Four more ETS services for CNY

Four more ETS services for CNY

KTMB will add four more ETS services for the Chinese New Year holidays, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

He said the Cabinet has approved the use of new ETS train sets to run additional services from Jan 20 to 24 for north-bound destinations from KL Sentral to Butterworth, as well as from KL Sentral to Padang Besar.

Likewise, additional services will also run from Jan 27 to 31.

These additional services offer 12,480 seats, which includes 1,440 business class seats.

Tickets for these additional services for CNY will be sold beginning today.

For more information, visit www.ktmb.com.my.

Loke made the announcement after visiting the railway yard here owned by Dhaya Maju Infrastructure (Asia) Sdn Bhd (DMIA).

He was there along with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who made his maiden visit to this facility that supports the rehabilitation of KTMB’s Klang Valley Double Track undertaken jointly by DMIA and Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera.

Dr Mahathir expressed satisfaction with what he saw and said that Malaysians must learn to undertake more complex engineering and construction challenges, even if it seems more costly at the beginning.

“I don’t care so much about the savings, but we can’t keep on importing from others.

“We must learn and we have to pay the costs. Initially, it won’t be so good, but ultimately we will reach the standard of other countries.

“If we keep on buying, we will never develop this country,” said Dr Mahathir.

In the Asean region, only Malaysia is operating electrified inter-city train services.

~The Star~

Vehicle Entry Permit for all foreign vehicles from October

Malaysia to implement Vehicle Entry Permit for all foreign vehicles from October

A road transport law that requires all foreign vehicle owners coming into Malaysia to register for a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) will be enforced from October.

In a statement on Thursday (Apr 25), the Malaysian Ministry of Transport said that the VEP will be issued by the Road Transport Department and can be applied for online in a "simple three-step action".

"Only VEP-registered vehicles are allowed entry into Malaysia once it is put into force," it said.

The ministry added that the enforcement of VEP will be implemented in phases.

"For phase one, requirement of VEP for all foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia through Bangunan Sultan Iskandar and Kompleks Sultan Abu Bakar, Johor, will commence from Oct 1 this year," the ministry said.

"For the enforcement of VEP phase 1, the VEP-RFID tag can be installed or collected at four designated centres in Johor Bahru, which are Gelang Patah Southbound RR; Plaza Angsana Open Carpark; Pandan RnR and Lima Kedai Toll Plaza."

Phase two will involve entry points and land borders between Malaysia and Thailand, while phase three will expand the enforcement of VEP to all entry points and land borders between Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

The enforcement dates for phases two and three will be announced "in due course", the ministry said.

All vehicle owners who have yet to register for a permit are being reminded to do so. A VEP for each registered motor vehicle will be valid for five years.

VEP AT MALAYSIA-BRUNEI BORDER

Road Transport Department director-general Shaharuddin Khalid revealed plans by the department to impose the VEP requirement at four Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complexes along the Malaysia-Brunei border.

A proposal paper for the plan will be submitted to Transport Minister Anthony Loke later this year, with the main objective of easing the monitoring of foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia.

"We hope the VEP requirement can be implemented at the locations early next year," he said at a press conference.

Drivers applying for the VEP will face a one-off registration fee of RM10 to have their permit processed.

Source: Bernama/nh

New international airport for Kedah

New international airport for Kedah

A new international airport in Kulim and a manufacturing and logistics hub near the industrial town are among seven mega projects costing over RM3bil that the federal government has announced for Kedah to make development in the state on par with that in more progressive states.

The other projects are two phases of the Northern Corridor Highway project over a 70km stretch; a digital library here; a petrochemical industrial park in Gurun; and the Kasih Ibu Darul Aman (Kida) programme.

Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali made the announcement after a special meeting with federal and state government officers and staff here yesterday, Bernama reported.

Also present at the press conference were Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and Kedah State Secretary Datuk Ammar Shaikh Mahmood Naim.

Mohamed Azmin said the Kulim International Airport (KXP) will cost RM1.6bil; the manufacturing and logistics hub in Sidam, near Kulim (which is already home to a hi-tech park), RM300mil; the digital library, RM15mil; and the petrochemical industrial park, RM2mil.

As for Kida , he said with an annual allocation of RM30mil, the programme will assist 5,482 poor families in the state who will be issued a smart card with a value of RM400 to RM500 to buy basic necessities.

“Under the programme, women and mothers of poor households will be given the smart card. They only have to swipe the card to make purchases at the supermarket.

“The payment will be borne by the state government with the assistance of the federal government. We will implement the programme this year. It will be particularly helpful for poor families in Baling, Sik, Yan and Kota Setar,” he added.

Mohamed Azmin expressed optimism that the mega projects to develop infrastructure will draw foreign investors to the state and open employment opportunities for the locals, which will raise the state’s revenue and the people’s income. It is hoped that the development will make the state on par with the more progressive states.

He also said the government had approved an allocation of RM1.132bil as development expenditure for Kedah this year.

“It’s for 51 new projects and 201 project continuations,” he said.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Major highways congested

Major highways congested

Traffic flow on several major expressways nationwide is slow-moving as of 1.30pm today.

Northbound traffic from Rawang to Sungai Buaya; Slim River to Sungkai; and Tapah to Gopeng is particularly heavy, a Plus Malaysia Berhad spokesman said.

“Traffic heading south is also slow moving, especially from the Seremban Rest and Service (R&R) area to Seremban; Ayer Hitam to Yong Peng; Kulai to Sedenak; and Skudai to Senai,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) spokesman said congestion is being experienced at the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway; the Gombak Toll Plaza to Genting Sempah; and Lentang to Bentong.

“(However), traffic on the East Coast Expressway 1 and 2 is smooth in both directions,” he added.

The public can obtain the latest traffic information via Plusline’s toll free line: 1800-88-0000; the LLM line at 1800-88-7752; or their Twitter sites: www.twitter.com/plustrafik and www.twitter.com/llminfotrafik.

~Courtesy of New Straits Times~

North South Highway Map 南北大道地图

Visa exemption for China tourists extended to Dec 2019

Visa exemption for China tourists extended to Dec 2019

The 15-day visa exemption for tourists from China has been extended from Jan 1 to Dec 31 this year, a piece of good news for local tourism industry players.

With many Chinese nationals going on holiday during the Chinese New Year next month and China’s National Day Golden Week break in October, Malaysia’s tourism association is hopeful that the exemption will boost arrivals.

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Jan 2 made three separate orders to grant visa exemptions for Chinese and Indian tourists.

The orders granting the exemption under the Passports Act 1966 were published on Jan 3 in the Federal Government Gazette.

The three are: Passports (Exemption of Visa to Tourist Who is Citizen of The People’s Republic Of China) Order 2019; Passports (Exemption of Visa to Tourist Who is Citizen of India) Order 2019; and Passports (Exemption of Visa to Expatriate Who is Citizen of India) Order 2019.

Chinese tourists were first granted the 15-day visa exemptions on Oct 1, 2015, while Indian citizens including expatriates who visit Malaysia as tourists were first given exemptions on April 1, 2017.

The exemptions for both countries were extended every year since.

The exemption for tourists who are citizens of China comes with a number of conditions.

According to the orders, applicants must register with an electronic travel registration and information system provided by the Immigration Department.

They must have a return ticket and must produce on arrival, proof of sufficient pocket money, credit card or bank card with the UnionPay, AliPay or eWallet logo.

They must also produce their itinerary in Malaysia upon arrival.

The orders stated that the 15-day exemption could not be extended, and upon leaving Malaysia, the tourist was only allowed to re-register for exemption again after three months. 

The exemption for tourists who are citizens of India has almost similar conditions while the exemption of Indian expatriates applies to all citizens of India working as expatriates outside India in all countries except Singapore.

They are granted the exemption when travelling to Malaysia as tourists.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Departure levy different from airport tax

Departure levy different from airport tax

The departure levy proposed in Budget 2019 is completely separate from the existing passenger service charge (PSC), said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Loke was responding to a question on the need to impose the levy which was set at RM20 to Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.

The PSC is not something collected by the government, that’s collected by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to run the operations of the airport, he said.

“The departure levy introduced by the government, is a form of tax for anyone travelling out of the country. That is completely by the government, not by the airlines, not by the airports,” he said during the launch of AirAsia Bhd’s first fully-digitalised ground handling services control centre at klia2.

The departure levy is needed to raise revenue and the government could collect a few hundred million ringgit annually, he said.

Loke pointed out other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia had similar taxes for outbound travellers.

The mechanism, he said, would be announced later as implementation only starts on June 1.

He added the ministry has not decided on the mechanism to offer the 30% stake in the proposed Airport REIT (real estate investment trust), which forms part of the Budget 2019 proposal.

Fernandes hopes the proposed REIT would not increase costs.

“Obviously we would like to see full privatisation, so new airport operators can come in, we may see different ways of running airports, and not just giving 30% to Malaysian Airports as a different form of funding,” Fernandes said.

What the low-cost carrier needed, he added, was an airport operator and airport which understood AirAsia’s model in reducing costs, which he said would in turn reduce the costs of flying for passengers, allowing the carrier to build Malaysia into a strong aviation hub.

Meanwhile the ground handling services control centre will allow AirAsia’s Ground Team Red (GTR) to track aircraft handling, with real-time information on passenger boarding, baggage reconciliation and ramp-loading compiled on a digital dashboard at the control centre.

Loke was given an overall briefing of the way the centre functioned to compile the different data and identify any soft spots in the aircraft’s turnaround process.

~News courtesy of The Star~

New complex at Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint

New complex at checkpoint

A new complex for heavy vehicles passing through the Malaysia-Thailand border will be set up at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) facility here.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who announced this after chairing a high-level committee meeting on the ICQS security here, said the new Heavy Vehicles Complex makes up 60% of Phase 1 of ICQS.

The remaining 40% comprises a Light Vehicle Complex, Operational and Administrative Office as well as public amenities.

“Five departments and agencies will start operating at the ICQS on Nov 1.

“This committee will visit the ICQS again at a later date to check on its operations,” Dr Ahmad Zahid told reporters after chairing the meeting at the Malaysian Border Control Agency Complex.

Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum.

The full handing over of the new RM425mil complex by the developer, Syarikat Northern Gateway Infrastructure Sdn Bhd, will be carried out at a later date.

The ICQS will open for 20 hours a day from Nov 1. From January onwards, it will operate around the clock.

Dr Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that all issues and problems could be overcome in order to realise the aspirations of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to turn Malaysia into a transportation and logistical hub for the Asean region.

“We are serious in tackling any issues in order to realise what had been directed by the Prime Minister,” he said.

Commenting on the 24-hour operations for the ICQS, Dr Ahmad Zahid said he had met with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan to discuss the matter.

~News courtesy of Bernama~

24-hour open border for Bukit Kayu Hitam

24-hour open border a boon for state, says MB

Having the Bukit Kayu Hitam-Danok checkpoint open 24 hours a day will benefit the economy and boost state tourism, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ah­­mad Bashah Md Hanipah.

He said the planned round-the-clock operation should not be seen from a negative perspective.

“It will have a socio-economic benefit for Kedah, particularly through developments in the Indo­­nesia-Malaysia-Thailand triangle region. We can profit from transportation especially from Thai vehicles carrying agricultural goods into the country.

“It will also spur Bukit Kayu Hitam’s growth as an industrial area in view of the state government’s plan to establish a 6,000-acre (2,428ha) tax-free area, including the Kedah Science Technology Park,” he told the state assembly here yesterday.

Ahmad Bashah said the state and private sector would combine their resources to build facilities such as hotels, houses and shopping complexes to woo visitors.

The new system, he said, could also resolve the congestion that has been happening for years, especially during the holiday period.

Ahmad Bashah said the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minis­­ter, who is also the Home Minister, have given the nod to the move during the Mentri Besar and Chief Ministers’ Meeting.

“The Federal Government in principle has agreed to the 24-hour operation from the current 18 hours while the state government will scrutinise all relevant issues, in particular, security,” he said in response to a question from Datuk Ahmad Zaini Japar (BN-Bukit Kayu Hitam).

Ahmad Bashah added that all agencies at the Customs, Immi­gra­tion and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at Bukit Kayu Hitam were fully prepared for the change.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Life on the track

Life on the track



The new train travels at 160 kilometres per hour, and stops at Arau, Alor Setar and Bukit Mertajam, ending its journey at KL Sentral station.

Kedah, Malaysia's northernmost state, will soon be connected with Kuala Lumpur through a fast electric train service (ETS) that comes into service in September. The journey will take four hours 15 minutes, providing a comfortable choice for travelling from the Northern state to the capital. 

Travellers from Thailand can travel overland through Sadao Checkpoint before jumping into the ETS at Padang Besar. The new train travels at 160 kilometres per hour, and stops at Arau, Alor Setar and Bukit Mertajam, ending its journey at KL Sentral station.

~News courtesy of The Nation~

Attracting more tourists to Langkawi

Attracting more tourists to Langkawi

LOCALS and tourists are lauding the RM86 million Kuah Jetty upgrade.

The project is expected to ease congestion at the entry point of the popular tourist destination.

The project is aimed at providing more space and comfort for passengers and improving the luggage management system to be at par with those of airports.

The integrated system is expected to save tourists and other travellers the hassle of handling their baggage when boarding and getting off the ferry.

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) chief executive officer Tan Sri Khalid Ramli said the upgrading work which started early this year were expected to be completed by September next year.

He said the project was aimed at enhancing services provided at the jetty to attract more visitors to the island.

Ticketing officer Mohd Tahir Abu, 60, said the “project which is being carried out by the Marine Department would improve the island’s image.

He said the additional deck would ease congestion at the jetty during peak seasons.

“Instead of just two decks for ferries arriving from Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis and Satun, Thailand, we will soon have three and each will have their designated decks,” said Tahir who has worked at the jetty for more than 20 years.

“The extra deck also helps to improve the ticketing system and customs clearance for arrival and departure.”

Tourists welcomed the new luggage management system as their luggage would be tagged and transferred to the ferry when they check-in.

Besides being able to track their bags, passengers, especially the elderly and those with children, will be spared the hassle of carrying their luggage all the way to the decks.

A couple from Manchester, United Kingdom, who were on a one-week vacation in Malaysia, said the new deck was necessary judging from the queue and large crowd milling around the jetty.

David Moore and his wife, Rhian, who were visiting Langkawi for the first time, said having dedicated decks for ferries from different destinations and bags checked-in prior to boarding would make the boarding and disembarking process more systematic and efficient.


There will be less congestion at the jetty during peak seasons, as an additional deck is being built.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

马来西亚的路程碑

马来西亚的路程碑
Malaysian Road Sign

Tourist: I feel unsafe on the ferry

Tourist: I feel unsafe on the ferry

AN Australian tourist has claimed that the ferry that departs from Penang to Langkawi is unsafe as there are no proper evacuation exits if accidents are to occur in the high seas.

Retired fisheries enforcement officer Peter Sullivan, 63, who took a trip from Penang to Langkawi, noticed that there was no briefing given to the passengers on how to wear life jackets and how to evacuate themselves in the event of an accident.

He said the passengers’ luggage were piled up beside the main entrance of the ferry.

“Another exit was blocked by a hawker who sold drinks and snacks at the ferry,” claimed Sullivan who is also a licensed lifesaving instructor in Melbourne.

“If an accident were to happen, passengers would (usually) panic and rush to take their luggage, money and passports.

“In their haste, they may block the exits or entrance,” he said.

“The crew members were also difficult to identify as they were not in uniform.

“They were only wearing T-shirts like any other passengers,” he added.

“Who are we going to ask for help if anything happened?” Sullivan asked.

He said his first time to Langkawi by ferry was three years ago and the condition was not as bad as now.

“This time, I somehow felt uncomfortable and unsafe in the ferry, even though I am a good swimmer,” he said.

He added that the ferries in Australia would not be allowed to depart without any briefing session to passengers.

When contacted, a ferry operator who declined to be named, said there was no standard practice for the crew to give briefing to passengers, as what cabin crew did in air-craft.

He said the ferry that Sullivan took on April 16, had seven television sets in total to play videos on how to wear life jackets, as per required by the Marine Department.

“All the six crew members in the ferry have lifesaving licences approved by the Marine Department.

“And there are posters and notices for passengers to read,” he said.

A Marine Department (northern region) spokesman said all ferries in the port would be inspected by one officer before departure.

“We would ensure that the operators show the videos as well as place posters of the evacuation plan in the ferries,” he said.

He added that it was not compulsory for ferry crew to be in uniform, as it was up to the operators to decide.

Commenting on the hawker, he said there were no rules and regulations prohibiting food from being sold inside the ferries, as long as they were kept clean.

He urged passengers to go to the Marine Department office at 1-A, Lebuh Light Street or call 04-6578494 to give feed- back or to lodge complaints about the service.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Utama Expess 长途快车

Counter Phone No.

Kuantan 09 - 515 6002
Pekan 09 - 422 8694
Kuala Lumpur 03 - 2070 3940
Putra 03 - 4045 2122
Kajang 03 - 8739 4464
Klang 03 - 3342 1946
Ipoh 05 - 312 7788
Taiping 05 - 891 6884
Lumut 05 - 683 4358
Manjung 05 - 688 1219
Butterworth 04 - 331 1761
Sungai Petani 04 - 421 5331
Alor Setar 04 - 735 3258
Kuala Perlis 04 - 985 3340
Kangar 04 - 978 1517
Changlun 04 - 924 6050
Kota Bahru 09 - 743 4817
Pengkalan Kubor 09 - 721 4858
Rantau Panjang 09 - 795 1770
Kuala Terengganu 09 - 622 4209
Dungun 09 - 845 6870
Kemaman (Geliga) 09 - 868 6659
Mersing 019 - 721 6259

Tiger Airways Discount Promo

Tiger Airways Discount Promo
(April 2011)

More flights to Langkawi and Penang

More flights to Langkawi and Penang

FIREFLY will be introducing additional flights from Senai International Airport, Johor to Langkawi and Penang, from May 27 to June 12 in conjunction with the coming school holidays.

“This added service will give our southern passengers wiser choices in spending valuable time with their children. It serves as a perfect opportunity for families to take a break and head up north to Langkawi for a family holiday,” said Firefly head of marketing and communications Angelina Fernandez.

Firefly also offers flights between Johor Baru and Kuching, and between Johor Baru and Kota Kinabalu.

The flights will commence operations on May 19 and June 16 respectively. Both sectors will have a frequency of 14 flights weekly.

For details, visit www.fireflyz.com.my

-News courtesy of The Star-

Visa free for Malaysia

No visa is required for U.S.A. citizens visiting Malaysia for social, business or academic purposes (except for employment).

No visa is required for a stay of less than one month for nationals of all ASEAN countries except Myanmar. For a stay exceeding one month a visa will be required, except for nationals Brunei and Singapore.

Nationals of countries other than those stated above (with the exception of Israel) are allowed to enter Malaysia without a visa for a visit not exceeding one month.

For national of Israel, visas are required and permission must be granted from Ministry Of Home Affairs.

For national of Republic of Serbia and Republic of Montenegro, visas are required without permission granted from Ministry Of Home Affairs.

Visa for Malaysia (2)

Countries That Require Visa For a Stay Exceeding 3 Months

Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria (Vienna)
Bahrain
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Brazil
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kirgystan
Kuwait
Kyrgyz Republic Lebanon
Lienchestien
Luxembourg
Morocco
Netherland
Norway
Oman
Peru
Poland
Qatar
Romania
St Marino
Saudi Arabia
Slovakia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Yemen

Countries That Require Visa For a Stay Exceeding 1 Month

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Barbados
Belarus
Benin
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Cape Verde
Chad
Chile
Costa Rica
Equador
El Savador
Estonia
Gabon
Georgia
Greece
Guatemala
Guinea Republic
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong SAR
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Macao SAR
Macedonia Madagascar
Maldova
Mauritania
Mexico
Monaco
Mongalia
Nicaragua
North Korea
North Yemen
Panama
Paraguay
Portugal
Russia
Sao Tome & Principe
Senegal
Slovenia
Sudan
Surinam
Tajikistan
Togo
Ukraine
Upper Volta
Uzbekistan
Vatican City
Venezuela
Zaire
Zimbabwe

Countries That Require Visa For a Stay Exceeding 14 Days

Iran (90 days)
Iraq (30 days)
Libya
Macao (Travel Permit/Portugal CI)
Palestine (30 days)
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Yemen
Syria (30 days)

Entry requirements for Malaysia

To enter Malaysia, a visitor should fulfill the following conditions:

i. Passport or Travel Document

Every person entering Malaysia must possess a valid national Passport or internationally recognized Travel Document valid for travelling to Malaysia.

Any person not in possession of a Passport or Travel Document which is recognized by the Malaysian Government must obtain a Document in lieu of Passport.

Application for the Document in lieu of Passport can be made at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad.

Holders of Travel Documents such as Certificate of Identity, Laisser Passer, Titre de Voyage, Permanent Residence Certificate must ensure that their return ability to the country of origin is assured.

The documents shall be valid, for more than six (6) months from the date of entry.

ii. Fulfill visa requirement

A visa is an endorsement in a passport or other recognized travel document of foreigner indicating that the holder has applied for permission to enter Malaysia and that permission has been granted.

Foreign nationals who require a Visa to enter Malaysia must apply and obtain a Visa in advance at any Malaysian Representative Office abroad before entering the country.

Visa which has been granted is not absolute guarantee that the holder will be allowed to enter Malaysia. The final decision lies with the Immigration Officer at the entry point.

iii. Valid return travel ticket and sufficient funds

A visitor is also required to proof his financial ability to stay in Malaysia and a confirm ticket to a third country.

iv. Not a prohibited person

Any person classified under Section 8 of Immigration Act 1959/63 will not be allowed to enter Malaysia even though he/she is in possession of a valid Passport or Travel Document, Visa, travel ticket and sufficient funds.

v. Complete in the arrival/departure card

A visitor is required to complete the Arrival/Departure Card (Imm.26) upon arrival at the gazette entry points. This card is obtainable at any entry point, Malaysian Representative office abroad or travel agencies.

A visitor must present his/her passport together with the duly completed arrival / departure card to the Immigration officer on duty and he/she must ensure that the passport or travel document is endorsed with the appropriate pass before leaving the immigration counter.

-Info courtesy of Malaysian Immigration Dept-