Laksa, laksa, laksa...

I first mentioned the popular Penang delicacy "laksa" in the first post of this blog site. Since then, I've stumbled on so many web pages and blog posts that mention laksa as one of the major reasons to visit this remote Penang town, besides "durian" of course that make so many spottings in earlier posts. But I've been slacking on highlighting this Malaysian delicacy since I personally don't eat laksa (or anything that has or taste like fish) anymore for some 20 years or so (since I was in primary school).

However, since The Star put up at least three articles on "laksa" this month in its Sunday, Aug 5 issue - "Assam laksa anytime" by Faridah Begum, "SMS senders' pick for best Assam Laksa" (none of Balik Pulau's make the top list though) and "The best has got to be in Penang" by Helen Ong, so here are the pictures and the links to savor yourself with the hot bowl:-

1. Time always for laksa at Tourism Penang
2. Laksa Balik Pulau Coffee Shop (LBPCS) at Asia Explorer
3. Assam Laksa Balik Pulau at KLmakan Blogspot
4. Peter Tan's Quick Trip to Balik Pulau
5. Balik Pulau Durian & Laksa at Gastronomics Diary

And while most writers and bloggers mention the famous Kim Laksa aka Balik Pulau Coffee Shop Laksa, there's a little known secret outlet, but famous for the locals and a few outsiders, one that I've stumbled upon early this year - it's Laksa Janggus or as Penangite would call it, "Laksa Jangguih". To get there, just follow south on Jalan Baharu from an intersection near Pekan Genting/Kg Paya Simpang Empat and just look on your left before you hit the intersection near Kg Pulau Betong. If you've somehow pass thru Kg Terang instead, you're just on the parallel road, and just make a right once you hit an intersection to Jalan Baharu, and Laksa Janggus will be on your right about 500-metre from the intersection. Actually, this self-service eatery outlet is not so secret anymore, as the popular aunty Chan Lilian ("Laksa Janggus Balik Pulau yang terbest") has blogged about it back in March taking a cue from Muteaudio's Kuihmanis.

A couple years back, my good friend, Ash, who's crazy about laksa has been querying on the good spots to get them good bowls but I can't seem to give a suggestion except pointing out pasar malams "perhaps around Bayan Baru" etc, but now I know.... Unfortunately though, this friend of mine who made a short stay in Penang already moved back to KL by now.

Well, despite me not having laksas anymore, I do frequent Laksa Janggus with my family, and I normally get Mee Th'ng instead plus fried cucur pisang. Stopped by the place again yesterday afternoon, but just got ABC special and picked up some 20-cent satays from entrepreneurial villagers at the roadside near Kg Perlis on the way back -- quite cheap huh, but you'll get what you pay for - tiny pieces of chicken meat!

I wonder if the big guys of Pizza Hut, McDonald's or Secret Recipe will ever arrive in Balik Pulau... till then...

"You can already get so much of it (culture) just from Balik Pulau"

Said Anuwar Idris, Silat and kompang troupe leader from Pertubuhan Seni Silat Pusaka Gayong Malaysia (Balik Pulau branch) who's bringing a Gendang Silat show by his team "to introduce Malay martial arts and music to locals and tourists. "

He added, “It is important for youngsters to know that they play a part in preserving their heritage. I strongly encourage youths to take up the arts and participate in such activities to help promote the country’s cultures. The country is full of cultures...."

Kumpulan Kompang Pusaka Anak Rebana from Balik Pulau also performed classical Malay music with their traditional intruments.

Read the full article at The Star Online (North).

Sin Chew reporter attacked after taking a photo

By BERNARD SEE

PENANG: A Sin Chew Daily reporter received four stitches on his upper lip when a youth attacked him after he had snapped a picture of an accident in Jalan Balik Pulau here.

Ang Tong Kai, 32, was punched on the mouth by the 21-year-old youth who rushed at him following the accident about 3.30am.

The youth and his father, in his 40s, had driven their car into a 15m-deep ravine while trying to negotiate a sharp corner. They were on their way home then.

The youth managed to climb out of the vehicle to seek help for his father who was unconsciousness after knocking his head. It was then that he rushed at Ang and attacked him.

Both Ang and the youth’s father were later taken to the Penang Hospital where Ang received outpatient treatment while the youth’s father was admitted for observation.

At the hospital, the drama continued as the youth and his 10 friends "invited" the other reporters to a fight.

One of them tried to attack a China Press reporter who chided them for their gangster-like behaviour.

They even tried to stop the reporters, who decided to leave before the situation got worse, from leaving the hospital.

Ang said he is considering lodging a police report against his attacker, adding that he is in pain every time he talks.

Ang said the youth had earlier used a torchlight to hit him on the head a few times.

State CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Datuk Abdul Samah Mat said he would look into the matter once a report is lodged, adding that no one should be allowed to take the law into his own hands.

SOURCE: The Star Online > Nation

First pedal car race in country

PENANG:The inaugural Malaysian Pedal Car Race took off with a bang as participants took on each other like what true champions did.

More than 130 participants scorched the competition route in blazing fashion despite the sweltering heat the moment it started from the Town Hall yesterday.

They pedalled furiously through Fort Cornwallis, Downing Street/Light Street roundabout, the Esplanade, King Edward’s Place and Beach Street to the finishing line at the Town Hall.

The race was an eight-lap relay team competition with four members in each team.

Full concentration:The participants pedalling furiously to
the finishing line.

Each member pedalled for two laps.

The winners in the three categories were Penang Free School Tourism Club B (school race), Balik Pulau Cycling Club (club race) and KKP Industries (feature race).

Penang Turf Club committee member Alex Rodgers and Pallas chief operating officer Ho Kok Loon presented the prizes to the winners.

The competition was held as part of the 50th Merdeka celebration.

The organiser – Penang Turf Club - also made it to The Malaysia Book of Records for staging the first pedal car race in the country.

State executive councillor Teng Chang Yeow, who opened the event, praised the club for introducing the race to Penangites.

“We want the club to make it big next year by bringing in foreign teams,’’ he said.

Present were club president Datuk Ong Eng Khuan and committee member Datuk Seri Teh Choon Beng.

The Star was the media sponsor of the event.

Move to create major outsourcing hub

PENANG: Malaysia must strive to become South-East Asia’s biggest outsourcing hub, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“Nowadays, nobody builds things from start to finish. Everybody is looking to outsource.

“We must empower our labour force with the necessary knowledge and skills so that they can become value-added workers capable of operating modern machines and are adept in the latest technologies,” he said when opening the Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara (KKTM) Balik Pulau here yesterday.

The Prime Minister said a highly skilled labour force would give investors the confidence to set up operations in Malaysia.

“I believe that one day, the country’s skilled labour will be even more than the number of engineers in the country.

“Parents and teachers should encourage our youths to upgrade their skills because this will lead to higher income,” Abdullah said.

Also present at the event were Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary and Balik Pulau MP Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahya and Mara director-general Datuk Nam Marthinin.

In his speech, Mohamed Khaled said this was the country’s third KKTM.

“The Government has already approved the setting up of nine more colleges which are in various stages of development. By the end of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, five new colleges would have been completed,” he said, adding that the KKTM Balik Pulau building and technologically advanced equipment were set up at a cost RM152mil.

The minister also noted that skills training provided by the college should not be perceived as “secondary” to academic education.

“Skills training is an alternative, not a ‘second chance’ option,” he said.

SOURCE: The Star Online > Nation

Tourism university to be built at Balik Pulau

PENANG: A tourism university is being planned at Balik Pulau to provide skilled workforce to meet the growth of the country's tourism industry as well as boost development of the Northern Corridor Economic Region.

Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had approved the project and an announcement on the matter would be made soon.

“The university will be built to train the workforce needed in the tourism industry in our efforts to provide quality service to tourists.

“It will offer courses related to the travel industry like hotel and catering, service and transportation,'' he told reporters after the opening of the Balik Pulau Umno divisional delegates meeting yesterday.

He said the infrastructure at Balik Pulau would be developed and upgraded, adding that this included the construction of a road network to link the second Penang Bridge to Balik Pulau.

“The RM200mil road network will link Batu Maung to Bayan Lepas, Bayan Lepas to Teluk Kumbar and Balik Pulau as well as Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau,” he added – Bernama.