映，并由市议会和相关承包商商讨对策，得出先前的工程公司应承担起有关社会责任的结论。

“承包商负责修复凹凸不平的路面部分，我对于他们的专业和职业道德感到欣慰。”

她认为，相关承包商愿承担责任，是社会应有的一种道德意识形态，也是对社会作出贡献。

她希望众人能有效推行类似社会责任，让整个市区更趋完善。

~以上新闻转自中国报~

路面淹水．禁车通行 登3县8道路关闭

路面淹水．禁车通行 登3县8道路关闭

登州3县8条道路因路面淹水，今早开始被迫关闭。

登州天灾管理委员会秘书仄阿当说，乌鲁登嘉楼县共有4条道路自今早10时开始禁止车辆通行，包括阿灵路（Jalan Aring）往瓜拉遮尼利（Kuala Jeneris）水高0.5公尺、甘榜哥巴的打巴路水高0.5公尺、马当路往瓜拉德乐孟水高0.7公尺、瓜拉布依（Kuala Pueh）往打巴、峇央卡佑、峇翁及瓜拉冰（Kuala Ping）路段水高0.8公尺。

“至于武吉柏拉（Bukit Perah）往瓜拉葛吉（Kuala Kejir）的路段也因水高0.5公尺，暂时禁止轻型交通工具通行。”

马樟、马江下午退水

他说，士兆县有2条道路也禁止轻型车辆通车，包括孟卡兰墨保往柏龙（Pelong）水高0.8公尺，已于今早9时30分关闭、武吉布特的查乐路往德拉加巴班水高0.6公尺，自今早11时关闭。

“通往乌鲁勿述的主要道路，即日底往巴昔阿卡及可鲁亚（Keruak）的道路水高0.5公尺，自中午时段开始禁止轻型车辆通车。”

仄阿当也是登州民防队主任，促请民众须使用交替道路前往目的地。

他说，通往彭州及丹州的主要道路，目前还可以通车，包括使用东海岸大道及第2东海岸大道。

“马樟、马江的部分沿海道路今早淹水，但下午时段已迅速退水。”

~以上新闻转自中国报~

Happy New Year 2017 新年快乐

路面淹水．禁车通行 登3县8道路关闭

路面淹水．禁车通行 登3县8道路关闭

登州3县8条道路因路面淹水，今早开始被迫关闭。

登州天灾管理委员会秘书仄阿当说，乌鲁登嘉楼县共有4条道路自今早10时开始禁止车辆通行，包括阿灵路（Jalan Aring）往瓜拉遮尼利（Kuala Jeneris）水高0.5公尺、甘榜哥巴的打巴路水高0.5公尺、马当路往瓜拉德乐孟水高0.7公尺、瓜拉布依（Kuala Pueh）往打巴、峇央卡佑、峇翁及瓜拉冰（Kuala Ping）路段水高0.8公尺。

“至于武吉柏拉（Bukit Perah）往瓜拉葛吉（Kuala Kejir）的路段也因水高0.5公尺，暂时禁止轻型交通工具通行。”

马樟、马江下午退水

他说，士兆县有2条道路也禁止轻型车辆通车，包括孟卡兰墨保往柏龙（Pelong）水高0.8公尺，已于今早9时30分关闭、武吉布特的查乐路往德拉加巴班水高0.6公尺，自今早11时关闭。

“通往乌鲁勿述的主要道路，即日底往巴昔阿卡及可鲁亚（Keruak）的道路水高0.5公尺，自中午时段开始禁止轻型车辆通车。”

仄阿当也是登州民防队主任，促请民众须使用交替道路前往目的地。

他说，通往彭州及丹州的主要道路，目前还可以通车，包括使用东海岸大道及第2东海岸大道。

“马樟、马江的部分沿海道路今早淹水，但下午时段已迅速退水。”

~以上新闻转自中国报~