Yen Yen: Use enactment against illegal operators along Batu Ferringhi

THE Tourism Ministry has asked the Penang Government to use the Personal Watercraft (Penang) Enactment 1999 against unlicensed traders and beach activity operators.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen urged the state authority to use the enactment effectively by granting the permit for the use of personal watercraft only to those who were eligible.

“Come out with guidelines for these operators to comply with, for instance, a well-trained instructor and security measures, before granting them the permit.

“The state government also has the power to arrest, search and seize any illegal beach activity as it is an offence for those who contravene any provision of this enactment,” she told a press conference at the Penang International Airport yesterday.

■ Firm action: Dr Ng showing Penang hotel representatives the Personal Watercraft (Penang) Enactment 1999 yesterday.

Dr Ng said the issuance of water sport activity permit came under the purview of the state government as the Tourism Ministry was only responsible for issuing licences for tour operators, tourist guides and tour buses.

“Tourism is a very fragile industry so I am pleading to the state authority to take immediate action and place enforcement officers along the beach to monitor the situation,” she said.

She said the Penang police would hold a meeting with all agencies involved today to study a long term solution against beach touts.

Dr Ng was commenting on reports of unruly beach touts who allegedly endangered hotel guests’ safety and harassed them to take up the beach activities.

“We have a total of 5.4 million tourists visiting Penang in 2009 and of those, 1.2 million of them visited Batu Ferringhi.

“Among them, 600,000 tourists visited the Batu Ferringhi beach, so this is a very serious matter,” she said.

About 70 unlicensed operators offered beach-related activities — buggy rides, horse riding, para-sailing and water scootering — along the 3km-long stretch (behind Golden Sands Resort and Parkroyal Penang) to both local and foreign tourists.

Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Ayub Yaakob, who was also present at the press conference, said police would be monitoring the area on a daily basis to make sure there were no unlicensed traders and beach activity operators along the beach.

When contacted, state Local Government and Traffic Manage-ment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) had to demarcate the zone first for beach operators to run their business before using the enactment.

“We don’t want to go after them because they are there to make a living. It was an attitude issue when they started harassing and intimidating the hotel guests,” said Chow.

A joint operation by state and federal agencies, codenamed Ops Sepadu, will be taking place today to put a stop to the illegal activities which have been marring the image of the famous stretch for decades.

The operation will be led by the police and targeted to clear the stretch of DVD and counterfeit goods stalls, unlicensed entertainment and eatery joints as well as unauthorised water sport activities.

Among the agencies involved in the operation are MPPP, Customs Department, Immigration Depart-ment, Anti Drug Agency and Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry.

MCA: Resolve ‘Allah’ issue fast

PETALING JAYA: Christian groups want the issue over the use of the word Allah in Christian publications to be resolved as soon as possible, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

“The MCA presidential council held a dialogue with the Christian Federation of Malaysia last week and the non-governmental organisation felt there was a need for the issue to be resolved as soon as possible,” said Dr Chua in a press statement.

He clarified that the MCA did not share the same stand with the DAP on the call to lift the ban on the use of “Allah” by non-Muslims.

Dr Chua explained that the MCA was only voicing out the wish of the NGO because the issue had not been resolved since it was brought up last year.

“We are not making the same stand as DAP. We only want the Barisan Nasional government to resolve the issue as soon as possible so that it will not be exploited further by the Opposition,” said Dr Chua.

The MCA president was responding to a statement yesterday by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who said he did not understand why the MCA, as a component party of the Barisan, had joined the stand taken by DAP in calling for the ban on the use of the word Allah to be lifted.

“The (Barisan) component parties agreed it (the issue over the use of the word Allah) should not be debated any more, as it will heat up matters that have since cooled down.

“It is best not to start the issue again. Consider the interest of the public and not the interest of any specific group, be it a political or administrative group,” the Deputy Prime Minister told a press conference after chairing the Cabinet Committee on Youth Development meeting here yesterday.

He was commenting on calls by several parties that Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein lift the ban on the use of the word Allah in Christian publications.

Muhyiddin said it was best that all parties leave it to the courts to decide.

The Star - Wednesday August 4, 2010

Work more talk less, members told

WORK more and talk less — this was the message delivered by Penang MCA deputy chairman Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun to members during his winding-up speech at the party’s state convention 2010 yesterday.

“All of you must work every single minute, as the more you talk the more mistakes are made.

“Therefore, work hard and gain back the confidence of the people. All this must be done in solidarity,” he said.

Earlier Penang MCA Youth head Eng Hiap Boon in his speech questioned if the Federal Government or the state government was ignorant when it came to the issue of illegal water sport operators.

All ears: About 600 MCA delegates attended the annual state MCA convention at Vistana Hotel in Penang yesterday.

“Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen had already told the state government to look into the issue during her visit to Penang Hill in March this year.”

He was commenting on Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s statement that the state government would enforce the Personal Watercraft (Penang) Enactment 1999 against illegal water sport operators only as a last resort, despite Dr Ng making an appeal to the state to adopt the enactment.

Penang Wanita chief Tan Cheng Liang, also in her winding-up speech, said divisional Wanita leaders were placing strong emphasis on nurturing Wanita members aged below 35.

She said it was vital to provide training to these group members earmarked as leaders of the next generation.

“With proper training, especially on eloquence, these members can effectively assist party candidates to face the opposition in the next general election.

“They can then bring into play in whatever they have learnt from such training,” she said, adding that only 3,600 of the 20,000 Penang Wanita members are aged below 35.

Tan also said each division must set up their own social networking sites such as Facebook or blogs.

“Worse come to worse, each member must at least have an e-mail account to enable easy communication among members,” she said, revealing that 60% of the state Wanita Committee members have e-mail accounts.

Meanwhile, state MCA Education bureau chief Goh Poh Chuan said UPSR must be retained, adding it was relevant to gauge the pupils after six years in school.

The move will also ensure that students are always on their toes and will not be slack in their studies.

The Star - Monday August 2, 2010

Expose DAP-led govt’s flaws, state MCA urged

PENANG MCA must expose the flaws in the DAP-led state government so the public will be aware of them.

This is the role of an effective Opposition who must constantly remind the Government of its need to fulfil its duties, state MCA liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said.

“As of now, there are several issues such as the illegal water sport activities in Batu Ferringhi and the hawkers’ issue in Bukit Mertajam which I heard people claim that when ‘DAP mari(comes), hawkers mati(die)’.

“I have pointed out to the state government that it should implement the Personal Watercraft (Penang) Enactment 1999 (when addressing water sports activities) but instead it passed the ball to me,” Dr Ng, who is also Tourism Minister, said.

She lashed out at the DAP-led government for only knowing how to be the Opposition.

“We need to remind it of its duty (as a Government),” she said.

She added that party members must have a “direct touch” with the people.

“If there are any issues where the Federal Ministers can help, we will do our best to get them.

“Eventually, the people will know the difference between who talks a lot but does not work and who talks a lot and works a lot,” she said.

Dr Ng said this after launching the Barisan Nasional Bayan Baru parliamentary service centre, which commences operations today as part of the coalition’s effort to serve constituents better.

Located near a Sungai Tiram coffee shop beside a Shell petrol station, the centre opens every Monday from 8pm until 10pm.

Bayan Baru MCA division chief Tan Lai Theng said the political scenario in the state had changed with the existence of a two-party (political) system and this had prompted all parties to work harder for the people.

“Barisan needs to change outdated policies in order to serve the people better.

“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia concept is receiving good response from the people here,” he said.

He also appealed to the other Barisan components in the area to work hand in hand to win back the constituency in the next General Election.

“I believe good service coupled with good leadership can lead to success,” he stressed.

The Star - Monday August 2, 2010

Butterworth: Help repair water tank, ICU urged

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RESIDENTS of Taman Pantai Bersih flats in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth, are appealing to the Implementation and Co-ordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department to help repair a faulty water tank at the flats.

The flats’ newly appointed joint management body (JMB) committee chairman Zunun Hashim said the water tank in Block C had been out of service for the last five years.

“We also hope the ICU can help repair the motor pumps of the water tanks in all three blocks A, B and C as well as repair the pumps’ automatic system,” he said during a visit from Barisan Nasional’s Bagan parliamentary co-ordinator David Chua yesterday.

Zunun said that presently, only one motor pump was operational, which provided water to all 420 flat units.

Residents' dilemma: (From left) Ibrahim showing the faulty pumps to Chua, Teh and Bagan MCA Youth vice-chairman Sum Yoo Keong on the rooftop.

The flats’ JMB secretary Ibrahim Othman, 52, said that water from the tanks located above his flat unit on the fourth floor often leaked into his house.

“It has been very inconvenient for my family and at the same time, it is sad that precious water is being wasted,” he said.

Chua said the residents owed the flat developer RCB Development Sdn Bhd maintenance arrears amounting to RM500,000.

He said they also owed TNB about RM5,000 in power bill arrears and RM2,500 to the Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd (PBA).

“I hope RCB as well as TNB and PBA will consider waiving the residents’ debts as a goodwill gesture following the formation of a new JMB.

“Let the new JMB start afresh and I hope they will be able to do a better job than the previous management committee,” he said.

Chua also suggested that the state and federal government appoint representatives to sit on the JMB committee to ensure transparency in their operations.

He urged the committee to be strict in collecting the monthly maintenance fee of RM27.50 per unit.

Barisan Nasional’s Bagan Jermal constituency co-ordinator Teh Lay Cheng said she would join the flat residents in a campaign to clean up the vicinity on Sunday.

The Star. North Metro By DERRICK VINESH
Thursday July 8, 2010

Top scorer gets PSD scholarship after all

GEORGE TOWN: Visually-impaired Teoh Bee Kah can be assured of a promising future now as she was informed that she had successfully obtained a Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship on Tuesday.

The scholarship is for Teoh, 18, to pursue a Business Foundation course at the University of Nottingham Malaysia campus in Semenyih.

The New Straits Times had highlighted Teoh's plight on June 20 after her application for a scholarship was rejected.


The former SMK Convent Pulau Tikus student had scored 4A+ and 6As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination last year.


Teoh, who suffers from nystagmus, a condition that causes involuntary eye movements was the top special student in the examination in Penang.

When contacted, an elated Teoh said she was happy to be given the scholarship.


"I am looking forward to pursuing my studies in the university.

"I want to thank all of those who have helped me along the way. Words can't express how grateful I am."

Teoh, who had initially wanted to pursue a degree in psychology, will be reporting to the university on July 8.


She is currently studying in St Xavier's Institution for her Lower Six.

Teoh's mother, Kim Guat Khim, 50, said although her daughter failed to get the course of her choice, she was, however, contented with the course offered to her.

"I want to thank the PSD for the scholarship.

"I also want to thank Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong for taking an interest in my daughter's case.

"In fact, he called me up twice, once on Monday and the following day to congratulate me," she said, adding that she was also grateful to others for their help, including state MCA chief Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.



Top scorer gets PSD scholarship after all
from New Straits Times

Student gets PSD scholarship, thanks to MCA

GEORGE TOWN: A student who failed to get a government scholarship twice to pursue higher studies is now rejoicing, thanks to the MCA.

Teoh Bee Kah, 18, who failed to get the scholarship earlier, has been granted a Public Service Department scholarship after she sent an appeal letter to MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Teoh, who was born with the nystagmus condition (a form of involuntary eye movement), was awarded a full scholarship for an 18-month Foundation in Business Studies course at the University of Nottingham’s Malaysian campus in Semenyih.

The former Convent Pulau Tikus student, who is now studying in Form Six at St Xavier’s Institution, will start the course on July 8.

“I was verbally guaranteed a National Scholarship on March 19 when I went to Putrajaya to receive an award for being an outstanding student.

■ She got it: Teoh showing her parents, father Lye and mother Kim Guat Khim the congratulatory letter she received from Dr Ng.

“However, the name list came out a week later without my name. So, I thought I would be accepted by the PSD. But my name wasn’t in that list either when it came out on May 21.

“I cried for two days after that because I was so disappointed,” she said after receiving a congratulatory letter from Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua on behalf of Dr Ng at the Penang MCA headquarters on Pahang Road here yesterday.

Teoh, who scored 4A+, 3As and 3A- in last year’s SPM examination, said although her first choice was Psychology, she was nevertheless grateful for the scholarship.

She said her nystagmus condition was made difficult with her short-sightedness.

“My eyeballs are constantly moving and it is difficult for me to focus. Doctors told me my condition cannot be corrected with spectacles or surgery,” she said.

Her father, Lye Chuan, 58, said she did not let her condition stand in her way.

“She didn’t attend any tuition classes. Her hearing and memory are excellent too,” said the fisherman.



From : The Star. Northern 1 July 2010