Malaysia, Indonesia tie for top spot among Muslim-friendly travel destinations
Malaysia has taken the top spot in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) for the ninth year in a row, but for the first time it is sharing that position with Indonesia.
The GMTI 2019 report, which includes 130 destinations globally, gave both countries a score of 78.
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
The rest of the top 10 countries are Turkey (score of 75), Saudi Arabia (72), United Arab Emirates (71), Qatar (68), Morocco (67), Bahrain (66), Oman (66) and Brunei (65).
In a joint statement today, MasterCard and CrescentRating said Indonesia had climbed from second place to the top spot through sustained efforts by the country’s Tourism Ministry to invest in its tourism and travel industry, and develop Muslim-tourist friendly infrastructure.
Last year, Malaysia received a score of 80.6 while Indonesia tied with the United Arab Emirates with a score of 72.8.
Singapore remains the premier Muslim-friendly travel destination among non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations this year, followed by Thailand, the United Kingdom, Japan and Taiwan.
The index tracks the health and growth of Muslim-friendly travel destinations in four strategic areas – access, communications, environment and services. — BERNAMA
2019年4月9日星期二
Be prepared to pay a departure levy
Flying out of the country? Be prepared to pay a departure levy
Anyone flying out the country will have to pay a fee when the Departure Levy Bill 2019 is passed in Parliament.
The Bill tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (pic) for its first reading on Monday (April 8) seeks the implementation of a new levy on any person leaving Malaysia.
However, the amount of the proposed levy was not mentioned in the Bill.
In Budget 2019, the government had proposed a departure levy of RM20 for Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The Bill also proposes hefty punishments for those who avoid paying the levy.
Any registered person who makes an incorrect return or information can face a fine not exceeding RM500,000, a three-year jail term or both, upon sentencing.
According to the Bill, a registered person means any operator or agent of foreign operators.
The Bill also states that anyone with the intent to evade or assist another to avoid the departure levy will also be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1mil, a five-year jail sentence or both upon sentencing.
The proposed Act also states that any person who in any way assaults, obstructs, hinders, threatens or molests a Customs officer in the discharge of his function or fails to give reasonable assistance to any Customs offer will also be liable to a maximum three-year jail term, a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or both if found guilty.
~News courtesy of The Star~
Anyone flying out the country will have to pay a fee when the Departure Levy Bill 2019 is passed in Parliament.
The Bill tabled by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah (pic) for its first reading on Monday (April 8) seeks the implementation of a new levy on any person leaving Malaysia.
However, the amount of the proposed levy was not mentioned in the Bill.
In Budget 2019, the government had proposed a departure levy of RM20 for Asean countries and RM40 for non-Asean countries.
The Bill also proposes hefty punishments for those who avoid paying the levy.
Any registered person who makes an incorrect return or information can face a fine not exceeding RM500,000, a three-year jail term or both, upon sentencing.
According to the Bill, a registered person means any operator or agent of foreign operators.
The Bill also states that anyone with the intent to evade or assist another to avoid the departure levy will also be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1mil, a five-year jail sentence or both upon sentencing.
The proposed Act also states that any person who in any way assaults, obstructs, hinders, threatens or molests a Customs officer in the discharge of his function or fails to give reasonable assistance to any Customs offer will also be liable to a maximum three-year jail term, a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or both if found guilty.
~News courtesy of The Star~
2019年4月8日星期一
TripAdvisor to aid tourism
TripAdvisor to aid tourism
The Tourism Ministry will be working with all the industry players and international travel website TripAdvisor to improve the review ratings for the country.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said they would visit every state, starting with Penang after Hari Raya in June.
“In tourism, it is all about the reviews. We want to bring all the industry players and stakeholders together and share the knowledge on how to obtain a higher rating.
“If you are lowly rated, tourists will not visit.
“If people leave bad reviews about the food or the hotel being noisy, the ratings will be low.
“There are many unknown attractions and service providers that are highly-rated although we may not know about them,” he said after handing over certificates to five Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance 2019 (MyTQA) recipients at Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm in Teluk Bahang on Saturday.
Muhammad Bakhtiar said Gurney Drive last year received low ratings probably due to land reclamation.
“It is rated by the people who went there and for obvious reasons, perhaps after the reclamation, sometimes people were disappointed as they wanted to see the sea.
“TripAdvisor is providing us with big data on why people visit Malaysia so we can figure out a strategy.
“There will be representatives from TripAdvisor joining us to advise the industry players.
Taiping was listed by Green Destinations (GD) as one of its 100 sustainable cities in the world last year.
“This shows that Malaysia has the potential.
“We, however, need to improve our service culture and Malaysian front-liners have to learn how to greet people and give it a personal touch.
“Other countries where English is not their first language have found a way to greet people in a welcoming way,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
The Tourism Ministry will be working with all the industry players and international travel website TripAdvisor to improve the review ratings for the country.
Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said they would visit every state, starting with Penang after Hari Raya in June.
“In tourism, it is all about the reviews. We want to bring all the industry players and stakeholders together and share the knowledge on how to obtain a higher rating.
“If you are lowly rated, tourists will not visit.
“If people leave bad reviews about the food or the hotel being noisy, the ratings will be low.
“There are many unknown attractions and service providers that are highly-rated although we may not know about them,” he said after handing over certificates to five Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance 2019 (MyTQA) recipients at Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm in Teluk Bahang on Saturday.
Muhammad Bakhtiar said Gurney Drive last year received low ratings probably due to land reclamation.
“It is rated by the people who went there and for obvious reasons, perhaps after the reclamation, sometimes people were disappointed as they wanted to see the sea.
“TripAdvisor is providing us with big data on why people visit Malaysia so we can figure out a strategy.
“There will be representatives from TripAdvisor joining us to advise the industry players.
Taiping was listed by Green Destinations (GD) as one of its 100 sustainable cities in the world last year.
“This shows that Malaysia has the potential.
“We, however, need to improve our service culture and Malaysian front-liners have to learn how to greet people and give it a personal touch.
“Other countries where English is not their first language have found a way to greet people in a welcoming way,” he said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
2019年3月21日星期四
Nine states on Level 1 heatwave alert
Nine states on Level 1 heatwave alert
It is getting hotter by the day with temperatures in the peninsula “boiling” between 35°C and 40°C.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has put a district in Kedah on Level 2 heatwave alert while 23 districts in seven states and one federal territory in the peninsula are on Level 1 after temperatures increased.
Pendang in Kedah is the only district placed on Level 2 alert after recording temperatures between 37°C and 40°C.
The 23 areas in the seven states are Chuping in Perlis; Kota Setar, Sik, Baling and Kulim in Kedah; Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta and Batang Padang in Perak; and Jerantut, Raub, Temerloh, Maran and Bentong in Pahang.
Also listed are Kuala Selangor, Kelang, Hulu Selangor, Sepang and Petaling in Selangor; Jelebu and Rembau in Negri Sembilan; Tangkak in Johor; and Kuala Lumpur.The other regions, including Sabah and Sarawak, recorded temperatures below 35°C.
“The hot weather is due to the lack of cloud cover and low rainfall during the end of the north-east monsoon,” said MetMalaysia director-general Datuk Alui Bahari.
He said such extreme temperatures were usual during the end of the north-east monsoon period, adding that the heatwave was expected to subside next month with more rainfall.
He added that Malaysia was experiencing a weak El Nino (irregular weather phenomenon) but did not expect it to be as severe as the 2016 El Nino.
“The highest daily temperature recorded was 40.1°C in Chuping on April 9, 1998, during the 1997-1998 Super El Nino,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Water Services Commission reiterated its advice for people to conserve water during the hot spell.
“We have been advising the people since February to use water wisely,” it said.
On the MetMalaysia Facebook page, Malaysians were seen reminding each other to take care during the heatwave.
“Woah heatwave! Drink lots of water ya,” Fadhil Saufi said.
“The weather in Penaga is so hot even my cat is running into the bedroom to find a cool place to relax,” Putera Katak said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
It is getting hotter by the day with temperatures in the peninsula “boiling” between 35°C and 40°C.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has put a district in Kedah on Level 2 heatwave alert while 23 districts in seven states and one federal territory in the peninsula are on Level 1 after temperatures increased.
Pendang in Kedah is the only district placed on Level 2 alert after recording temperatures between 37°C and 40°C.
The 23 areas in the seven states are Chuping in Perlis; Kota Setar, Sik, Baling and Kulim in Kedah; Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta and Batang Padang in Perak; and Jerantut, Raub, Temerloh, Maran and Bentong in Pahang.
Also listed are Kuala Selangor, Kelang, Hulu Selangor, Sepang and Petaling in Selangor; Jelebu and Rembau in Negri Sembilan; Tangkak in Johor; and Kuala Lumpur.The other regions, including Sabah and Sarawak, recorded temperatures below 35°C.
“The hot weather is due to the lack of cloud cover and low rainfall during the end of the north-east monsoon,” said MetMalaysia director-general Datuk Alui Bahari.
He said such extreme temperatures were usual during the end of the north-east monsoon period, adding that the heatwave was expected to subside next month with more rainfall.
He added that Malaysia was experiencing a weak El Nino (irregular weather phenomenon) but did not expect it to be as severe as the 2016 El Nino.
“The highest daily temperature recorded was 40.1°C in Chuping on April 9, 1998, during the 1997-1998 Super El Nino,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Water Services Commission reiterated its advice for people to conserve water during the hot spell.
“We have been advising the people since February to use water wisely,” it said.
On the MetMalaysia Facebook page, Malaysians were seen reminding each other to take care during the heatwave.
“Woah heatwave! Drink lots of water ya,” Fadhil Saufi said.
“The weather in Penaga is so hot even my cat is running into the bedroom to find a cool place to relax,” Putera Katak said.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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~
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~
槟中总支持扩建槟机场 居林机场不符经济效益
槟中总支持扩建槟机场 居林机场不符经济效益
槟州中华总商会全力支持槟州政府的立场，即应该在最短时间内扩建槟国际机场，同时认为计划中的居林机场不符合经济效益，浪费资源。
针对经济事务部长阿兹敏近日宣布，中央政府批准拨款16亿令吉在吉打建设居林国际机场 ，槟州中华总商会周四针对此发表文告，呼吁政府应该以经济效益为发展基建的考虑准绳。
“其实，在2018年财政预算案里，联邦政府已经批准扩建槟城国际机场，很遗憾的至今工程尚未施工。相反的，吉打的居林国际机场，在没有任何未有可行性报告下，经济事务部长阿兹敏冒然的宣布在州内新建第3座机场。”
商会认为，这是不需要而且不符合经济效益的基本设施。如今我国国库并不充裕，经济困难， 政府更不应再耗资钜额于居林兴建吉打州第三座机场。
“槟州机场与建议中的居林机场之间的距离只有60公里，费时45分钟的路程，我们看不出有这个必要来建新机场。在这样短的距离兴建两座国际机场，根本就是浪费宝贵资源。”
“众所周知，槟城机场急需扩建，以应付需求，因此，我们呼吁中央政府应专注于扩建槟城机场以容纳更多的客容量。目前每年客容量已达650万。然而，根据非官方数据，在2018年底，我们现在每年客容量已达776万人次。”
~光华日报~
槟州中华总商会全力支持槟州政府的立场，即应该在最短时间内扩建槟国际机场，同时认为计划中的居林机场不符合经济效益，浪费资源。
针对经济事务部长阿兹敏近日宣布，中央政府批准拨款16亿令吉在吉打建设居林国际机场 ，槟州中华总商会周四针对此发表文告，呼吁政府应该以经济效益为发展基建的考虑准绳。
“其实，在2018年财政预算案里，联邦政府已经批准扩建槟城国际机场，很遗憾的至今工程尚未施工。相反的，吉打的居林国际机场，在没有任何未有可行性报告下，经济事务部长阿兹敏冒然的宣布在州内新建第3座机场。”
商会认为，这是不需要而且不符合经济效益的基本设施。如今我国国库并不充裕，经济困难， 政府更不应再耗资钜额于居林兴建吉打州第三座机场。
“槟州机场与建议中的居林机场之间的距离只有60公里，费时45分钟的路程，我们看不出有这个必要来建新机场。在这样短的距离兴建两座国际机场，根本就是浪费宝贵资源。”
“众所周知，槟城机场急需扩建，以应付需求，因此，我们呼吁中央政府应专注于扩建槟城机场以容纳更多的客容量。目前每年客容量已达650万。然而，根据非官方数据，在2018年底，我们现在每年客容量已达776万人次。”
~光华日报~
居林场机一旦建成 必成槟机场“对手”
居林场机一旦建成 必成槟机场“对手”
槟旅游发展委员会主席杨顺兴指出，一旦吉打居林国际机场建成，必然成为槟州国际机场“对手”，但个人认为槟机场不会因居林机场建成而失去国际机场地位，沦为一座国内机场。
他周三在光大举行的一项签署谅解备忘录议式后强调，居林国际机场一旦建成，无可避免将给槟州国际机场带来冲击。因此，槟州未来必须强化本身优势和地位，制定更多策略来应对挑战，加强竞争力。
“威胁是不可否认的，一切就要胥视槟州未来如何应对。”
经济事务部长拿督斯里阿兹敏周二在吉打宣布7项共耗资32亿令吉的发展计划，其中包括以私人融资方式，估计耗费16亿令吉的居林国际机场。
杨顺兴被媒体询及，受到联邦政府祝福的居林国际机场一旦建成，是否影响槟州国际机场地位，毕竟两座机场相距只有约60公里时坦言，由于居林机场消息方于周二公布，本身不了解计划详情。
他指出，槟州行政议会将于本周五召开时，作出讨论。
媒体询及杨顺兴早前会晤交通部长陆兆福，是否对居林机场作出讨论时，杨顺兴强调两人会面期间，只针对槟州国际机场已晋瓶颈，必须为应付未来数十年的需求而进行扩建。
“这是必要的，交长也认同。所以槟州机场一定会扩建，但是否会建设廉航或其他，交长并没提及。”
当媒体再三追问有关未来居林国际机场座落位置，与槟国际机场位置距离不远，会否令槟州必须拱手让出国际机场地位时，杨顺兴强调槟州国际机场地位应可保留，不认为槟州会因此而失去国际机场。
~光华日报~
槟旅游发展委员会主席杨顺兴指出，一旦吉打居林国际机场建成，必然成为槟州国际机场“对手”，但个人认为槟机场不会因居林机场建成而失去国际机场地位，沦为一座国内机场。
他周三在光大举行的一项签署谅解备忘录议式后强调，居林国际机场一旦建成，无可避免将给槟州国际机场带来冲击。因此，槟州未来必须强化本身优势和地位，制定更多策略来应对挑战，加强竞争力。
“威胁是不可否认的，一切就要胥视槟州未来如何应对。”
经济事务部长拿督斯里阿兹敏周二在吉打宣布7项共耗资32亿令吉的发展计划，其中包括以私人融资方式，估计耗费16亿令吉的居林国际机场。
杨顺兴被媒体询及，受到联邦政府祝福的居林国际机场一旦建成，是否影响槟州国际机场地位，毕竟两座机场相距只有约60公里时坦言，由于居林机场消息方于周二公布，本身不了解计划详情。
他指出，槟州行政议会将于本周五召开时，作出讨论。
媒体询及杨顺兴早前会晤交通部长陆兆福，是否对居林机场作出讨论时，杨顺兴强调两人会面期间，只针对槟州国际机场已晋瓶颈，必须为应付未来数十年的需求而进行扩建。
“这是必要的，交长也认同。所以槟州机场一定会扩建，但是否会建设廉航或其他，交长并没提及。”
当媒体再三追问有关未来居林国际机场座落位置，与槟国际机场位置距离不远，会否令槟州必须拱手让出国际机场地位时，杨顺兴强调槟州国际机场地位应可保留，不认为槟州会因此而失去国际机场。
~光华日报~
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