Get ready for a wet, wet new year

Get ready for a wet, wet new year

Downpours and intermittent showers around the country are expected to persist until the end of the year causing floods especially in the east coast states.

The Meteorological Department issued a heavy rain warning for Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan with Maran, Bera, Rompin, Pekan, Kuantan and Jerantut in Pahang, and Terengganu likely to experience moderate intermittent showers until Wednesday during the mid north-east monsoon season.

“The heavy rain warning (Orange Stage) issued at 10.15pm on Dec 25 is still valid,” it said in a Facebook posting yesterday.

It said Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya were set to experience isolated rain until the new year mostly in the afternoon and evening.

Terengganu was on high alert between Dec 13 and Dec 22 following an earlier forecast of heavy rains and high tides of up to 3.5m in Kemaman.

The first wave of floods in several states in the peninsula had receded, but the wet weather due to the North-East monsoon will persist for those living in the east coast.

Early this year, authorities were pre-occupied with the big clean-up following the big floods that swamped many states, especially in the east coast.

Torrential rain which lasted for days caused several main rivers such as Sungai Galas, Sungai Lebir, Sungai Nenggiri and Sungai Kelantan to burst their banks, submerging almost all of the state’s districts.

Statistics from the Kelantan National Security Council showed that over 170,000 families were relocated to 170 relief centres at the height of the floods.

Kuala Krai was among the worst hit districts with 16,734 families reportedly affected.

This year, the authorities are already on standby while flood simulation exercises have been carried out with the Fire and Rescue Department as part of preparation to face the rainy season.

Science, Technology and Inno­vation Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau had said Kelantan, Tereng­ganu, Pahang and eastern Johor were expected to get more than 500mm of rainfall this month.

Heavy rain is expected over Kelantan beginning yesterday until Wednesday.

Johor and Sarawak (Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Bintulu divisions) can also expect heavy downpours from Wednesday until Friday.

Updates on the weather conditions are available on MetMalaysia’s website at www.met.gov.my, myCuaca mobile application, Facebook malaysiamet, Twitter @malaysianmet or MetMalaysia Hotline 1-300-22-1638.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Most hotels not likely to be hit by water cut

Most hotels not likely to be hit by water cut

Most hotels in the Klang Valley are not likely to be affected by the water supply interruption in Selangor starting today – as long as it is not prolonged.

Most hotels, especially those with their own buildings, were built with a water reserve system in place, said Malaysian Hotels Association chairman Sam Cheah.

“We have a tank to store water and when the water supply is disrupted, we will pump the stored water up to the rooftop for distribution to the other parts of the hotel,” he said.

Cheah said the reserve water could last for two days considering this holiday period.

“There are over 300 of our members in the Klang Valley, but I am not sure of how many hotels will actually be affected by the water supply disruption.

“Major and regular hotels are unlikely to be affected, but I can’t say the same for budget hotels which usually rely on the usual water supply,” he said.

Asked if there had been reports of year-end events and programmes being cancelled or postponed in the hotels due to lack of water, Cheah said no such reports had been received yet.

However, he advised hotel guests to be mindful of their water usage during this period.

~News courtesy of The Star~

AirAsia to deploy 84 more flights this CNY

AirAsia to deploy 84 more flights this CNY

There’s good news for travellers with more flights servicing selected domestic and international routes ahead of the Chinese New Year festive period.

AirAsia Berhad will deploy an additional 84 flights from Jan 25 to Feb 1.

“We would like to encourage travellers to book their flights early for the upcoming festive season,” said AirAsia’s head of commercial Spencer Lee in a statement.

“These flights will have an added capacity of 15,000 seats to facilitate the high demand of air travel during that period.”

Among the routes are from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, Penang, Sibu and Tawau, as well as from Penang to Singapore and from Johor Baru to Miri and Sibu.

“Whether it’s a family reunion or a quick getaway, we hope that these additional flights with everyday low fares will help everyone to have a memorable Chinese New Year celebration,” Lee added.

Travellers are advised to book their flights early at airasia.com or through the airline’s mobile app on the iPhone and android devices. For more information, follow AirAsia on Twitter (twitter.com/AirAsia) and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia).

~News courtesy of The Star~

6日升级售票系统．KTM ETS线上交易暂停

6日升级售票系统．KTM ETS线上交易暂停

KTM城际列车（KTM Intercity）及电动火车（ETS）的售票系统将会在12月6日（星期二）进行升级；在此期间，乘客只能在柜台购票及无法使用线上交易。

马来亚铁道公司（KTM Berhad）今日发出文告说，他们将会在12月6日（星期二）凌晨12时05分至午夜12时的24小时内，替售票系统进行升级。

该公司强调，在升级工作进行当天24小时内，乘客们只能在柜台购票，所有线上交易将会关闭；所有线上修改、取消或改期的网上服务也不能使用。

“已经在线上预订车票的乘客，最迟在12月5日（星期一）打印车票，以确保上车前拥有有效车票。”

该公司也透露，这次售票系统的升级，主要提高系统的容量及功能；欲知更多详情的公众，可拨打03-22671200或浏览官网http://www.ktmb.com.my.。

文章来源：
星洲日報‧2016.12.02

S'pore, M'sia made very good progress on high-speed rail agreement

Singapore, Malaysia have made very good progress on high-speed rail agreement: PM Lee



PM Lee in an interview with the chairman of Malaysian state news agency Bernama Azman Ujang on Monday (Nov 28).

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singapore and Malaysia have made very good progress on a bilateral agreement on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail (HSR), and hopes both sides can sign the agreement when he and Prime Minister Najib Razak meet at the Leaders' Retreat. 

"It is a very ambitious, very complicated and a very expansive project, in terms of scale. We have to try our best to anticipate what the likely issues are, when we build it, when we operate it, and have a clear understanding on how we will deal with it if a situation arises," Mr Lee said in an interview with the chairman of Malaysian state news agency Bernama Azman Ujang on Monday(Nov 28).

"The first thing is to have a sound agreement between the two countries on the basis of how the project is structured, how it is going to be executed, and how it is backed by the two governments," said Mr Lee in the interview, the transcript of which was released by the Prime Minister's Office today (Nov 30).

"That is the first requirement, that we have a very good agreement which sets out clearly a sound basis to build and operate the system."

Singapore, KL 'working towards' inking High Speed Rail pact on Dec 5

Both countries have been discussing the agreement for more than a year, Mr Lee noted.

"We are almost there, and I hope that when I meet Prime Minister Najib at the next retreat, we will be able to sign the agreement," he said.

On Tuesday (Nov 29), Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan met Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, and Mr Abdul Rahman said on Instagram they met "to harmonise last minute details of the Bilateral Agreement on Malaysia-Singapore High Speed Rail project before signing ceremony in December".

A memorandum of understanding for the HSR project was signed in July this year by Mr Khaw and Mr Abdul Rahman, and it was witnessed by the two prime ministers.

Construction for the project is expected to begin in 2018, with trains running in 2026.

Secondly, Mr Lee noted that the project's execution will be very important - designing it, calling for tenders, evaluating the proposals.

"Several high-speed rail systems in the world have been lobbying very hard to get this contract - the Japanese, the Koreans, the Chinese high-speed rail," he noted.

"Each has its strengths, and we will have a very difficult decision evaluating the bidders who come along and deciding which one is the best overall."

Asked about the cost-sharing of construction, PM Lee said things like that had to be clearly specified, and it was one of the items that made the project complicated.

"When you have two authorities involved, you have to decide how to partition, where the line is drawn. I build my part, you build your part, and we have to meet at the same point," he said. "If it does not meet then we have a big problem."

PM Lee added: "It is complicated but there is a will. And there is a good will, and we would like to make it succeed."

He was also asked if a third bridge between Singapore and Malaysia - which some in Malaysia had suggested recently - is necessary with the HSR project.

Mr Lee said there are currently no plans for it.

"We are not currently planning for a third bridge," he said. "I have seen some statements in Malaysia suggesting one, but the high-speed rail is a very ambitious project. I would focus all my energies doing that one before we launch a new big project."

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

新马料下月签署新隆高铁双边协议

新马料下月签署新隆高铁双边协议



2016年7月19日，李显龙总理（左二）到马来西亚行政首都布城进行访问，与马国首相纳吉（右二）一同在其官邸见证两国代表签署新隆高铁谅解备忘录。左一为新加坡代表、基础建设统筹部长兼交通部长许文远。（档案照）

李显龙总理下月5日将同马来西亚首相纳吉举行非正式峰会，两国届时料将签署新隆高速铁路双边协议。

马来西亚媒体今天报道两国将签署新隆高铁双边协议的消息，我国交通部发言人接受《联合早报》询问时证实：“新加坡和马来西亚正努力朝在12月5日举行的领导人非正式峰会上，签署新隆高铁双边协议。”

交通部没有进一步提供详情。不过马来西亚英文报章《新海峡时报》引述知情人士报道，此次非正式峰会将在柔佛举行，李总理和纳吉将见证两国官员签署新隆高铁双边协议；协议目前尚在草拟阶段，但内容料涵盖详细的成本与收益分配。

两国官员今年七月在李总理访问马来西亚之际，签署新隆高铁谅解备忘录，就高铁项目的技术、融资、运作和监管框架等细节达成共识。下月若达成具法律约束力的双边协议，这将意味着两国可进一步详细规划落实这个衔接新加坡和吉隆坡的大型高铁工程。

全长约350公里的新隆高铁共设八个站，两端终站分别设在新加坡的裕廊东，以及距离吉隆坡市中心约四公里的大马城（Bandar Malaysia）。

高铁建造工程预计两年后启动，最快在2026年通车。到时，国人从新加坡直达吉隆坡只需90分钟。

~联合早报网~

屠妖节快乐 - Happy Deepavali!

乘车落实综合付费系统 省时方便乘客纷赞

乘车落实综合付费系统 省时方便乘客纷赞



市面上的公共交通付费系统五花八门，不同付费方式可享不同等的折扣，民众纷纷为之混淆。

民众一致赞同落实综合付费系统，以拥有更便捷的乘车服务。

陆路公共交通委员会（SPAD）宣布，该会正研究一个公共交通付费系统（ICPS），并将和“一触即通卡”（Touch’n Go）合作，推出公共交通付费卡。

预计2018年落实的综合付费系统，陆路公共交通委员会将统一不同的公共交通收费系统，包括RapidKL收费，乘客也可使用新的提款卡或扣账卡在各个公共交通入口处付费，包括泊车转搭站。

《中国报》

One card for all public transport

One card for all public transport

A single card will be all you need – and you can ride all rail and bus services in the Klang Valley and park at nearly 4,000 spots at transit stations. Two new integrated transport terminals will also mean ease of travel without having to deal with traffic jams.

These are among the things commuters can look forward to in the next few years.

Other than the ongoing light rail transit (LRT) and mass rapid transit (MRT) projects currently under construction, a slew of other initiatives will be rolled out from next year to 2020 under the Government’s plans to boost public transport use in Greater Kuala Lumpur from 20% last year to 30% by the end of 2020.

According to the “Land Public Transport Transformation Journey 2010-2015” report which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday, an Integrated Common Payment System (ICPS) is targeted for introduction in 2018.

The ICPS is a unified ticketing system managed by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) which aims to allow travel on all bus, rail, metro and monorail networks using a single smartcard.

Additional information on SPAD’s website said commuters using the ICPS could save money as special discounts will be given for customised products, suited to each group of commuters.

The commission expects an estimated one million passengers to use the ICPS daily in its first year of operation.

To make it easier for commuters to access rail services, the report said that 3,955 new parking spots will be prepared by 2019 to complement all the rail lines operating by then.

“Also by 2019, there will be some 30 Park-n-Ride stations across the city at high concentration areas,” the report said.

To further boost transport services, two new integrated terminals, namely the Terminal Bersepadu Gombak (TBG) and Terminal Berse­padu Sungai Buloh (TBSB) will be operational by 2020. These terminals will integrate bus and rail links.

Unlike the Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Bandar Tasik Selatan, which was fully funded by the Government, both TBG and TBSB will be developed and operated via concessions and private funding, respectively.

The report said SPAD would also issue a request for proposal by early next year to build the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along the Federal Highway for the Klang-KL line.

Under the BRT service, buses will travel on an exclusive lane separate from normal traffic.

In addition to the KL-Klang line, 10 other BRT lines have been identified. They are KL-Ampang, KL-Taman Melawati, KL-Puchong, Ampang-Kepong, Alam Damai-Kerinchi, Kinrara-Damansara, Putrajaya-Kajang, Putrajaya-Putra Heights, Shah-Alam-Putra Heights and Kota Damansara-Shah Alam.

To make it easier for commuters to know bus routes, 3,500 additional Bus Stop Info Panels will be installed at selected bus stops and key hubs in Greater Kuala Lumpur next year. This year will see a total of 3,000 such panels being set up.

To further expand feeder bus services, 22 new routes will be introduced when all 31 MRT stations start operations in June 2017.

Najib launched the report after opening a symposium on “Public Transport: Transforming the Nation” here organised by SPAD.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Happy national day 国庆日快乐

The man who put Teh in bak kut teh

The man who put Teh in bak kut teh



Lee’s stall was moved into a nearby shop named Kedai Makanan Teck Teh about 50 years ago.

VISIT any well-known bak kut teh outlet in Klang, and it’s likely to be run by a Lee.

This is because a man named Lee Boon Teh brought bak kut teh to Klang from Fujian, China in the 40s.

He had seven sons who had branched out to set up their own businesses, some of which are now being run by third generation Lees.

Lee set up his bak kut teh stall at an intersection between the Klang train station and the Klang South police station in 1945 to serve the early Chinese immigrants, many of whom had also come from Fujian.

The stall was moved into a nearby shop named Kedai Makanan Teck Teh about 50 years ago and is currently operated by one of his grandsons who has stayed true to the original recipe.

“I have not changed anything and have kept to the same spices and methods of cooking used by my grandfather,’’ said the reserved man, who wanted to be known as only Lee.

The original shop where bak kut teh started, called Kedai Makanan Teck Teh at Jalan Stesen 1, Klang. The old signboard over the entrance is still there.



The old signboard over the entrance is still there.

The shop is dilapidated and run down but it gets a steady flow of regular patrons from early morning until closing time at about 2pm.

Lee, who runs the business alone, said he is not keen on publicity because he worries he would not be able to manage if there were many new customers to his shop.

“My children are all graduates and not involved in the business. They have their own careers,’’ said the 58-year-old.

Although the dish, traditionally comprising various cuts of pork, slowly simmered in fragrant Chinese herbs, has been modified in many ways all over the nation as well as in Singapore over the years, it is only in Klang that you can get the real deal.

At Kedai Makanan Teck Teh, chunks of meat in herbal broth are served in porcelain bowls with a helping of plain white rice just as the founder had served the hardworking Chinese immigrants who came to build new lives in the then Malaya decades ago.

Bak kut teh enthusiast Lee Kew Peng whose family is also in the business, said when the dish was first brought to Klang from China, it was known merely as bak kut (pork bone).

“Since it was brought in by Lee Boon Teh, it was known as bak kut teh, meaning it was his dish.

“Over time, the Teh became part of the dish’s name,” said Kew Peng.

Kedai Makanan Teck Teh is located at Jalan Stesen 1, Klang.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Air quality improves after downpour in Klang Valley

Air quality improves after downpour in Klang Valley

The Air Pollutant Index (API) levels in several areas in the Klang Valley have improved following a downpour on Tuesday morning.

As of 11am, the API readings in Cheras (92), Batu Muda (95), Putrajaya and Banting (99) recorded moderate levels.

The API readings in two areas, namely Nilai (112) and Shah Alam (103), remain at unhealthy levels.

But this marks a slight improvement in air quality where at 8am, four areas Nilai (120), Banting (102), Putrajaya (103), and Shah Alam (105) had reached unhealthy levels.

Earlier, downpours in several areas in the Klang Valley, which lasted more than two hours, had caused massive traffic delays, resulting in flash floods in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

According to the Department of Environment website, an API reading of below 50 is considered good, between 51-100 moderate, a reading of 101-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy and more than 300 is considered hazardous.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Unhealthy air quality in Klang Valley

Unhealthy air quality in Klang Valley despite moderate API readings



Filepic of haze in the Klang Valley

The haze has visibly returned to the Klang Valley despite the fact that Air Pollutant Index (API) on the Department of Environment’s (DOE) website reported ‘good’ to ‘moderate’ readings.

Residents noticed a sharp drop in the air quality Monday and could smell it in the air, with several parts in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor recording poor visibility.

However, some may be left puzzled as API readings for Petaling Jaya was 46, Shah Alam (51), Port Klang (55), Putrajaya (61) and Cheras (45) as at 11am.

According to the DOE, the API readings are based on an average of readings over the previous 24 hours.

For example, the API readings reported on 10am on Monday would be the average reading taken between that time and 10am on the previous day.

Last Friday, acrid smog blanketed Singapore as the city-state was hit by the year’s first major outbreak of haze, an annual crisis sparked by forest fires in neighbouring Indonesia.

API readings are determined based on an international acceptable protocol which calculates the 24 hour averaging times for five criteria pollutants namely Particulate Matter of less than 10 micron (PM10), Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ground Level Ozone and Carbon Monoxide.

API readings of between 0-50 are considered good, moderate (51-100), unhealthy (101-200), very unhealthy (201-300) and dangerous (exceeding 301).

Any reading above 300 is “hazardous”, meaning the air quality is a hazard to high risk individuals and the public health in general.

~News courtesy of The Star~

雪隆多区烟霾笼罩 空气污染指数中等

雪隆多区烟霾笼罩 空气污染指数中等



孟沙区已被烟霾笼罩，连远处的建筑物也几乎看不见。

雪隆多个地区一片朦胧，空气中充满烧焦味，唯空气污染指数处在中等和良好指数中。

据《中国报》了解，雪隆不少地今日出现宛如笼罩在烟霾的情况中，空气中也带有一些烧焦味，让不少民众担忧烧霾问题卷土重来。

根据环境部网站资料显示，雪州大部分地区都是处在中等指数中，指数最高是在万津区，在中午12点是59点。

《中国报》

雪旅游局与市议会邀玩乐 捉精灵游巴生古蹟

雪旅游局与市议会邀玩乐 捉精灵游巴生古蹟



参与者一边聆听阿里斯（右）讲解，一边刷手机查看周遭是否有精灵出没。

边玩游戏边游古蹟，雪州旅游局与巴生市议会趁“神奇宝贝GO”手机游戏热潮，吸引人潮游巴生古蹟。

随着“神奇宝贝GO”游戏掀起热潮，由雪州旅游局及巴生市议会赞助主办名为“游走‧学习‧玩乐”（Walk.Learn.Play）活动。

上述活动今早9时，在巴生东姑克拉纳路（Jalan Tengku Kelana）的雪兰莪州苏丹纪念馆（白宫）开始，并有6名来自巴生及其他地区的民众前来参与。

据了解，参与者都是通过网络获知上述消息，但今早活动只有6人参与，可能与巴生今早下雨有关。

通过网络获知活动

受访者坦承，平日没什么机会深入了解巴生古蹟，随着当局主办这项活动，让他们有机会以边游古蹟，边玩游戏的方式，加深对巴生的了解。

“当然，我们对于巴生的历史同样充满好奇，正好可更深入了解这片伴随我们成长的城市。”

负责人阿里斯共带领参与者畅游11个历史古蹟，包括雪州苏丹纪念馆、巴生皇家俱乐部、阿南莎皇宫、东姑克拉纳路（小印度）、东姑克拉纳路消拯局等。

在游古蹟的同时，主办单位也为在场者提供一份“神奇宝贝GO”的“补给站”和“道馆”名单，方便大家掌握地方，同时在索取“补给品”时，也认识相关地区。

了解巴生历史

★邱伟亿（34岁，自雇人士）

趁休息游古蹟和玩游戏。

我一周休息一天，所以特地参与这项游古蹟的活动，同时畅玩“神奇宝贝GO”游戏。

相信通过这样的活动，必能加深人们对巴生的了解，尤其是巴生的历史和由来。

藉游戏看古蹟

★陈嘉红（31岁，会计师）

我特地从安邦来参与这次活动。

当我和朋友获知上述活动后，便相约一同参加，目的是希望游走古蹟。

“神奇宝贝GO”游戏自推介后，我便参与至今，但并非长期玩，只是偶尔用来打发时间，此番通过游戏介绍巴生古蹟，我觉得很不错。

~以上新闻转自中国报~

IATA: Remove passenger service charges at KLIA

IATA: Remove passenger service charges at KLIA



Removing the differential in passenger service charges at KLIA and KLIA2 will go a long way in reducing the cost of air travel, the International Air Travel Association (IATA) said.

"There is no justification for the difference since the facilities and services at the two terminals are comparable," said Vinoop Goel, IATA’s regional director, Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security, Asia Pacific.

As such, IATA has maintained its stand in urging the government to remove the differential in the passenger service charge at KLIA and KLIA2.

Charges for international passengers at KLIA are at RM33 (US$8.25) more per person than at KLIA2.

"Furthermore, any differential means passengers using KLIA could be subsidising the passengers using klia2, even though both are accessing comparable facilities and services," Goel said.

He was responding to new Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS) chief executive officer Peter Bellew's call for charges to be the same at KLIA and klia2 as the current charges were totally anti-competitive.

"We have written to both the Ministry of Transport and the Malaysia Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) to urge the government to remove the differential in the passenger service charge at KLIA and KLIA2," Goel told Bernama.

IATA is the Geneva-based trade association for the world's airlines with 265 members which comprise 83 per cent of total air traffic.

In a study, IATA said policies on fees and charges should facilitate the growth of the industry.

Also, aviation was expected to support one million Malaysian jobs and US$26 billion in economic activity by 2035, double that of today, according to the study.

Aviation Consultant and Founder of Malaysian-based Endau Analytics Shukor Yusof said its up to the authorities to decide but the RM33 difference will mean fewer travellers flying out of KLIA.

He said it was justified for MAS to make a request for uniform charges.

Goel said that removing the differential was also aligned with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) principles, which state there should be no discrimination if airlines are accessing the same level of facilities and services.

"As a member of the ICAO Council, it is important that Malaysia upholds this principle," he said.

ICAO, based in Montreal, is a United Nations specialised agency and the global forum of states for international civil aviation.

Goel, however, said that there were instances where charges were justified for the low cost terminal to have a different PSC from the main terminals.

Narita and Kansai are examples, whereby in these cases, the low cost terminals have substantially lower levels of service and facilities, while being more difficult to access than the other terminals.

Ultimately, he said that the priority of the government should be to lower the cost of air travel.

IATA, which commissioned the study, said job creation and gross domestic product growth were by no means guaranteed if the necessary infrastructure was not available, and if the policies, including fees and charges, do not facilitate the growth of the industry.

~News courtesy of Bernama~

KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail projected to start around 2026

KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail projected to start around 2026

The High-Speed Rail (HSR) line linking Singapore and Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur (KL) is expected to start operations around 2026. This was announced at a joint press conference on Tuesday (July 19) after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the neighbouring countries.

The signing ceremony, witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak, comes ahead of a legally binding bilateral agreement that will be inked by the end of this year.

Construction of the HSR is scheduled to take place from 2018 to 2025, followed by testing, commissioning and finally kick-off for the revenue service a year later.



The HSR line will run for 350km, with 335km in Malaysia and 15km in Singapore, and on two tracks going in opposite directions. It will comprise eight stops in total: Singapore, Iskandar Puteri, Batu Pahat, Muar, Ayer Keroh, Seremban, Putrajaya and KL.

Existing train services take up to 11 hours to journey between Singapore and KL. However, with the line able to reach top speeds of 300km/h, travel time between KL and Singapore is expected to drop to around 90 minutes - excluding clearance at customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ). There are, however, plans to co-locate CIQ checkpoints at Singapore, KL and Iskandar Puteri to facilitate “seamless travel”.

This means, for instance, that at the Jurong East terminus, one would be able to clear Singaporean immigration and a few steps later, Malaysian immigration before boarding the train, reaching KL and stepping out into the city centre itself.

Travel time for the HSR between Singapore and Iskandar Puteri in Johor Bahru is expected to take around 10 to 15 minutes.

Both governments agreed that each will take responsibility for developing, constructing and maintaining civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries - MyHSR Corporation for Malaysia and the Land Transport Authority for Singapore.



“COMPETITIVE” FARES

It was also announced that two train operating companies will be appointed to run the HSR service. An international operator will handle the express service between the Singapore terminus at Jurong East and the KL end at the upcoming Bandar Malaysia development. The same operator will also oversee a cross-border shuttle service between Singapore and Iskandar Puteri.

Another operator will run the domestic service within Malaysia. The express service will have scheduling and operational priority over a domestic line servicing the six stops in Malaysia between Singapore and KL.

The HSR trains are expected to be 10 cars long, with the capacity for up to 100 passengers per car.

Fare will be set commercially by the operators and “competitive with airfares”, said Singapore authorities.

A separate private entity will design, build, finance and maintain the trains as well as rail assets, like trackwork, communications, signalling and power. It will also allocate and control track access. Depots and maintenance facilities will be located in Malaysia.

The Singapore and Malaysian governments will build and fund infrastructure work such as viaducts, tunnels and stations within their territories. Both governments also agreed to form a bilateral committee comprising representatives from both sides to manage and regulate aspects of the project which might impact the cross-border services.

TENDER PROCESS WILL BE "FAIR AND TRANSPARENT"

Speaking at the signing of the MoU, PM Lee noted that the tender process is one issue that has to be discussed by Singapore and Malaysia. He said: "This is one of the items which has to be settled and has to be discussed between the two sides, to how the project is going to be structured, to how the tenders will be called, what's the sequence in which they're going to be called, what does each package consist of, and then how will the tenders be evaluated."

Mr Najib said: "Because this project has attracted so much international interest, it is incumbent upon us to make sure that the process will be a very fair, transparent, objective process. But we are both committed to ensuring that this will happen because the image and integrity of both countries will be at stake. So you can be rest assured that the process will be carried out in the fairest possible way."

Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan said: “We are committed to making sure that this project comes to its conclusion. As far as I’m concerned, and as both Prime Ministers mentioned ... it will be an open, transparent and fair tender process.”

He mentioned that he had personally seen several companies that had shown some interest, including companies from China, Japan and European countries.

Mr Abdul Rahman added that the pricing for trips on the HSR would be affected by the bids for the project even though it would likely be benchmarked against airfares. "I believe it will be market-driven."

When asked about the cost-sharing arrangement between Singapore and Malaysia, Mr Abdul Rahman pointed out that much of the track will be in Malaysia, with more than 300km in Malaysia and about 15km in Singapore.

“But we’re not looking at the length, we’re looking at the cost. Of course, building 15km underground in Singapore would probably cost as much. So it will be an equitable, fair percentage for both countries,” he said. However, he added that he was not at at liberty to disclose the exact percentages until the bilateral agreement is concluded.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

游吉胆岛客似云来 脚车不够租．餐饮业兴旺

游吉胆岛客似云来 脚车不够租．餐饮业兴旺



被视为岛上主要代步工具的脚车，在连续假日中出现供不应求的情况。

连续假日，吉胆岛脚车供不应求，餐馆人潮络绎不绝。

吉胆岛在21年前是个乏人问津的旅游景点，在各造配合下，如今的吉胆岛已成了闻名的旅游景点。

据悉，国内爱好生态旅游的人士不断增加，也是吉胆岛吸引游客前来的因素之一。

据《中国报》了解，平日周末前往吉胆岛的游客虽然不少，但适逢这个连续假日，到访吉胆岛的游客更到了“破表”的程度。

一些脚车出租业者受访时说，过去的连续假日是游吉胆岛的高峰期，吉胆岛也已经有一段时间未涌现如此多的人潮。

“有时，即使我们准备逾百辆脚踏车，最终还是供不应求。”

据知，脚车租借的对象主要是在吉胆岛过夜的游客，虽然一日游的游客也有租借脚车，但主要还是以前者居多。

另一方面，餐饮业者受访时则透露，连日来的假期，让吉胆岛餐饮业的营业额较一般的周末​​提升了20%至40%。

游客达到高峰
★谢琼利（吉胆岛村长）

近年来，来吉胆岛旅游的游客不断增加，这次连续假日到来的游客更达到另一个高峰。

我原本准备的逾百辆脚车，甚至出现供不应求的情况，相信这与热爱生态旅游人士不断增加有关。

营业额增加40%
★沉铁汉（56岁，餐饮业者）

脚车以租给过夜的游客居多，这连续假期的脚车出租率较平时的周末多，当中以过夜的游客为主。

餐饮业的生意也连带受惠，营业额也较一般的周末​​增加了40%。

用掉千颗鸡蛋
★康明顺（43岁，啦啦煎业者）

营业额较一般周末上涨了30%左右，我从事饮食业以来，首次要用上上千颗鸡蛋，生意因此增加了30%左右。

我相信，这是与连日来的假期有关，而且吉胆岛也成了许多人在国内旅游的其中一个景点。

~以上新闻转自中国报~

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

King, Queen host Aidilfitri open house on first day

King, Queen host Aidilfitri open house on first day



Istana Negara

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah are to host the Aidilfitri open house at Istana Negara on the first day of Aidilfitri.

An Istana Negara statement said the open house would be from 9.30am to 1pm.

Their Majesties will meet and exchange greetings with the guests from 11am to noon, it said.

“Istana Negara welcomes all guests to make the Aidilfitri open house a joyous one,” the statement said, advising the guests to be attired in the national dress or appropriately.

Guests are advised to enter via the Istana Negara main entrance at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, it said. - Bernama

~News courtesy of The Star~

纯朴风引客来 五条港民宿连假爆满

纯朴风引客来 五条港民宿连假爆满



五条港纯朴渔村风光吸引游客。

五条港纯朴渔村风光引客来，岛上民宿在开斋节假期期间全数爆满，游客量料达上千人。

五条港村长陈水清接受《中国报》访问时指出，相较于吉胆岛，五条港的旅游业起步较慢，目前岛上只有约5间民宿，但没有比较正规的餐馆。

“这已算很好，因为去年我们大概只有2间民宿，今年增至5间，据知，7月6日至9日的民宿房间都已爆满。”

陈水清也是民宿经营者。他指出，由于民宿爆满，目前已退掉约5个旅团的游客订房。

“基本上，在五条港旅游须跟随旅行配套，因为本岛没有正规餐馆，大部分饮食由民宿提供，开斋节期间，很多岛民都出海捕鱼。”

电影取景增知名度

他说，五条港的纯朴渔村风光是吸引大部分游客的原因，让游客卸下城市生活压力，回归大自然生活之余，也可体验渔民的生活作息。

“我们主要使用电船载客，这比较少见，因为电船行驶速度比较慢，旨在让游客看到特有的海上风光。”

此外，陈水清指出，五条港于9月17日至9月20日、10月15日至10月19日及11月14日至11月16日期间，会遇到大涨潮。

“涨潮的时间约是凌晨时分，届时整个五条港如同泡在海水中，是难得的景观，值得体验。”

陈水清说，电影《再见，我爱你》全片在五条港取景，也间接让五条港打响知名度。

“现在我希望可以得到岛民及州政府的大力配合，让五条港旅游业可更上一层楼。”

~以上新闻转自中国报~

Blossom Arts Festival 2016 begins tomorrow

Blossom Arts Festival 2016 begins tomorrow

The Blossom Arts Festival 2016, featuring hundreds of artwork, performances, traditional and cultural activities, will begin tomorrow.

Organised by the Malaysian Chinese Culture and Arts Consul­tative Council (MCCACC), more than 100 organisations will showcase their talents at the month-long event held at Wisma MCA.

Arts and cultural groups from Taiwan, China, Singapore, Japan and India have been invited to perform at the event, said the council’s president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun.

“This inaugural art extravaganza has been one year in the making,” she said at the launching ceremony of the festival’s design concept here yesterday.

She said the exhibition zone at Wisma MCA would be turned into an artistic and cultural centre filled with events throughout June.

The One Academy, which is also tasked with designing the festival’s venue, its logo and various related products, will also hold an exhibition to showcase the artwork of its students.

Chew also said a special 3D sculpture of steel was specially created to inaugurate the festival, themed “Cultural diversity in full bloom.”

“The festival will showcase the best of Malaysian Chinese artistic talents and promote the diversified development of the local arts and culture scene.

“It also aims to pay tribute to Malaysian Chinese who had given meritorious contributions and achievements in this field,” she added.

Among the activities planned for the festival include musical performances, calligraphy, pottery and ceramics, sculpture-making as well as Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangment.

Except for the special performances, all other activities and programmes at the festival are free.

For details, call MCCACC secretariat at 03-2203 3971/3978/3979 or log on to www.blossomartsfestival.my, or visit the Facebook page for the Blossom Arts Festival Malaysia 2016.

~News courtesy of The Star~

50菊花品种布置场景 布城花卉节大自然梦幻之旅

50菊花品种布置场景 布城花卉节大自然梦幻之旅



吉隆坡市政厅精心打造的“爱丽丝仙境” ， 内有泡泡及雪花飞扬， 让人犹如置身仙境。

我国一年一度最大“布城皇家花卉节”于5月27日（星期五）正式展出，并以“花卉之魔幻世界”作为第9届主题，引领爱花赏草之人，赴一场大自然梦幻之旅。

花卉节由布城机构主办，即日起至6月4日，在布城第4区湖边展出，并以菊花作为主题花。多达50个菊花品种被大量采用作为装饰或场景布置。

元首后端姑哈惹哈米娜今午受邀为“布城皇家花卉节”主持开幕仪式，并让各国受邀使节、贵宾与媒体率先参观。

联邦直辖区部部长拿督斯里东姑安南在开幕仪式致词时指出，该部与布城机构积极把布城推举为世界级的花卉节地点之一，更曾获得许多证书和各界领域承认，包括创下大马纪录的最长园景墙（Landscape Vertical Wall）、最多国际参与者的花卉嘉年华、在墨尔本国际花卉园艺展获得创意优秀奖等。

他也赞布城皇家花卉节扮演重要平台，成为我国花草界的联系和网络点，促进花卉进出口、研究及发展相关领域。

他说，今年共有21位来自11个国家的园艺设计师参与，以及马来西亚园景设计师协会（ILAM）有5项设计参展。

出席者有布城机构主席拿督斯里哈欣及布城花卉管理机构总监哈斯琳达等。

布城皇家花卉节特点

◆展出逾400万种热带与亚热带花草类
◆魔幻世界室内外主题公园，如神秘森林、菊花园、美人鱼世界及糖果院。
◆非一般主题设计，如皇家公园、音乐园、猫园
◆园艺植物与产品销售
◆手工艺品、盆栽、插花艺术等展出
◆超过300项目、活动、讲座、工艺坊供到访者参与。

~南洋商报~

Lines at checkpoints in KLIA now moving smoothly

Lines at checkpoints in KLIA now moving smoothly



No congestion: Travellers at KLIA and KLIA 2 breezing through the checkpoints with little waiting time.

A week after counters in the country’s main gateway were slammed over a screening system which was prone to breakdowns, the lines at the KL International Airport are now moving smoothly.

International travellers at KLIA said they had no inkling that the Malaysian Immigration System (myIMMs) was faulty or caused delays, saying that they moved through the checkpoints in minutes.

“There were no lines. It only took me two minutes to line up and check through everything,” said an Australian tourist.

A couple from the Netherlands said there were no lines at the Immigration counter when they arrived here at about noon yesterday.

At the international departure gate, Immigration officers clocked travellers in at an average of 15 seconds.

Lines were virtually non-existent during lunch hour in the airport.

At KLIA2, tourists said that the waiting time was under three minutes.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan lambasted the department’s IT scanning system, which he said was frequently breaking down, raising doubts over the Immigration Department’s ability to effectively screen potential threats coming in and leaving the country.

During his visit to KLIA last week, he said the myIMMs system had been down for about an hour, and was prone to “hanging”. He wanted the problem fixed immediately.

The system was also highlighted in the Auditor-General’s Report as having questionable credibility in its screening database, besides its failure to instal certain recognition equipment in airports despite having been paid by the Home Ministry to do so.

It also found that the ministry has not conducted a user acceptance test and provisional acceptance test on the system, despite it being a compulsory condition stated in the payment agreement.

~News courtesy of The Star~

KLIA taxi touts increasingly brazen, says JPJ

KLIA taxi touts increasingly brazen, says JPJ



Nazli (right) with some of the cars seized during Ops Khas Ulat at KLIA.

Illegal taxis at Kuala Lumpur's International Airports are getting more brazen, according to the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

It has already caught 31 suspects this year, compared with a total of 19 in 2015.

"This figure is worrying as it shows illegal taxis active here are increasing," said Selangor JPJ director Nazli Md Taib at a press conference on their latest operation to combat illegal taxis at KLIA and KLIA2 in Sepang.

According to Nazli, the majority of these illegal taxis were operating within the vicinity of KLIA2 , which accounted for 23 of the arrests.

He said foreigners were also getting into the game, with a Bangladeshi and Pakistani suspect among the 31 arrested.

"We found one driver who made RM1,800 from a single return trip to Johor Baru from KLIA. That's why despite the very heavy punishment, there are still those who dare to flout the law," he said.

According to Nazli, the touts preferred to target foreigners as locals were more familiar with the pricing system here.

"Tourists are much easier to cheat, as they don't know the average price for trips. Arabs are a favourite target as they are seen to be more generous," said Nazli.

Nazli also urged the public to only use legalised forms of public transport for their own safety.
v "These illegal cars are normally not insured to carry passengers. Also the risk of being robbed – or worse, raped – is much higher," said Nazli.

The 31 suspects were charged under Section 205(1) of the Public Transport Act 2010, which carries a fine up to RM50,000, imprisonment for no more than five years, or both.

~News courtesy of The Star~