Ministry cautions public on 12 dangerous water recreation areas
The Housing and Local Government Ministry has advised the people to exercise caution when carrying out any activities at 12 water recreation areas nationwide which are considered dangerous and prone to tragedies.
Its deputy minister Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad said the 12 areas were five rivers, one lake/mine/dam, three waterfalls and three beaches.
The rivers are Sungai (Sg) Kampung (Kg) Batu Payung, Tawau, Sabah; Sg SJKC Kg Timah, Sg Ciling and Sg Gasi in Selangor; and Sg Kg Sabak, Kelantan.
“Semenyih Dam, Selangor; Sg Sendat Waterfall (Selangor), Lata Berembun Waterfall and Chamang Waterfall in Pahang. The beaches include Nipah and Muara Tok Bali (Kelantan) and Teluk Bahang, Penang,” he said.
He told reporters after launching the Water Activity Safety Awareness Campaign organised by the Water Activity Safety Council (MKAA) in Pulau Warisan here today.
According to the statistics, Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah said Selangor recorded the highest number of water-related deaths namely 44, followed by Sarawak (34) and Perak (22). - Bernama
2018年9月24日星期一
2018年9月19日星期三
2018年9月18日星期二
Asam Pedas
Asam Pedas
Asam Pedas (Indonesian and Malaysian Malay: Asam Pedas, Minangkabau: Asam Padeh, English: Sour and Spicy) is a Minangkabau and Malay sour and spicy fish stew dish. It is popular in Indonesia and Malaysia.
The spicy and sour fish dish is known widely in Sumatra and Malay Peninsula. It is part of the culinary heritage of both Minangkabau and Malay traditions, thus its exact origin is unclear. The Minang asam padeh can be easily found throughout Padang restaurants in Indonesia and Malaysia.
It has become a typical cuisine of Malays from Jambi, Riau, Riau Islands, Malacca, and as far north in Aceh. The spice mixture and the fish used might be slightly different according to the area.
~wikipedia~
Asam Pedas (Indonesian and Malaysian Malay: Asam Pedas, Minangkabau: Asam Padeh, English: Sour and Spicy) is a Minangkabau and Malay sour and spicy fish stew dish. It is popular in Indonesia and Malaysia.
The spicy and sour fish dish is known widely in Sumatra and Malay Peninsula. It is part of the culinary heritage of both Minangkabau and Malay traditions, thus its exact origin is unclear. The Minang asam padeh can be easily found throughout Padang restaurants in Indonesia and Malaysia.
It has become a typical cuisine of Malays from Jambi, Riau, Riau Islands, Malacca, and as far north in Aceh. The spice mixture and the fish used might be slightly different according to the area.
~wikipedia~
2018年9月16日星期日
Tourism contributes 14.9% to Malaysia's economy
Tourism contributes 14.9% to Malaysia's economy
The tourism industry continued its significant contribution to the country’s economic growth with a share of 14.9 per cent last year as compared to 10.4 per cent in 2005.
In a statement, chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the figure showed an upward trend since 2005 and was growing rapidly with an average annual growth rate of 11.2 per cent over the past twelve years.
“The direct contribution of the tourism industry to the nation’s gross domestic product last year recorded 6.1 per cent with a value of RM82.6 billion compared to RM76.6 billion in 2016,” he said.
He said foreign tourist arrivals dropped to 25.9 million last year from 26.8 million in 2016.
The number of domestic visitors increased from 189.3 million in 2016 to 205.4 million in 2017, he said adding that Selangor was the most visited state by number of tourists.
According to Mohd Uzir, shopping remained as the largest component of tourism product with a value of RM26.8 in 2017, followed by accommodation and transportation which recorded RM20.7 billion and RM15 billion respectively.
He said as for total employees involved in the tourism sector, the number also increased to 3.4 million in 2017 from 1.5 million in 2005.
Mohd Uzir said retail trade continued to be the largest contributor to the national economy with a share of 44.8 per cent and posted a double digit growth of 12.4 per cent in 2017 as compared to 10.5 per cent in the previous year.
He said this was followed by food and beverage serving service with 16.3 per cent and accommodation with 12.8 per cent.
- Bernama
The tourism industry continued its significant contribution to the country’s economic growth with a share of 14.9 per cent last year as compared to 10.4 per cent in 2005.
In a statement, chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the figure showed an upward trend since 2005 and was growing rapidly with an average annual growth rate of 11.2 per cent over the past twelve years.
“The direct contribution of the tourism industry to the nation’s gross domestic product last year recorded 6.1 per cent with a value of RM82.6 billion compared to RM76.6 billion in 2016,” he said.
He said foreign tourist arrivals dropped to 25.9 million last year from 26.8 million in 2016.
The number of domestic visitors increased from 189.3 million in 2016 to 205.4 million in 2017, he said adding that Selangor was the most visited state by number of tourists.
According to Mohd Uzir, shopping remained as the largest component of tourism product with a value of RM26.8 in 2017, followed by accommodation and transportation which recorded RM20.7 billion and RM15 billion respectively.
He said as for total employees involved in the tourism sector, the number also increased to 3.4 million in 2017 from 1.5 million in 2005.
Mohd Uzir said retail trade continued to be the largest contributor to the national economy with a share of 44.8 per cent and posted a double digit growth of 12.4 per cent in 2017 as compared to 10.5 per cent in the previous year.
He said this was followed by food and beverage serving service with 16.3 per cent and accommodation with 12.8 per cent.
- Bernama
2018年9月15日星期六
2018年9月14日星期五
2018年9月8日星期六
2018年9月6日星期四
新隆高铁项目延后两年
马国支付1500万元延期费用 新隆高铁项目延后两年
我国基础建设统筹部长兼交通部长许文远（前排左）和马来西亚经济事务部长阿兹敏（前排右）签署协议，将新隆高铁计划延后两年。多名新马领导人也在场见证签署仪式，他们包括通讯及新闻部兼文化、社区及青年部高级政务部长沈颖（后排左起）、外交部长维文医生、副总理兼国家安全统筹部长张志贤、马国首相马哈迪、副首相旺阿兹莎、马国外交部长赛富丁和交通部长陆兆福。（梁伟康摄）
马来西亚若在2020年5月底的最后期限内仍不重新启动高铁工程，将被视为毁约终止计划，必须偿还新加坡至今所蒙受的损失。
新加坡和马来西亚签署协议暂停新隆高铁项目，马来西亚为此必须支付1500万新元的延期费用。若在2020年5月底的最后期限内仍不重新启动高铁工程，马来西亚将被视为毁约终止计划，必须偿还新加坡至今所蒙受的损失。
基础建设统筹部长兼交通部长许文远昨天在马国布城首相署同马来西亚经济事务部长阿兹敏签署高铁双边协定的补充条款，同意将高铁工程延至两年后进行。这意味着原定明年动工挖掘、2026年底投入运作的新隆高铁会延至最迟2031年1月1日才能启用 。
两国分别设立的高铁公司也取消了进行中的高铁资产管理者（AssetsCo）国际招标。此前表示有意竞标新隆高铁的包括中国、日本和欧洲等铁路财团。
基础建设统筹部长兼交通部长许文远指出，新加坡为履行双边协定兴建高铁服务至今已展开部分工程，有的承包商合约有终止条款，有的如重新铺设电缆和水管等服务一旦开始就必须做完。这些是暂停高铁计划无法回收的成本，双方仔细研究各项花费后，定下了1500万元的延期费用。按协议，马来西亚必须在明年1月底之前支付这笔费用。
两国2016年12月签署新隆高铁双边协定，打造新加坡直通吉隆坡的高铁服务。希盟政府今年5月上台后，以减少国家债务为由先是表示取消新隆高铁计划，后来则要求延后工程。
延至2031年1月通车
阿兹敏昨天在联合记者会上透露，马方原本要求推迟至三四年后，新加坡则表示愿意考虑延后一年，双方官员在过去数周频密往返两地磋商，最终达成协议，延展两年。
对此许文远指出，项目动工每延后一年，启用时间就会推迟数年。
他说：“高铁计划推迟两年至2020年，启用日期则得延迟四年到2031年1月。我们当初研究这项计划的可行性时，成本是考虑因素之一，计划成本多高、收益如何、是否行得通，这些都必须进行财务预估，计划延后得越久，预估就会变得越不准确，从新加坡角度来看，延期必须有个限度。”
许文远说，若2020年5月期限后确定终止新隆高铁，马国必须偿还更高数额的赔偿金。他指出，这方面的赔偿也是双方研究新加坡各方面成本后定下，但两国并不愿公开这笔赔偿金额。
许文远较早前在国会表示，截至今年6月底，我国已为高铁项目投入至少2亿5600万新元，其中包括征用裕廊乡村俱乐部等地段兴建高铁。
联合声明指出，马来西亚和新加坡在计划暂停期间将“以削减成本为目标”，继续探讨高铁计划下来的最佳发展方案。
在记者会上，许文远也说，新加坡与吉隆坡相隔近400公里，在交通专家眼中是适合兴建高铁服务的距离，许多国人也期待新隆高铁的启用。“但我们也理解马来西亚要暂停兴建高铁的原因，因此尽管高铁双边协定没有关于暂停计划的条款，但秉持双边合作的精神，新加坡认真考虑了马来西亚的请求，经过几轮讨论后达成了这个公平的安排。”
~联合早报~
我国基础建设统筹部长兼交通部长许文远（前排左）和马来西亚经济事务部长阿兹敏（前排右）签署协议，将新隆高铁计划延后两年。多名新马领导人也在场见证签署仪式，他们包括通讯及新闻部兼文化、社区及青年部高级政务部长沈颖（后排左起）、外交部长维文医生、副总理兼国家安全统筹部长张志贤、马国首相马哈迪、副首相旺阿兹莎、马国外交部长赛富丁和交通部长陆兆福。（梁伟康摄）
马来西亚若在2020年5月底的最后期限内仍不重新启动高铁工程，将被视为毁约终止计划，必须偿还新加坡至今所蒙受的损失。
新加坡和马来西亚签署协议暂停新隆高铁项目，马来西亚为此必须支付1500万新元的延期费用。若在2020年5月底的最后期限内仍不重新启动高铁工程，马来西亚将被视为毁约终止计划，必须偿还新加坡至今所蒙受的损失。
基础建设统筹部长兼交通部长许文远昨天在马国布城首相署同马来西亚经济事务部长阿兹敏签署高铁双边协定的补充条款，同意将高铁工程延至两年后进行。这意味着原定明年动工挖掘、2026年底投入运作的新隆高铁会延至最迟2031年1月1日才能启用 。
两国分别设立的高铁公司也取消了进行中的高铁资产管理者（AssetsCo）国际招标。此前表示有意竞标新隆高铁的包括中国、日本和欧洲等铁路财团。
基础建设统筹部长兼交通部长许文远指出，新加坡为履行双边协定兴建高铁服务至今已展开部分工程，有的承包商合约有终止条款，有的如重新铺设电缆和水管等服务一旦开始就必须做完。这些是暂停高铁计划无法回收的成本，双方仔细研究各项花费后，定下了1500万元的延期费用。按协议，马来西亚必须在明年1月底之前支付这笔费用。
两国2016年12月签署新隆高铁双边协定，打造新加坡直通吉隆坡的高铁服务。希盟政府今年5月上台后，以减少国家债务为由先是表示取消新隆高铁计划，后来则要求延后工程。
延至2031年1月通车
阿兹敏昨天在联合记者会上透露，马方原本要求推迟至三四年后，新加坡则表示愿意考虑延后一年，双方官员在过去数周频密往返两地磋商，最终达成协议，延展两年。
对此许文远指出，项目动工每延后一年，启用时间就会推迟数年。
他说：“高铁计划推迟两年至2020年，启用日期则得延迟四年到2031年1月。我们当初研究这项计划的可行性时，成本是考虑因素之一，计划成本多高、收益如何、是否行得通，这些都必须进行财务预估，计划延后得越久，预估就会变得越不准确，从新加坡角度来看，延期必须有个限度。”
许文远说，若2020年5月期限后确定终止新隆高铁，马国必须偿还更高数额的赔偿金。他指出，这方面的赔偿也是双方研究新加坡各方面成本后定下，但两国并不愿公开这笔赔偿金额。
许文远较早前在国会表示，截至今年6月底，我国已为高铁项目投入至少2亿5600万新元，其中包括征用裕廊乡村俱乐部等地段兴建高铁。
联合声明指出，马来西亚和新加坡在计划暂停期间将“以削减成本为目标”，继续探讨高铁计划下来的最佳发展方案。
在记者会上，许文远也说，新加坡与吉隆坡相隔近400公里，在交通专家眼中是适合兴建高铁服务的距离，许多国人也期待新隆高铁的启用。“但我们也理解马来西亚要暂停兴建高铁的原因，因此尽管高铁双边协定没有关于暂停计划的条款，但秉持双边合作的精神，新加坡认真考虑了马来西亚的请求，经过几轮讨论后达成了这个公平的安排。”
~联合早报~
2018年9月3日星期一
Agreed to defer HSR project
Malaysia, Singapore have agreed to defer HSR project, confirms Azmin
Singapore has accepted Malaysia’s view on deferring the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail mega project, says Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Azmin said the outcome was agreed upon in a meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Both countries, said Azmin, agreed to defer the project.
“The HSR project benefits both countries, enabling better connectivity and could generate long-term economic growth. However, given the current economic situation (of Malaysia), it is impossible for us to continue with the project and after a series of discussions, Singapore has agreed to accept the Malaysian government’s view to defer the project to a certain period. We are confident that by then, Malaysia’s economy will improve.
“Lee was happy that both countries had agreed to defer the project and there is no compensation needed to pay during this deferral period. It must be paid if at the end of the deferral period, we (Malaysia) decide to cancel the project,” said Azmin.
Azmin said this when met at the sidelines after the opening of the second meeting of the first term of the14th Selangor state legislative assembly by Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
The event was also graced by Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.
Azmin, who is also Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman, however, stopped short of elaborating on how long the deferral would be.
He assured that “a reasonable period” had been agreed upon by both parties and that an agreement would be sealed in Kuala Lumpur in the near future.
Though deferred, Azmin added that discussions will continue to see how the cost of the project can be reduced through the use of new technology or other aspects.
He said Malaysia wants to continue with the project once the deferral period ends as the services will be economically beneficial to both countries and its people.
“We want to discuss ways to lower the cost and one of the steps we will focus on is the international service first. There are two components to the HSR, one is the international service route from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and another is domestic service, which has seven stations along the way.
“We will focus on international service only as it gives a good economic impact to both Malaysia and Singapore,” said Azmin.
Business weekly The Edge had prevously reported that Malaysia and Singapore had reached a compromise over the implementation of the HSR.
The deferral, claimed the report, will be in effect until May 31, 2020.
The report also said Malaysia would be spared a RM500 million penalty the two-year deferral.
According to the report, the original agreement to build the HSR, signed in 2016, did not contain provisions for a postponement.
Pakatan Harapan, after taking over the government after the May 9 general election, had said the project could cost up to RM110 billion.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Singapore has accepted Malaysia’s view on deferring the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail mega project, says Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Azmin said the outcome was agreed upon in a meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Both countries, said Azmin, agreed to defer the project.
“The HSR project benefits both countries, enabling better connectivity and could generate long-term economic growth. However, given the current economic situation (of Malaysia), it is impossible for us to continue with the project and after a series of discussions, Singapore has agreed to accept the Malaysian government’s view to defer the project to a certain period. We are confident that by then, Malaysia’s economy will improve.
“Lee was happy that both countries had agreed to defer the project and there is no compensation needed to pay during this deferral period. It must be paid if at the end of the deferral period, we (Malaysia) decide to cancel the project,” said Azmin.
Azmin said this when met at the sidelines after the opening of the second meeting of the first term of the14th Selangor state legislative assembly by Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
The event was also graced by Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.
Azmin, who is also Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman, however, stopped short of elaborating on how long the deferral would be.
He assured that “a reasonable period” had been agreed upon by both parties and that an agreement would be sealed in Kuala Lumpur in the near future.
Though deferred, Azmin added that discussions will continue to see how the cost of the project can be reduced through the use of new technology or other aspects.
He said Malaysia wants to continue with the project once the deferral period ends as the services will be economically beneficial to both countries and its people.
“We want to discuss ways to lower the cost and one of the steps we will focus on is the international service first. There are two components to the HSR, one is the international service route from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and another is domestic service, which has seven stations along the way.
“We will focus on international service only as it gives a good economic impact to both Malaysia and Singapore,” said Azmin.
Business weekly The Edge had prevously reported that Malaysia and Singapore had reached a compromise over the implementation of the HSR.
The deferral, claimed the report, will be in effect until May 31, 2020.
The report also said Malaysia would be spared a RM500 million penalty the two-year deferral.
According to the report, the original agreement to build the HSR, signed in 2016, did not contain provisions for a postponement.
Pakatan Harapan, after taking over the government after the May 9 general election, had said the project could cost up to RM110 billion.
~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Enjoy your satay, there’s no tax for it at food outlets
Enjoy your satay, there’s no tax for it at food outlets
IPOH: There will be no Sales and Service Tax on satay sold in food outlets, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
He said the SST on the popular Malaysian food was imposed during the processing stage for the purpose of packaging and sales.
“It is the sales that get the SST, not at the outlets,” he told reporters after a briefing on the SST at a hotel here yesterday.
Lim was replying to a question on whether the SST would be imposed on chicken or beef satay sold in food outlets, as it was among the items listed as taxable under “preparation of meat”.
He said failure to do so would mean that they could not charge the SST and would have to use their own funds to pay the tax to the government.
His call was echoed by Customs Department director-general Datuk Seri T. Subromaniam, who said friendly visits by the department found that there were still food providers who had not updated their systems.
“We advised them to update their systems so that the 6% service tax could be charged,” he said.
In Shah Alam, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh said the real impact of the SST on the prices of general goods was expected to be fully felt in the second week of its implementation.
This is because goods sold during the first week after the end of the tax holiday are actually tax-free.
Noting that traders had bought the goods during the tax holiday period, he said the tax-free stocks should be sold at prices minus the SST.
“However, some traders might want to take advantage of the situation but we are ready for that.
“We have mobilised 1,000 enforcement personnel to check against profiteering.
“Legal action will be taken against profiteers, and I want them to be severely punished to deter others from doing the same,” he said after visiting a juice-producing factory yesterday.
The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act provides a fine of up to RM100,000 or a three-year imprisonment upon conviction.
~News courtesy of The Star~
IPOH: There will be no Sales and Service Tax on satay sold in food outlets, says Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.
He said the SST on the popular Malaysian food was imposed during the processing stage for the purpose of packaging and sales.
“It is the sales that get the SST, not at the outlets,” he told reporters after a briefing on the SST at a hotel here yesterday.
Lim was replying to a question on whether the SST would be imposed on chicken or beef satay sold in food outlets, as it was among the items listed as taxable under “preparation of meat”.
He said failure to do so would mean that they could not charge the SST and would have to use their own funds to pay the tax to the government.
His call was echoed by Customs Department director-general Datuk Seri T. Subromaniam, who said friendly visits by the department found that there were still food providers who had not updated their systems.
“We advised them to update their systems so that the 6% service tax could be charged,” he said.
In Shah Alam, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Jamil Salleh said the real impact of the SST on the prices of general goods was expected to be fully felt in the second week of its implementation.
This is because goods sold during the first week after the end of the tax holiday are actually tax-free.
Noting that traders had bought the goods during the tax holiday period, he said the tax-free stocks should be sold at prices minus the SST.
“However, some traders might want to take advantage of the situation but we are ready for that.
“We have mobilised 1,000 enforcement personnel to check against profiteering.
“Legal action will be taken against profiteers, and I want them to be severely punished to deter others from doing the same,” he said after visiting a juice-producing factory yesterday.
The Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act provides a fine of up to RM100,000 or a three-year imprisonment upon conviction.
~News courtesy of The Star~
2018年9月2日星期日
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
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
Batu Caves temple committee: We do not need heritage status
Batu Caves temple committee: We do not need heritage status
At risk of being delisted as a national heritage site over its newly painted 272-steps, the Batu Caves temple committee now claims that it has never benefitted from being one.
Batu Caves Sri Mahamariamman Temple Devasthanam committee chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah said the National Heritage Department did not give any grant for maintenance of the site, which is also a tourist spot.
“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has deemed Batu Caves unfit for their heritage list. We do not need the heritage status.
“If the department can maintain the area, we do not need to paint it. It is ridiculous for us to seek the department’s permission to paint the steps.
The colourful steps, said Nadarajah, had received mostly positive feedback, adding that only a few criticised the efforts.
The committee, he added, had been inspired by the colourful peacock.
On Aug 29, StarMetro had reported that the temple was at risk of being delisted as a national heritage site due to the renovation and paint job done without approval from the department.
The report also stated that no approval was given by Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) for any job in Batu Caves.
Nadarajah claimed that the MPS had never approved any of the temple’s application.
“We spent a lot of money and submitted all the documents and technical reports to legalise the 20 structures and buildings in and around Batu Caves. We are still waiting for its response for years but we have received none so far.
“We built the management office building after MPS failed to give us the approval despite our complete application. The contractor was fined.
“It is not our intention to go ahead with the project without MPS’s permission but we are in dire need of the facility.
“Similarly, we have filed the application to build a cultural arts centre which doubles up as a hall with the capacity of 3,000 people. This is our next big project as we have the funds,” he said.
Nadarajah said RM6.5mil was spent for the renovation and paint works in conjunction with the congregation ceremony, with half of the money raised from donations.
~News courtesy of The Star~
At risk of being delisted as a national heritage site over its newly painted 272-steps, the Batu Caves temple committee now claims that it has never benefitted from being one.
Batu Caves Sri Mahamariamman Temple Devasthanam committee chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah said the National Heritage Department did not give any grant for maintenance of the site, which is also a tourist spot.
“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has deemed Batu Caves unfit for their heritage list. We do not need the heritage status.
“If the department can maintain the area, we do not need to paint it. It is ridiculous for us to seek the department’s permission to paint the steps.
The colourful steps, said Nadarajah, had received mostly positive feedback, adding that only a few criticised the efforts.
The committee, he added, had been inspired by the colourful peacock.
On Aug 29, StarMetro had reported that the temple was at risk of being delisted as a national heritage site due to the renovation and paint job done without approval from the department.
The report also stated that no approval was given by Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) for any job in Batu Caves.
Nadarajah claimed that the MPS had never approved any of the temple’s application.
“We spent a lot of money and submitted all the documents and technical reports to legalise the 20 structures and buildings in and around Batu Caves. We are still waiting for its response for years but we have received none so far.
“We built the management office building after MPS failed to give us the approval despite our complete application. The contractor was fined.
“It is not our intention to go ahead with the project without MPS’s permission but we are in dire need of the facility.
“Similarly, we have filed the application to build a cultural arts centre which doubles up as a hall with the capacity of 3,000 people. This is our next big project as we have the funds,” he said.
Nadarajah said RM6.5mil was spent for the renovation and paint works in conjunction with the congregation ceremony, with half of the money raised from donations.
~News courtesy of The Star~
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