Hill temple to come alive with activities
TO usher in the Year of the Water Dragon, the Chin Swee Caves Temple in Genting Highlands has lined up an array of activities from Jan 23 to Jan 29.
The temple’s Sky Terrace will have various performances and stage shows, including the lion and dragon dance.
Also not-to-be-missed is the performance of the Southern Shaolin Kungfu with their skillful demonstration of martial arts.
For food and entertainment, treat your family to the Food and Merchandise Bazaar where stalls will be set-up at the Sky Terrace.
Aglow: The Chin Swee Caves Temple all lighted up for Chinese New Year.
There are also fun and games and visitors stand a chance to win great prizes. Do not miss the Chinese classical music show — Gu Zheng’s performance on the first and second day of Chinese New Year.
The Chin Swee Deity’s birthday falls on the 6th day of Chinese New Year on Jan 28, thus the temple’s prayer hall will be open 24 hours from Jan 27 to 7pm the next day.
Devotees are invited to seek blessings during this period. Free shuttle bus service is provided from First World Hotel to the temple from Jan 23 to Jan 29 between 9am and 9pm.
Guests who wish to enjoy the serene green hill view, Awana Skyway which stops at the temple is available at RM3 for a two-way ticket during this period.
For further enquiries and reservation regarding the event and other activities at the temple, visit www.csc.org.my or www.rwgenting.com.
~News courtesy of The Star~
马来西亚发行新硬币
马来西亚新设计的四种硬币将比现有硬币更小及更轻。（图／马来西亚国家银行网站）
（吉隆坡综合讯）继新设计的钞票后，马来西亚国家银行再推出新设计的硬币，新硬币将在本月16日起流通。
国行宣布，新设计的硬币包括5分钱、1毛钱、2毛钱以及5毛钱，将分阶段在市面上流通，并可与旧硬币一起使用，而国行也将逐步淘汰旧硬币。
《联合早报》
Shopping centre’s main CNY attraction is 600ft dragon
THE Year of the Dragon is almost upon us with shopping centres around Kuala Lumpur gearing up for Chinese New Year with magnificent displays.
The Pavilion shopping centre recently unveiled its very own “Dragon Festival” centre court bazaar.
The star attraction is a 600ft awe-inspiring dragon that greets shoppers as they enter the mall.
Roll on: The dragon dance marks the opening of the Pavilion KL Chinese New Year festivities.
“The Dragon is one of the most positive spirits of the Chinese Zodiac, signifying power, wealth and luck. As such, our aim is to create a grand and awe-inspiring experience for this Chinese New Year,” said Pavilion KL CEO Joyce Yap.
The Pavilion dragon, which took over two months to complete, is the largest centre court display in all of Malaysia and has already become a popular photography attraction.
However, the dragon is just one feature of Pavilion’s Chinese New Year extravaganza.
The month-long festivities at Pavilion include daily performances, lion and dragon dances, LED displays, dragon beard candy and calligraphy stalls as well as opportunities to dress in traditional Chinese costume.
Standing tall: The lion dance is still an important element of any CNY celebration.
Highlights include the eight lion dance and the double dragon dance which will take place at 4.30pm every Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The LED Lion Dance, taking place every Sunday at 8pm, is another not-to-be missed performance.
“The lion and dragon dances are only seen during Chinese New Year so we try to make it a special ocassion,” said Raymond Kue, executive director of Q Brothers and choreographer of the auspicious performances.
While Chinese New Year has embraced some modern elements over the years, Pavilion’s marketing director Kung Suan Ai said that many traditions continued to remain a part of the celebrations.
“We still have loud drumming, lanterns which symbolise prosperity and ang pow.
For luck and prosperity: Traditional tossing of yee sang.
“As we are catering to an urban market, the ang pow has adapted to meet consumer needs.
“Instead of money, we put coupons in the auspicious envelopes which are handed out to shoppers by the god of prosperity,” said Kung.
Chinese New Year festivities at Pavilion shopping centre in Bukit Bintang are definitely a feast for the senses.
“We bring in millions of people of all cultures, ages, religions and nationalities. As such, our role is to promote Malaysian culture and educate people who might not know too much about our country,” said Kung.
“The celebration really is for everyone and when you see everyone enjoying it you know you have done well.”
Pavilion’s centre court display will be on until Feb 6.
~News courtesy of The Star~
KL Citywalk launched
KUALA LUMPUR’S latest attraction the KL CityWalk was officially launched by city mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail recently.
The first alfresco strip mall in the city, KL CityWalk is a place where heritage and history are captured through hand-picked emerging Malaysian entrepreneurs.
It is part of the beautification plan that took a decade to be realised to make Kuala Lumpur a world-class tourist destination.
The task of developing the project was awarded to Trend Matrix Enterprises Sdn Bhd.
The 500m row of shops fronting Jalan P. Ramlee and Jalan Pinang, has 54 boutique outlets. It is managed by KL CityWalk Enterprises Sdn Bhd.
Making it official: Ahmad Fuad (third from left) launching the KL City Walk in Jalan P. Ramlee with (from left) DBKL directorgeneral Datuk Salleh Yusop, Tourism Malaysia Board chairman Datuk Victor Wee and acting Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Azizan Nordin.
At the launch, Fuad said KL CityWalk was another tourism product for Kuala Lumpur.
He said the area used be a monsoon drain that was underused but had now been transformed.
“If we have more such places, we would not mind having the private sector enhance them because it promotes a cleaner, healthier and conducive environment.
“The 10-year wait could be related to the building specifications but we had a discussion to get it moving.
“We want more tourists to come, so we have to offer different products. At present, KLCC is the top tourist spot followed by Dataran Merdeka,” he said, adding that walkways created convenience for people to move from place to place.
When asked if there were other areas or plans similar to KL CityWalk, Fuad said there was none at the moment.
Peaceful niche: KL CityWalk is ideal for those who prefer to take a stroll.
“We have to see the feasibility as not every place can be developed in such a way,” he said.
During the event, Fuad also launched the VisitKL Tourism Centre at KL CityWalk that operates from 9am to 5.30am daily.
Trend Matrix managing director Ronnie Choong said KL CityWalk was a showcase featuring lifestyle, culture, heritage and history.
He said the strategic location in the immediate area offered an ideal place to meet and revel in the sights, sounds and taste of the city.
“About RM20mil was spent as part of this beautification project.
“In terms of security we have installed 95 closed-circuit television cameraa with pan, zoom and tilt features.
“Since our soft launch with the tenants, about 5,000 people have visited KL CityWalk, 10% of whom were spending customers. We hope this will increase to 10,000 people,” he said.
KL CityWalk is open from 7.30am to midnight.
For enquiries, call KL CityWalk hotline at 03-21706688.
~News courtesy of The Star~
马发行新钞
马来西亚新设计的钞票昨天首卖，这包括停止发行16年的20令吉钞票。（图／星洲日报）
（吉隆坡综合讯）马来西亚新设计的钞票昨天首卖，这包括停止发行16年的20令吉钞票。为了购得新钞，有人在凌晨2时便到国家银行总部外排队。
在 队伍中站了两个小时的张素芬和两个兄弟是陪同嗜好收藏钱币的父亲张木来一起到国行排队，终于买得心头好。新钞9时才开始发售，但国行未开门，外头已有一条 长长的人龙。由于每次发售新钞，都吸引大批人排队等候，国行规定每个人只能买三款纪念钞。由于购买的数量受限，好些人都是全家出动。
（星洲日报）
Happy new year 2012 新年快乐～
