Kompleks Mahal & Baru, Tapi Gersang...

FAKTA & NOMBOR Kompleks Pasar Awam MPPP Balik Pulau:

• Tarikh dibuka: 1 Disember 2007
• Tempoh pembinaan: 18 bulan ~ 1.5 tahun (Feb 2006 - Sep 2007)
  
• Kos pembinaan: RM 17 juta ~ hampir RM sejuta sebulan
  
• Jumlah ruang perniagaan: 287 (106 untuk peniaga pasar lama, 123 untuk peniaga baru) {Jumlah tapak pasar tani hari minggu: 150}
  
• Jenis ruang perniagaan: 4 (astaka, bazar, pasar basah, pasar kering)
• Kos sewa (bulanan dalam RM): 95-160 (pasar basah), 100 (pasar kering), RM120 (astaka), RM160 (bazar)
• Kos lesen MPPP: RM30 sebulan = RM360 setahun
  
• Cagaran/bayaran awal penyerahan gerai: 3 + 1 bulan (misalnya, RM190x3 = RM570 + RM190 = RM780)
• Kos pemasangan eletrik (TNB/kontraktor): RM500
• Anggaran untung bulanan setiap gerai: RM500 => Jumlah keuntungan semua peniaga selama setahun: RM1.7M ~ akan mengambil masa lebih 10 tahun untuk mendapatkan pulangan kos pembinaan kompleks (dengan syarat semua gerai beroperasi).
  
• Anggaran kutipan sewa gerai oleh MPPP: RM500,000 setahun (tidak termasuk sewa dewan, pejabat MPPP dsbnya) => 36 tahun untuk pulangan kos pembinaan kompleks (tidak mengambilkira kos operasi).
  
• Peratus kutipan sewa gerai oleh MPPP berbanding pendapatan tahunan: 2.5% (berdasarkan purata pendapatan sebanyak RM200 juta setahun).
  
  
• Kos tahun pertama berniaga di bazar: RM780 (cagaran + sewa bulan pertama) + RM500 (TNB) + RM190x11 (sewa)+ ~RM30x12 (eletrik) = RM 3,730 setiap gerai (tidak termasuk stok atau kos operasi lain). Taklah murah/mudah sangat, kan?
  

Berdasarkan rujukan dengan MPPP dan artikel-artikel akhbar termasuk artikel Sinar Harian seperti di bawah (9 NOV 2008) - Desak kurang sewa, hebatkan promosi:

BALIK PULAU - Kira-kira 180 peniaga di Kompleks Pasar Awam Balik Pulau mendesak Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) mengurangkan kadar sewa bulanan yang dikenakan ke atas mereka.

Kompleks yang mempunyai hampir 270 ruang perniagaan pelbagai jualan iaitu astaka, bazar, pasar basah dan kering difahamkan dikenakan kadar sewa bulanan yang tinggi berdasarkan jenis perniagaan dan berbeza dengan pasar awam di kawasan lain.

Tinjauan Sinar Harian ke kompleks berkenaan yang telah beroperasi hampir setahun itu, dapat melihat kekecewaan peniaga di situ disebabkan kurangnya promosi daripada pihak berkenaan.

Suasana meriah dan keriuhan antara pelanggan dengan pembeli apabila menawar sesuatu barangan jualan hanya dapat dirasai apabila cuti hujung minggu dan cuti umum.

Yang Dipertuan Persatuan Peniaga-Peniaga Melayu Kompleks Pasar Awam Balik Pulau, Saleh Hassan berkata, kadar sewa bulanan yang dikenakan MPSP amat tinggi berbanding tempat lain.

“Bagi peniaga yang menjual barangan pakaian serta aksesori wanita, mereka dikenakan bayaran sewa tapak RM160.

“Peniaga astaka yang menjual makanan dan minuman pula dikenakan sewa bulanan RM120, peniaga pasar kering RM100 dan peniaga pasar basah pula minimum RM95 sehingga RM160 berdasarkan keluasan ruang perniagaan”, katanya.

Menurutnya, jika dicampur dengan sewa lesen tahunan dan kos elektrik, peniaga hanya mampu meraih pendapatan sekitar RM550 sebulan.

“Keuntungan yang diperoleh kami sekadar cukup untuk dibuat pusingan modal dan meneruskan perniagaan walaupun ramai rakan-rakan yang terpaksa berhenti memandangkan kurangnya sambutan.

“Beberapa kawan saya telah berhenti berniaga di sini dan tidak hairan kami yang masih mampu bertahan ini akan menjejaki langkah mereka," katanya ketika ditemui oleh Sinar Harian.

Tambahnya, aduan telah dikemukakan kepada pihak berkenaan untuk menyelesaikan masalah itu, namun sehingga kini tiada sebarang tindakan diambil.

“Perjumpaan kali pertama dengan pihak MPPP telah diadakan pada Februari lalu dan menurut mereka, tindakan akan diambil tetapi tidak dilaksanakan. Kami juga telah membuat aduan serta perjumpaan susulan tetapi sehingga kini tiada tindak balas," ujarnya.

Seorang peniaga bazar, Jamilah Abu Bakar menggesa majlis mengkaji semula kadar sewa bulanan yang dikenakan kerana ia amat tinggi.

“Keuntungan yang diperoleh sebulan jika ditolak sewa bulanan, kos elektrik dan pusingan modal, kami hanya mendapat RM500 sebulan.

“Mereka sepatutnya peka mengenai masalah ini dan bukan hanya sekadar mengutip sewa sahaja tetapi perlulah sama membantu meningkatkan pendapatan peniaga," katanya.


p/s: Malah, karnival mesra pelanggan yang diadakan pada 13 Disember lalu pun agak malap dan murung tanpa lampu-lampu yang sesuai atau mencukupi, mungkin tanpa sokongan padu pihak MPPP/kerajaan sendiri:

More schools coming - constructions, constructions

Balik Pulau is hosting many in-construction sites nowadays - drive every 500 metres or so along the main Jalan Besar/Balik Pulau Road and you'll see these red fields scheduled to host the next new buildings - for schools, a district judicial court, an islamic (syariah) court, more flats and houses etc.

Poised to become an education centre, with existing special schools and higher learning institutions such MRSM, KTKM, Pusat Giat MARA, Sekolah Menengah Teknik Balik Pulau (SMTBP), Politeknik Balik Pulau (PBU), Community College of Bayan Baru (temporary campus at SMTBP), Island College of Technology (ICT) and upcoming Tourism University, Balik Pulau is set to welcome a set of buildings for Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pondok Upeh (photos below).
However, as we welcome 2009, this "another project by Barisan Nasional government" that was due to complete by October 2008 (with start of construction as early as May 2007) seems far from completion, with the field still being used for feeding cows.

Another year perhaps... just like how the district court that is to be situated next the public library building (and mosque), that was due for completion by end of 2007 is still not completed after a year later.


And I'm still waiting for the RM200-million road network to link Balik Pulau to rest of the world (to towns of Teluk Bahang & Bayan Lepas) that has seen stalled two-year works for nearly a year now - another five years perhaps before a re-start?


Meanwhile, across the street from Dataran Tuah (which is also undergoing its own renovation works), the popular Maybank outlet at Kompleks Balik Pulau (next to the Balik Pulau hospital) is getting its own facelifts too - perhaps to add main entrance door facing the main road instead to reduce the traffic crowd in front of current main door - or perhaps to add more ATMs in addition to the pair that see long queues every end of the months.


Happy New Year 2009, and happy building!

Mengindahkan Tuah

Dataran Tuah di Balik Pulau, sebuah "medan selera" (food court) yang dibangunkan oleh agensi kerajaan MARA ini tampaknya tak berapa bertuah sejak tahun-tahun kebelakangan. Makin hari, makin usang gerai-gerai di situ walaupun Maybank di seberang jalannya agak sibuk setiap hari. Yang kelihatan hidup hanya gerai burger di malam hari dan gerai-gerai jualan makanan untuk berbuka puasa semasa bulan Ramadan. Penulis sendiri pun tak pernah "ada selera" nak menjejakkan kaki ke dalam tapak ini walaupun sudah cukup dua tahun asyik berulang-alik di jalan raya bertepiannya.

Bila dah nampak usaha peningkatan imej/penaiktarfan menjengah tahun baru ini, barulah penulis tergerak nak menjenguk dan bertanyakan kepada pekerja-pekerja kontraktor di tapak tersebut, yang rata-ratanya dari negara seberang berdasarkan pelat mereka. Kata seorang daripadanya, nak dibuat restoran baru... Kalaulah tak dikerjakan sebegini, mungkin, langsung tak nampak gerai-gerai di dalamnya, yang rupa-rupanya ada menjual pelbagai barang am juga, bukan sahaja makanan dan minuman. Kelihatan stiker-stiker wakil jualan syarikat-syarikat jualan langsung seperti CNI dan sebagainya - Bila digoogle, terjumpa laman oleh salah seorang penghuni gerai tersebut di fadzil.bravejournal.com yang nampaknya juga dah berhenti mengemaskini blognya sejak lewat 2006.

Maklumat dari Google juga menonjolkan yang usaha peningkatan imej tapak Dataran Tuah ini sudah pun dirancangkan seawal bulan Ogos 2008 - rujuk kenyataan tawaran (tender) dari MARA bernombor 144.

Tak sabar rasanya nak tengok hasil renovasi ini. Harapnya, bakal seindah Taman Rimba Anjung Indah (di puncak Hutan Simpan Bukit Relau)... ;)

A Rural Ripple...

A noble idea, a simple start, big sustainable goals...

42 rural internet centres (RIC) or more known locally as "pusat-pusat internet desa" (PID) made history last November by collectively organizing over 350 entrepreneurial-centric activities during the full week of inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week campaign (17-23 NOV 2008), as participated by thousands of organizations in 77 countries. Together with just a hundred shy partners of the Malaysian host, Warisan Global Sdn Bhd for "the Week", they helped propelling Malaysia to become the most active country in the world in terms of number of activities, besides the two countries of the organizing hosts, the United States and the United Kingdom.

As one of the 222 parliamentary districts in Malaysia, and a centre to one of the five of the state administrative districts of Penang, Balik Pulau is lucky to also host one of these 42 PIDs, or the only one in the island of Penang, or one of the only two in the state of Penang, the other one being in Tasek Gelugor, Seberang Perai on the Malaysian peninsula mainland.

Eight years in existence (since 2000), or five years in Balik Pulau (since 2003), only 1% of the Malaysian population, or about 300,000 individuals have benefitted directly from services offered by these PIDs, specifically via the basic ICT training sessions held on periodic basis at respective outlets or during various roadshows. Still, with a membership base nearly 50,000 nationwide, or over a thousand in Balik Pulau (pop: ~60,000) alone, PID network is poised to become an impactful force in bridging the digital divide and elevating social and economic status of respective communities. In fact, there have even been suggestions this year for the KTAK ministry to establish similar IT centres in each of the 222 parliamentary districts, over five times more in number based on existing network of PIDs.

About the programme:

The Pusat Internet Desa (PID) or Rural Internet Centre project, not to be confused with Medan Info Desa (MID), is a telecentre project initiated in April 2000 by the Ministry of Energy, Water, and Communication (MEWC/KTAK) of Malaysia -- MID on the other had, is a rural development program initiated by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) with at least 26 known centres, 19 of which are in the state of Terengganu.

The PID programme is currently being contracted by the ministry for a period of three years starting 2008 for facilicitation by Warisan Global Sdn Bhd, a Kuala Lumpur based company. Previously, MSD Technology Sdn Bhd, a Puchong-based company was assigned the task.

The following information is provided by Zulfikar from Warisan Global:

As of 2006, 42 centres have been established nationwide, in every state of Malaysia, except the Federal Territories and each centre is managed by two people, a manager and an assistant manager. It is one of the Malaysian Government’s initiatives to bridge the Digital Divide between the rural and urban communities through community-shared facilities with computers and internet access.

Typically, a PID is housed in an annex building of a Post Office specially built for the purpose in partnerships with the Pos Malaysia Berhad. Each PID usually has 5-7 computers, a printer, and internet connection. Recently, in 2008, under the PID improvement project all of them have received additional two notebooks, a projector, a fax machine, two webcams, and wireless equipment from MEWC.

PID offers various services including computer and internet access, basic ICT trainings, and development of local websites or blogs. A few of them have also started providing various e-services for the community. A number of ICT activities have also been conducted from time to time such as the community day with PID, workshops, and seminars. Thus far, the PID programme has increased the awareness and literacy of the rural community on Information and Communication Technology, increased access to the technology, and provided some digital opportunities.



PID program is now embarking on a mission to develop vibrant communities whereby learning and networking activities using PID facilities becomes a second nature for the communities and part of the KPI of this phase of the project is towards sustainability. To achieve its mission, PIDs implements social entrepreneurship principles and processes as well as participatory approach in community development. It is envisaged that with continuous support and trainings, the PIDs will eventually become sustainable by 2010 and create significant impact for the advancement of the communities.

Ultimately, the PID telecentre movement will be connected into the national, regional as well as the global telecentre network.

About PID Balik Pulau:

PID Balik Pulau started its operation in 2003, situated next to the post office at Jalan Besar (Main Road), near the main Kongsi town, at the centre of Balik Pulau.



Equipments available at this centre include:-

• 10 desktop computers sponsored by Dell and local communities.
  
• 2 laptop computers
  
• Streamyx broadband internet access sponsored by TM Berhad.
  
• 4 printers: 2 laser printers, 1 all-in-one printer, 1 bubble-jet printer
  
• a photocopy machine
  
• a computer scanner
  
• a digital camera
  
• a binding maching
  
• a laminating maching
  
• a fax machine
  
• an LCD projector with screen
  
• a set of 100W computer speakers
  
• other computer accessories

Services offered include:-

• Use of computer with Internet access. (Free for members)
  
• Basic ICT training - Introduction to Computer and Introduction to Microsoft Office Applications - Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Frontpage
  
• Web applications training - e-government, e-banking, e-learning and e-procurement (eperolehan)
• Digital/multimedia content development - web, blog and digital storytelling etc.
  
• Management of community programmes
  
• Registration of Business and/or ePerolehan service
• Office services - photostat, fax, laminate, bind etc.
• Computer maintenance, repair and supplies
  
• Marketing supplies - rubber stamp, banner and miscellaneous advertising.
• Consultation on ICT & Entrepreneurship matters
  

The centre opens daily on weekdays (Mon-Fri) from 9 am until 6 pm. It also opens on Saturday from 9 am until 12 noon during special class sessions (except on first weekend of every month).

PID Balik Pulau is currently supervised by Siti Huraizah binti Abdul Rahman (Ija). Visit PIDBP today, and tell Ija that Balik Pulau blog sends you ;)


SOURCES / FURTHER READINGS:

1. PID Balik Pulau (in Malay) by Siti Huraizah as posted at pid.net.my on Jun 18, 2008
2. Pusat Internet Desa (Rural Internet Centre/Telecentre) in Malaysia" by Zulfickar of Warisan Global as posted at telecentre.org on Oct 7, 2008
3. Our Network - Pos Malaysia Berhad.
4. Global Entrepreneurship Week/Malaysia
5. KTAK Videos. Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication
   
6. ICT developments in Malaysia - KTAK’s view. Interview with Dato Dr. Halim Man I4Donline.net. Feb 7, 2007
   

Trailing Heritage of Balik Pulau

Launch of the first ever Cultural Heritage Trail Map of Balik Pulau

21 December 2008 (Sunday) 8.30am – 12noon
Kompleks Pasar Awam BALIK PULAU

“Discover Balik Pulau” is the first published heritage trail map of Balik Pulau. A point of interest is that it is designed by young residents of Balik Pulau who participated in a project entitled myBALIKpulau organised by ARTS-ED in partnership with the Penang Heritage Trust, Badan Warisan Malaysia, Pusat Internet Desa and KaKi Creative. The first edition is sponsored by DiGi Telecommunication.

The map includes a walking trail of the town and a trail in the surrounding rural villages which can be accessed by car or bike. Both trails showcase the outstanding cultural assets of Balik Pulau including historical buildings, local foods, trades, agricultural landscapes, cottage industries, local products etc.

Aim of the launch

• The official launch of the Balik Pulau Heritage Trail Map by young participants’ interpretation of their community’s heritage
• To celebrate the young people’s efforts in researching and mapping of history and heritage of Balik Pulau
• To distribute the map to residents and tourists in an effort to promote an understanding of the diverse cultural assets of Balik Pulau

About the project myBALIKpulau

MyBalikpulau is one of two community-based heritage education programs organised by ARTS-ED. A similar project entitled Anak Anak Kota is conducted in the World Heritage Site of George Town.

Both heritage education programs are designed to help young people connect with their community and environmental heritage through the process of mapping and interpretation of local cultural assets.

The project uses non-formal and ‘creative arts initiatives’ to raise awareness of the meaning and significance of cultural heritage (agricultural, architecture, trades, crafts, customs, food etc) among young residents aged 11-20 living in the local community.

Creating the DISCOVER BALIK PULAU TRAIL

Across Asia, there are many small communities – in villages, towns or within cities – that embody a traditional way of life and a priceless legacy of customs and beliefs. Such communities are desperately vulnerable to the pressures of rapid national development. The young are the most vulnerable of all. These days, most children grow up knowing little of their community’s history and taking no pride in it. To many children even their family history is a blank.

Balik Pulau is a small town on the west coast of the island of Penang, Malaysia. The Discover Balik Pulau trail is the outcome of myBALIKpulau project. As well as members of the Balik Pulau community, the project has brought together all kinds of people and organisations including local schools, the District Office, the local library, a rural internet centre, an artist, a design agency, university students and various heritage organisations since year 2005.

The Making of DISCOVER BALIK PULAU TRAIL

2005

The project kicks off with a series of three workshops for 20 children aged 11-12 from five different schools in the Balik Pulau district.

Each workshop equips the children with a particular skill: first IT, then photography, then research and interview techniques (including mind mapping). The workshops are followed by inquiry and documentation sessions that yield a specific artistic outcome using computer generated prints which contained information of self, family and town pictorial essay history namely my Self, my Family and my Town ( photo-essays of 20 sites/activities selected by the children including historic buildings, trades, food businesses, agriculture etc, )

2006

Continuing from 2005, 2006 has 4 phases:

Phase 1: The children create a Balik Pulau building inventory, identifying the age, type and style of the town’s heritage buildings, and what kind activities take place inside them.

Phase 2: The children identify outstanding heritage values of the sites and trades and conduct in-depth investigation into the using observation, interviews and hands-on activities; and document them both in writing and photographs.

Phase 3: A prototype map is created using the children’s photographs and illustrations.

Phase 4: A group of students from Universiti Sains Malaysia do a basic, manual cut-and-paste map layout.

2007 & 2008

The students from Universiti Sains Malaysia enhance the map, basing their computerised graphic layout on the ideas generated by the children of Balik Pulau. Both town and rural versions of the map are developed. The text of the brochure is drafted using the children’s research findings. Then a Penang-based graphic design agency lays out the brochure, improving the maps to make them really user-friendly.

The Making of DISCOVER BALIK PULAU TRAIL

Introduction to Site

Introduction of social & cultural context with various activities

Skills Workshop
Photography /Mind mapping/ Computer Skills - Young participants learnt how to do documentation by using various methods

Research, Observation, Interview & Documentation
Young participants interviewed, photographs, illustrated, with local traders and residents to collect information and then written out the research

Interpretation/ Output for Prototype
Presentation of researched material through creative product – A prototype for DISCOVER BALIK PULAU TRAIL

Enhancement of trail by university students and professional in layout design and writing - Pilot, Printing and Distribution
Log on to http://www.arts-ed-penang.org/images/aak/balikpulau/ruralmap.htm to view the digital version of the map

More programs alongside with the launch (free for all)

1. Pictorial Exhibition and Slideshow on the rich cultural and heritage assets of Balik Pulau
2. T-shirt Printing with exclusive Balik Pulau Designs and Illustrations by young participants. Interested individuals will need to bring their own t-shirts
3. Bicycle Exploration to village roads which will lead by young cyclists from Mountain & Village Crewz Balik Pulau aged 11-14. Interested individuals must bring their own bicycles

Contact:

Chen Yoke Pin
Program Officer
myBALIKpulau, ARTS-ED
www.arts-ed-penang.org
arts_ed_penang@yahoo.com
04-263 3471 / 012-361 9113

Photos etc. of Balik Pulau and its events will be posted at this Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=6466449620 - Join it TODAY!

Karnival & Live Show @ Balik Pulau

Seperti yang diwartakan di pusat tak rasmi iklan-iklan se-Balik Pulau di bulatan "roundabout" jalan pekan Kongsi yang fames tu, Program Mesra Pelanggan anjuran Persatuan Peniaga-peniaga Melayu Melayu Kompleks Pasar Awam Balik Pulau, akan diadakan pada hari Sabtu, 13 DISEMBER 2008 bermula seawal jam 7 pagi hingga 2 petang untuk program Karnival dan seterusnya bermula jam 8:30 malam hingga 11 malam untuk "Live Show" -- ada waktu "break" tengah-tengah petang hangat, boleh rehat untuk makan-makan dan solat-solat wajib.

Antara aktiviti-aktiviti yang dijanjkan ialah "senamrobik, pertandingan mewarna kanak-kanak, gubahan sukaneka dan permainan rakyat, serta pelbagai lagi aktiviti-aktiviti yang menarik."

Untuk maklumat lanjut, sila hubungi saudara-saudara yang berusaha berikut:-

• En. Yus (019-544 6122)
  
• En. Saleh (012-442-2151)
  
• En. Zarul (013-446 4487)
  
• En. Ahmad (012-565 7850)

Semoga lebih maju dah ceria Pasar Awam baru kita, dan boleh makmur sepanjang-panjang hari hendaknya, setiap hari, sepanjang tahun....

TAMBAHKAN ACARA INI KE KALENDAR ANDA atau rujuk laman Penang Portal untuk lain-lain program di Pulau Pinang. Untuk program-program pembangunan sosial dan keusahawan di balik pulau, rujuk laman Usahawan Balik Pulau (KUSBP).

Concerns on Penang hillside projects recorded

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will take preventive measures including issuing stop-work orders for hillside developments in the wake of the landslide tragedy that killed at least three people at Bukit Antarabangsa, Selangor, early Saturday morning.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said on Saturday he would personally request Penang Municipal Council president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman view and inspect the hillside areas again, especially those in Batu Ferringhi.

“About three to four months ago, the council had issued stop-work orders against developers of five hillside projects for failing to comply with certain conditions imposed by the council.

“That order was recently lifted after the developers concerned had carried out remedial works on the land,’’ he told reporters at a press conference after the two-day “New Economic Vision for Penang and Malaysia’’ international forum here.

He was commenting on the landslide tragedy at Bukit Antarabangsa which left three dead and 15 people injured (as of 3pm Saturday).

Lim expressed shock over the incident and extended his condolences to those who had lost their family members in the tragedy.

He said so far there have been no other problems concerning hillside development projects in Penang but “this doesn’t mean there won’t be any’’.

He said the issue was not about landslides occurring at hillslopes but what was important was achieving sustainable development, which was to use resources in a manner that it would still be available in the future.

“Achieving sustainable development should be the benchmark in any development that takes place,’’ he said.

Zainal Rahim when contacted said the council’s inspection included hillsides where no development was taking place.

“The council inspects all hillside development projects and hilly areas including those in Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar every week without fail and a report is submitted to the Chief Minister,’’ he said.

He added that at the moment, the development at hillsides were under control and developers were complying with the council’s conditions.

“If any developer is found to have flouted any condition, a stop-work order is issued immediately until they take remedial measures such as taking care of the slope or building a retention pond is done,’’ he said.

Zainal Rahim said the council also wrote letters to owners of hilly lands to notify them of any irregularities on their land.

(K. KASTURI DEWI. "Penang to take preventive measures for hillside projects", The Star Online - 6 DEC 2008)

Inkubator telur ayam

SUNGAI RUSA – Tidak mudah berputus asa dan bekerja keras membuatkan, Awang @ Mansor Mat Hassan, 62 mampu tersenyum bangga apabila melihat usahanya kini berbaloi.

Mansor merupakan penternak ayam piru terbesar di sekitar Balik Pulau.

Dia yang sudah 20 tahun berkecimpung dalam bidang perniagaan itu telah melalui segala rintangan dan halangan untuk berjaya.

"Saya mula berjinak–jinak dalam dunia perniagaan setelah bersara daripada tentera dengan memulakan penternakan ayam daging berbekalkan modal RM196,000.

"Bagaimanapun, tidak lama lepas itu, perniagaan tergendala seketika apabila isteri kurang sihat membuatkan saya lebih menumpukan perhatian terhadap keluarga," katanya.

Sesudah itu, dia mula menjual nasi dan lauk-pauk menggunakan bekalan ayam daging yang ada ketika itu, iaitu kira-kira 500 ekor.

"Saya memang gunakan bekalan ayam yang ada kerana berhasrat untuk memulakan perniagaan ayam piru.

"Niat bagaimanapun terbantut bila harga anak ayam piru mencecah RM8 hingga RM9 seekor," katanya.

Menurutnya, dia mula berkira–kira kerana pada tahun 80-an, harga sebegitu dianggap mahal.

"Memang saya tidak mampu membeli banyak ayam piru dengan harga sebegitu. Bagaimanapun, tiba–tiba muncul idea untuk menghasilkan inkubator penetasan (hatchery incubator) sendiri.

"Saya mula merangka idea dan dengan bantuan anak, kami sama–sama berbincang dan membentuk idea untuk menghasilkannya.

"Saya sendiri yang menghasilkan inkubator tersebut. Di dalamnya terdapat mentol lampu yang menyala selama 24 jam, dan kipas kecil untuk peredaran udara," katanya.

Selain itu ujarnya, terdapat juga termometer yang akan memantau suhu inkubator agar sesuai dengan jenis telur.

Pelbagai jenis telur spesies unggas yang boleh digunakan seperti telur angsa, puyuh, merak dan ayam piru. Proses penetasan pula berbeza–beza mengikut jenis telur.

"Alhamdulillah, inkubator penetasan ini mula mendapat perhatian penduduk kampung apabila telur yang dieramkan berjaya menetas dengan bantuan inkubator tersebut.

"Setiap inkubator akan dicatat tarikh mula pengeraman dan tarikh dijangka akan menetas agar memudahkan pemantauan dibuat," katanya.

Sejak itu, Mansor mula menetaskan telur ayam kampung sebanyak 15 biji dan semakin meningkat dari hari ke hari.

Dia terus menambah bilangan inkubator kerana yang sedia ada tidak dapat menampung penetasan telur yang semakin meningkat.

SOURCE: Sinar Harian - Cipta alat eram telur ayam

Community Fasalitators

Balik Pulau MP-elect, YB Yusmadi Yusof publishes the following list of appointed community fasalitators on his blog yusmadiyusoff.blogspot.com (as his liason representatives due to his commitment in Kuala Lumpur during on-going parliamentary sessions from Monday until Thursday):-

PEMUDAHCARA-PEMUDAHCARA MASYARAKAT PARLIMEN BALIK PULAU

Memandangkan sesi Parlimen di Kuala Lumpur berlansung [sic] dari Isnin hingga Khamis, saya berada di kawasan 3 hari seminggu (Jumaat, Sabtu dan Ahad):-

(Pejabat)
Pusat Pemudahcara & Maklumat Masyarakat (PPMM)
739, MK D, Jalan Bahru, 11000 Balik Pulau
Pulau Pinang.
E-Mail: parlimen53@yahoo.com

(Lawatan Kerja Mingguan)
DUN Pulau Betong
Hari: Jumaat
Jam: 9.30 pagi - 11.30 pagi
Tempat: Pusat Pemudahcara Masyarakat & Maklumat (PPMM), Kg. Jalan Bharu
Pemudahcara Masyarakat:
Rohaizan Saad (Tel: 012-4143191)
Edward @ Ah Chun (Tel: 0194704499)
Cikgu Bashah (Tel: 012-4223900

DUN Teluk Bahang
Hari: Sabtu
Jam: 9.30 pagi - 11.30 pagi
Tempat: Dewan JKKK Teluk Bahang
Pemudahcara Masyarakat:
Rohaizan Saad Tel: 012-4143191
Ismail Pak Don Tel: 013-5186989

DUN Bayan Lepas
Hari: Ahad
Tempat: Dewan JKKK Bayan Lepas
Pemudahcara Masyarakat:
Hazril Hassan (Tel: 012-4751739)

Untuk maklumat dan bantuan mengenai Parlimen Balik Pulau sila hubungi mereka yang berikut:-

Rohaizad Saad
Pemudahcara Masyarakat
Hal-Ehwal Masyarakat DUN Pulau Betong & Teluk Bahang
Tel: 012-4143191
E-mail: parlimen53@yahoo.com

Hazril Hassan
Pemudahcara Masyarakat
Hal-Ehwal Politik dan Masyarakat
DUN Bayan Lepas
Tel: 012-4751739
E-mail: hazril.hassan@gmail.com

Kamarulzaman
Pemudahcara Masyarakat
Hal Ehwal Parlimen & Koordinator Program
Tel: 0196009823
E-mail kamarul75@yahoo.com

Halil Hamid
Pemudahcara Masyarakat
Tugasan Khas
Tel: 012-4548641

Or you may also contact YB Yusmadi directly via email at yusmadi.yusoff@gmail.com

So, for constituents of Balik Pulau, be sure to maximize availability of above platform to ensure that your concerns are taken care of, and expedited accordingly.