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The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Plenty for visitors to explore on hill with rich past
Aerial view of the main arrival point of Penang Hill, including the upgraded Upper Station (left), lined with landscaped paths and viewing platforms as well as David Brown's Restaurant (upper right). — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star There is much for visitors to see and experience at Penang Hill. Unrivalled panoramas of the island, channel and mainland await at lookout points such as the 360° Skywalk, and East and West Skydecks. One can also explore natural wonders at The Habitat Penang Hill, Monkey Cup Garden or even engage a guide to go down lesser-known trails. Historical and cultural landmarks like the Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple, Penang Hill Mosque, Gatehouse Bel Retiro, Hillside Retreat and 32-Pounder Cannon are worth checking out too. Families will love Little Village and Toy Museum 5D. Otherwise, tasty treats can be had at eateries like David Brown's Restaurant and Tea Terrace or Kota Railway Cafe. The Edgecliff Gallery@Penang Hill – the hill's main information and education centre that opened in 2022 – are also worth a stop. Perched on the hillside just a stone's throw from the Upper Station, it was jointly set up by Penang Hill Corporation and the state government with five interactive galleries. Each section – Time Tunnel, Biodiversity, Heritage, Funicular and Cultural – chronicles different aspects of the hill's history, development and allure. Operations manager Mazlina Mohamad Zainal said these would take visitors of all ages on a well-curated journey through richly layered stories. 'Through archival photographs, historical artefacts and informative displays, one can get a glimpse into the hill's transformation and significance over time. 'One of the key highlights is the detailed narrative on the funicular railway system, which has served as the hill's iconic mode of transport for over a century,' Mazlina added. More panoramic views await from the rooftop of the colonial-era building, which was built in 1937 by Scottish architect JC Miller according to an art deco aesthetic and named 'Breaside'. Now restored, Breaside offers a tangible link to the hill's past. Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the former Astaka Bukit Bendera food court was also being redeveloped into a new, multi-level complex featuring expanded dining facilities with improved accessibility. 'Once completed, it will nearly double the dining capacity, elevate comfort to international standards and offer seamless access to and from Dataran Bukit Bendera. 'This will also promote Penang's renowned street food culture, on the hill,' Cheok said of the project, which comes under the Penang Hill Summit Area Concept Master Plan and includes future upgrades to the nearby quarters at Strawberry Valley. The upgraded Upper Station, which reopened in February last year, has a scenic waiting area, improved facilities and better accessibility. 'Visitor flow and comfort, especially during peak periods, have significantly improved. 'Ridership data shows an encouraging upward trend, with more than 1.8 million recorded last year. 'As of last May, total ridership stands at 800,000,' Cheok said, adding that maximum coach capacity is 100 passengers per trip, which equates to about 400 to 500 per hour. By early 2027, there will be an alternative route to the summit via Penang Hill Cable Car, with works currently progressing on schedule. This is one of the state's most anticipated projects and it aims to balance tourist traffic while also easing long-standing traffic issues near the Penang Botanic Gardens and enhancing the area with better landscaping and green spaces. 'These planned enhancements will significantly contribute to the state's tourism sector and bring socio-economic benefits to residents,' Cheok added. Do note that the Penang Hill funicular service and Edgecliff Gallery @Penang Hill are temporarily closed until June 22. The funicular service and gallery will resume operations on June 23. During the shutdown period, visitors may opt for the four-wheel drive service privately operated by Penang Hill Jeep Service Association (012-454 1255) at Jalan Kebun Bunga or use the existing hiking routes to reach the summit area of Penang Hill. - By JEREMY TAN
The Star
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Silicon island link by 2028
Building the future: The temporary steel bridge provides access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star, Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd GEORGE TOWN: A 380m-long coastal bridge connecting the southern coast of Penang island to the emerging Silicon Island is expected to be ready by the end of 2028. With four lanes in each direction, the bridge is designed to meet future transportation needs and support the development of the man-made island, which will house the proposed Mutiara Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) depot and Green Tech Park. The bridge is also a key component of the Pan Island Link 2A (PIL2A), a strategic initiative aimed at improving connectivity between Silicon Island and the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who disclosed this yesterday, said the contract for the bridge project had been awarded and construction will begin this month. He said phase one is targeted for completion by mid-2027 to support the opening of Silicon Island's first operational factory, with full commissioning expected at the end of the following year. 'In the meantime, a temporary steel bridge has been built to provide access for construction and infrastructure works on Silicon Island, which now spans 64.75ha of the intended 931ha. Phase One of the island with a total of 64.75ha reclaimed to date. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star, Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd 'It helps expedite the mobilisation of machinery and workers who used boats before this. This is a model development,' Chow said during a visit to the Silicon Island project site. The visit included a preview of the designated areas for the Mutiara Line LRT depot and Green Tech Park, which are gradually taking shape. Chow said work on the LRT project will begin once the Notice to Proceed is issued to SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd (SRS) in several weeks' time. 'Preliminary work, including soil testing and placement of infrastructure, are being carried out,' he added. It was reported that construction of the Mutiara Line LRT would begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. The 29.5km Mutiara Line, targeted for delivery in December 2031, will feature 21 strategically located stations to improve connectivity between the island and mainland. Chow also said a new community facility, Medan Selera Matang, was being built in Permatang Damar Laut overlooking Silicon Island. It will feature a village community management council hall, fishermen's one-stop service centre, food stalls, restaurants and storage sheds for fishermen. For the initial water supply needs of Silicon Island, a suction tank and pump house will be built. The total construction cost for the community facilities, pump house and suction tank is estimated at RM36mil.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
1,000 reasons to not abandon cars
Roadside eyesore: An abandoned old car at an alley in Bayan Lepas, George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star GEORGE TOWN: There are more than 1,000 abandoned vehicles on the island, and the city council's four depots of seized vehicles are almost full. But there are 1,000 reasons not to abandon these vehicles – each one of them could fetch up to RM1,000 from recyclers. The owners only need to use the Road Transport Department's (JPJ) online Motor Vehicle De-registration System (e-Dereg). Once these cars are de-registered, owners can call in licensed recyclers who will pick up the vehicles and pay the owner for the scraps, said Penang Island City Council enforcement director Noorazrein Noorazlan Ong. 'The online process takes less than an hour with JPJ's e-Dereg system,' he said. Abandoned vehicles, he said, not only hog public parking spaces and are eyesores, they also become breeding sites for mosquitoes, rats and cockroaches. When owners do nothing, local authorities are empowered to act but it is a lengthy process, leading to the pile-up in the depots. 'We must trace the owners and send a notice. If the owners still do nothing, we need to check with the police and then carry out the legal process of scrapping the cars,' said Noorazrein. Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Penang) president Datuk S. Parthiban, however, said most such cars would not really fetch RM1,000. Most scrap dealers pay RM700 to RM800 for these cars. For really old cars, he said a Proton Saga might realistically fetch around RM400; a Nissan Sunny, between RM350 and RM400; a Ford Cortina, RM400; and Datsun, RM400. A trashed Mercedes-Benz could bring in RM1,000 while most vans can yield a scrap value of RM1,200 to RM1,300. 'The parts that can be re-used are sold, usually to walk-in customers who head to the scrapyard for cheaper prices. The oil, windscreen and tyres must be disposed of,' said Parthiban.
The Star
31-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
So long, after last furlong
End of an era: Founded in 1864, PTC is the oldest of the three horse-racing clubs in Malaysia. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star GEORGE TOWN: When the horses gallop past the finishing post at 4.25pm in Race 7 at Batu Gantong today, it will mark the end of the final chapter of the 161-year-old Penang Turf Club (PTC). And nobody is more disappointed to see the Sport of Kings end this way than stablehand Paramalingam Veeran. The father-of-two said the club was like his second home as he has been working there all his adult life. 'I feel so sad it has come to this. I do not have any backup plans after taking care of horses for more than 40 years. I really don't know any other work,' he said. Paramalingam added that two horses under his care called 'Big Monkey' and 'Blue Marine' will be racing for the last time at the club today. A PTC permanent staff, who declined to be named, said it's not easy to find another job after committing nearly 20 years of his life to the club. 'I'm already in my mid-50s, and I've enjoyed my time here. But I don't know what the future has in store for me,' he said, adding that he will miss the place. To mark the occasion, the club, which started on a small piece of land in Jalan Macalister (now St George's Girls' School) in 1864, will be holding several commemorative races to bid farewell this afternoon. Among them are the RM250,000 PTC Farewell Trophy (1,300m race), the RM150,000 PTC Memorial Trophy (1,100m race) and the RM100,000 Jockey Club of Turkey Trophy (1,400m race). On April 20, 318 of the 320 ordinary members voted in favour of the club's closure during the extraordinary meeting, confirming the resolutions passed at the First Special General Meeting on June 10, 2024, to dissolve the club. According to PTC, the dissolution process is expected to take one to two years. 'The cessation of racing activities is intended to cut losses, and PTC will notify all relevant parties and authorities about its intention to cease racing on a date decided by the club's committee,' the club had said in a statement. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow recently told the state legislative sitting that any redevelopment of PTC land must follow existing Penang Island City Council (MBPP) planning laws. 'The land is privately owned and zoned as a Priority Development Zone 1 for commercial purposes. 'Any request to change its category or conditions must go through the district land office and state Land and Mines Office,' he said. The land is believed to be held in trust by Tan Sri Goh Eng Toon, Datuk Ong Eng Khuan and Datuk Seri Teh Choon Beng. The combined size of the land is equivalent to 153 football fields, and when including the built structures, is said to be valued at RM2bil to RM3bil. However, PTC has not been able to find a buyer for the land touted to be the largest piece of prime real estate in the state. Meanwhile, the over 600 members of the PTC Golf Section are unhappy with the club's proposed RM7,500 ex-gratia payment to eligible golfing members. The golfers' management committee is appealing for the sum to be increased for the loss of facilities during the closure, including the nine-hole golf course which lies within the turf club area. PTC is the oldest of the three horse-racing clubs in Malaysia. It was initially given a free land grant on Macalister Road for its first racecourse, with the buildings constructed from wood and attap. It then moved to its current location next to the upscale Taman Jesselton Heights in 1939. PTC's closure follows the other turf clubs in the region, which had also ceased horse-racing activities due to declining interest in the sport as well as post-pandemic financial challenges. The Singapore Turf Club held its final race last October, closing a 180-year-old chapter, while Macau Jockey Club shut its doors in April last year. Malaysia is now left with two turf clubs that still offer horse-racing – Perak Turf Club, founded in 1886, and Selangor Turf Club, founded in 1896.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Char koay teow cooks set to battle for glory
War of the woks: Every cook will try to cook up a storm for their own version of char koay teow. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star GEORGE TOWN: The search for the gold standard of char koay teow is set to begin in what will surely be a heated showdown. Come Sunday, 30 hawkers will be firing up their woks to fight for the title of Penang char koay teow champion. The rice noodle dish was once described by BBC as 'Malaysia's most famous street food' and that 'the best char koay teow can be found in Penang'. The action will kick off at 11am in front of Toi Shan Ningyang Wui Kwon, a clan temple in King Street. Each contender will whip up 40 plates of the iconic stir-fried dish. Koay Ee Teng, the vice-chairman of the Jalan Transfer/Jalan Argyll village community management council (MPKK) which is one of the joint organisers, said the competition would surely dish out 'heated' action and the use of 'secret' recipes and techniques. 'When it comes to flavour, every cook has their own secret weapon, so all of them will bring their own sauces and wok,' she said. 'Ingredients like prawns, eggs, bean sprouts and noodles will be provided along with a toque, apron and gas supply.' The top three winners will walk away with RM388, RM288 and RM188 respectively. There will also be two consolation prizes of RM88 each. Winners will also get certificates of recognition as a badge of honour to be displayed at their stalls. 'The real prize isn't the money. What the cooks really want is prestige,' said Koay. She added that participants in the 2023 competition saw a surge in their business afterwards. The 2023 edition saw Koh Gee How of Penang Auntie (Big Prawn) Char Koay Teow in Bukit Mertajam take the crown, with Por Leong Teik (Chulia Street) and Low Ping Kean (KK 99 Cafe, Tanjung Bungah) securing the second and third spots. This Sunday's battle is the second time that such a contest is being held. The competition is jointly organised by the MPKK of Padang Kota and Jalan Transfer/Jalan Argyll, and Toi Shan Ningyang Association, and promoted by Kwangtung and Tengchow Association Penang. Koay said the public is welcome to savour the food and enjoy the experience. 'It is a celebration of one of Penang's most iconic and beloved street foods,' she added.
