Erosion watch at Bukit Larut
By Christina Koh
Tuesday July 28, 2009
The Perak Government will direct the developer of the Tea Garden Restaurant project on Bukit Larut in Taiping to take precautionary measures to prevent severe erosion.
State Health, Local Government, Consumer Affairs, Environment, Public Transportation and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the developer was now clearing the land for the project’s septic tank system.
He told reporters after a recent inspection of the project site 636m above sea level that the state would ensure that the developer planted grass cover once the clearing was done.
He said the Department of Environment would monitor the situation.
Dr Mah said this following complaints that Bukit Larut, a popular tourist destination and sensitive water catchment area, was apparently being threatened by erosion and indiscriminate dumping of rubbish.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wedding Reception in Cameron Highlands
Draw tourists to hold nuptials here
Sunday July 26, 2009
I wish to add some suggestions on ways we can attract more Chinese tourists to our shores in response to "Yen Yen ramps up tourism promo in China," (The Star, July 21).
Weddings, to the Chinese, are a big do.
Tourism Malaysia can promote "Made-in-Malaysia Wedding" packages or wedding tourism in its effort to attract one million tourists from China this year.
The Chinese, whether in Malaysia or China, look at nuptials as the most magical moment in their life and would spend their life savings for that very special occasion.
And with the world getting closer and closer today, weddings can be held just about anywhere you wish.
Weddings, as they say, are made in heaven, and Malaysia has plenty of heavenly places such as Penang, Langkawi, Redang or Tioman which are suitable for wedding and honeymoon destinations.
Sunday July 26, 2009
I wish to add some suggestions on ways we can attract more Chinese tourists to our shores in response to "Yen Yen ramps up tourism promo in China," (The Star, July 21).
Weddings, to the Chinese, are a big do.
Tourism Malaysia can promote "Made-in-Malaysia Wedding" packages or wedding tourism in its effort to attract one million tourists from China this year.
The Chinese, whether in Malaysia or China, look at nuptials as the most magical moment in their life and would spend their life savings for that very special occasion.
And with the world getting closer and closer today, weddings can be held just about anywhere you wish.
Weddings, as they say, are made in heaven, and Malaysia has plenty of heavenly places such as Penang, Langkawi, Redang or Tioman which are suitable for wedding and honeymoon destinations.
Friday, July 24, 2009
New Accommodation in Bukit Larut
A cosy slumber up a hill
Friday July 24, 2009
Bukit Larut, one of Perak's famed tourist destinations, is set to welcome more visitors looking to stay overnight on the hilltop in Taiping.
A spanking new two-storey hostel capable of housing 70 visitors with relative comfort is set to be completed there by end of August. It will boast dormitories, guests rooms, four hotel-like executive rooms, a cafeteria, meeting rooms and a recreational room.
Perak Tourism Action Council general manager Rahmad Ithnin said the RM3.7mil hostel was an addition to the existing six hill-top bungalows managed by the district office.
"We will be able to accommodate more backpackers, tourists and groups of students at the hilltop," he said during a visit to the hill recently.
The Tourism Ministry and state government have been working to upgrade infrastructure at the 1,036m-high Bukit Larut, or Maxwell Hill as it is still fondly known.
Friday July 24, 2009
Bukit Larut, one of Perak's famed tourist destinations, is set to welcome more visitors looking to stay overnight on the hilltop in Taiping.
A spanking new two-storey hostel capable of housing 70 visitors with relative comfort is set to be completed there by end of August. It will boast dormitories, guests rooms, four hotel-like executive rooms, a cafeteria, meeting rooms and a recreational room.
Jeeps waiting to take visitors down from the top of Bukit Larut in Taiping, Perak.
Perak Tourism Action Council general manager Rahmad Ithnin said the RM3.7mil hostel was an addition to the existing six hill-top bungalows managed by the district office.
"We will be able to accommodate more backpackers, tourists and groups of students at the hilltop," he said during a visit to the hill recently.
The Tourism Ministry and state government have been working to upgrade infrastructure at the 1,036m-high Bukit Larut, or Maxwell Hill as it is still fondly known.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Clean up of Cameron Highlands tourist spots
We need to clean up our act at tourist spots
Tuesday July 14, 2009
I was in Cameron Highlands recently and the weather was refreshingly nice - cool and breezy. There were many foreigners there, which goes to show that Cameron Highlands still manages to draw the tourists inspite of the rapid developments that go on at the resort.
However, what upsets me is the rubbish that people throw on the streets and into the rivers.
Take a trip to Parit Falls, for instance, and the stench of the rubbish in the water hits you immediately.
Why doesn’t Majlis Perbandaran Cameron Highlands clean it up instead of allowing it to float on the water for days. I was there for four days and by the time I left, it was still there.
Then, there are the dirty toilets.
Even at Mardi’s agriculture park, maintenance of public toilets is below par altough entrance fee is charged.
Malaysia has numerous beautiful destinations. However, we fail in maintaing these areas nor do we keep them clean.
Alan Yu Toh Bing
Shah Alam, Selangor.
-- Star News Opinion
Tuesday July 14, 2009
I was in Cameron Highlands recently and the weather was refreshingly nice - cool and breezy. There were many foreigners there, which goes to show that Cameron Highlands still manages to draw the tourists inspite of the rapid developments that go on at the resort.
However, what upsets me is the rubbish that people throw on the streets and into the rivers.
Take a trip to Parit Falls, for instance, and the stench of the rubbish in the water hits you immediately.
Why doesn’t Majlis Perbandaran Cameron Highlands clean it up instead of allowing it to float on the water for days. I was there for four days and by the time I left, it was still there.
Then, there are the dirty toilets.
Even at Mardi’s agriculture park, maintenance of public toilets is below par altough entrance fee is charged.
Malaysia has numerous beautiful destinations. However, we fail in maintaing these areas nor do we keep them clean.
Alan Yu Toh Bing
Shah Alam, Selangor.
-- Star News Opinion
Monday, July 13, 2009
Birds moving up to beat heat
Birds moving up to beat heat
Monday July 13, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR: More lowland birds are flying off to live in the highlands and this is an indicator of deforestation and climate change.
Consultant naturalist on birds, wildlife and bio-diversity Mike Chong said birds such as magpie robins (burung murai) and spotted doves which normally lived in lowlands and valleys were seen in Cameron Highlands recently.
"Such birds have been spotted in the highlands such as Genting Highlands and Fraser’s Hill and this shows a change in climate pattern and a disturbance in the environment," he said during the Zoo Negara Birdathon 2009 here yesterday.
Chong said temperatures in mountain forests had also increased due to global warming, which had allowed lowland birds to adapt easily to their new habitat.
Monday July 13, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR: More lowland birds are flying off to live in the highlands and this is an indicator of deforestation and climate change.
Consultant naturalist on birds, wildlife and bio-diversity Mike Chong said birds such as magpie robins (burung murai) and spotted doves which normally lived in lowlands and valleys were seen in Cameron Highlands recently.
"Such birds have been spotted in the highlands such as Genting Highlands and Fraser’s Hill and this shows a change in climate pattern and a disturbance in the environment," he said during the Zoo Negara Birdathon 2009 here yesterday.
Chong said temperatures in mountain forests had also increased due to global warming, which had allowed lowland birds to adapt easily to their new habitat.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Cameron Highlands Strawberries
RM70 Million Worth Of Strawberries A Year From Cameron Highlands
July 12, 2009
CAMERON HIGHLANDS, July 12 (Bernama) -- The 30 hectares of land in Cameron Highlands grown with strawberries is capable of producing RM70 million worth of the fruit each year.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Johari Baharum said the achievement was due to the proactive measures taken by the ministry to ensure that the quality of strawberries produced here was on par with that of imported strawberries.
"If previously the strawberries grown here were smaller and rather sour, now they are bigger, sweet and more delicious.
"Because of their better quality, the fruit has begun to be exported to Singapore," he said after the launching of the "One District, One Industry" programme, here, Sunday.
Johari said the strawberry industry would grow more rapidly through downstream activities like producing strawberry jam, pickled and candied strawberries, strawberry ice-cream, dried strawberries, and strawberry-flavoured tea and cordial.
He said the strawberry industry should be encouraged and given serious attention as it could help raise the income of local residents.
-- Bernama
July 12, 2009
CAMERON HIGHLANDS, July 12 (Bernama) -- The 30 hectares of land in Cameron Highlands grown with strawberries is capable of producing RM70 million worth of the fruit each year.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Johari Baharum said the achievement was due to the proactive measures taken by the ministry to ensure that the quality of strawberries produced here was on par with that of imported strawberries.
"If previously the strawberries grown here were smaller and rather sour, now they are bigger, sweet and more delicious.
"Because of their better quality, the fruit has begun to be exported to Singapore," he said after the launching of the "One District, One Industry" programme, here, Sunday.
Johari said the strawberry industry would grow more rapidly through downstream activities like producing strawberry jam, pickled and candied strawberries, strawberry ice-cream, dried strawberries, and strawberry-flavoured tea and cordial.
He said the strawberry industry should be encouraged and given serious attention as it could help raise the income of local residents.
-- Bernama
Friday, June 19, 2009
Charity sponsorship to climb Gunung Brinchang
17 organisations taking part in charity project to raise RM500,000
By Jade Chan and Keisha Tait
Friday June 19, 2009
The theme "Being Adventurous Can Help The Less Fortunate" sets the stage for "Rock the Mountain for Charity", a project that aims to raise funds while getting participants involved in a healthy activity.
The project, organised by the Nanyang Press Foundation, targets to raise at least RM500,000.
Funds will be raised via collection cards, campaigns at education institutions and sponsorships.
Seventeen organisations have confirmed their participation thus far, including Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Help University College, Life College, Tunku Abdul Rahman College, Advance Tertiary College (ATC) School of Law, Help International College of Technology, Beaconhouse Malaysia Sdn Bhd, PT Foundation and Assunta Hospital.
Fifty per cent of the funds will be distributed to the participating education institutions or organisations for their own activities, 40% to charities recommended by the organisations (subject to approval by the foundation board) and 10% to the foundation for the sponsorship to climb Bukit Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.
By Jade Chan and Keisha Tait
Friday June 19, 2009
The theme "Being Adventurous Can Help The Less Fortunate" sets the stage for "Rock the Mountain for Charity", a project that aims to raise funds while getting participants involved in a healthy activity.
The project, organised by the Nanyang Press Foundation, targets to raise at least RM500,000.
Funds will be raised via collection cards, campaigns at education institutions and sponsorships.
Seventeen organisations have confirmed their participation thus far, including Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Help University College, Life College, Tunku Abdul Rahman College, Advance Tertiary College (ATC) School of Law, Help International College of Technology, Beaconhouse Malaysia Sdn Bhd, PT Foundation and Assunta Hospital.
Fifty per cent of the funds will be distributed to the participating education institutions or organisations for their own activities, 40% to charities recommended by the organisations (subject to approval by the foundation board) and 10% to the foundation for the sponsorship to climb Bukit Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Strict rules for Tourism Malaysia Homestay
Strict rules for homestays to ensure true Malaysian experience
Tuesday June 9, 2009
Kota Kinabalu: Homestay operators will have to follow a set of strict guidelines to ensure visitors will get the real experience of local living.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said all homestay operators must occupy and cannot rent out a house to tourists under the homestay concept.
She said the operators must interact with their guests, teach them at least one local song and dance, and a special local delicacy so that tourists would get the real taste of the Malaysian experience.
"There are many tourists who want to experience more of Malaysians' lives than having just a leisure and recreation visit," Dr Ng told reporters on her first official working visit to Sabah where state officials gave her a briefing on tourism.
Tuesday June 9, 2009
Kota Kinabalu: Homestay operators will have to follow a set of strict guidelines to ensure visitors will get the real experience of local living.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said all homestay operators must occupy and cannot rent out a house to tourists under the homestay concept.
She said the operators must interact with their guests, teach them at least one local song and dance, and a special local delicacy so that tourists would get the real taste of the Malaysian experience.
"There are many tourists who want to experience more of Malaysians' lives than having just a leisure and recreation visit," Dr Ng told reporters on her first official working visit to Sabah where state officials gave her a briefing on tourism.
Photography competition in Genting Highlands
Photography competition in Genting Highlands draws 1,328 entries
Tuesday June 9, 2009
THE Genting Goes Green Flora and Fauna Photography Competition drew tremendous response.
A total of 1,328 entries were received for the competition, which was organised by Genting – City of Entertainment, and supported by Alfa International College, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Society of Photographers – Malaysia (SPM).
The sponsors for the competition included Star Cruises and Awana Hotels & Resorts and Fujifilm as the official imaging sponsor.
The competition was launched on March 1 and ended in mid-May.
The professional and aspiring young photographers who captured the 34 shots that were judged winners received their prizes at a ceremony held at Times Square, First World Plaza in Genting Highlands recently.
Colouful caterpillar: Fauna Student category third prize photo by Lim Jun Yong.
Tuesday June 9, 2009
THE Genting Goes Green Flora and Fauna Photography Competition drew tremendous response.
A total of 1,328 entries were received for the competition, which was organised by Genting – City of Entertainment, and supported by Alfa International College, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Society of Photographers – Malaysia (SPM).
The sponsors for the competition included Star Cruises and Awana Hotels & Resorts and Fujifilm as the official imaging sponsor.
The competition was launched on March 1 and ended in mid-May.
The professional and aspiring young photographers who captured the 34 shots that were judged winners received their prizes at a ceremony held at Times Square, First World Plaza in Genting Highlands recently.
Colouful caterpillar: Fauna Student category third prize photo by Lim Jun Yong.Saturday, June 06, 2009
Kuala Kubu Baru Hiking
The Kutu challenge
Stories by Joleen LunJew
Saturday June 6, 2009
A day’s hike up Bukit Kutu in Kuala Kubu Baru will leave you exhausted, but happy.
A mountain a day to keep the doctor away? It’s just something I made up but having been sitting on my laurels for the past few months, I was beginning to feel a bit sluggish.
I jumped at the chance of heading to Bukit Kutu, Kuala Kubu Baru, when a friend posted the suggestion on Facebook. It’s so difficult to find like-minded people to climb with and I wasn’t too keen on joining big, organised groups.
Stories by Joleen LunJew
Saturday June 6, 2009
A day’s hike up Bukit Kutu in Kuala Kubu Baru will leave you exhausted, but happy.
A mountain a day to keep the doctor away? It’s just something I made up but having been sitting on my laurels for the past few months, I was beginning to feel a bit sluggish.
I jumped at the chance of heading to Bukit Kutu, Kuala Kubu Baru, when a friend posted the suggestion on Facebook. It’s so difficult to find like-minded people to climb with and I wasn’t too keen on joining big, organised groups.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Google Maps to feature Pahang travel destinations
Google Maps to feature Pahang destinations
By Roslina Mohamad
Wednesday June 3, 2009
Kuantan: Pahang is set to become the first state to use Google Maps to post tourist travel destinations and packages.
State Tourism Malaysia, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Shafiq Fauzan Sharif said a Kuala Lumpur-based company had signed a deal with Google and its website was expected to be ready in a month.
"At least 50 tourist travel destinations in Pahang will be posted on the website in four languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Japanese.
By Roslina Mohamad
Wednesday June 3, 2009
Kuantan: Pahang is set to become the first state to use Google Maps to post tourist travel destinations and packages.
State Tourism Malaysia, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Shafiq Fauzan Sharif said a Kuala Lumpur-based company had signed a deal with Google and its website was expected to be ready in a month.
"At least 50 tourist travel destinations in Pahang will be posted on the website in four languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Japanese.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Agro Tourism Malaysia food supply chain
College students get insight into food supply chain
By Alicia Mun
Tuesday June 2, 2009
TAYLOR’S School of Hospitality and Tourism (TCHT) students went up to Cameron Highlands for a tour of the Consolidation, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) of Malaysian Agrifood Corporation Berhad (MAFC) recently.
At the CPPC, they learnt about the food supply chain system that brings fruits and vegetables from the farms to retail outlets.
Giant marketing director Ho Mun Hao showed the students how tomatoes were sorted according to colour using a machine which has a built-in camera that captures the colour of the tomatoes to determine their ripeness. It also grades the tomatoes based on their weight. The machine is capable of processing up to four tomatoes per second.
By Alicia Mun
Tuesday June 2, 2009
TAYLOR’S School of Hospitality and Tourism (TCHT) students went up to Cameron Highlands for a tour of the Consolidation, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) of Malaysian Agrifood Corporation Berhad (MAFC) recently.
At the CPPC, they learnt about the food supply chain system that brings fruits and vegetables from the farms to retail outlets.
Giant marketing director Ho Mun Hao showed the students how tomatoes were sorted according to colour using a machine which has a built-in camera that captures the colour of the tomatoes to determine their ripeness. It also grades the tomatoes based on their weight. The machine is capable of processing up to four tomatoes per second.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Leave our hills alone
LURE of the hills (Culture Cul De Sac, Vestibule, StarMag, May 10) was an excellent read. It reminded me that places like Penang Hill, Maxwell Hill, Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands were once famous, but are now ruined by over-building.
These are historical sites and part and parcel of our heritage. Among the four hills, Cameron Highlands has lost its shine for good and it can’t be salvaged. Hopefully, nature lovers will ensure the remaining three hills retain their old charms and historical buildings.
Two months ago, Human Resources Deputy Minister Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan said that only nature lovers now visit Fraser’s Hill. Now what is wrong with that? That was the second time she made such a comment; the first was in 2008 when she was chairman of the Fraser’s Hill Development Board.
These are historical sites and part and parcel of our heritage. Among the four hills, Cameron Highlands has lost its shine for good and it can’t be salvaged. Hopefully, nature lovers will ensure the remaining three hills retain their old charms and historical buildings.
Two months ago, Human Resources Deputy Minister Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan said that only nature lovers now visit Fraser’s Hill. Now what is wrong with that? That was the second time she made such a comment; the first was in 2008 when she was chairman of the Fraser’s Hill Development Board.
Weathering the Malaysian hot spell
Weathering the hot spell
Sunday May 17, 2009
The hot weather has been a cause of distress to Malaysians in the past few weeks but the Meteorological Department does not expect conditions to be as scorching and dry during the same period last year.
THE obvious "hot" topic of conversation amongst many Malaysians is the sweltering weather over the past month.
Those affected by the heat have resorted to various means and measures to cool themselves down. Some are getting under the showers frequently or hitting the swimming pool more often. There are those who have even resorted to shaving off their hair.
Many Malaysians are also turning to air-conditioners for respite from the heat.
Sunday May 17, 2009
The hot weather has been a cause of distress to Malaysians in the past few weeks but the Meteorological Department does not expect conditions to be as scorching and dry during the same period last year.
THE obvious "hot" topic of conversation amongst many Malaysians is the sweltering weather over the past month.
Those affected by the heat have resorted to various means and measures to cool themselves down. Some are getting under the showers frequently or hitting the swimming pool more often. There are those who have even resorted to shaving off their hair.
Many Malaysians are also turning to air-conditioners for respite from the heat.
L-theanine extract from tea
May 17, 2009
This looks interesting, L-theanine is an extract from tea and these people want to use it for energy drink? Sometimes extract works sometimes it doesn't. Will have to see how this goes.
L-theanine: New drinks promise focus, but more research attention needed
Energy-drink firms find an extract that promises to improve concentration
By Shari Roan | Tribune Newspapers
May 17, 2009
Loaded with caffeine and taurine to stimulate the central nervous system, energy drinks have become the go-to solution when you need a quick, energizing pick-me-up.
But sometimes energy isn't what you need. Concentration and attention can start to fade in the face of those midafternoon doldrums and a host of distractions. Something to enhance focus would do the trick.
Some beverage manufacturers say they have just the solution. They're touting a new kind of drink that emphasizes focus over ferocity. The key substance is the amino acid L-theanine, which preliminary research suggests might calm the brain to enhance concentration and mental stamina.
This looks interesting, L-theanine is an extract from tea and these people want to use it for energy drink? Sometimes extract works sometimes it doesn't. Will have to see how this goes.
L-theanine: New drinks promise focus, but more research attention needed
Energy-drink firms find an extract that promises to improve concentration
By Shari Roan | Tribune Newspapers
May 17, 2009
Loaded with caffeine and taurine to stimulate the central nervous system, energy drinks have become the go-to solution when you need a quick, energizing pick-me-up.
But sometimes energy isn't what you need. Concentration and attention can start to fade in the face of those midafternoon doldrums and a host of distractions. Something to enhance focus would do the trick.
Some beverage manufacturers say they have just the solution. They're touting a new kind of drink that emphasizes focus over ferocity. The key substance is the amino acid L-theanine, which preliminary research suggests might calm the brain to enhance concentration and mental stamina.
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