听，大自然在呼吸‧生態旅游倡育环保

听，大自然在呼吸‧生態旅游倡育环保



由多位不同领域学者组成的考察团深入森林腹地进行一连串的考察，以记录当地的环境生態以及物种的发展情况。（图：星洲日报）

你知道吗？沼泽森林蕴藏著丰富的资源，除了是多种动植物的棲身地之外，大部份沼泽森林底下都有厚厚的泥炭层，埋藏数十亿吨的碳。

然而，一旦沼泽森林被砍伐，除了会导致多种珍贵物种面临频临绝种的危机之外，乾涸后的沼泽森林將释放大量的二氧化碳到大气层中，加剧全球暖化的情况！

被视为自然界瑰宝的沼泽森林，正在快速消失中，为了保护珍贵的物种以及防止全球暖化，国家森林局与大马自然协会（Malaysian Nature Society）携手举办生態研究考察团，为保育自然界出一份绵力。

大马自然协会就表示，泥炭沼泽森林是一个很独特的生態系统，当中有大量专属的物种是在其他森林所不能找到的。

沼泽森林
建观鸟道

大马自然协会的最终计划是希望能在沼泽森林中兴建观鸟的鸟道，让更多民眾可以亲身前往森林，远距离观赏这些濒临绝种的鸟类，以及从中让他们能瞭解人类与自然界共生共存的道理。

鸟道的兴建也能成为新兴的生態旅游，在为国家营造更多的额外收入之余也能提倡保育环境的概念，对人类以及自然界来说，可是双贏的局面。

雪北泥炭沼泽森林
树种107个鸟类173种

大马自然协会在国家森林局的大力支持与资助之下，举办了一项生態研究考察团，並邀请国內外著名的科学家、自然学者加入远征团队，在雪州北部的泥炭沼泽森林进行群体的探索和实地调研，以瞭解当地生活的物种发展趋势，还有棲息地的当前状况。

考察团所得的结果將形成科学依据，成为雪州政府在管理雪州北部泥炭沼泽森林的指引。此外也希望有关活动能提昇公眾的环境保护意识，充份瞭解到沼泽森林对人类以及自然界的重要性，以携手合作一同来保护这重要的生態系统。

半岛最大
佔地7万6千公顷

雪兰莪北部泥炭沼泽森林（NSPSF）是大马半岛最大的泥炭沼泽森林，佔地约7万6千公顷。

该森林里存有的稀有物种相当多样化，有多达107个树种，其中大部份树种只能在泥炭沼泽存活。

鸟类则有173种，其中包括多个濒危物种，如犀鸟和短趾鸦鹃。

此外有超过100种的鱼类，当中半数是只能存活在沼泽森林的“黑水”河流中的珍贵鱼种。此外也包括太阳熊、云豹、貘、恒河鱷等珍稀濒危动物。

为了深入调查雪兰莪北部泥炭沼泽森林的生態发展，考察团潜入多座森林的腹地，以记录下当地的生態环境、物种的多寡以及个体数量，並寄望能从中发现新的物种。

为了加强准確性，考察团每天都会千里迢迢进入森林，不分画夜地重復同样的观察工作，以让数据更具说服力。

鸟类专家：大肆伐木
鸟类仅剩70种

参与考察团的鸟类专家莫哈末拉菲指出，由於棲息地受到破坏，许多濒临绝种的鸟类数量渐渐减少，当中包括犀鸟、短趾鸦鹃等等。

“1986年的调查指出，在雪兰莪北部泥炭沼泽森林大约有170种鸟类，但是在这次远征团数天来所得出的数据，观察到的鸟类仅有大约70种，数量大幅下降，证明人类大肆破坏森林的举动对鸟类造成重大的威胁。”

“大马其实还有许多地方可以成为生態旅游的热点，只要政府与私人界、非政府组织携手合作，就能最大限度地保护环境以及发展生態旅游事业。”

吴国瑞：希望年轻人
参与保育大自然

大马自然协会雪州主席吴国瑞指出，举办有关考察团的目的是保育环境、保护濒临绝种的物种以及发现新的物种。

他说，雪兰莪北部泥炭沼泽森林的独特生態系统是许多动植物的棲身地，其独特的生態系统对为人类带来福祉，包括供水、防洪以及发挥气候调节的功能。

“从2001年起，雪州政府就不断透过森林局领导多个组织与协会，一同合作保护雪兰莪北部泥炭沼泽森林，大马自然协会也参与其中。迄今所採取过的保育行动包括消除非法农业活动、在沼泽森林的河口或支流处设立隔水墙以增加水位的高度，以及林木重植计划等等。”

他希望以后每年都能进行类似的活动，让更多民眾尤其是年轻一辈可以一同参与保育大自然环境的活动，加入保护环境的行列。

（星洲日报／大都会）

Haze back after false lull

Haze back after false lull

The haze is back in the Klang Valley, Putrajaya, Pahang and Johor, and is expected to spread further inland over the next few days, said the Meteorological Department.

Its central forecasting office director Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said visibility in the Klang Valley had “reduced markedly” in a day, with the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang recording visibility of up to 2.5km yesterday afternoon.

“While this later improved, some areas in Petaling Jaya and Subang still had reduced visibility of up to 3km and 4km respectively,” he told The Star.

As of 5pm yesterday, the Department of Environment’s Air Pollutant Index recorded four areas with unhealthy air quality – Bukit Rambai in Malacca (119), Banting in Selangor (110), Muar in Johor (103) and Cheras in Kuala Lumpur (110).

Readings for Malacca city, Nilai and Port Klang hovered dangerously close to the unhealthy mark at 99, 96 and 94 respectively.

No readings were available for Putrajaya, which the DOE attributed to a technical error at the station.

The return of the haze comes just days after Indonesian Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya said his country hoped to ratify the 2002 Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution early next year after last week’s meeting with four of his Asean counterparts.

The treaty aims to stop transboundary haze by requiring parties to prevent burning, monitor prevention efforts, exchange information and provide mutual help.

At the meeting, the ministers had commended Indonesia for its ability to put out the land and forest fires, resulting in a drastic drop in fires.

Its effort had included waterbombing raging fires on plantations in Riau and cloud seeding.

Last month, air quality levels turned hazardous in some parts of peninsular Malaysia as well as Singapore, resulting in the closure of schools and a spike in respiratory illnesses.

Muhammad Helmi said the haze was spreading at a slow rate with the light wind pattern, which was expected to remain steady throughout the week.

He said the haze had also reached parts of Pahang and Johor, and would move northwards to Perak and Penang.

“The main reason for the spread has been the jump in the number of hotspots in Sumatra,” he said, adding that drier weather conditions in the region would contribute to an increase in Indonesian forest fires.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Palanivel: List Batu Caves as heritage site

Palanivel: List Batu Caves as heritage site

Batu Caves is a Malaysian treasure and meets the criteria for it to be listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.

He said that there were more than enough cultural, geological and ecological reasons for Batu Caves to make it into the world body’s list of attractions.

“It should rightfully be listed (as a heritage site). I will ask the National Heritage Department to submit a bid for this,’’ he said, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had also supported the bid.

Palanivel was responding to reports in The Star which stated that the department would not nominate Batu Caves for listing as a World Heritage Site as it did not meet the requirements.

A department spokesman was quoted as saying that Batu Caves did not fulfil even one out of the 10 criterion listed, claiming that the illegal structures in Batu Caves were not in harmony with the surroundings of the 400-million year old limestone structure.

Palanivel maintained that going by the 10 criteria listed by Unesco, Batu Caves qualified on several fronts, citing the annual Thaipusam festival and monolithic limestones as strong enough reasons.

Last year, Najib announced plans to get Unesco to officially recognise Batu Caves as a world site to be preserved as it was a Malaysian icon of nature and culture.

There are now about 981 sites listed as a world heritage – 759 cultural, 193 natural and 29 mixed properties.

Italy is home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites with 49, followed by China (45) and Spain (44).

Five sites in Malaysia are recognised by the UN body – Gunung Mulu National Park, Kinabalu Park, archeological heritage of the Lenggong Valley and the two historical cities of Malacca and George Town.

Malaysia is a member of the 21-nation World Heritage Committee which decides on the inscription, referral or deferral of properties proposed for nomination.

~News courtesy of The Star~

11启动工程‧1200万打造亚罗街夜间美食天堂

市长：11启动工程‧1200万打造亚罗街夜间美食天堂



构思图中显示，美化后的亚罗街將改头换面，包括出现划一的遮阳伞、流动档口，並保留最右边的一条路段充作泊车位，而档位与泊车位中间路段，將只能供一辆车川行。

吉隆坡市政局將耗资1千万200万令吉，把亚罗街和登卡同善路（Tengkat Tongshin）一带的社区打造成一个整洁、有秩序、符合卫生標准及足以媲美国际水准的“亚罗街夜间美食天堂”。

吉隆坡市长拿督斯里阿末菲沙则指出，上述提昇和美化计划將於今年11月展开，预计在2014年8月竣工。

他补充，市政局在展开上述计划时，將儘量把对商贩构成的不便及影响减至最低点。

近期將徵求贩商意见

不过，他强调，由於上述计划目前仍处於初步商討阶段，因此市政局將收集和諮询商贩的意见，並在近期內与受影响商贩进行交流，以便集思广义后才来拍案定论。

“接下来的交流会將分成4个小组进行，为不同层面和领域的受影响人士，包括產业业主、商贩安排和提供一个交流的平台，让他们可以针对不同的领域探討和作出建议。”

他也要求商家踊跃提供意见，以期顺利为亚罗街打造崭新的形象，吸引2千800万人次的外国游客到吉隆坡观光。

阿末菲沙是在今早出席吉隆坡市政局为亚罗街商贩举行的亚罗街美化计划匯报会后，如是指出。

市长：计划提昇基设
筹备阶段居民无须迁移

会上，阿末菲沙也感谢商贩在无需市政局的推广下，將亚罗街发展为美食天堂。而为了使亚罗街成为基本设施完善和环境卫生理想的地方，市政局有意斥资，將亚罗街展开提昇和美化计划，避免发生诸如鼠患的问题。

他说，在该项计划下，不会有居民必须迁移，而且市政局只提昇基本设施，目前工程也只处於筹备阶段。

他解释，市政局將在亚罗街展开的提昇和美化工作，包括在安全城市概念下，为市民提供街灯照明、重新粉刷亚罗街三层式建筑物的外墙、清理和解决沟渠阻塞问题，並为沟渠加盖等。

接外劳高空掷物投诉

他补充，卫生也是有待克服的问题，因一些產业单位出租给诸如缅甸、孟加拉外劳，市政局不时接获他们高空掷物和乱丟垃圾的问题。

“我们在21地方议程（LA21）下，与缅甸、孟加拉领事馆取得联繫，以反映外劳乱丟垃圾的问题。同时，市政局也將设法联繫那些把单位出租给外劳，而外劳租户涉及高空掷物的產业业主来寻找解决方案。倘若情况没有改善，我们將採取必要的法律行动。”

亚罗街有逾百个摊位

他指出，亚罗街一带的建筑物约有200个单位，至於档口则有两种，即流动摊位和固定摊位，总数逾100个。

他说，除了亚罗街之外，市政局也委托了顾问公司，预计於明年陆续在何清园与秋杰路展开美化计划，有关拨款数额仍未定。

会上，阿末菲沙也邀请城市及交通组主任梁绍文充当临时通译员，代他向不諳国语的商贩转达其谈话內容。

方贵伦：助市局收集资料
盼商民达双贏局面

武吉免登国会议员方贵伦感谢市政局致力把亚罗街打造成美食天堂，並促请市政局为当地居民、商贩打造双贏的局面。

他说，他將在近期內协助市政局收集更多相关资料，以呈交给市政局作为参考。

（星洲日报／大都会）

Dial a taxi 电召德士

Cityline 03 9222 2828
Comfort 03 8024 2727
KL Teksi 03 9221 8999
Persatuan Radio 03 2693 6211
Public Cab 03 6259 2020
Radio Cab 03 9221 7600
Saujana 03 2162 8888
Silvertop 03 4023 1267
Supercab 03 2095 3399
Sunlight 1300 800 222

国家纺织品博物馆办展览 世界娃娃服装风情万种

国家纺织品博物馆办展览 世界娃娃服装风情万种



韩国民族传统服装经历古代到现代化的演变。

童年玩偶承载无数少时的生活记忆，不会说话的小娃娃原来还是开拓人类文化视野的好帮手，“世界娃娃服装展”即日起至8月18日，在国家纺织品博物馆异国风情盛装上架，吸引不少览馆访客的目光。

反映一国特征时代意境

日本的传统和服、西班牙的斗牛风情、芬兰的童话世界小娃娃等，无论是他们身上的传统时代穿着，抑或是民族文化和传统工业，皆反映一国特征和所处时代的意境。

国家纺织品博物馆从即日起，在馆内展示来自亚欧、北美及大洋州，共36个国家的213件世界娃娃服装，在活动推介首日即迎来海内外访客的目光。

访客当中也有不少外地游客，受异国风情娃娃眉目神情栩栩如生所吸引，在现场与小娃娃合照。

国家博物馆总监拿督依布拉欣是在今午为展览馆主持推介仪式，出席者有国家纺织品博物馆董事郑秀梅。

国家纺织品博物馆（National Textile Museum）从7月9日至8月18日，上午9时至下午5时，在位于1楼的展览（Saindera）馆展出“世界娃娃服装展”。

欲知详情可浏览http://www.muziumtekstilnegara.gov.my。

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

美化竣工 达迈岩洞攀岩热点

美化竣工 达迈岩洞攀岩热点



达迈岩洞吸引不少爱好户外越野挑战的老外到来。

斯里鹅麦达迈岩洞首期美化工程完工，设备齐全及环境优美，吸引不少攀岩客到来，更有国外旅客闻其名，但德士司机却不知情，结果变成游客指路。

达迈岩洞为石灰山，高100公尺，早在约15年前，就有许多爱好攀岩者在此活动，同时，该区也是吉隆坡塔空中跳跃者热身地点。

士拉央市议员林晋伙日前带同《南洋商报》记者巡视时指出，达迈岩洞是州内出名攀岩地点，许多爱好攀岩者都会到该处，甚至有些外州或是国外游客也特闻名而来此攀岩。

“在国外，喜欢攀岩者都需远离城市，花费一至两天时间到郊区攀岩，可是达迈岩洞却是一座位于城市内的攀岩好去处，非常方便城市人。”

德士不知情变游客指路

他说，曾有一名外国游客欲到此攀岩，但司机却不懂得这地方，最终由该名游客指路。

“遗憾的是，该区于2008年前，一直没获得妥善照护及发展，基设更是严重欠缺。自民联政府执政后，积极向旅游部申请拨款，以改善当地成为旅游景点之一。”

他说，去年终于获得400万令吉拨款，进行首期美化工程；包括建厕所、贩卖单位、儿童游乐场及户外越野建设等，目前已在今年2月全面建竣，除适合成人攀岩，小孩也适到此活动，参与户外越野设备或是儿童游乐场，目前当地交由4B组织管理。

士拉央市会争取80万拨款建湖

士拉央市议会正积极向旅游部争取80万令吉等二期美化工程费，预计在达迈洞建一座人造湖，全面提升为旅游景区。

林晋伙指出，该人造湖约面积5000方尺，并计划设有渡假小屋出租给游客居住。有关建议书已提呈，原本负责官员欲在上星期到来视察环境，惟烟霾问题而搁置。

“掌管雪州旅游事务的州行政议员黄洁冰去年有到此参观，我个人也曾联系她数次，希望她今年再度掌管旅游事务当儿，可全面关注及带动这里旅游业，同时给予拨款，使这里设施更加善。”

他也促请峇都喼区州议员阿米鲁丁支持这项计划。

非法木屋或阻第二期美化

涉及第二期美化工程范围的木屋居民迁回，或阻工程进展。

林晋伙指出，山下原住有一批木屋居民，后来在州政府协助及安顿下搬离，但四年前开始有部分居民因该处尚未发展而迁回来居住，有者甚至出租给外劳。

“据鹅麦县土地局最新统计，该处共有42户非法木屋居民，当中有28户去年中欲向土地局申请地契，误以为当局回函指会考量当成‘允许’，建了28间双层排屋，如今面对一些棘手事项”

林晋伙说，基于未免引居民混乱，市议会暂未取缔该些非法居民。

来一次后就爱上———弗达武●律师（31岁）

我一年半前，在朋友介绍下到此攀岩，从此就爱上这里，不再参与户内的攀岩，一有假期就会和友人到此攀岩。 近来也发现所有基设获得改善，整个环境变美及设备齐全。

非常漂亮设备齐全——弗乐帝●法国人（23岁）

我首次到来马来西亚探望朋友，友人特带我到这地方攀岩，觉得非常漂亮、设备齐全。

在我国家，我只是进行户内的攀岩，这次在户外，感觉非常具有挑战性。

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

断桥增知名度 游客络绎不绝 到丹村看坍塌情人桥

断桥增知名度 游客络绎不绝 到丹村看坍塌情人桥



丹村情人桥部份桥段自两周前坍塌后，对民众， 尤其是渔民造成诸多不便。

雪州丹绒士拔新村著名旅游景点之一的“情人桥”部分桥段坍塌后，“断桥”反而拉高知名度吸引更多游客到来。

“情人桥”自上个月25日中午坍塌后，轰动一时而备受各界的关注。

游客关心何时修复

原本各界以为“断桥”会影响人潮，连累当地旅游业，但当地的餐馆业者及小贩却说，人潮不受影响，反而更多人询问“断桥”何时会修复，关心者极众。

尽管如此，当地人都希望坍塌的桥段能尽快修复。

在情人桥附近经营土产的情人桥土产海味商行东主谢佳鹏受访时表示，目前生意照常，人潮还是很旺。

“不过，有些游客会感到失望，他们指情人桥是当地的历史景点，能带动经济，因此希望桥能保留下去，也追问何时才能恢复原来面貌。”

询及曾经有报道指桥断后游客减少60%，当地的生意深受打击一事时，他即刻回答“不可能”，反而知名度因报道后而提高，游客也随之增加，而这两天的游客也非常旺，根本不受其影响。

海鲜餐馆高朋满座

小贩高迪华也说，“桥断后没有影响游客的到来，有些更是看到报道后，因好奇而前来看个究竟”。

情人桥附近著名的海洋海鲜餐馆负责人李绍南受访时指出，自情人桥部分桥段坍塌后不久恰逢烟霾笼罩，因此游客略微减少，并非因断桥而影响。

“现在烟霾消失后，人潮又恢复前往享用海鲜美食。”

记者采访当日，前往该餐馆享用美食的游客高朋满座，看不到因断桥而影响生意。

他说，大部分的游客都盼望断桥尽快修复，他们才有机会走到桥上观看美景，拍照留念。

谢雅财：因祸得福 重建后更具号召力

丹村谢氏宗祠主席谢雅财陪同到访的吉隆坡谢氏宗亲们到情人桥观看断桥奇景时表示，情人桥是丹村很吸引人的旅游景点，很多游客都慕名而来，自从坍塌后多少会让人感觉到不完美。

他说，为了当地的旅游业，他希望尽快把断桥修建好，同时，建好后可能会吸引更多游客前往观光，或许会因祸得福，因为重建后可能会是一个更好的号召。

~南洋商报~

衔接苏丹依斯迈路多个聚点 多方向人行天桥启用

衔接苏丹依斯迈路多个聚点 多方向人行天桥启用



吉隆坡苏丹依斯迈路多方向有盖人行天桥正式启用， 为市民带来便利。

吉隆坡苏丹依斯迈路多方向有盖人行天桥正式启用，市民今后不必再做“马路螃蟹”，横冲直撞过马路！

该人行天桥全长680公尺，衔接苏丹依斯迈轻快铁站、美丹端姑单轨火车站以及Maju Junction购物中心几个主要人潮热点区，为公众人士提高便利，减少市民过马路风险。

这座人行天桥由国家基建公司承建，耗资1400万令吉，桥身采取开放设计，相当光洁明亮。

联邦直辖区部长拿督斯里东姑安南星期一受邀为天桥开幕时指出，在人潮热点设立高架人行天桥是大吉隆坡计划下的工程之一，主要是为了提高公众出门的便捷性。

他说，该座崭新的人行天桥衔接附近多个公共交通设备，可通往依斯迈路、秋杰路、中南区等方向，进出口便利。

减少市内交通意外

“城市的车辆太多，市民为了赶时间横冲过马路十分危险。希望市民可以善用天桥，多步行，多乘搭公共交通，以便减少市内的车辆以及交通意外。”

基于人行天桥罪案时有耳闻，东姑安南也促请市民在使用人行天桥时务必时刻保持警惕，一旦发生攫夺或抢劫案，人民也应该发挥守望相助的精神，帮助受害者。

他也说，大吉隆坡计划下的人行天桥工程以市民的安全、区域的永续发展为考量，并计划衔接同一地区不同的建筑、酒店、购物中心以及办公楼。

“目前，很多酒店基于客户隐私的问题，不愿意人行天桥衔接酒店出入口，但我们会继续跟进劝说，以便全面提高人行天桥的便捷性。”

出席者有吉隆坡市长拿督斯里阿末费沙、联邦直辖区副部长拿督罗加峇拉莫汉、秘书长拿督安南依山以及国家基建公司主席丹斯里依斯迈。

市长盼市民多用天桥少驾车

吉隆坡市长拿督斯里阿末费沙指出，提高公共交通乘搭率是吉隆坡市转型计划之一，设立更多的人行天桥，衔接不同商业区出入口，能改善市民出门的便捷。

他说，目前吉隆坡市政厅鉴定数个单轨火车站、轻快铁站、商业中心以及购物广场兴建人行天桥，希望市民可以多使用人行天桥，多走路运动，减少驾车入城。

市民无需越过马路

较早前，《南洋商报》走访有关天桥，发现该天桥在开放使用后，将能减少马路螃蟹越过马路的情况，尤其对附近上班族、学生而言，这座天桥也能让他们免于越过多个路口，节省等待交通灯的时间。

为购物中心带来便利

受询的人士指出，该座天桥动工已久，迄今根据目测人行天桥已完工却还未开放，一旦开放后将带来无数便利。

而一些购物中心业者也说，人行天桥除了为公众带来便利，一般上相信不会带动太多的人流。

耗7000万提升步行道

“接下来，衔接太子世界贸易中心轻快铁站和布特拉电动火车站的有盖人行天桥也即将启用，方便轻快铁搭客往返轻快铁站，免受日晒雨淋。”

他也说，政府也耗资7000万令吉以改善安邦路、怡保路、纳卡沙里路、武吉免登和樟卡嘉炳路的步行道，盼在2020年前可私人交通和公共交通的比例目标60：40。

联络福利部协助流浪汉

当询及人行天桥常有流浪汉和乞丐向市民乞讨金钱一事，阿末费沙直言，他也无可奈何。

“市内有不少流浪汉和乞丐使用天桥作为栖身之所，确实有碍市容。我们会联络福利部与这些流浪汉接洽，帮助他们渡过难关。”

另外，针对市内一些人行天桥被不法之徒破坏，偷走电缆而致使人行天桥电梯故障。

安装电眼防破坏者

阿末费沙表示吉隆坡市政厅有关单位将会和承包商接洽，在维修有关电梯之余，也安装闭路电视，以便能够监督之余也揪出这些破坏者。

新闻背景：计划衔接6轻快铁站

吉隆坡市政厅计划发展城市有盖人行通道及天桥综合计划，放眼在2020年把隆市中心的人行通道与交通系统衔接达143公里，这项计划也获得国油贡献1亿令吉发展基金。

计划的首期建设，是从隆市金三角衔接成功时代广场至乐天广场一帶。至于衔接各建筑、旅游点及商业中心的人行天桥计划，则由隆市政厅、国家基建公司及KLCC（控股）有限公司执行。

当局圈定人民广场、汉都亚、吉隆坡太子世界贸易中心、苏丹依斯迈路、万达拉也、中央艺术坊6个轻快铁站地点，作为人行通道和天桥的衔接脊柱。

避免遇到攫夺匪———退休人士●温运金（72岁）

人行天桥应该开放，方便路人使用，像我偶尔需要来到这区办理事务，通常都是乘搭地铁后步行来到这里，必须过两个路口，有时候也挺危险。开放的话，能够让路人更安全，避免遇到攫夺匪。

节省过马路时间——服饰业者●黄宝丽（37岁）

人行天桥可以开放能带动一些游客步入购物中心，尤其这里附近有不少酒店和公司，有了天桥后，大家不必在十字路口等过马路，节省时间。

质疑天桥实用性——鞋店业者●陆润华（65岁）

我认为这座人行天桥做了也没有太大的效益，因为购物中心不太吸引人流，都是依靠上班族。此外，大马人喜欢横过马路，天桥能吸引他们改掉习惯吗？所以我会疑惑，到底耗资百万令吉的天桥到底实用性有多大。

《南洋商报》

Busy in Jalan Masjid India

Busy in Jalan Masjid India



Eager shoppers : A huge crowd of people shopping at the stalls which sell clothes and other items in Jalan Masjid India.

Ramadan begins tomorrow but Jalan Masjid India has been packed with shoppers for over a fortnight.

Shoppers have been crowding the area, especially on weekends, looking for clothes, cookies and decorations for their homes for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which was expected to fall on Aug 8.

According to Ahmad Raslan, who was there shopping with his family, some families preferred to shop early to avoid the crowds.

“We usually like to shop early to avoid the crowd and the traffic,” said the 43-year-old from Miri, Sarawak.

Ahmad said that his family would travel from Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur every year before Ramadan to shop for their clothes.



Fun outing: A group chatting and showing off the contents in their shopping bags.

“We decided to come here as there was more variety, and the quality of the materials available, especially the clothes, were better.”

Kasuma Othman, who was shopping with her three daughters, said that some people preferred to start their Raya shopping early as they would be fasting during Ramadan.

“We do not shop during Ramadan as we are fasting.

“We usually would not have the energy to do any shopping,” said the 51-year-old from Cheras.

She added that a lot of people liked to shop at Jalan Masjid India as they could get good bargains there.

The traders themselves had also noticed a spike in shoppers recently.

Mohd Riduan, 29, who has been a trader there for nine years, said that it was common to see more shoppers right before Ramadan.

“And then during the first two weeks of Ramadan, fewer people would come to shop.

“The numbers would usually pick up again during the last two weeks of Ramadan when people would do their last-minute shopping,” he said.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Visit Malaysia 2014

Sky’s the limit - Skybar

Sky’s the limit



The newly renovated SkyBar in Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

IF you haven’t been to Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Skybar recently, perhaps you should check it out. The bar, perched on the 33rd floor of the hotel, after all made it to The New York Times’ list of must-go places in KL a couple of years back.

Skybar went through a refurbishment recently and has emerged with two gleaming new bars, a revamped sitting area and a culinary bay for food preparation.

The multi-award-winning bar previously did have some problems with circulation, but now with its new Big Ass (as it’s affectionately known) fan overhead, that’s a thing of the past. And with the new blinds, there’s lots of interesting light play in the interior of the bar in the afternoons.

The 26m pool is still the glittering centrepiece and perhaps only challenged by the amazing view of the KL skyline, particularly at night. The signature cocktails are still available but complemented with the new tapas menu.

What hasn’t changed are the different DJs spinning different genres of music on different days. And the crowd is still hip and happening.

~News courtesy of The Star~

新廉航终站如火如荼

新廉航终站如火如荼



新廉航终站的俯瞰图， 从高往下看， 就宛如一只待展翅高飞的雄鹰。

随着正式启用日期一再展延，吉隆坡新廉航终站工程也成为镁光灯的焦点。新上任的交通部代部长拿督斯里希山慕丁为全面解决该工程所引起的争议，星期五邀请媒体随团巡视坐落在雪邦吉隆坡国际机场旁的新廉航终站工地，了解工程的施工进度。

希山慕丁在巡视完毕及听取汇报会后，在记者会上宣布，吉隆坡新廉航终站笃定会在明年5月2日投入运作，以及放眼成为国人都会引以为荣的指标性建筑物。

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

武吉免登攫匪横行 纳兹里促增警力保护游客

武吉免登攫匪横行 纳兹里促增警力保护游客



纳兹里（中）出席KL Hop-On Hop-Off双层观光巴士公司的汇报会；左为赛阿兹哈，右为利查阿斯兰。

旅游及文化部长拿督斯里纳兹里说，武吉免登一带迫切需解决的首要问题是频频发生的掠夺案件，再来就是陆续出现不良文化行业。

他说，当局收到不少投报指游客在该区遭掠夺和打劫，他希望警方能在武吉免登区增加警力及加强巡逻，以保护游客及国人安全。

“游客在我国的安全还是最重要的，我会与吉隆坡市长拿督斯里阿末费沙和联邦直辖区部长拿督斯里东姑安南，针对这些课题深入讨论。”

他今日巡视吉隆坡市区后，在记者会这么发言；出席者包括KL Hop-On Hop-Off双层观光巴士公司执行董事赛阿兹哈及董事利查阿斯兰。

暂不规划“无摩托车区”

询及是否有意在武吉免登规划“无摩托车及脚踏车区域”时，纳兹里强调，该部暂时无此打算，最重要的还是警方加强巡逻，以遏阻罪案。

纳兹里指出，该部希望今年能够达到2600万名游客观光人次目标，为国家带来650亿令吉收入。

每日400人乘双层观光巴士

旅游及文化部长拿督斯里纳兹里指出，双层观光巴士服务至2006年开幕至今已有60万名游客乘坐，从原本每日40名游客增至目前每日400名游客。

他说，双层观光巴士的款式也随时代变迁，从早期的全盖式巴士，到第二代上层部分无盖式的巴士，到目前第三代上层一半无盖式位置的巴士，已经成为旅游部的旅游产品之一。

“而上层无盖式的位置可容纳25名乘客。”

他说，巴士会经过23个不同的停泊站及46个景点。

巴士路经景点包含历史建筑、生态主题公园、酒店区和购物广场等。

每当抵达一个景点，游客可自由选择下车逛逛，或继续前往下一个地点。

放眼每月2.2万游客明年增更多观光巴士

KL Hop-On Hop-Off双层观光巴士公司执行董事赛阿兹哈指出，该公司今年希望达到每月1万3000名游客（每站停歇），以及一日游包括观光夜景的9000名游客的目标。

他也说，目前该巴士服务每天皆可乘载400至500名游客，周末增加至600名游客乘坐。

“乘客中95%是外国游客，另5%为本地人。”

大马收费最便宜

他今日携带媒体乘坐KL Hop-On Hop-Off双层观光巴士，参观部分景点后，这样表示。

出席者包括该公司董事利查阿斯兰及地下独立广场负责人拉西加尼。

赛阿兹哈说，外国游客购买该巴士票价为45令吉，国人较便宜，即19令吉。

他指出，相比邻国包括新加坡，我国的收费是最便宜的。

他说，目前国内共有10辆双层观光巴士，每辆价值100万令吉，相信明年会增加更多的观光巴士。

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

疑情人桥坍塌影响游兴‧游客减60%

疑情人桥坍塌影响游兴‧游客减60%



丹绒士拔【Tanjung Sepat】情人桥附近摆摊的小贩指出，情人桥原是许多游客及摄影爱好者钟意的旅游景点，因此隨著坍塌事件后，游客也明显减少了60%。（图：星洲日报）

丹绒士拔情人桥附近小贩披露，自情人桥坍塌后，当地的游客已明显减少了60%，而平时人声鼎沸的星期日，也不復以往的热闹非凡、人潮汹涌。

他们说，虽然游客观光的兴致似乎不减，但其实星期日的人潮已比以往明显少了很多。

他们指出，虽然许多游客都对情人桥的毁坏，以及无法前往桥的尽头拍摄美丽风景照而感到惋惜，惟大部份游客因早已透过报章及电视瞭解到情人桥坍塌的事件，因而未对当局封锁情人桥的举动感到错愕及不解。

当地村民早前因发现情人桥出现倾斜及摇摇欲坠的情况，而找来丹绒士拔区州议员莫哈末哈斯林及丹村村长戴河松前往巡视，孰料在巡视途中，石灰桥部份桥身却突然坍塌，以致莫哈末哈斯林及戴河松摔下桥，双双受伤。

封锁断桥处严禁进入

事发后，有关方面也封锁断桥处，严禁閒人进入，以免发生任何不测。

《大都会》记者日前走访情人桥时，也发现“通海兴綾厝”理事会及丹绒士拔警卫团以警戒线封锁桥的入口处，並竖立中巫文告示牌，警告游客勿走入情人桥。

摔桥新闻带旺知名度
游客一探断桥“真面目”

另一方面，许是州议员及村长摔下桥的新闻太过“震撼”，进而变相带旺了情人桥的“知名度”，更吸引游客前往一睹断桥的“真面目”，以致桥旁的商店及餐馆依旧门庭若市。

同时，记者发现，纵然情人桥已被关闭，但部份游客在抵达情人桥后，都会走到情人桥入口处观望一番，有者想一探桥坍塌的部份，有者则驻足在入口处对断桥议论纷纷，或与同伴討论州议员及村长摔下桥的“趣闻”，惟游客都非常遵守规则，並没有冒险“越界”走入情人桥。

另外，现场也可见许多游客选择坐在情人桥旁的树荫下乘凉，感受海风带来的徐徐凉意，欣赏蔚蓝天空，聆听规律的海浪声，並旁观静静凝立在海上的情人桥，享受难得的休閒假日。

（星洲日报／大都会）

Reverie on a brook - Sungai Pisang

Reverie on a brook



Simply magnificent: The spectacular twin waterfalls at Level Two of Pisang Falls.

Who would have imagined that there are such lovely waterfalls and forests so close to Kuala Lumpur?

I LOVE living in Malaysia because it offers so much in terms of the outdoors and natural environment, especially for a nature-lover like me.

Recently, I had the opportunity to go on a river trekking adventure with some friends ... or rather, I got “conned” into going by my beloved husband. He told me the river would only be 10 minutes away after we parked our car.

In retrospect, had he not thus deceived me, I would still have been in bed, fast asleep and missing out on an exciting experience.

Sungai Pisang is located on km11 of the old Gombak road to Genting, near the Orang Asli Hospital. After parking the car near some old wooden buildings, we walked towards the river. The laughter of children playing in the water filled the air.

Sungai Pisang, which flows under the Karak Highway, connects to the larger Sungai Gombak. Twin culverts enable the river to flow below the highway. We hiked along the rocky banks of Sungai Gombak, and through an extremely narrow path between thick undergrowth to get to the two tunnels. This is where Sungai Gombak officially ends, and Sungai Pisang begins.

It turned out to be a roughly two-hour trek through the forest, not just along the riverbanks, but most of the time, through the water, using it as our path. After that, we had to do some minor rock-climbing along the narrow ledge of the reinforced concrete wall to reach the twin culverts, which we had to traverse to get to Sungai Pisang. (I was told later that it’s possible to trek 10 minutes if we had parked at the lay-by next to the highway and taken the steps down to Sungai Pisang directly. So, I guess my husband hadn’t really lied, after all.)

We walked through the briskly flowing cold water in one of the tunnels, going against the current. The water was, thankfully, just ankle-deep. Fortunately, nobody told me earlier that hikers sometimes encounter snakes in the water, otherwise I would never have made it through that tunnel!

It was a beautiful sight that greeted us as we came out at the other end of the tunnel. It was as if we had left civilisation far behind and entered a different world. All was silent except for the splashing of water as we trekked on the sandy riverbed, wading through ankle-deep water, and the enchanting sounds of the forest.

It was still early in the morning and the crystal-clear water was extremely cold. Along both banks of the river, jungle foliage formed a canopy overhead. The air was refreshing and a slight breeze blew. Soon, our “water course” got rockier and slightly deeper, but it was still less than knee-deep.

Our trail zig-zagged through the river as we chose the less rocky parts to trek on, not wanting to slip or risk getting our feet lodged between rocks.

Along the way, we came across myriad flora and fauna. There were strange insects skipping along the river surface, gigantic ants crawling along the trail next to us, and even tiny schools of curious fish swimming in the water.

An array of unusual jungle plants and fungi growing on decaying tree trunks greeted us. We even chanced upon huge trees that must have been hundreds of years old, judging from their size, and also beheld a gigantic boulder the size of a small cave.

In the distance, we could hear the roar of the Pisang falls. It sounded nearer than it actually was in the stillness of the forest, for it took another half-hour of trekking before a wondrous sight greeted us. It was the first of the Pisang waterfalls.

After taking a short breather, we decided to press on. At the second level, twin waterfalls greeted us. It was even more magnificent. We paused for a while to enjoy the sight and soak in the cool water.

To get to the third and highest waterfall, we had to scramble up a 6m-tall hill, and when we reached the plateau, we came upon a campsite. From here there were two trails leading to left and right, to different parts of the third level of the waterfalls.

We took the right trail, which led to the highest part of the Pisang falls. There were several huge waterfall pools, one of which was teeming with huge fish. Further up, the water gushed down majestically. We spread out a groundsheet on the rocky area and proceeded to unpack our food.

We had been trekking for two hours and were very hungry. Fried noodles, fruit and nuts were distributed.

We had even brought along a small pan and outdoor stove to boil water (which we collected from the “head” of the waterfall) to make coffee and tea.

The brave ventured into the waterfall pool. It was quite deep, at least 3m, so only the experienced swimmers dared explore it. After that, we checked out the fish in the rock pool. There were so many of them, snapping eagerly at the surface, as if waiting to be fed.

We waded into the thigh-deep water for a natural fish spa experience. The curious fish nipped and nuzzled gently at our bare legs and feet. It was extremely ticklish.

Fortunately, they were not piranhas!

The nice thing about this trek was that even though it was in the jungle, there were hardly any mosquitoes. My husband did have a leech jump on him, though! It was also very cooling in the jungle – the shady trees forming a canopy overhead, shielding us from the hot tropical sun.

In the late afternoon, we decided to make our way back after hearing thunder in the distance. We packed up all our belongings, as well as our trash which we put into a garbage bag we had brought along. What really impressed me most is that Sungai Pisang is relatively clean and unpolluted, unlike a lot of well-known rivers and waterfalls in Malaysia.

We found the environment around it to also be free from rubbish.

Someone once said: “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs” whenever you go into the jungle. And this is one motto that I adhere to. After all, we want to preserve our rivers and other natural resources for future generations.

The way back seemed easier and faster, perhaps because we were already accustomed to the trail and just had to retrace our steps, minus all the breaks. It was also mainly downhill.

We were soon back at our car, heading on home, tired but satisfied with the enjoyable experience on our river trekking adventure. Our exit timing was perfect too, for the minute we got in the car, it started to pour!

~News courtesy of The Star~

A light in the dark - Kuala Selangor fireflies

A light in the dark



On a good night, thousands of fireflies come out to play (or rather, mate) at the Firefly Park in Kuala Selangor.

WE had just clambered into a little boat from the jetty of the Firefly Park in Kuala Selangor (also known as Kelip-Kelip Kampung Kuantan), and the boatman was taking us out on the river to observe the fireflies.

There we were, sitting in the dark and being lulled by the hypnotic sounds of lapping water all around, when hundreds of glowing dots of light appeared out of the darkness. It seemed as though the entire firefly colony at the park had come out to play.

They were perched on or hovering around the mangrove trees along either side of the muddy river bank. In this area, the Pteroptyx tener species is king. It is among those that practise synchronised flashing.

The boatman skilfully manoeuvred his boat, weaving in and out among the tree branches that hung over the water, to give us a better view of these dancing lights. The fireflies drifted lazily over tree branches and leaves, glowing a warm yellow against the night sky.

Yes, the experience on the Selangor river that night was surreal. It felt like Christmas came early this year.

~News courtesy of The Star~