A sandbar walk to remember

A sandbar walk to remember



Visitors are thrilled to take part in the sandbar walk. — Bernama

IT looked as if the sea parted as visitors to Pantai Tanjung Rhu in Langkawi, Kedah, leisurely walked along a 600m sandbar from the beach to nearby islands.

Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi senior resident naturalist Zoher Mustan said a sandbar would appear when there is low tide during a full moon.

“The sandbar phenomenon can only be observed once a year, ” he told Bernama last week.

Zoher said that besides Pantai Tanjung Rhu, two other beaches on the island, namely Teluk Datai and Pantai Cenang, had also become popular locations for the sandbar walk activity.

He said visitors also had the opportunity to see at close range various marine species such as clownfish, sea cucumber, moon crab, seahorse and horseshoe crab while walking along the sandbar.

Meanwhile, Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) chief executive officer Dr Hezri Adnan said that previously, the sandbar walk activity was only meant for Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi guests but this year, it was opened to a bigger crowd.

“Langkawi is famed for its beautiful landscapes.

“This programme is a joint effort by Lada, Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi and other strategic partners to highlight the beautiful natural environment to both domestic and foreign tourists, ” he said.



Hezri also expressed hope that the programme would become a popular annual event at the island. -– Bernama



Visitors stopping on the sandbar to admire the natural beauty of the surroundings. — Bernama

Pedu Lake offers rich diversity of flora and fauna

Pedu Lake offers rich diversity of flora and fauna



PADANG TERAP, Jan 31 -- Pedu Lake or Tasik Pedu as it is better known among the locals, is undoubtedly an under-the-radar destination, however, for those who are adventurous enough to stray off the beaten tracks, this place offers a rich diversity of flora and fauna to lucky visitors.

To make it even more exciting, visitors will have the opportunity to see wild animals, especially herds of elephants that often visited the salt licks around the Kedah’s largest man-made lake, which is located about 80 kilometres from Alor Setar.

Pedu Lake Eco and Services operation manager Amir Wahab said working on an ecotourism packages featuring a boat house concept has given him an added advantage as he could take visitors to a number of salt licks in the area to see wild animals within the safe distance.

“We really prioritise the safety of our visitors, as this place is surrounded by wild, expanse of rainforest jungle, so seeing wildlife from the boat house is much safer as they can watch the animals without any obstructions.

“Thus far, our visitors have had the opportunities to see herds of elephants, as well as other animals such as rusa (deer) and seladang (gaur or Indian bison), but personally I think watching a herd of elephants is more exciting,” he told Bernama here.

Amir said as the jungle surrounding the Pedu Lake creates a corridor for wild animals to cross into the Thailand jungle, the area often witnessed the presents of elephants at the salt licks particularly in May.

“Thus far, we have received an impressive number of tourists, over 1,300 arrivals throughout last year, including those from European countries. This is exciting for a destination like ours as it is not as popular as other major tourist destinations,” said Amir, a former employee of a resort at Pedu Lake which has since closed due to plummeting tourist arrivals .

Apart from wild animals, visitors can also get a glimpse of variety of tree species in the dense jungle surrounding the lake which are not found elsewhere.

“Here we have that famous Tualang tree which synonymous to high quality wild Tualang honey, which is usually harvested by the end of February,” he said.

He said visitors who stayed at his boat house would also be served a variety of local dishes from freshly-caught fish including ‘baung’, ‘lampam’, ‘tengalan’, and shrimp as well as of a type of mussels locally known as ‘kedaya’ or ‘temagik’, found in the area, particularly during the current dry spell.

His boat house-based ecotourism activities also received the support of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), which provided a wide range of assistance including solar power equipment and building a proper sewage system, he said.

-- BERNAMA

Harumanis' sweet returns

Harumanis' sweet returns



Harumanis farmers in Kedah are aiming to produce up to 75 tonnes of mangoes this season.

The handsome returns from the harumanis trees was what “attracted” a sizeable number of farmers in Kedah to grow the mango variant.

Kedah Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) deputy director (Operations) Hasrol Nizam Muhammad Zuki said those who had been in the business for a long time would be able to attest to this.

Among them were harumanis farmers from Kampung Pida 3, Kodiang in the Kubang Pasu district.

Hasrol said a mature harumanis tree, usually more than 5 years old, would be able to produce an average of about 50kg of fruits a season.

The current season began early last month and is expected to last until early July.

“So, for a farmer who has five mature harumanis trees, and if he really takes good care them, he would be able to collect 250kg of the fruits for the season.

“If the price is RM20 per kg, then the farmer will get RM5,000 this season just from the five trees.

“The more the farmer grows, the more returns he gets.

“If a farmer has 100 mature harumanis trees, which would be able to produce 5,000kg fruits, he will earn RM100,000 for the season,” he told the New Straits Times.

Hasrol, however, said the majority of the farmers in Kedah were newcomers and might not have seen such promising returns yet.

This is when, he said, Fama, the Kedah state Agriculture Department, Kedah Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute and Muda Agricultural Development Authority could come forward to help the farmers by providing them with the necessary guidance and technical expertise.

“However, this is not an easy task and it takes a lot strength and patience,” he added.

The New Sunday Times reported that contrary to popular belief that the harumanis could only be grown in Perlis, it was fast gaining the attention of the Kedah farmers.

Kedah Fama had registered 46 harumanis farmers, operating on 42.1ha, with a total of 3,742 trees. There were more than 90 harumanis farmers in Kedah.

Last season, the state produced between 17 and 18 tonnes of mangoes. This season, the figure is expected to rise significantly to between 70 and 75 tonnes.

Since the start of the season, Kedah has recorded sales of 2.5 tonnes of the fruit known as “king of mangoes”.

Sales are expected to soar after the fasting month and before the end of the season.

~New Straits Times~

Mae Salong Restaurant - Sungai Petani

Best thai food in town! SP Mae Salong Thai Restaurant.



Mae Salong Restaurant

199-F Kampung Bakara Bata, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah

Tel: 012-7255389 (Mr Lim), 019-5768691 (Madam Low) ,016-4246842(Ms Teoh)

Business hour: 11am-3pm, 6pm-11pm

FB: Mae Salong Restaurant - Thai Food

Langkawi 浮罗交宜

State flags of Kedah and Perlis 吉打与玻璃市州旗

 Kedah 吉打

Perlis 玻璃市

Perlis/Kedah - KL/Kajang bus services

Langkawi Sky Cab

MyBas Perlis - Bus Service 玻璃市州巴士服务

MyBas Perlis - Public Bus Service
玻璃市州公共巴士服务 

Electric Train Service provides smooth ride from Kuala Lumpur to Perlis

Electric Train Service provides smooth ride from Kuala Lumpur to Perlis



Commuter Vincent Khor feels the interior of the electric train operated by Malayan Railways is comfortable and cosy. There are even power sockets under the seats.

I was very excited about taking Malaysia’s Electric Train Service (ETS) from Kuala Lumpur (KL) to Arau, Perlis, for the very first time.

It was probably the best decision I made on this trip – to travel by electric train instead of car or plane during the Labour Day weekend in April/May, to participate in the Perlis Marathon.

I bought my Malayan Railways ETS train ticket online.

When I fly, I prefer an aisle seat in the centre of the plane. I decided to make the same seat selection for the train ride. From the online ticketing system, I couldn’t tell if the seat I had chosen was facing the direction the train would be moving or the other way around. And I also couldn’t tell if the cafeteria was in the same coach.

What I was looking forward to was a nice, cosy seat with peace, quiet and privacy so that I could get some sleep. I needed some rest ahead of the marathon, which was held exactly one minute past midnight on the day I arrived.

While waiting for the train, scheduled to depart KL Sentral Station at 7.05am, I bumped into so many runners, some of whom I knew. They were also planning to take the same train and take part in the same marathon.

As I was about to board, I saw Kin K Yum (the marathoner, photographer and newspaper columnist) pushing his foldable bike and walking towards the train platform. I chatted with him for a while. He told me he was waiting for another friend Chan Wai Yee, who I met later, who also brought along a foldable bike. That was such an awesome idea – travelling with foldable bike for leisure cycling after the run in Perlis!

We found out that we were in different coaches so off we went to our separate seats.

TRAIN TO PERLIS

As I entered Coach C, I passed through a nice-looking cafeteria.

My seat was in a four-seat layout, with two seats facing another two, and a blue table in the middle. Throughout the journey, I was not be able to stretch my legs comfortably. Or if I took a nap, strangers sitting across me would be able to watch me all the time.

I was worried I would snore, or saliva would drool from my open mouth, in front of strangers. What if a fellow passenger decided to take a video of me snoring and upload it onto YouTube or Facebook? That made me wonder how I could sleep throughout the five-hour ride.

Five minutes after the train departed, Kin (or "KK" as his friends call him) came over to ask if I wanted to join him and the other runners in their coach. I thought all the seats were sold out! KK then told me that he bought an extra seat, which he was offering to me. My prayers were answered! I would have some peace and a restful journey.

FROM KL TO IPOH

The journey would have 14 stops before its scheduled arrival in Arau at 12.13pm. Pretty fast and efficient.

I found out that the train was moving at speeds averaging around 120kmh, reaching 150kmh at times. However, inside the train, one didn’t feel the speed at all as it ran very smoothly. It was a great way to travel, and we beat the traffic jams along the North-South Expressway!

From cityscapes, the views morphed into smaller towns with lush green vegetation before arriving at the old and beautiful Ipoh train station.

FROM IPOH TO ARAU

The journey from Ipoh saw an even more noticeable change in the landscape. I could spot more oil palm plantations, more forests, and finally padi fields, especially in Kedah. I got excited when the train passed the freshwater lake at Bukit Merah near Taiping. It was the lake I swam in when I took part in the 113 Triathlon last year.

We got off the train at Arau station. We then took the bus to Kangar, where the marathon would be held.

Before we arrived, I suggested to KK and Wai Yee to assemble their foldable bikes in the spacious air-conditioned train.

To our surprise, the train attendant did not object to them assembling their bikes in the train. In fact, he was courteous and friendly.

I was so impressed by the whole train experience – it was unforgettable, awesome and pleasant.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Masjid Zahir - Alor Setar

Masjid Zahir - Alor Setar

Mosque

回教堂 / 清真寺

AirAsia's Langkawi-Shenzhen flight

Najib launches AirAsia's Langkawi-Shenzhen flight

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched AirAsia's direct flight from here to Shenzhen, China.

The new route is expected to further develop Langkawi as a world-class tourist destination.

AirAsia Group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes thanked Najib for officiating the direct flight on Saturday.

"Last year, the Prime Minister launched our direct flight from Guangzhou to Langkawi.

"Leadership takes courage and it is courageous leadership shown by the Prime Minister to support AirAsia in reducing the airport tax which for years Malaysia Airports had resisted.

"Today, we see that value of his brave leadership. Direct international tourists have increased from 83,754 in 2015 to 187,433 in 2016 – an increase of 120 per cent.

"This represents a contribution of RM300mil to GDP, based on the 12 times multiplier effect," Fernandes said in his speech.

He said 2016 was the first time when international tourists outnumbered domestic tourists.

"We are driven by this and already this year we have flown over a million tourists to Langkawi with our 238 weekly flights from Langkawi.

"But we want to get to the three million mark and contribute a large part to the Langkawi Development Authority’s (LADA) target of RM9bil revenue.

"Our vision is that we will make Langkawi as connected as Phuket, if not greater."

~News courtesy of The Star~

Langkawi to be the ‘Monaco of the East’ for luxury tourism

Govt mulls making island the ‘Monaco of the East’ for luxury tourism

Plans are being made to further improve tourism in Langkawi with the implementation of luxury tourism and the promotion of people’s tourism concepts for the island, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He added that the Government was considering two concepts in further developing Langkawi as a tourist destination, one of which was to make it the “Monaco of the East” for luxury tourism and the other to promote people’s tourism.

“We have laid the foundation to bring Langkawi to the next phase of development,” he said at the “Leader with the People” programme and at the launch of the People’s Housing Project and Chenang fishermen’s jetty here yesterday.

Najib also said Langkawi will retain its duty-free status as long as the Barisan Nasional government remained in power. 

“In fact, we will bring more projects to the island.”

Najib said the successful development of Langkawi was not due to the efforts of any individual or Umno leader alone, but because of the strong support of the party members he led.

He also said that the housing project launched here proved the Government is concerned for the need of the people on the island to own their own homes.

The RM242mil project is expected to be completed by 2019.

“This is not a political project because the contractor has already started work on it,” he said of the project which involves the construction of five blocks of 11-storey apartments.

At another function, Najib said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s attempts to vilify the country’s leaders have backfired on him. 

Without naming the former premier, he said it has been understood that the country’s leaders would pass the mantle to their successors and give them the opportunity to lead in their own way.

“I’ve always wanted the best for the country, having transformed it for the better by bringing in more development and investments.

“This former leader may have forgotten, but I remember it is the principle of a Prime Minister to do good for the country,” he said at the opening of the Langkawi Umno division delegates meeting.

Najib said Umno’s principles dictated that a former party leader should respect the initiatives carried out by the present Prime Minister.

“This has been done since the tenure of the first prime minister and we continue to carry on the good work done by our predecessors,” he added.

Najib also thanked the Langkawi Umno members who have stayed loyal to the party.

Earlier, Najib launched Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad’s digital mobile application “i-Muamalat Mobile” during the Langkawi Digital Carnival.

The service, which can be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple Store, offers customers online banking services such as money transfers, bill payments and credit top-up payments for handphone users.

~News courtesy of The Star~

JPJ: Malaysia to implement VEP fee at Thai border

JPJ: Malaysia to implement VEP fee at Thai border

Malaysia will implement road charges and the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) system at the Thai border soon, said the Road Transport Department.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Nadzri Siron said the Transport Ministry was studying the matter and carrying out surveys on the number of vehicles crossing bordering states in Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan.

"JPJ as the executing agency has started its work at all the border states. It will be the same as how it is implemented at the Johor Baru–Singapore border.

"The charges would be the same, which is RM20 for every foreign registered vehicle entering Malaysia, and RM5 from that will be given to the state government," he told a press conference after the "One Community One JPJ" event here on Monday.

He added that the VEP, which will be carried out at the same time, would see a better record of vehicles entering the country.

~News courtesy of The Star~

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~

Masjid Zahir - Alor Setar

Premier getaway resort will put Langkawi Island on world map

Premier getaway resort will put Langkawi Island on world map, says PM



Graceful architecture: Sodakh (right) giving Najib a tour of the St Regis resort compound during an excursion to Langkawi.

The opening of The St Regis Langkawi, a joint-venture project between the Government and private sector, is part of a bigger strategy to put Langkawi on the world map, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said more was still needed to be done to boost the island’s reputation among premier tourists.

“When we are able to bring upmarket tourists to Langkawi, we can generate more revenue and provide more high-paying jobs, especially for the locals.

“We will also get demand for handicrafts and local produce, and luxury car rentals, and others.

“There will be a lot of multiplier effects that can be obtained, including our wish that Langkawi’s connectivity with the world can be implemented.

“Currently, there is only one direct flight from Guangzhou to Langkawi.

“I hope this strategy will bring results in the coming years,” he told reporters after a tour around the hotel here yesterday.

Among those present to accompany Najib during the tour included Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and Rajawali Group chairman and chief executive officer Tan Sri Peter Sondakh.

The opening was graced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.

The resort, which is nestled on the jewel of Kedah’s southern tip, is owned by Integrated Nautical Resort Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture between Rajawali Group and the Finance Ministry.

“Langkawi also has a convention centre where international and regional-level conferences can be held. This is due to the facilities that we have brought to a higher level, based on the masterplan that I launched five years ago,” he added.

He said Sondakh was already an investor in Malaysia and had a good relationship with the Government.

“When he saw that Langkawi has the potential to develop a hotel like St Regis, as he is the owner of The St Regis Bali that is so famous, he said that he can build a hotel which is equally as great in Langkawi.

“So I accepted his suggestion and we had a discussion with the Ministry of Finance, and the result was that this project was completed in 19 months – a record where the private sector and the government venture into a project of international standard that can be successfully accomplished,” the Prime Minister said.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Unesco boost for Langkawi

Unesco boost for Langkawi

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has agreed to make Langkawi a geopark reference centre for South East Asia, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) Chief Executive Officer, Tan Sri Khalid Ramli said, here today.

He said this agreement was tabled during the 4th Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) San’in Kaigan Symposium held in Tottori city, Japan earlier this month.

According to him, the international organisation’s gesture came as an additional boost for Langkawi as the island was accorded a green card rating for its efforts to retain its status as a Unesco Global Geopark.

Langkawi was mentioned by the UN body as a dynamic and vibrant geopark, he said in a press conference to announce the achievement here today.

According to him, the latest validation on Langkawi’s status would synergise with the recent announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to make it as Malaysia’s first low carbon island by 2030.

Meanwhile, APGN Coordinator, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Ibrahim Komoo said the geopark reference centre would function as a training facility by geopark aspiring groups.

~News courtesy of Bernama~

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~

Latest attraction in Langkawi, 3D Art Museum

Tun M officiates latest attraction in Langkawi, 3D Art Museum

The country's biggest 3D Art Museum and also the world's second biggest built at a cost of RM17 million in Oriental Village, Pantai Kok was officially open to the public today.

The museum, known as Art in Paradise Langkawi, built on 1,950.96 metre square land, was opened by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and expected to be the latest attraction for the free-duty tourism island.

In his speech, Tun Mahathir said the museum, which is divided into nine zones, would add value to the existing tourism products in the popular island.

"There are over 200 3D paintings in this museum and it surely adds to Langkawi’s attractions and be popular among the visitors," he said.

Present were Kuah assemblyman Nor Saidi Nanyan and Langakawi Development Authority (Lada) chief executive officer Tan Sri Khalid Ramli.



Visitors taking pictures with the 3D paintings at the 3D Art Museum in Langkawi. The Art in Paradise Langkawi is built on over 1,950 metre square land and is divided into nine different zones with over 200 3D paintings.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~