More broadband hotspots coming to Balik Pulau...

MCMC to kick-start Penang-Kulim broadband

PENANG: The government and several telecommunications companies will undertake a broadband project connecting Penang and Kulim, with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) spearheading the initative.

It was learnt that the MCMC will be forking out some RM20 million as the initial investment for the project.

The project would link about 100 free wired and wireless hotspots in Balik Pulau, Batu Ferringhi and Bayan Lepas on the island, and Kepala Batas, Bukit Mertajam, Batu Kawan and Nibong Tebal on the mainland and the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said yesterday the systems for the project would be installed by year-end to enhance connectivity in Cyber Cities and Cyber Centres in Penang and Kulim.

Bayan Lepas, Bertam and Batu Kawan have been designated as Penang Cyber Cities, while the proposed Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) and Komtar are designated as Cyber Centres.

Speaking to reporters after a Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) conference here, Koh said the broadband project was based on a survey conducted in Kulim and Penang three years ago under the National Broadband Plan.

“We use this opportunity because Penang is small with a population density that is high enough for us to drive a targeted 90% broadband coverage in the state.

“With WiMAX attaining more stability now, I believe that we should be able to achieve that target coverage by 2010,” Koh said.

Household broadband penetration rate in Penang increased from 14.3% in 2005 to 20.5% in 2006, and 21.3% in the first quarter of 2007.

SOURCE: The Edge Daily

Orang Balik Pulau beraya dengan VIPs

Berduyun-duyun penduduk Balik Pulau tidak melepaskan peluang mengisi jemputan ahli Parlimen tersohor tempatan, Dato Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya yang mengadakan rumah terbukanya, sebiasanya seperti tahun-tahun sebelum ini. Turut serta menghoskan majlis jamuan makan rumah terbuka Hari Raya Pertama yang diadakan di Kompleks Sukan Balik Pulau petang tadi termasuklah ADUN dari Teluk Bahang (Puan Siti Faridah binti Arshad) dan ADUN dari Pulau Betong (Encik Muhamad Farid bin Saad).

Pelbagai juadah disediakan dan dihidangkan berkonsepkan suasana pasar jaja (hawking). Juadah paling laris kali ini ialah sate dan ABC (orang sini panggil 'ais kacang'). Lain-lain yang tak kurang 'dibelasahkan' termasuklah laksa, mee rebus, bihun sup, koay teow goreng, kuih-muih, ketupat dan nasi minyak. Teh tarik, air bandung, dan cendol pun ada...

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri semua...



Ikhlas,

Nasir
BalikPulau.org

Balik Pulau to Air Itam in one ride, finally...

The good news in the Star today last weekend...

Rapid Penang to ply two more routes

By DERRICK VINESH

BUTTERWORTH: Rapid Penang will extend its network by two more routes - Balik Pulau - Air Itam on the island and Kepala Batas - Pinang Tunggal - on the mainland, effective tomorrow.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the new routes were aimed at providing better services to the people.

“The provision of an efficient, effective and comprehensive public transport system in Penang is our main objective,'' he said after opening a micro finance centre at BSN Bagan Ajam here yesterday.

Presently, Rapid Penang has 33 routes on the island and mainland.

Nor Mohamed said he was very happy with the performance of Rapid Penang since its buses hit Penang roads on Aug 1.

“Someone asked me for how long would Rapid Penang buses continue to be clean. And, my reply was that it would be forever.

“We have full-time cleaners to keep the buses clean at the Weld Quay depot. The lightings inside the buses are also bright to promote a safe atmosphere,” the minister said.

On the ticket price war among private bus operators in Penang, Nor Mohamed said: “That is quite normal. As long as the alternative bus services are comfortable and meet the people’s needs, we are happy.”

The other two bus companies, Milan and KGN also reportedly reduced their fares since the 'colonization' by Rapid Penang.

Salaam Ramadhan al-Mubarak!

Happy fasting to all Muslims in Balik Pulau, Penang, or where ever you are at the moment...



Photo shows the dome and upper part of al-Mukhtar Mosque, the provincial mosque for the southwest region of the state of Pulau Pinang Malaysia, built in early 2000s. This mosque, located at Jalan Balik Pulau between the district police headquarters and the district public library has the biggest fully air-conditioned Muslim praying hall in Penang, after the State Mosque in Air Itam. Other big mosques (with bigger congregation/praying spaces including the open air ones) in Penang include Masjid Bayan Baru and the historic Masjid Kapitan Keling in Georgetown. Click on the image above to download/view the wallpaper version.

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...