The Star today has an article on "Bringing waterfalls back to life" which also includes "Titi Kerawang" as one of the waterfalls in concern -- read my mentioning of it in previous post.



"THE Penang tourism authorities plan to bring five waterfalls in Penang back to life.

The Waterfall Rehabilitation Committee will be restoring waterfalls at Chin Farm in Batu Ferringhi, Kampung Perlis in Bayan Lepas, Penang Botanic Gardens, Titi Kerawang in Balik Pulau and Bukit Mertajam Forest Recreational Reserve.

Curently, the water flow at the waterfalls has been disrupted.

State Tourism Development and Environment Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said it was important to leave some water at the waterfalls to enable the water to flow back into the rivers to give them a “natural flushing” that would help flush out pollutants. "

Read more at The Star Online and New Straits Times


Check out more pictures and review of Titi Kerawang, which is located between Balik Pulau and Teluk Bahang:-

• WaterfallsOfMalaysia.com
  
  
• Lim Khee Boon's collection of photos @ PBase.com
  
  
• Reviews at Yahoo Travel & Yahoo Travel Guide UK
  
  
• Photos by Chok Beng @ Fotopic.Net
  

Merempit di Balik Pulau...



A motorcyclist's view going through the treacherous Genting Road (between Balik Pulau/Simpang Empat and Teluk Kumbar) -- check out the busy construction activities: building of an elevated highway that will likely cut the travel time between Balik Pulau and Bayan Lepas into half, from about 40 minutes down to 20 minutes. Estimated for completion as early as late 2008. Hooray!

What I really look for however is a monorail or a mini airport/helipad in Balik Pulau... Only then will we have Balik Pulau Maju!

16 May 2007

Semua Ahli ANSARA Cawangan Balik Pulau

MESYUARAT AGUNG TAHUN KALI KEEMPAT 2007/2008 ANSARA BALIK PULAU

Merujuk kepada notis mesyuarat bertarikh 16 April 2007, adalah saya diarah memaklumkan, bahawa Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan ANSARA Balik Pulau Kali Keempat akan diadakan seperti berikut:

Tarikh & Masa: Sabtu, 26 MEI 2007, 10.00 pagi

Tempat : Function Hall ,Bukit Robson Condo, Persiaran Syed Putra 5, Off Jalan Syed Putra, 50460 KUALA LUMPUR

Adalah juga dimaklumkan bahawa setakat tarikh tutup pencalonan pada 16.05.2007 terdapat hanya 8 calon untuk bertanding bagi jawatan yang ditawarkan.

Oleh yang demikian, saudara/ saudari adalah dijemput hadir bagi menunaikan tanggungjawab sebagai Ahli ANSARA Balik Pulau.

Kehadiran saudara/ saudari adalah sangat sangat dihargai demi penyatuan semula bekas pelajar MRSM Balik Pulau bagi kepentingan kita semua khususnya dan kepentingan agama, bangsa dan tanahair amnya.

Segala perhatian, kerjasama dan kehadiran saudara/ saudari amat dihargai dan didahului dengan ucapan jutaan terima kasih.

Sekian.

DARI KITA UNTUK KITA, DARI BP UNTUK BP

Salam Hormat

…………………………………………….

Eadie Nor Faizal Othman

Setiausaha ANSARA Balik Pulau

PERSATUAN BEKAS PELAJAR MRSM CAWANGAN BALIK PULAU (ANSARABP)

No. 18-4-1, Jalan. 5/101C, Cheras Business Center, Taman Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel/ Fax: 03-9131 5650 Email: ansarabalikpulau@yahoo.com

Organization Info:
ANSARA is a society of former students from about 35 secondary schools throughout Malaysia (including one in Kuching, East Malaysia) funded by a government agency called "Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA)" [The Council of Trust for the Indigenous People]. Each school is called "Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM)" [MARA Junior Science College].

The suffix "BP", an acronym for "Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang" denotes the name of the town or city where the particular school is located, and thus signify the specific geographical branch of this society. Hence, ANSARABP represents the former students of MRSMBP.

I wonder if the crews will make it to Balik Pulau too. Come here, we have tons of treasures you won't find elsewhere!

Selling scenic charms of Penang over the CNN

PENANG: A Kuala Lumpur-based production house appointed by CNN International is here to capture Penang's scenic charms on film over two days.

State Development, Tourism and Environment Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said a 10-member crew from Barnstorm Pictures Ltd which arrived yesterday would cover the George Town heritage trail, the Penang Botanic Gardens, Kek Lok Si Temple and beaches here.

“I understand that this coverage will be aired in the next two years starting next month over the CNN channel in Europe, Britain, Africa and the Middle East.

“It will appear as a two-minute promotion of Penang before and after the channel's prime news session,” he told newsmen after unveiling the logo of the Penang Beach Carnival at the City Stadium yesterday.

Sun,sand and sea:Teng unveiling the logo of the Penang Beach Carnival at the City Stadium yesterday.With him are(from left)Zainal,Suleiman and Ismail.

Teng said the effort was financed by the Tourism Ministry and Tourism Malaysia.

“We are very grateful to them for featuring Penang as the state does not have this kind of money to promote itself worldwide,” he added.

He also said a television crew from Perth, Australia, was here for the last two weeks to shoot places in Penang while another team from China would visit the state within the next two weeks.

On the two-day carnival which will kick off on May 26, he said about 4,000 participants were expected to take part in the event.

Also present were Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman, council community services director Mohd Ismail Ibrahim and Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) representative Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman.

SOURCE: The Star Online > North

Balik Pulaurians will soon be able to reach Teluk Bahang and all the villages in between by bus, and in just one trip, thanks to RapidPenang that will begin its operation with a new bus fleet this coming 1st of August, 2007. And it'll be FREE RIDE for two days!

Free bus rides for two days
Saturday May 12, 2007

By ZARINAH DAUD

BUS commuters will enjoy free rides for two days when RapidPenang makes its debut in the state on Aug 1.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the free ride would allow commuters to enjoy a first-hand experience on the brand new air-conditioned buses that RapidPenang had purchased.

He said the company had proposed a fare structure of RM1 for the first 7km. The fare for subsequent kilometres would be based on the routes.

He cautioned that there might be some teething problems which the bus company would resolve immediately.

“Some people are sceptical about the new bus service but please give RapidPenang a chance to do its best. I am confident that the new bus service will be a success.

“The company is upgrading the Lorong Kulit depot, bus hubs and holding areas which will be ready in July,” he told a press briefing yesterday.

Nor Mohamed said Penangites could “kiss and ride” with the new bus system. All the 150 buses purchased by RapidPenang would be on the road in August.

In the West, he added, commuters would take a bus or train ride after kissing their spouses and children goodbye.

RapidPenang, a subsidiary of Rangkaian Pengangkutan Deras Sdn Bhd (RapidKL), is owned by the Ministry of Finance.

It has been given a RM31mil federal loan to buy 150 new buses and RM20mil five-year interest-free loan as working capital.

Nor Mohamed said RapidPenang would ply five main corridors on the island – Balik Pulau to Weld Quay, Bayan Lepas to Weld Quay, Air Itam to Weld Quay, Teluk Bahang to Weld Quay and Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau.

A bus service linking the island to Seberang Prai will be revived and RapidPenang is also introducing several new routes, including to Vale of Tempe, Teluk Tempoyak and Pulau Betong in Balik Pulau.

A total of 135 buses will ply from 6am to 11pm daily, at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes. Fifteen other buses will be on standby in case of breakdowns.

Nor Mohamed said the company was recruiting drivers and that their background was being scrutinised.

SOURCE: The Star Online > North

Majlis Perasmian Anjung Indah

PP/6b/05/07

T.Y.T. Tun Dato’ Seri Utama (Dr.) Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas, Yang di Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang dan Y.A.Bhg. Toh Puan akan menghadiri Majlis Perasmian Anjung Indah dan Puisi Lidah Ibunda bertempat di Anjung Indah (Bukit Pemandangan Indah), Balik Pulau pada 11 Mei 2007 ( Jumaat ), jam 8.45 malam.

From KakiSeni.com :

Title :	Launch of Anjung Indah and Mother Tongue Poetry Recitation
Venue :	Anjung Indah Bukit Penara, Jalan Tun Sardon, Balik Pulau ,Pulau Pinang
Date & Time :	Fri 11 May 2007 (8pm - 11pm)
Phone :	04-537 7242 (Pn. Khairiyah Ghazali)
Email :	kriyah@dbp.gov.my
Synopsis :	This double event will first see the launch of Anjung Indah, which will be graced by T.Y.T Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang, Tun Dato’ Seri Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas. Next up, invited poets like National Laureate Datuk A. Samad Said, Khalid Salleh, Dr. Zakaria Ali, Dr. Samad Salleh, Rahimidin Zahari, YB Haji Muhamad Farid Saad, and a few others will take the stage to recite poetry in their own distinct dialects, specific to the various districts in that they come from. T.Y.T Tun Dato’ Seri Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas will also give a special performance that night, by reciting a poem too.

My mom just brought home some durians. Yum, yum!

Bad weather causing durian trees to bear fewer fruits

By ANTHONY CHEW

PENANG (Tuesday May 8, 2007): Bad weather has caused a lower durian harvest in Balik Pulau, the main producer for the state, with production down by about 50% compared with a normal season.

Orchard owners in Sungai Pinang said the durian trees started to bloom in March but continuous heavy rain last month caused the flowers to drop off, resulting in a lower harvest.

King of fruits: (From left) Orchard owners Phang, Eric Kee and Lee admiring one of the many durians in Sungai Pinang.

One owner, Lee Toh Sem, 66, said the trees were bearing fewer durians because of the bad weather.

“Initially, we were delighted when the buds started to bloom but the flowers started to fall when rain came,” he said.

The “king of fruits” there are expected to hit the streets from May 15 for about one to two months.

Some of the popular varieties are 604, 01, 11, 14, hor lor, ang heah, kum poh, capri, lipan and siew fong.

Lee said good quality durians in Sungai Pinang would fetch better prices than those last year, adding that most of the durian trees in his 5.6ha orchard looked healthy.

“We make sure there is quality control. Quality will be affected if a branch has too many fruits,” he said, adding that some unripe fruits were disposed of before harvesting.

Another orchard owner, Phang Yew Sak, 53, said it was common knowledge that good quality durians came from Sungai Pinang because of ideal soil and weather conditions.

He said some retailers selling durians from other states were fond of saying that their fruits came from Balik Pulau, which was not the case.

“When a buyer complained that the fruit was expensive or of poor quality, the retailers would say the fruit came from Balik Pulau. Similarly, when a buyer asked for Balik Pulau durians, they would say theirs were from Balik Pulau.”

SOURCE: The Star Malaysia

Pricey retreats mushrooming in Balik Pulau

Not million-dollar homes yet, but close enough... Massive development of commercial and public amenities naturally brings exclusive residentials for those who can and would afford it on the land so far away from major cities.

And Balik Pulau is no exception. Below are some of the new houses for sale, from around RM300K to nearly RM800K a piece. If you're shopping for one in Balik Pulau, prepare to invest for long, as rentals for houses in Balik Pulau still only floats around RM600 or less for a decent terrace house and RM300 or less for a flat unit.

Phase 1 - ALAMEDA DOUBLE STOREY BUNGALOW HOUSE

Alameda is a generously sized double storey bungalow with a land area from 4,800 sq ft and built up area from 3,581 sq ft. The upper floor consists of four bedrooms and spacious family hall with attached open terrace. The en-suite master bedroom has its own dressing area. The ground floor features an entrance foyer with large living and dining spaces and en-suite guest room. A maid's room and a dedicated wet and dry kitchen with a utility area are also located on the ground floor. A double car porch completes the picture of pure luxury.

Land Area : 60' x 80'
Built Up Area : 3,581 sq ft
Price from RM799,969

Phase 1 - ALANIDOUBLE STOREYSEMI-DETACHED HOUSES

Alani is an intermediate sized double storey semi detached house with a land area from 2,400 sq ft and built up area from 1,956 sq ft. The upper floor consists of three bedrooms and two bathrooms, located off a large family hall. The master bedroom, en-suite bathroom enjoys a private balcony. The ground floor has a separate living room with patio, dining area and a fourth bedroom, adjacent to the kitchen.

Land Area : 30' X 80'
Built Up Area : 1,956 sq ft
Price: RM399,969

Phase 1 - ALONA DOUBLE STOREY TERRACE HOUSES

Alona is a comfortable sized double storey terrace house with a land area of 1,200 sq ft and built up area from 1,200 sq ft and b uilt up area of 1,700 sq ft. The upper floor features three bedrooms and two bathrooms located adjacent to the family hall while the ground floor comprises spacious living and dining rooms and a fourth bedroom, next to the kitchen and a covered drying area.

Land Area : 20' x 60'
Built Up Area : 1,700 sq ft
Price: RM299,969

BOTANICA.CT is an acronym for a garden home, set in a lush forested hill of Penang sprawling over 300 acres of estate land in Balik Pulau. The houses are based on a vision of a country home retreat and a sanctuary for those yearning for a property close to nature and all that modern amenities can offer. With a gross development value of approximately RM1bil, Botanica.CT is meticulously planned over 11 phases and targeted for completion in approximately 10 years.

Botanica.CT will be a self-contained township, complete with its own medical centre, health retreat, retirement resort, educational institution plus a food and retail village. 2,000 new residential units, which consist of double-storey terrace, semi-detached and bungalows, linked houses, together with low-medium and low-cost apartments, will be available. Land is also available for those who wish to build their dream house amid fruit orchards and natural surroundings within the township.

For Phase 1, 3 acres of land will be reserved for a landscaped park to complement its 168 double-storey houses which are due for completion in 2008. The built-up areas of these houses are from 1,700 sq ft to 3,581 sq ft and cost from RM269,969 to RM699,699 onwards. The architectural details of Phase 1 draw inspiration from the rustic English Tudor style – simple elegance expressed in contemporary forms with modern conveniences.

On the whole, MTT Properties & Development Sdn Bhd not only promotes Balik Pulau as the location for the best laksa in Penang but also provides a self-contained and self-sustainable township for its residents to enjoy absolute peace of mind and an unmatched quality of life.

Enquiries can also be made by calling 04-2589999 or by e-mailing mttproperties@mtt-priority.com.my.

SOURCE: Botanica CT Balik Pulau ~ Penang Properties

It just keeps getting better for Balik Pulaurians. Soon, along with its famous Agro Market ("Pasar Tani") every Sunday morning, Balik Pulau will host the largest market in Penang, complete with 350 parking bays and eight-lane bus depot (to host among others, a new fleet of buses from RapidPenang with routes to Weldquay both via Teluk Bahang and Bayan Lepas and to Pulau Betong).

Simply, Balik Pulau is poised to be a major administrative city for Southwest District of Pulau Pinang (out of five total districts in this northern state of Malaysia) -- note that Balik Pulau admin centre will also cover the Greater Bayan Lepas and Gelugor, i.e. MSC-status Penang Cyber Cities!

I'm still waiting for the announcement for a shopping bazaar... ;). Also, who among the fast food companies will step up to the challenge to open up the first fast-food restaurant in Balik Pulau? McDonald's, KFCs, Pizza Hut, Burger King, 1901 etc. -- are you listening?

Complex to be ready in August
Thursday May 3, 2007

By CHRISTINA CHIN

PENANG:Come August, Balik Pulau can boast of having the state's biggest market.

The idyllic town that used to be synony-mous with sprawling durian plantations will soon be associated with a market, a pasar tani (farmers' market) and a bazaar.

Penang Municipal Council cleanliness, health, licensing and public education stand-ing committee member Dr Thor Teong Gee said construction work on the RM17mil complex was ahead of schedule.

It will replace the existing single-storey market which was built in 1914.

“We are confident that the project will be completed in the next three months. About 100 licensed traders will be relocated to the new double-storey market.

“The wet market on the ground floor will comprise 112 stalls while the dry market upstairs will have 62 lots.

“This month, we will be processing new licence applications and interviewing those interested in taking up stalls at the complex,” he said, adding that the existing pasar tani in Jalan Pondok Upeh nearby would also be relocated to the complex grounds.

“On Sundays, the road is closed to accom-modate the farmers' market. Once the complex is ready, the traders will have a more conducive trading area.”

Dr Thor said the development involved more than 4.8 ha of land and would include 350 parking bays and an eight-lane bus terminal.

“The council has not decided on whether to implement parking fees. We want to encourage the public to use RapidPenang when the bus system starts in August. Passengers can just park their vehicles and hop onto the bus to work,” he said.

Dr Thor said he was confident that the complex would be fully utilised.

“There is no chance of the building becoming a white elephant. The concept behind the project is to provide petty traders with proper facilities to conduct their business,” he added.

Apart from the market, the soon-to-be completed project comprises a community hall with three badminton courts, a stage and meeting rooms, a double-storey office for the council, a hawker centre and a shopping bazaar. Work on the project started in February last year.

SOURCE: The Star Online (North), Malaysia (3 MAY 2007)