In support of inbound tourism Visa

In support of inbound tourism



Visa has announced its partnership with Mid Valley Megamall. At the event, (from left) Ng, Tourism Malaysia Package Development Division director Syed Yahya Syed Othman, Tourism Malaysia Package Development Division Secretariat Shopping Malaysia head, Norliza Md Zain and Mid Valley City chief executive officer Daniel Yong.

KUALA LUMPUR: In support of Visit Malaysia 2020, and its target of achieving 30 million international tourist arrivals, Visa has unrolled a series of initiatives to promote inbound tourism.

“We have year-long promotions and offers in various parts of Malaysia including Klang Valley, Johor Baru and Penang. Visa cardholders can enjoy discounts and benefits at family attractions such as Legoland, Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark, and KidZania, other outlets like BH Petrol and Swarovski, as well as hospitals such as ParkCity Medical Centre and Subang Jaya Medical Centre,” says Visa country manager for Malaysia, Ng Kong Boon.

Aside from establishing partnerships with such attractions, hotels and dining outlets, the company has also established tie-ups with major shopping malls to roll out attractive promotions in an effort to play its part in promoting Visit Malaysia 2020.

To this end, Visa has announced its partnership with Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur recently on Dec 12. Being the world’s leader in digital payments, this partnership seeks to encourage tourists to use digital payment for their purchases during the festive season.

With this campaign Visa cardholders can make payment with their contactless card for purchases made at Mid Valley Megamall here and The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Baru, to be eligible for redemption gifts. To sweeten the deal, when they shop on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and on the eve of public holidays and on public holidays, they will also receive eco-friendly metal straws and pans as giveaways for transactions about RM200 and RM350 respectively.

For the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration, Visa and Mid Valley will be introducing another campaign from Jan 5, 2020 to Feb 2, 2020 where Visa cardholders will receive Toys “R” Us vouchers when they spend minimum RM350 with their contactless cards.



Ng notes a tremendous growth in adoption of digital payment.

Visa cardholders in Melaka are also in for a treat as Visa has also partnered with Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, Terminal Pahlawan and Hatten Square. From now till Jan 2, 2020 Visa cardholders will receive a specially designed Barbie canvas shopping bag when they spend minimum RM300 using their contactless cards.

According to Ng, this is part of the effort to propel adoption of digital payment, which has seen a tremendous growth due to the introduction of e-wallets. Furthermore, digital payments are a more convenient and safe way to making payment, as no physical cash is involved and tourists do not need to walk around with a big amount of local currency.

“Many people have the impression that the exchange rate applied when using their cards to make payment in a foreign currency is not as good as what they can get at a money changer. However, this is not necessarily true, as the exchange rate offered by the banks are just as competitive.

“We are extremely excited to promote Malaysia as a tourist destination, especially to our neighbours in Asia Pacific. Based on our data, Singaporeans, Indonesians and the Chinese are the top spenders when they travel to Malaysia. During this festive period, we are partnering with malls frequented by tourists to encourage them to use their payment cards, particularly contactless payments, when they make their purchases here. These promotions are designed to help boost tourism spend as part of the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign, “ Ng said.

~The Star~

Pekan Rabu - Alor Setar

Pekan Rabu, literally translated “Wednesday Market”, is a well-known attraction among both the locals and tourists from outside Kedah. From its humble beginnings as a weekly market operating from an attap-roofed shack, it has since expanded into a multi- storey arcade selling a wide range of traditional delicacies, handicraft products and apparel.

It is one of the best places to get traditional Malay foods such as serunding, dodol durian, kuah rojak and garam belacan. For its success, the business complex has become a source of pride among the Malay community in Kedah for helping encourage Malays to take an active role in commerce.

Opening hours are from 8am to 9pm daily. Stalls remain open even on public holidays and festivals.

~Tourism Malaysia~

SST: Not much difference for service sector

SST: Not much difference for service sector

The implementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) beginning this Saturday is not expected to make a major difference in the price of services.

According to tax expert Norsa’adah Ahmad, this was because the six per cent tax imposed on services such as those provided by hotels, insurance, and food catering companies was the same as that imposed by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) before this.

“There should not be much difference with the previous price...most (prices) will remain the same.

“Compared to the effect (of SST) on the price of other goods where the public is watching to see if prices increase or not, the price of services is not expected to show much difference,” she told Bernama today.

However, Norsa’adah who is also a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) did not discount the possibility of double taxation on the price of food and drinks sold in food outlets.

She said a 10 per cent sales tax is imposed on certain products like canned drinks at the production stage and it was not impossible that restaurants would increase their prices to cover the service tax.

Among the services on which the SST is imposed are those provided by night clubs, private clubs, golf clubs, casinos, lotteries, telecommunications, paid television, legal services, accounting services, forwarding agents, architects, engineers, valuers, security, parking, car rentals, advertising, domestic services, information technology services, credit cards and electrical services.

Meanwhile, hoteliers also do not expect an increase in room rates with the SST except for the usual increase during peak periods such as school holidays due to high demand.

However, executive director of the Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners Shaharudin M.Saaid said if the mechanism for the tax was the same as the previous SST, the room rates are expected to decrease.

“If the mechanism is the same as SST 1.0 before the GST was imposed, then room rates should be cheaper as the SST 1.0 did not impose a six per cent tax on service charges,” he said.

He said under the GST, a six per cent tax was imposed on service charges, resulting in an increase in the price of rooms and other services.

However Shaharudin hoped the mechanism for the implementation of the new SST is explained to the hotels quickly to avoid any confusion.

“We are waiting for clarification from the Royal Malaysian Customs Department,” he said. - Bernama

Rebranding iconic Pekan Rabu

Rebranding iconic Pekan Rabu

The iconic Pekan Rabu Complex will be demolished and rebuilt as a modern shopping venue with better facilities.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consu-merism Ministry Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the new building would cost RM55.58mil and cover an area of about 4,500sq metres.

It will be built on the site of the present Pekan Rabu building, which is about 4,200sq metres, in Jalan Tunku Ibrahim.

He said the present building would have to make way for the new building.

“The current 347 traders will be moved to a temporary site when construction starts,” he said.

Speaking at a press conference after launching the project here yesterday, Ismail Sabri said the new building would be built in two phases, with the first phase expected to kick off this year.

“The project is expected to be completed in two years.

“The first phase will include the demolition of the current Pekan Rabu building and the ground works.

“We have already received an allocation of RM15mil from the Federal Government for the first phase. The second phase involving RM40.58mil will start next year,” he said.

He also revealed that the new building, which will have 360 shoplots, will be seven storeys high with four levels for shop lots and three for 387 parking lots.

Pekan Rabu was opened in 1900 near Tanjung Chali before being relocated to its present site in 1932.

It was the brainchild of Tunku Yacob Sultan Abdul Hamid who wanted to provide the Malays with a proper trading facility.

The building was last renovated in 1995.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Timely boost for Langkawi

Timely boost for Langkawi

Above: Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall, Langkawi's largest shopping centre.

No doubt Pantai Cenang in Langkawi has many food outlets that can delight most palates. But hidden in Padang Mat Sirat, very near the airport, is a curry house that the regulars pay homage to.
Click here to find out more!Click here to find out more!

Located next door to a private clinic, the curry house goes by the name of Kalut. You won't find the name on any signboard, but everyone knows it. Or at least the regulars do.

I don't know how the outlet got its name, but it's been there for a long time. With all the development around Padang Mat Sirat right up to Pantai Cenang, Pantai Kok and Burau Bay, Kalut has survived the test of time.

Kalut has many meanings, one of which is crazy, or disorderly. I recall customers rushing for food at the stall in the early days, which could have prompted the name.

In fact, it survived very well. The house specialty is fish curry cooked to order. You can select the fish you want and it'll be served piping hot. Add freshly fried ikan kembong or tenggiri, and you have a finger-licking dinner.

Share a plate of ulam with really spicy sambal belacan and you have a dinner to remember. I know friends who time their arrival at the legendary island to coincide with Kalut's opening time -- around 6pm.

Such is the charm and hidden treasures of Langkawi. I spent a few days there last week, revisiting old haunts and talking to hawkers, restaurant operators, a doctor, teachers and tourism promoters. One common theme emerged from my chats with them: Langkawi needs a boost. And the prime minister's announcement of RM420 million (S$171.7 million) provided for in the 2012 Budget is just the tonic they've been waiting for.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched the Langkawi tourism blueprint early last month when he also announced the appointment of a new general manager for the Langkawi Development Authority, Tan Sri Khalid Ramli.

The people of Langkawi were rather dismayed that their famous island was neglected for some years. The island gained fame for hosting the International Aerospace and Maritime exhibitions (first held in 1991) and the Langkawi International Dialogue, a discourse aimed at bridging the gap between Malaysia and the nations of Africa. But until Lima last month, Langkawi was quiet for some years.

Hamid, who runs a car rental business, said his trade was affected then. There were many tourists who were day-trippers. "We couldn't understand why Langkawi was neglected for several years," he said.

A doctor I met was rather cynical. He said Langkawi's future depended on who was pushing for it. He refused to discuss the matter in detail but seemed contented treating tourists for minor ailments.

Indeed, Langkawi must set its house in order. Walk to the Oriental Village where the entrance to the cable car is located and catch the crowd queuing. But the place is quiet and most of the retail outlets post the "closed" sign before 7pm.

Can you imagine a tourist spot closing its doors to potential customers? Some things are not right, I thought. When I asked Eby, an old reporter friend who's now a resident of Langkawi, the young man said there's much that needs doing before the island can be a world-class tourist destination.

Langkawi is not short of attractions. Mazni took my entourage on a guided tour of the wildlife park. We were pleasantly surprised. Mazni and her boss, Teoh, are very knowledgeable about the birds and other animals there.

Langkawi is developing its own character, the focal point by large being Pantai Cenang. The beachfront offers everything from budget accommodation, motorcycle rental, numerous restaurants offering local and international cuisine and the usual souvenirs and knick-knacks.

The operators along the beachfront are worried about the development said to be coming their way. Anuar, a seafood restaurant owner, said most of the small business people there don't mind development.

"But where will we be placed?" he asked.

The beach at Pantai Cenang is nothing to shout about. People go to Burau Bay or Pantai Kok and Tanjung Rhu if they feel like taking a dip in the sea. In the early days, Pantai Cenang even had its own beauty pageant (held on a makeshift stage with a zinc roof) during Lima.

Langkawi is no Bali or Hawaii or Mauritius. But it has its own charm and character that can soothe your nerves.

～News courtesy of New Straits Times～

Ringgit Malaysia

Malaysian Currency - Ringgit
马来西亚法定货币 - 令吉

Tesco new branch @ Kulim

Sunday - Thursday: 8am - 11pm
Friday, Saturday & Public Holiday: 8am - 1am

386, Jalan Lembah Impiana 9, Lembah Impiana III, 09000 Kulim, Kedah.
Tel: +6 04 490 5252
Fax: +6 04 490 3832

Mental battle up north

Mental battle up north

ABOUT 120 teams from 45 schools will vie for honours in the Kedah leg of the RHB-The Star mighty minds challenge at the Alor Setar Mall on July 30.

The big showdown will see the northern state’s brightest sparks battling it out to represent Kedah in the national finals in Kuala Lumpur in October.

The competition is open to all secondary schools and each team consists of three participants.

Registration for the Kedah level challenge, jointly organised by RHB Banking Group and The Star, will close on July 22.

A group of students and teachers from SMK Sultanah Asma in Jalan Langgar, Alor Setar, handed over their registration forms to The Star’s senior marketing representative in Kedah Yong Chuan Seng yesterday.

SMK Sultanah Asma senior assistant Fauziah Ramli said the school would be represented by a new batch of students this year as last year’s representatives were no longer around.

“The competition will test the students’ Intelligence quotient (IQ) and the teachers who have been tasked to select the cream of the crop have a big task to select the brightest ones,” she said.

She added that most of the students had taken part in theory competitions involving chemistry, physics and biology at national level but not a hands-on activity.

Four teachers — Hasnida Daud (biology), Zatul Iffah Taib (physics), Rahmah Ramli (English) and Rohana Said (chemistry) — have been assigned to screen the best students for the competition.

Rahmah said the teachers were prepared for the competition as they knew what to expect based on last year’s experience

“We aim to be among the top three finishers,” she added.

Form Five science student Noor Ezza Che Sopa, 17, was all excited about being selected for the challenge.

“I have taken part in the national physics competition but this hands-on activity is going to be a tricky one,” she said, adding that they would put their minds together to give it their best shot.

The champion team in each category will receive a RM3,000 cash prize while the school will be awarded RM2,000 in kind. The second and third teams will get RM2,000 and RM1,000 cash awards respectively while their schools will receive RM1,000 and RM750 in kind.

-News courtesy of The Star-

Shopping in Alor Star

Buy

General shopping can be made around the city. Alor Star offers a wide variety of goods, whether they are local or imported. Souvenirs can be purchase at Alor Star's main tourist destination.

Main shopping spots are:

* Pekan Rabu - Located in front of Pekan Rabu's main bus stop. It offers local goods such including traditional food and crafts.

* City Plaza - The major shopping complex in Alor Star. Sitting together with Holiday Villa Hotel, the complex offers entertainment, shopping and food. It has restaurants, bowling alleys, arcade center, cineplexes and shops that sell cloths, shoes, mobile phones and souvenirs.

* Star Parade - Another major shopping spot in Alor Star. It has Malaysia's very own Pacific Departmental Store. The mall offers a wide variety of shops.

* Alor Star Mall - The mall is located near the North-South Expressway EXIT Alor Star Selatan/South. It is one of the newest malls in Alor Star which has another Pacific Store. Alor Star Mall's Pacific Store offers a wide range of clothing for men, women and children. The brands include Levi's, Adidas and Diesel.

* Souq Al-Bukhary - The newest mall and bazaar in Alor Star, in which Giant hypermarket, a local hypermarket establishment, is the anchor tenant. It is considered as the modern version of Pekan Rabu.

* Persiaran Sultan Abdul Hamid (Sultan Abdul Hamid Drive) - Located in Jalan Pegawai, it is the best drive in Alor Star. The drive has spas, boutiques, restaurants, antique shop etc. Anything you can imagine.

* Tesco Mergong - Located at Jln Lencong Barat (Mergong)