A lot of attention has been given to Penang Island, but how do we revitalise Seberang Perai in a way that would be more authentic to local cultures and would promote a sustainable domestic economy?
Seven ways to revitalise Seberang Perai
We want more ferries in Penang – not fewer!
There are only half as many ferries shuttling between Penang Island and mainland Penang as there were in the late 1970s/early 1980s – and now they are thinking of cutting back the ferry service even further?
Is this a scheme to help boost traffic on the soon-to-be-opened Second Penang Bridge – in the same way that they halved the ferry service a few years after the first Penang Bridge was opened in September 1985? (They never rebuilt the old ferry terminal on the mainland that collapsed in July 1988 under the weight of about 10000 passengers thronging the terminal. The ferries that used to docked at the old terminals on the isand and mainland were then phased out.)
The ferry service has been been pathetic since then and it is no wonder that Penang Port is losing money on the ferries, as more and more people are forced to use the bridge. In any case, the ferry service is an integral part of public transport – a public service – and it should be subsidised if it is true that it can barely break even.
The present management should quit if it cannot provide a reliable and efficient service. People are fed up with the poor service especially during rush hours, at night and on public holidays.
Now take this poll:
[yop_poll id=”4″]
Dissecting Mujahid Yusof Rawa’s book Berdialog dengan Gereja (Video)
A discussion on Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa’s new book Dialogue with Churches: A Peace Travelogue was held at the service centre of the Selangor State Assembly member for Hulu Kelang on 11 November.
The panel featured Mujahid, former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin (currently an associate professor in Islamic studies at USM), Hulu Kelang rep Saari Sungib and a Christian pastor.
‘There will be no development on Bukit Relau’: Tycoon
The Edge has carried a fascinating news story about the degraded Bukit Relau in Penang. But the question remains: how was the land converted from hill-land to low-density housing and who was responsible for that?
Bukit Relau: Tycoon breaks silence
Written by Sangeetha Amarthalingam, fz.com (contributor to theedgemalaysia.com)
GEORGE TOWN (Nov 18): In an astounding revelation, Penang tycoon Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping whose company illegally cleared parts of Bukit Relau early this year has vowed that development will not happen on that land.
Pas elections: ‘Bridge-builder’ Abdul Rahman peers into crystal ball
Bridge-builder Abdul Rahman Kasim, the Tasik Gelugor Pas information chief, shares with us his predictions for the upcoming party polls on Friday evening (with results expected on Saturday evening).
Penang Hill Local Plan recommends maximum capacity of 10000 people/day
According to the Penang Hill Local Plan, the recommended maximum carrying capacity of the hill is 10000 people daily – a threshold that has been hit or even exceeded during peak periods with the expanded capacity of the Penang Hill Railway following the controversial decision for the track to bypass the Middle Station.
If cable cars are introduced, even more people will throng the hill, pushing the figure well beyond 10000/day. So no escape from the madding crowd for some peace and serenity then.
This is from the Local Plan:
When Soho comes to Penang …
Activist Tan Seng Hai raises the alert about a clever ploy in property development and a building frenzy in southeast Penang Island.
Botak Hill (Bukit Relau) – More photos emerge
A few more photos have emerged from a group of hikers and nature lovers showing the extent of degradation on Bukit Relau.
Public hearing for Seberang Perai Local Plans coming up
The public hearing for the draft Local Plans for Seberang Perai Utara and Seberang Perai Tengah will be held on 26 November – 9 December 2013 at the Mawar Room at MPSP on the mainland.
Cable cars will push Penang Hill visitors beyond 10000/day threshold
A proposal for cable car lines from the Youth Park, Botanic Garden and Teluk Bahang has been tacked on to the draft Special Area Plan for Penang Hill, which is being touted as a “green, heritage destination”. There is concern, however, that this could add to traffic congestion around the Youth Park/Botanic Garden area while pushing visitors well past the 10000 people/day carrying capacity of the Penang Hill summit, as gazetted in the existing Penang Hill Local Plan.
