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).