VM2020 logo emits strong Malaysia vibes, says graphic designer A Penang-based graphic designer said the new Visit Truly Asia Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) tourism campaign logo, which was unveiled by the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on July 22, truly reflected what the nation was all about. (BERNAMA) A Penang-based graphic designer said the new Visit Truly Asia Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) tourism campaign logo, which was unveiled by the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on July 22, truly reflected what the nation was all about. The VM2020 logo was designed by 23-year-old graphic designer Alfred Phua Hong Fook, who had beaten over 500 other entries in a competition held between March 11 and March 24 after the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture decided to scrap the previous version. Danz Chee, who has 15 years of logo design experience under his belt, said the official VM2020 logo has brought out strong “Malaysia” vibes with its simplistic Batik-style design, the fitting colour scheme of “Jalur Gemilang”, as well as the usage of iconic national trademarks, which are the rhinoceros hornbill, the red hibiscus and the wild fern known as “paku pakis”. “I’ve checked out other entries from the contest, some of which are pretty well done, but I personally find the winning logo really screamed out what Malaysia is really all about,” Chee told Bernama. Not long after the unveiling of the VM2020 logo, allegations of plagiarism through other logo designs began to brew up in social media platforms. A different version of the VM2020 logo went viral on social media, alleging that the graphic designer had plagiarised from another hornbill design associated from a stock image, but the allegation was later dismissed by Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi. This, however, did not stop netizens’ accusations of strong resemblance to a combination of multiple stock images, they believed were applied in the official VM2020 logo. Chee explained that professional graphic designers normally do not trace stock images completely but rather use them, as well as other relevant logos and photos for designing references to develop a firm grasp of its design concepts and ideas. He also said that graphic designers also look up these references to prevent any possible conflicts or clashes of resemblance. “Say for instance, a client would want a tiger as their logo, and of course, we would have to look up real photos of a tiger as references and develop the important aspects of a tiger, such as its fur patterns. We would then modify them to our own desired art style, but still retain its resemblance as a tiger. You do not want to end up with a design of a cat when your client expects a a tiger,” he said. He added that the modern trend of minimalism art style also played a huge role in the preference of the logo design, given the examples of known companies such as Adidas and Pepsi shifting their complex logo design to a more simplistic form over time. -- Bernama
Resumed ECRL project to spur more development, industrialisation, says Loke The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will resume, after nine months of negotiations, with alignments and stations restructured to make it more viable. -- Bernama photo The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will resume, after nine months of negotiations, with alignments and stations restructured to make it more viable. Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the resumption would have a positive impact on the well-being of the people in terms of social economic development. “Once completed in 2026, we will see more development and industrialisation in the east coast,” he said after THE relaunching of works on the tunnel here today. “This section from Dungun to Mentakab is the least impacted by the realignment deal.” The contractors will prioritise works on the tunnels and viaducts along the proposed alignment from Dungun to Mentakab in Pahang over the next one month to propel the construction of the re-negotiated RM44 billion rail network. The supplementary agreement inked between Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) on April 12 in Beijing paved the way for the resumption of the ECRL project to proceed at a lower cost, compared with the price tag of RM65.5 billion. The focus of the renegotiated project will be on the design and physical works of the 14.13km tunnels in 23 locations, as well as preparatory works for 39.03km of viaducts in 65 locations situated within the 223km stretch from Dungun to Mentakab where no rail alignment changes were made under the improved ECRL project. Earthworks at several ECRL tunnel sites, including the 871m Dungun Tunnel, 1.1km Paka Tunnel, and 2.8km Kuantan Tunnel, and site clearing and pile testing on multiple sites for viaducts have commenced. Loke said, despite the realignment involving diversions from the original design, the government would keep the option open for future development when the need arose. Asked whether the project would encourage existing investors in the more developed states to shift or expand their operations to the east coast states, Loke said it could entice existing firms to expand, but more importantly there would be new investments. “The joint-venture with CCCC ensures new investments. “We are not building the railway at the expense of other states. We may see expansion, but not relocation.” The improved ECRL project involves a distance of 640km that will entail rail alignment changes between Kota Baru in Kelantan and Dungun, Terengganu, with the introduction of a new southern alignment from Mentakab in Pahang to Port Klang in Selangor that runs through Negri Sembilan and Putrajaya. The entire project will see the construction of 30 to 40 tunnels along its alignment from Kota Baru to Port Klang, with the longest tunnel measuring about 7km to be built in the Jelebu-Semenyih area. The project will also witness the construction of multiple viaducts with a total length of approximately 100km. Loke said Environmental Impact Assessment reports had been submitted where land clearing had started, and more would be submitted as the project progressed. “This is a national project. It is apolitical. “It involves states not won by the present government. “It is for the country and the people,” he said, adding that it was well-positioned as a national infrastructure project as it linked cities and towns, upgraded public transport in rural areas along its entire 640km rail network that would traverse five states and Putrajaya. ~New Straits Times~
Tourism industry expected to generate RM100 billion next year Malaysia’s tourism industry is expected to generate RM100 billion in revenue next year. Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said his ministry is confident of achieving its target of 30 million tourist arrivals next year, contributing to the RM100 billion in revenue expected from both international and domestic tourism, compared to a projected revenue of RM92 billion for this year. “Kelantan is among the states expected to attract a higher number of foreign tourists to Malaysia. A total of 5.5 million tourists are expected to visit Kelantan this year. Tourist arrivals to the state will increase further next year and this will help boost the number of tourists coming to Malaysia,” he said. He was speaking to reporters after the closing ceremony of the 2019 Kelantan Folk Arts Festival (FKRK) here today. Also present were Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) director-general Tan Sri Norliza Rofli, Kelantan Culture, Tourism and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Md Anizam Abd Rahman and Narathiwat deputy governor Patimoh Sadiyamon. The FKRK introduced in 2017 is one of nine cultural programmes listed in the cultural tourism sector calendar in nine states to highlight unique local cultures as tourism products. Among the activities held at the FKRK this year were Rebana Ubi, Kertuk and Dikir Barat competitions and performances by the Kelantan Percussion Symphony Orchestra. Meanwhile, Mohamaddin said his ministry is always open to proposals from state governments in the effort to revive the traditional art forms in their respective states. “For instance, the Mak Yong cultural performance has been allowed to be continue in Kelantan by mutual agreement. We would like to say thank you to (the) Kelantan (state government) for giving a new breath to Mak Yong, now it can be watched at the Kelantan JKKN Auditorium,” he said. The PAS (Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party) -led government in Kelantan had previously banned Mak Yong, a dance drama, in the state on the grounds that it had animist and Hindu-Buddhist roots. -- BERNAMA
Fraser's Hill is named after Louis James Fraser, a Scotsman who prospected for gold in Australia but eventually struck tin here instead in the 1890s. Employing Chinese miners to do the hard work for him and earning his keep by operating mule trains down the mountain, Fraser set up opium and gambling dens to increase his profits, which may have had something to do with his subsequent mysterious disappearance. The tin ran out in 1913, but the lush valley within was rediscovered as a colonial hill resort that, thanks to its 1524 m elevation, enjoys considerably cooler temperatures than Kuala Lumpur. By 1922 a road had been cut through the mountains to the valley, which soon sprouted bungalows and even one of Malaya's first golf courses.
Not much has changed since, and Fraser's Hill retains a wonderfully weird mixed-up character, where locals eat curries off banana leaves in a English cottage next to a golf course while the call to prayer sounds from the mosque.
~wikitravel~
Prasarana to manage Go KL City bus service in August
(File pix) Prasarana Malaysia Berhad will now manage the Go KL City free bus service in the federal capital. Pix courtesy of Prasarana Malaysia Berhad
KUALA LUMPUR: Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) will now manage the Go KL City free bus service in the federal capital.
All the routes for the free bus service will be managed by Prasarana's subsidiary, Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd, and its service provider Rapid KL.
The one-year agreement with Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, which will take effect on Aug 31 onwards, will see Rapid Bus managing six Go KL City bus routes. They are:
- KLCC - Bukit Bintang (Green Line);
- Pasar Seni - Bukit Bintang (Purple Line);
- Titiwangsa - Bukit Bintang (Blue Line);
- Titiwangsa - KL Sentral through Dataran Merdeka (Red Line);
- Titiwangsa - MINDEF (Orange Line); and,
- LRT Universiti - PPR Pantai Ria (Pink Line).
Prasarana Group chief operating officer (operations), Muhammad Nizam Alias said the company appreciated DBKL's trust in them to manage the six major routes and increase mobility in the federal capital.
“This is an important recognition for Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd and we will continue striving hard to provide the best service for our customers in line with our mission which is to provide world-class services for Malaysians,” said Nizam said in a statement.
The Go KL City bus service, launched on Aug 31, 2012, is a public bus service that offers free rides for commuters within the Kuala Lumpur Central Business District (CBD).
It is also aimed to reduce congestion in Kuala Lumpur by encouraging users to park their cars and use Go KL city bus service to travel around.
The stops encompass popular spots within the heart of Kuala Lumpur such as shopping havens, tourist attractions and prominent office towers.
The Go KL City bus service is equipped with free WiFi and designed to be disabled- and eco-friendly.
The bus service, which operates seven days a week, starts at 6am and ends at 11pm except for Fridays and Saturdays, where the service ends at 1am. ~News courtesy of New Straits Times~
Malindo Air to start Varanasi service on July 18
Malindo Air will start flying from Kuala Lumpur to Varanasi on July 18 as it looks to capitalise on pilgrimage traffic to the Hindu holy city in northern India. - NSTP/MOHD FADLI HAMZAH
Malindo Air will start flying from Kuala Lumpur to Varanasi on July 18 as it looks to capitalise on pilgrimage traffic to the Hindu holy city in northern India.
There will be three flights per week with a total capacity of 486 seats.
With the launch of its new service, Malindo Air will be operating 63 weekly flights connecting 10 Indian cities to Malaysia.
The direct flight to a major city in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, would help encourage more people from the region to visit Malaysia, said Datuk Hidayat Abdul Hamid, High Commissioner of Malaysia to India.
“We have 224 flights weekly between India and Kuala Lumpur and Indian travelers can travel from 14 cities to Malaysia. We are promoting tourism beyond Kuala Lumpur and focusing on destinations like Ipoh, Johor, Kota Kinabalu, Sarawak and the beautiful unexplored beaches to attract one million Indian tourists by 2020,” he said.
Sulaiman Suip, director of Tourism Malaysia in New Delhi, said tourist arrivals from India in the first three months of this year grew 18.6 per cent due to easy air links and a hassle-free online visa process.
Malindo Air, which began flying to India in December 2013, sees potential to attract both inbound and outbound travellers.
“However, Varanasi may have the added advantage in terms of demand as it is also primarily a sacred pilgrimage destination for Hindus around the world,” the airline’s chief executive officer Chandran Rama Muthy said.
Many travellers from India use Malindo’s wide network to travel to destinations within the region. - BERNAMA
Air Arabia’s maiden flight arrives at KLIA
Inaugural flight: The Air Arabia flight landing at the KL International Airport.
SEPANG: The inaugural Air Arabia Flight G9 0921 from Sharjah to Kuala Lumpur has touched down safely at the KL International Airport.
This marks the first time a low-cost carrier is connecting the country directly to the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Cooperation Council region.
Present to greet the arrival of the passengers yesterday morning was Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi.
“The flight couldn’t have come at a better time as we are promoting the country in the run-up to our Visit Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) campaign.
“This year, our target is to have 337,000 tourists from the West Asia region.
“I believe the launching of Air Arabia’s Sharjah-KL route will help increase tourist arrivals from this region,” he said.
Mohamaddin said the ministry would continue to boost air connectivity as part of VM2020.
Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Musa Yusof said there were plans to attract more airlines to the country.
“We are looking at attracting eight more airlines this year as part of the Joint International Tourism Development Programme,” he said.
Last year, Malaysia recorded RM3.1bil in tourist receipts from West Asia, a growth of 32.9% compared to the previous year.
As of March this year, tourist arrivals from West Asia countries stand at 65,202.
The seven-hour flight between Kuala Lumpur and Sharjah operates daily.
Sharjah is a neighbouring city of Dubai and the third largest emirate of the UAE.
Air Arabia is the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa.
~The Star~
