Beyond the glossy brochures of Penang boasting of sandy beaches and promising an unforgettable stay, what do tourists actually make of the place?
Blog reader Sean describes his recent experience on the island. Notice that the need for proper and unobstructed pedestrian walkways figures prominently in his impressions of the place:
It wasn’t awful! There are bits and pieces that are quite good, but it didn’t give us the impression of a proper tourist destination – more somewhere that had moved on from being popular with tourists and had its sights focussed elsewhere now. Perhaps we were just not Penang Tourism’s target market. We were impressed by Rapid Penang – with two small kids, the reliable, clean, cool, inexpensive buses with their cheerful, helpful drivers were marvellous. The ‘frequency’ schedule was great for us on holiday, but I guess it might not be ideal if you’re commuting to work.
I think my biggest difficulty with some of the better-known South East Asian tourist destinations (not just Penang, though I think Penang was among the worst in this aspect) was that it was almost impossible to walk anywhere. You can’t really ‘experience’ a holiday destination – particularly on a short visit – from the inside of a taxi. We have to drive a lot in our day-to-day lives, so we expect to be able to really relax and walk around on holiday.
I did have to laugh, while dodging the obstacles on the destroyed path along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (in contrast to the path along Jalan Kelawei?), about the only other people we saw trying to walk along it: other tourists! We live at PD, so Batu Ferringhi seemed a familiar experience. It seems like the beaches don’t have quite enough people caring that they should be great places at which families can relax to prevent them being taken over by people racing speedboats and jetbikes up and down close to the shore, and people racing quadbikes on the sand. Those activities always mean that a tiny number of people monopolise the beach. Perhaps a few people running those businesses make a small amount of money, but I suspect the loss to the tourism industry from people who can’t enjoy a safe, peaceful holiday is far greater than that gain.
I really enjoyed the old places where we ate between the newer buildings . The old place between Tune Hotel and the new Food Court was the kind of thing I expected. Eating at the pasar malam on Gurney Drive was good too, but crossing the road outside was a bit of a nightmare. I don’t mind eating at Starbucks or Old Town when I’m at Jaya Jusco or the airport, but it’s not what I go on holiday for. The laksa (with no plastic chairs, tables, bowls nor utensils!) near the T-junction below Kek Lok Si (so many elderly beggars) Temple was superb. We saw too many temples – perhaps a poor choice on our part. The kids were bored stiff, and even we were “uh-uh, more temple” by the end. We enjoyed a trishaw ride, but worried about such an old man and obviously poor emissions controls on exhausts. My wife was obviously concerned – she didn’t haggle over the generous fare (I won’t tell you how much we paid to go 500 metres) – a very rare event!
Street signage was something we appreciated. It makes a huge difference when you’re trying to find your own way between the attractions that you can easily find out where you are. I think Penang Tourism could do themselves and Penang a big favour if they just got out their sun-hats and string bags for a week and attempted to walk around Penang as a tourist would, and try not to keep a friend in a car waiting near the kerb – as a tourist can’t.
Bangkok (or was it Chiang Mai?) does a good job of mapping out a network of quiet side-streets and alleyways that are kept in good condition where its possible to get around on foot – maybe Penang could consider something similar. Just having some sort of consistent path between adjacent buildings that isn’t used for motorbike parking or as a business extension might be sufficient.
On the subject of whose fault it is, I honestly think Penang should be honest (not finger-pointing) with tourists and rather than just provide a glossy list of attractions, some of which are shut or were photographed and described in what I can only imagine were better days, actually say that some places are either ‘undergoing repair’ or are ‘earmarked for badly needed restoration’ or such similar phrases whose real meaning will not be lost on visitors. The problem with marketing that doesn’t accurately describe reality is that it can raise expectations which leave a lasting bad impression if disappointed.
I think it would be interesting for tourists (and perhaps even for locals!) to see a comprehensive plan for Penang tourism that includes not only the highlights, but also those areas where planned improvements might make a return visit more likely. If a comparison helps (and I know I’ve only made short visits to these two), while I’m in no hurry to return to Penang, I’m looking forward to a second visit to Melaka. Melaka seems like a much smaller destination than Penang, but I found it much more amenable to me as a tourist – I think the large pedestrian areas may have made all the difference.
Great and fair comments by Sean.
I think Sean been very kind in his comments. Some others have been less diplomatic and did not mince their words. I ahve read letters where people swore never to visit Penang again.
My concern for Penang is not so much on what we have now but the direction we are heading.
Our Cheap Minister Chairman Lim has been promoting development above everything in order to “promote rapid econmic growth and FDI”. He also been going overseas with begging bowls in his hands asking Singaporeans and Hong kies to “invest” in the state’s property sector.
He also has been approving new “development” projects at a rate never seen in Malaysian history. If Dr M is the father of development, then surely LGE is the Father of High-End Condos.
At this rate, Penang will be a concrete island devoid of greenary and heritage within a decade. Poor and middle class will be exiled to the mainland while all traces of minority culture and heritage will be wiped off the map.
People who oppose his plans (could) be dubbed as the enemy of the state and (could be) sued to bankrupcy ala LKY. If Pakatan comes to power we might even be sent to Malaysian equivalent of Siberia or Gitmo and never heard again.
Forget about the pearl, LGE’s turning the island into concrete.
DAP – Development Above People
CAT – Condos Apartment Townhouses
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Why so many condos in Penang.
The answer is demand from people outsie Penang.
Why is there a demand?
Because it is a good place to live in.
Why is it a good place to live in?
We all should know the answer except people like Pearl.
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Of course Fardi. Economic principles. Who can ever ignore them at their peril? Supply = Demand. No supply, no demand, simple as that. =)
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Fardi
Good point. Let’s exile every poor and middle class people from Penang to Kedah or Perak and just fill the whole island with condos.
CAT – Condos Apartment Townhouses
DAP – Development Above People
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It is the BN’s policy that has made the poor and middle class people suffer. They are living ‘happily’ (syiok sendiri) when the likes of Cambodia and Vietnam is still struggling to come to terms from the effect of war. They enjoy the subsidies like birth rights. They received sub-standard education despite scoring strings of As. They do not upgrade themselves to advance their career opportunity.
Now FDI is decreasing. MNCs are moving out of Malaysia. These people lost their jobs and are facing structural unemployment with no savings other than EPF.
Now the rich people outside Penang are coming in, buying up properties to drive up the market. The poor and middle-class starts to complain but still do not admit that the hungrier andcheaper Cambodians and Vietnamese have lured the FDI away from Malaysia.
K was right. The poor and middle-class can move to Prai or Kedah where housing is cheaper and affordable. They can grow their own food in the backyard, and do not have to worry about the issues like slanting arch at Botanical Garden.
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I like your level-headed response in addressing the issues raised by Gerakan K.
I’ll like to see you try exiling those poor and middle income people from Penang, Gerakan K. It’ll be interesting to see how they will respond to your ‘policy’. (Shooting out of the mouth without thinking about the feelings of poor and middle income people)
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Even if you half-baked theory is correct, when then the state under Cheap Minister allowing more and more condos being developed and sold to foreigners ?
If he cares for the poor and middle class shouldn’t he introduce some legislation to protect these groups like Rent Control Act,etc ?
The fact is the Chairman Lim himself is actively promoting these condos so that foreign money can come in as FDI and show he’s “successful” in developing Penang.
If he cares for the poor then why did (his administration allow) KBP (to give way) for a luxury-condo project ?
In fact … Lim (seems to) care for the rich and super rich foreigners…
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Anil,
Yes,what you say makes good sense. As long as the criticisms are fair and do not have the hidden agenda of underminibg the present State Government for the purpose of enabling a regime change, why not? Anil, I presume, like me, you would not consider the constant UMNO-style bashing of the State Government as constructive and for the purpose of improving the Government. I am happy that some of the others, including Kee, agree with me. Regards.
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Ken
Let me get this right. Are you saying it is OK to bash BN left right and center both at home and overseas to bring about a regime change BUT IT IS NOT OK to criticise Penang and DAP govt to effect a change in the state administration ??
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Let’s not just blame authorities, i think we are also at fault. Sean pointed out some of the obvious such as parkings, rubbish and maintenance. I don’t think it’s just BN / PR govt that commits such offenses, all of us did (please…….how many here actually believe they are not guilty of these offences). We need to change the mindset, if your loved ones and friends sees that you don’t commit it, they slowly won’t too (its not immediate but its a start)
My call to Penangites:
Your home is Penang, not the house / flat that you stay in.
Love it, treasure it and give it what it deserves.
A place you call home.
People everywhere will eventually see it as well.
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Penang needs good world-wide publicity.
If KL gets Martha Stewart & Robert DeNiro, Penang can get Paris Hilton & Jamie Foxx to come over.
As a former Penangite, probably billionaire Low can arrange that with LGE ??
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Get Mark Burnett to shoot ‘Survivor – Pulau Jerejak’!!!
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K,
What I said to Anil is very clear i.e. if the bashing is fair and constructive, why not? It does not matter whether it is the DAP State Government or the BN Government that is being bashed. If the DAP Government proves to be worse than the BN Government, by all means, throw them out. The same should be applicable in the case of the BN Government. This is democracy.
In the case of the Penang State Government, my only appeal is that the DAP be given a bit of time to show whether they will reach the required standard. Constant undermining of the State Government when they have operated for less than 3 years is not constructive. If they proved to be even more ineffective than the former Gerakan Government, I, as a Penangite, will be the first to fight for the DAP to be thrown out of office.
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Can you believe or not that a simple article, that voice out the concern of a tourist, can attract so much hostility from LGE supporters? If we can’t even talk about simple issue without fear or favor, what is the point of changing the government? Why do we need another incompetent and stupid government? From the above comments you can easily sense the hostility of those stupid brainless supporters. Why so k bo?
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Ong…It is called as the Pakatan doctrine…Let me produce the new 10 Commandments.
1. You are either with us or against us.
2. You can criticise as much you want, as long as it is against BN.
3. Pakatan leaders are above law and can do no wrong
4. There is nothing illegal or unethical as long as it is by Pakatan
5. You have the right to vote..but only for Pakatan
6. When the courts rule against PR it is because they are under BN. If courts rule for Pakatan it is because Pakatan is always right
7. You are allowed to jump party, as long as it is from BN to Pakatan. But if you desert Pakatan then you are a dirty politician who took millions from BN
8. Demonstration is a basic right but when you protest against Pakatan then you must be an UMNO supporter and deserve arrest
9. The guilt of a person is based his/her political belief. If the person is a PR supporter by default he/she’s innocent and being prosecuted by BN.
10. LKS,AI, LGE, Nik Aziz and Zaid … it is their birthright to rule Malaysia. We Malaysians have a duty to vote for PR.
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It is quite obvious reading the comments that there are still quite a few Gerakan supporters in Penang. I am not saying that you are one of them, Anil. However, it is also quite obvious that your blog (unwittingly or not)has become an outlet for the release of pent up frustrations from many of these guys. Many of the comments above (e.g. K, Pearl, Ong Eu Soon) are bereft of substance and contain nothing but venom toward LGE and the Penang State Govt. References to ‘Chairman Lim’ are unnecessary and reflect the partisanship of many of the commentators in this blog. K’s reference to the ‘destruction that LGE has inflicted on Penang’ is also somewhat unfair, isn’t it? Some may say that LGE has not been good for Penang but he has certainly not taken the state backwards? As for Pearl, I don’t think her call for Ken to start his own blog praising LGE is worthy of comment.
LGE is not perfect but he should be given a chance to take Penang to greater heights. He has had 2 years so far and almost all of the Penangites I have spoken to think that he is doing a very good job. The BN has had 50 yrs so it would not be unreasonable to give LGE at least 10 and see where he takes Penang. I am fairly certain that Penangites will see a more environmentally and tourist friendly Penang a’la Sean as soon as LGE has sorted out the slightly more pressing issues of corruption and transparency.
As an aside, Anil, I have to respectfully disagree with soohuey and request that you keep those articles on J Low coming. Any journalism is better than no journalism particularly when the subject seems to attract more than his fair share of positive coverage in the mainstream media. People whose sensitivites are offended by your articles on J Low should perhaps just try to ‘turn off the TV’ and not read them.
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I agree with Mr Oei.
During KTK’s time, there was no blog or internet where people to voice their displeasure. Try writing to mainstram press and you know you are wasting your postage (no email at that time). Therefore the displeasure of rakyat is not so evident as it could be easily brushed aside or masked by those propaganda-laced mainstream papers like The Star and NST.
Much of the current predicaments and problems in Penang are the legacy of Gerakan’s inefficient and poor management/leadership. It will take time to undo especially the civil servants are still holding on to old paradigm and mentality.
We shoudl give the current government the full support as they have shown some progress in redirecting Penang to a better path. However, if your livelihood is affected under the new CAT system, blame yourself for not being competitive but still rely on ‘political connection’ as your sole ‘core competence’.
Why should we blame CM Lim if he is not physically full-time in Penang if he could delegate his duty to his subordinates to carry out the plan? This is a hallmark of effective leadership.
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Ah Nang
Ya right, we should all fully support Chairman Lim and each morning must pledge our undying loyalty and love to our Great Leader….
Long Live the democratic state of Penang. Long Live Dear Leader Chairman Lim !!
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Why not make our dear CM as the Supreme Leader for life and give him dictatorial power that so he could do whatever he deems fit to “develop” Penang….
Let’s give DAP 50,heck even 100 years to undo all the problems that BN created. Heck, just give Lim dynasty the right to rule Penang for next 1000 years.
Yes, let’s have the Lim Dynasty in Penang….
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K, Lim Dynasty in Penang, can mean any “Lim ” .
So many Lims’ in politics.
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Anil,
Yours has always been an unbiased blog providing room for calm, polite, intellectual discussion on democracy. But looking at the quality of the comments, with all the name calling, vindictive statements and immature and emotional outbursts, especially by those who hate the DAP, I, as a neutral Penangite, feel somewhat ashamed to have contributed to this discussion. Anil, would appreciate if you could review all the comments made here and if you think what I say is reasonable, you can perhaps make a call to your readers to argue intellectually, without spewing so much hatred. I believe that the continued degeneration of comments here into a gutter-style discussion, would drive away right thinking people who believe in democracy, fairplay and justice, from following your blog. Thank you.
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I totally agree with you Ken and I have been reminding people of this from time to time. Please desist from name-calling and criticising other commenters. Instead of lashing out at other readers or politicians, point out where they have gone wrong or what they can do to improve the situation.
We can agree to disagree right? Exchanging ideas and views will also help us to understand each other better and it might even help shape our own views as we learn.
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Anil, some comments are making assumptions much to the edge of ridicule and aggressive fancies-based accusation without facts and figures to back up. One example is the tourism promotion by Tourism Malaysia for Penang. We Penangites know for a fact what’s being promoted via TVCs, Billboards, Press Ads, and Radio which didn’t connect with Penang’s state tourism campaign. One example is the Visit Penang Year ’99.
Also, some sour grapes, due to ‘hardship’ (no ‘khang thou’) faced under LGE leadership decided to attack what’s good LGE has achieved so far. Sure there is no perfect performance expected of LGE or any leader, but at least we Penangites have a leader who practises CAT for the betterment of Penang. MNCs are much more confident to invest in the state. And it’s just 2 year on record! Previous state gomen took 51 years to accomplish what? This is not to discount Lim Chong Eu who had done excellently for Penang but what has for the last 18 years been achieved prior to Pakatan taking over?
To those who think Penang has accomplished God knows what during KTK’s time, ask ourselves sincerely: has Penang progressed? Ask the businessmen in town. Ask the middleclass. Ask the hawkers.
(Please check the statistics for yourselves)
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To those who think Penang has accomplished God knows what during KTK’s time, ask ourselves sincerely: has Penang progressed? Ask the businessmen in town. Ask the middleclass. Ask the hawkers.
ANSWERS TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS: NO.
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Accusations without facts and figures ? Investors more confident ? When then Penang’s FDI dropped like a stone compared to other states (FDI inflow dropped by 80%)? Why Penang is now been beaten by Sabah, Sarawk and Perak ?
Chairman Lim being attacked for lack of “khang tou” ? Do you have facts and figures to support your accusations?
This Cheap Minister only preaches CAT but not practices it. It is all talk and talk. You can complain about Najib but LGE runs Penang like a dictator. He accuses others of being little Napoleon but he himself behaving like Napoleon himself.
What kind of achievement he has produced so far ? Nothing, zilch. All of it just talk, talk and spin and spin.
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Get your facts right! Get it from investPenang.
The figures speak for investors’ confidence.
They are in contact with MNCs so they know better than you.
Penang’s FDI did drop slightly BUT not drop 80%. 80% is an overall national figure which is even challenged by our International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
Good for Sabah and Sarawak. They have been neglected far too long.
Perak is still in the doldrum. Last I spoke to a Perakian, he said nothing much is happening in Perak despite with all the hoo-hah.
In fact it is on the downslide of investors’ confidence.
See what CAT has achieved and not talk-talk so far. I don’t have to dispute that. Ask the business communities. Ask the ‘sour grapes’.
Go to check out Penang industry news to see for yourself. Ask or beg from investPenang.
And do your homework.
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tunglang
I think you forgot that this issue of 80% drop in FDI for Penang was hotly discussed a few months ago and LGE himself had admitted this.
The FDI for Malaysia dropped 80% based on nett FDI. But if we calculate nett FDI for Penang I think it would be even more than 80% drop.
So obvious CAT has failed miserably even compared to Sabah, Sarawak and other states.
There was a few letters and articles on Penang’s disasterous FDI performance. You can do a google search to enjoy these hammering of your beloved Dear Leader Lim.
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Hello K.
The drop of FDI was actually the results of poor performance of Gerakan. The lagging effect will take 2-3 years and is only felt after Pakatan took over.
Anyway Electronics MNCs are shying away from Malaysia because of the lower cost in Vietnam and China where the contract manufacturers like FoxConn and literally manufacture anythign a much lower cost (not counting on human lives lost on suicide). Penang has bee havig the most number of elctronic MNCs.
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It is nice to agree while disagree but Mr. Anil, you can check back the comments I have made and I have not even once use languages like “Ignorant Fools” or whatever to describe the machais.
On the other hand, them machais have done that to me and others who have disgreed with their blind loyalty towards Lim Guan Eng.
Frankly speaking I do not see any “reminder” from you to the machais when they use all those not-so-nice words against the other posters.
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It is not about loyalty to who, but in appreciation to the one can can contribute to the progress of Penang.
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Thanks, Anil. May your blog continue to be the place for all who believe in justice, democracy and humanity, to exchange ideas and develop their mind.
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Ken, i really appreciate your calling for a more sensible, intelligent, cultured and civilised manner of posting comments in Anil’s blog.
However, i wonder that is possible …
Yes, it is very annoying to have some venomous behaviour here as they are not discussing anything but conveniently spewing venom at Lim Guan Eng or PR government @ Anil’s blog.
Their reasons for so doing are best known to themselves. They may not know actually it reflects badly on them.
Please read tunglang above. Thks !
A happy weekend to all !!!
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Those connected with the previous government are really sore because they cannot cari makan under the new CAT system. Unfortunately they vent their frustration on this blog.
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What else these sour grapes can do?
Tak creative nor competitve nak cari makan the honest, respectable way!
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I am a Singaporean.
Penang should target Singaporeans who can spend money to help your tourism industry.
I suggest you do promotion in Singapore independent from the Malaysian tourism board who is only interested in promoting certain culture only.
Singaprean will appreciate the Peranakan culture after the success of the TV series ‘Little Nyonya’. It has made Malacca very popular among hte Singaporeans. You have one very good Peranakan Museum as featured in the Amazing Race. Your Penang chinese food will be a hit among Singaporeans, though the standard of hygience in food preparation must be improved.
With frequent flight from AirAsia & Silkair, I think more could be done to lure Singaporeans to Penang.
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Kam Kee, thanks for your good, creative and alternative suggestions.
We Penangites should know where our rice bowl comes from – Singaporean tourists.
Among Asean, Singaporeans spend the most while visiting Malaysia.
And we already knew for a fact, and that’s part of the reason for the daring alternative branding of Visit Penang Year ’99 which strategically focused on the “Timeless Impressions” emphasising affordable holiday in old world charm Penang with catchy visual brand icons on things Peranakan (which in actual fact is a blend of Malay and Chinese cultures) and diversity of colorful cultures and festivals.
That memorable branding was discontinued after 1999 when tourists were getting excited about the true representation of old world charm Penang. No good reason was given for the demise of Visit Penang Year ’99 branding post-’99 nor any strategic brand stewardship expressed for the future brand continuity, sensible competitive marketing and focused vision for tourism in Penang.
What Penangites and tourists are seeing is a very fragmented, unfocused, unintegrated marketing with multi-positioning of Heritage Penang which doesn’t provide a truly competitive edge over its neighbouring competitors with a singular, focused branding.
As Jack Trout stated in his book: Differentiate Or Die.
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Kam See
I think you have missed the point here. There is no Peranakan culture in Penang anymore. It is all only one culture with the minorities being driven and their culture being wiped out out of the Island…
LGE already been spending too much time in Singapore selling high-end condos.
Thanks but no thanks. We would rather not sell more condos to foreigners and make the poor and middle class go homeless.
We want tourists but we want those we appreciate the heritage and historical aspects of Penang.
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Actually it is not so much of Singaporeans buying up high-end condos in Penang, but those Penangites who have been working in Singapore as PRs. I think it is natural for them to want to return home. A typical 3-bedroom 1000 sq ft HDB flat in Singapore would cost at least S$300k (or RM790K). so the price of Penang condo is relatively affordable to them. Indirectly we can woo back our lost talents and their children to contribute to Penang.
It is a simple economics – supply vs demand. Those who find Penang island too expensive to live can move to Prai e.g. Juru where one can buy landed property at the cost of a Penang condo. You can still tell people you are from Penang, right? If you choose not to work hard and focus on your children education, you and your subsequent generation will foever remain middle-class and later squeeze to low-income class, no thanks to the embeded mentality that forever dependent subsidy and government assistance.
I agree with Tunglan. Fragmented approach in marketing Penang is no good. At least now we can see Penang tourism brochures in Mandarin – a great help to attract tourist from Taiwan, China and Hong Kong.
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Penang should slowly move away from manufacturing (no point debating about falling FDI becuase those MNCs are not coming back) but to be more service-oriented. That’s why Tourism is one sector to be capitalised.
Let’s focus on multi-cultural aspects of Penang where the ‘harmony street’ has mosque, temple, church all in close proximity. This is something that no other country can replicate easily. Another tourist attraction in Penang that is unique is Kek Lok See Temple. It is marvellous.
Make the tourist stay as many days as possible per visit. You must have an integrated plan so that the tourist can go from one place to another easily with integrated transportation.
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What the PR Government in Penang need to do is run a really clean Government, find ways and means to attract investments, especially from overseas, and promote tourism. Instead of too much politicking, please concentrate on tackling the problems (including those left over by the previous Government) and take bold measures, as being done by the Selangor State Government, to overcome the problems. At the end of the day, a prosperous electorate is always a happy and supportive electorate. Propaganda and politicking do not work in the long term. It is crucial that Penang succeed as it is being watched by the rest of Malaysia. Penang’s failure would bring the country back to square one again. Finally, the Penang voters are not going to wait forever for PR, especially the DAP, to deliver. So concentrate on the job and do it quickly.
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My family from Singapore has just visited Penang. The place is now much better in terms of tourist signage in various language. Keep up the good job!
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