Char Kway Teow

Char Kway Teow

‘Char Kway Teow’ or ‘stir-fried ricecake strips’ is arguably one of the most popular dishes among Malaysians of all races. The name is derived from the Hokkien term for ‘fried’ which is ‘char, while ‘kway teow’ refers to the ‘flat rice noodles’, which is the main ingredient.



The latter is stir-fried over very high heat with light or dark soy sauce, chili, while prawns, deshelled cockles, bean sprouts, chinese chives and eggs.

Among the chinese community, the char kway teow is traditionally stir-fried in pork fat with crisp croutons of pork lard and serve on a piece of banana leaf or plate. In some instances, slices of chinese sausage and fishcake are added to accentuate the taste.

Originally conceived as a poor man’s food, mostly consumed by laborers, farmers, fishermen and cockle-pickers, the dish has today evolved into one of the most-loved dishes among Malaysians – but with certain ingredients omitted to adhere to ‘halal’ guidelines of muslim community.

As the dish became more widespread, many cooks have come up with their own versions of ‘char kway teow’ but with the same essential ingredients ‘Char kway teow’ was said to have its origins in S.E.Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei) but the common consensus is that ‘Penang char kway teow’ tops the list when it comes to taste and originality.

In Kampar, Perak, the dish is cooked with cockles but no prawns, unless on request. In East Malaysia, other ingredients are used in the cooking eg beef, onions, sweet soya sauce etc.

There are also so-called ‘gourmet versions’ of char kway teow, especially in Ipoh, Penang, Taiping and even the Klang Valley, where seafood, crab meat and even duck eggs are added to suit discerning tastes.

~Info courtesy of Tourism Malaysia~

气象局预测东北季风期间 东海岸砂西部高雨量

气象局预测东北季风期间 东海岸砂西部高雨量



东北季风的来临，将使马来半岛东海岸和砂拉越西部出现可引发水灾的高雨量。

气象局预测，马来半岛东海岸州属和砂拉越西部，将在本月起至明年1月的东北季风期间，出现可引发水灾的高雨量现象。

科学、工艺与革新部长拿督斯里威弗烈丹敖指出，在这期间，我国将发生4至5次的强降雨，可造成大水灾。

他说，在马来半岛吉兰丹和登嘉楼所展开的天气预测，本月和12月的雨量料达约700毫米，彭亨和柔佛东部的雨量，预测将在下月和明年1月高达400毫米。

“这个情况可导致水灾，尤其是在河谷和低洼地区。”

他今天在国会下议院回答巫统巴力士隆区国会议员拿督诺莱妮博士的提问时，这么指出。

~以上新闻转自光华日报~

涉嫌贿赂海事执法员 2越南舵公笑着延扣

涉嫌贿赂海事执法员 2越南舵公笑着延扣



反贪会人员押著2名被告（左2起）到法庭申请延长扣留令。

涉嫌贿赂大马海事执法机构驻丰盛港官员的2名越南籍舵公，昨日被押往居銮地庭申请延长扣留令，获法庭主簿官批准延扣7天。

遭扣留的舵公是阮巴禄（译音，28岁）和胡文毕（译音，27岁），他们于昨早约10时，被居銮反贪会人员押往居銮地庭，主簿官诺阿丝拉批准延扣他们7天，直至本月19日。

2名越南籍舵公本月11日在丰盛港附近的海域，遇上值勤官员时，企图用1万令吉贿赂对方，以求脱身，结果遭逮捕。

根据调查，舵公付出1万令吉，是希望官员不取缔他们所拥有的渔船。

根据调查，2艘渔船都没有合法执照、2名船员也没有合法护照，同时船上也发现一些拖网工具等。

2名被扣留的舵公，据知在之前也分别以500令吉及800令吉，贿赂同一名官员，以换取官员不取缔违法的渔船。

2名嫌犯的行为违反2009年反贪委员会法令第17（b）条文，一旦被控罪成，可被判处监禁最高20年及罚款贿款的5倍或1万令吉，视何者为高。



2名被扣留的舵公步入法庭时，竟脸带笑容。

～中国报～

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak



No visitors will leave Malaysia without tasting our very own Nasi Lemak. Hot cooked rice with pandan aroma steamed with coconut cream goes heavenly well with sizzling spicy sauce or “sambal”. 

Generous sprinklings of roasted peanuts and salty dried anchovies with a hard boiled egg perfect this dish. 

A platter of everything good all wrapped up in banana leaves to further enhance its unique taste. Nasi Lemak is truly a national heritage of Malaysia.

~Courtesy of Tourism Malaysia~

Expect more rain until January, says weatherman

Expect more rain until January, says weatherman

The start of the northeast monsoon today will bring more rain to the east coast of the peninsula and parts of Sabah and Sarawak.

The wet season is expected to last until January.

MetMalaysia director-general Alui Bahari said the northeastern winds from the South China Sea will mark the start of the monsoon season.

“Right now, the winds are still from the southwest, they are variable, but by tomorrow, they will persist from the northeast,” said Alui when contacted yesterday.

He said an episode would range between three and four days of moderate to heavy rain.

This monsoon season is expected to see four to five such episodes.

MetMalaysia has its own colour coding for rainfall, with yellow indicating heavy rain is expected within the next one to three days, and if there is continuous rain, it will not last for more than six hours and the rainfall will be less than 60mm.

Meanwhile, orange indicates continuous heavy rain that will exceed six hours and rainfall collection of at least 60mm while red shows continuous heavy rain exceeding 240mm a day.

Alui said the department would also be monitoring wind speeds and wave heights, as monsoon winds could whip up waves.

For the day’s weather forecast, log on to www.met.gov.my/in/web/metmalaysia/forecasts/general/country.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Estonian model murder suspect killed in crash

Estonian model murder suspect killed in crash



Tengku Alang Reza Tengku Ibrahim, one of the suspects in the murder of an Estonian model three years ago, was killed in a car crash here.

Tengku Alang was among seven suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Regina Soosalu who was found dead while vacationing on Pulau Rawa on July 1, 2014.

Mersing OCPD Deputy Supt Cyril Edward Nuing said the 31-year-old was in the back of a four-wheel drive vehicle with three others when it crashed into a bus stop at 6.34pm on Friday (Oct 27).

The female driver of the vehicle, identified as Salma @ Noraini Adam, 37, also succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the Mersing Hospital.

"Initial investigations showed that the group was heading to Johor Baru from Mersing when the driver lost control of the vehicle at KM15 of Jalan Jemaluang—Mersing," DSP Nuing said in a statement.

He said Tengku Alang died at the scene of the accident.

In the Soosalu murder case, Tengku Alang, who claimed to be her boyfriend, was arrested along with a group of people after police changed their investigations from drowning to murder after discovering "suspicious wounds" on the model's body.

More recently, Tengku Alang was charged with three counts of taking methamphetamine and possessing similar drugs and ganja in June this year.

Following this, the Johor Council of Royal Court issued a statement on Sept 21 denying that Tengku Alang was part of the royal family.

~News courtesy of The Star~

三板头巴刹 Jemaluang Market

～转自FB～

RM1 flight levy starts January 2018

RM1 flight levy starts January 2018

ALL passengers leaving Malaysia by air will have to pay a levy of up to RM1 from January, following changes to the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) Act 2015.

“The Government spent almost RM30mil on Mavcom’s operational costs last year. The levy for air travellers is justified, considering the services Mavcom provides, which range from receiving and processing complaints to conducting educational activities,” he said.

The changes to the law also allows Mavcom to impose penalties for any non-compliance over guidelines on competition, regulatory fees and charges.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Happy Deepavali!

Happy Deepavali!
தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!
屠妖节快乐！

柔苏丹丰盛港推介全国最大人造暗礁

柔苏丹丰盛港推介全国最大人造暗礁



柔佛苏丹依布拉欣陛下今早在丰盛港孟西里岛（Pulau Mensirip）潜水，推介全国最大的人造暗礁，并将新山中区市议会即将升格为依斯干达布蒂里市政局新标志，放在人造暗礁上，象征地方政府迈向国际化。

随后，陛下今午携王室成员再到市中心推介丰盛港海港中心，受到当地民众的热烈欢迎。

丰盛港海港中心是东海岸经济走廊（ECER）计划发展之一，并将打造成为丰盛港新的旅游景点。中心内有超过50个体现当地特色的摊位包括美食、手工艺等。

这是柔佛苏丹亲民之旅第二天的重点行程。出席者包括柔佛州务大臣拿督斯里莫哈末卡立、丰盛港县长阿斯哈利及新山中区市议会主席阿迪阿兹哈里。

~以上新闻转自东方日报~

Tourism Tax 旅游税

推介丰盛港海港中心 王室与民近距离交流

推介丰盛港海港中心 王室与民近距离交流



苏丹依布拉欣（前排右2）为丰盛港海港中心签名推介，前排右为柔佛王后拉惹查丽苏菲雅。



丰盛港海港中心周日获苏丹依布拉欣亲临推介，该中心设有50个商业单位，售卖手工艺品及土产。

柔佛王室成员昨日驾驶摩根三轮车，风尘仆仆抵达丰盛港海港中心（Mersing Harbour Centre），与民众近距离交流。

苏丹依布拉欣抵达后，亲自为该中心主持签名推介，陛下及柔佛王后拉惹查丽苏菲雅进入巡视中心，与商家民众交流，谈笑风生。

陪同者包括柔佛王储东姑依斯迈、公主东姑阿米娜与荷兰籍夫婿丹尼斯莫哈末、二王子天猛公东姑依德利斯、四王子东姑阿都拉曼及五王子东姑阿布峇卡。



苏丹依布拉欣（右2）试吃民众准备的小吃。



柔佛王后拉惹查丽苏菲雅（右2），向民众了解手工艺品制作。

丰盛港海港中心位于市区码头附近，旨在推动丰盛港的经济和旅游发展，由东海岸经济特区发展理事会（ECERDC）规划。中心内的50个商业单位，售卖各种手工艺品和旅游相关产品如船票和旅游配套等。

丰盛港县长阿斯哈里在仪式上致词时说，游客从丰盛港前往海岛的游客，如今多了一个选择，可在丰盛港海港中心内暂时休息或购买土产。

活动出席者包括柔佛州务大臣拿督斯里莫哈末卡立诺丁。



苏丹依布拉欣（右2）巡视其中一间蛋糕店，欣赏商家精心制作的柔佛王冠造型蛋糕。



东姑阿都拉曼（坐者左）驾驶摩根三轮车，载着兄长东姑依德利斯巡游。



公主夫婿丹尼斯莫哈末（坐者左）驾驶摩根三轮车，载着公主东姑阿米娜，到访丰盛港。

～转自中国报～

Happy Independence Day 独立日快乐

街景 Street view

8月1日落实酒店旅游税

Selamat hari raya 开斋节快乐

丰盛港暂时性改道

～转自中国报～

Clear skies expected over Raya

Clear skies expected over Raya

It will likely be a sunny Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year in most parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

The date for sighting the Syawal new moon to determine when Aidilfitri falls has been set for June 24, and many expect Hari Raya to start the next day.

Malaysian Meteorological De­­part­­ment director-general Alui Bahari said a detailed forecast for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period will only be released today but added that the weather is generally expected to be dry due to the current south-west monsoon.

The south-west monsoon started on May 17, and will continue until September, typically associated with lower rainfall in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

“There is always heavy traffic on the highways during the Raya pe­­riod, but good weather conditions will hopefully help to make journeys safer as the roads are dry and visibility is better,” said Alui.

The volume of vehicles that will hit the roads starting this week as families make their way back to their hometowns is expected to grow.

PLUS Malaysia Bhd said traffic plying the North-South Expressway during peak days starting Wednes­day to July 3 is set to hit 1.7 million vehicles per day.

The figure is an increase of 30% from the reported 1.2 million vehicles during the Raya peak period two years ago.

Another highway concessionaire, Lingkaran Trans Kota Sdn Bhd (Litrak), expects a 10% increase in the number of vehicles on the Sprint and Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong (LDP) highways in Selangor as the Hari Raya celebration draws closer.

The LDP, which is normally used by more than 470,000 vehicles each week, may see an increase of about 10,000 vehicles this week.

Association of Highway Con­cessionaires Malaysia said in a statement that the volume of traffic is expected to increase by between 30% and 40% during the coming Raya period compared to normal times.

“The Kuala Lumpur-Karak Express­­way, East Coast Expressway (LPT1) and East Coast Highway 2 (LPT2) is expected to see an increase of 50% in traffic volume,” the statement said.

To cope with the traffic volume, PLUS has issued a travel time advisory to help the public plan their journey and to distribute traffic between June 21 and July 3.

Those planning to travel from the Klang Valley to their hometowns in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, northern Perak and Johor are advised to enter the highway before 10am.

Those heading towards nearer destinations such as in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, southern Perak and central Perak, are advised to start their journey and enter the North-South Expressway after 10am on designated days.

Meanwhile, Penang is expecting an influx of visitors who are set to take advantage of the four-day Aidilfitri holiday.

“Last year, the traffic was not so bad, but it is too early to predict the congestion this year,” said state traffic police enforcement chief Supt Roslan Ali.

He added that traffic police would be out daily under Ops Selamat from now until July 2.

Malaysian Hoteliers Association Penang Chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim said most hotels in the state were almost full.

“Penang is a top choice for local tourists and many are definitely coming here during the break,” he added.

~News courtesy of The Star~

DPM: Tourism tax will be imposed

DPM: Tourism tax will be imposed

The Government is going ahead with its tourism tax to be imposed from July 1.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who disclosed this yesterday, said more funds were needed to support tourism promotion activities.

“At present, some states receive little (funds), some get more,” he said. Under the new tax, hotel guests will be charged between RM2.50 and RM20 for every night’s stay, depending on the classification of the hotel.

Dr Ahmad Zahid disclosed that the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday directed that the tourism tax spat involving Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and the Sarawak and Sabah governments be put to an end.

“The Prime Minister chaired the Cabinet meeting and I have personally met with the Chief Ministers of Sarawak and Sabah.

“So the chapter is closed,’’ he told reporters after closing an Islamic education workshop here yesterday.

Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah had called on the Government to defer the implementation of the tourism tax in Sarawak and Sabah. This invited criticism from Nazri.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also said RM10mil will be given to the Advisory Board for the Coordination of Islamic Education for the enhancement of Islamic educational institutions.

The workshop approved several resolutions, including one on a special mechanism to strengthen Federal-state cooperation in Islamic educational development.

~News courtesy of The Star~

More trains and buses for Raya

More trains and buses for Raya

The Transport Ministry hopes to add more trains and express buses to serve the balik kampung crowds during the coming festive season.

Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said he had already directed KTM Berhad to increase its services for the period.

“Most of the demand is from Kuala Lumpur to the northern states. So, they will be providing 27 trips daily to the northern states, some up to Padang Besar.

“There is a limit to how much we can increase for the time being, however, because we do not have enough train coaches,” he told reporters after launching the Hari Raya integrated operations and road safety campaign here yesterday.

The ministry, said Liow, was also working with express bus operators to try and increase the number of buses during the Hari Raya period.

However, he said there was a lack of bus drivers due to more stringent selection criteria.

Promoting safe trips: Liow talking to a passenger after launching the Hari Raya integrated operations and road safety campaign.

“(For some routes) we will need two drivers to take turns because of the long distance.

“These are among the shortcomings we have during the Raya season but we will work towards overcoming them,” he said.

On the road accident statistics for last year, Liow said the numbers had increased, especially for fatalities.

“Last year, we had 521,466 road accidents compared to 489,606 previously.

“The number of fatalities from road accidents showed a sudden increase – going up to 7,152 deaths last year compared to 6,706 in 2015.

“During the two-week road safety campaign last year, police recorded 20,982 accidents, with 299 deaths,” he said.

As over 60% of the fatalities involved motorcyclists, Liow said this year’s campaign would focus on raising awareness among this group of road users.

“None of these statistics mean that the previous campaign have failed. If you look at the ratio of accidents to registered vehicles, that has actually gone down.

“We went from four deaths for every 10,000 vehicles in 2010 to 2.59 deaths for every 10,000 vehicles last year.

“In developed countries, the ratio is two deaths for every 10,000 vehicles and we aim to reach this by 2020,” he said.

This year's road safety campaign, with the theme “Pandu Cermat Sampai Selamat” will run for two weeks and includes advocacy as well as enforcement of road safety rules and regulations.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Enforcement officers detain seven anglers for fishing in marine park

Enforcement officers detain seven anglers for fishing in marine park



Enforcement officers have detained seven anglers for illegal fishing at the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park on Sunday.

State Health, Environment, Education and Information committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said the suspects were detained on two boats between 10am and 10.45am.

He said the locals aged between 40 and 60 years old were caught for illegal fishing activities in and around Pulau Babi Besar and Pulau Babi Hujong.

"The marine park is off-limits to anglers and fishing is strictly prohibited within the park to ensure the sustainability of marine life," Ayub said in a statement on Sunday.

He said initial investigations showed there were 12 sets of fishing equipment on board the boats, adding that one of the boats was not registered.

Ayub said all the suspects had been brought to the Mersing Marine jetty to assist with investigations under the Fishery Act 1985 (Amended 1994).

~News courtesy of The Star~

丰盛港建机场 “好建议！”

增就业机会 . 留住年轻人 丰盛港建机场 “好建议！”



位于丰盛港斯里班台的小型飞机及直升机机场。

来得迟总比不来好！丰盛港兴建机场的计划再次被提及，当地商民无不期盼，希望机场刺激丰盛港发展之余，制造就业机会，留住年轻人。

柔佛苏丹依布拉欣为本季度柔州议会主持开幕仪式致御词时，建议柔州政府在丰盛港兴建机场，以促进丰盛港旅游发展，吸引更多游客到访岛屿。

殿下以国际都市迪拜为例，25年前，迪拜是被沙漠环绕，如果迪拜也可以成功，那么丰盛港只要拥有完善的公共基础建设，也可以成为一座繁荣的城市。



现有的丰盛港机场设备不齐全，急需提升。

探讨可行性

其实，丰盛港已经有一个可供小型飞机及直升机降落的机场，但时代久远，年久失修，设备也不齐全。

根据丰盛港村民了解，有关机场坐落在丰盛港斯里班台，距离丰盛港市区约10分钟车程。

有关机场由民航局（DCA）管理，是一个约足球场般大小的草场，只可供小型飞机及直升机起飞及降落。

据向村民了解，有关机场的设备残旧，很少有飞机降落。

另外，在今年2月14日，交通部长拿督斯里廖中莱在马华柔州联委会柔南区新年联欢会活动时曾透露，该部已收到柔州政府建议，以在丰盛港建造机场，该部会认真探讨可行性。

他当时也说，政府也会探讨若建造机场，应该建在云冰或丰盛港，以刺激当地旅游业。



鸟瞰丰盛港机场，现有的丰盛港机场就位于海岸线旁，是个只能让小型飞机及直升机降落的草场。

黄世忠：没一条大道直通 拖慢发展

丰盛港中华商会会长拿督黄世忠形容，丰盛港县不管在投资、工业或是旅游业发展，都是“最蜗牛”的。

他受访说，问题的根源，最主要还是交通，没有一条大道通往丰盛港，都需要使用联邦公路，犹如被孤立。

“若开车从北马或是吉隆坡过来，需要取道南北大道驶出亚依淡，再经过居銮等，中间道路弯弯曲曲，最快也需要两个多小时。”

“若从新山北上，路途也很遥远，如果在夜间行驶，整条路上没有路灯照明，非常危险，一直使人却步。”

他说，殿下此次提出兴建机场建议，让当地人都有一种久旱逢甘露的感觉，无不期盼万分。

他关注机场的建设地点和规划多大，也希望未来机场能增设内陆航班，刺激更多人到丰盛港设厂及旅游。



丰盛港县长久以来发展远远落后州内其他县属，并希望借着兴建机场，刺激当地经济起飞。

郑修强：计划进入讨论阶段

柔州旅游、商贸与消费人事务委员会主席拿督郑修强指出，丰盛港兴建机场计划已进入讨论阶段。

郑修强也是东海岸经济特区发展理事会成员之一，他说，该理事会一直在探讨，如何发展丰盛港。

他所说的发展项目，包括招商、设立现代化工业区及提升当地的旅游业。

他说，丰盛港是柔州一个重要的县，然而由于地处偏远，道路设施还不完善。

“如果要做到以上提到的3点，首要还是要提升丰盛港的交通连接性，以让物流更快速到达，其中一项建议就是兴建机场。”

郑修强说，有关兴建机场的建议其实一早已经提出讨论，机场的设计、地点等都是讨论的范围。

他说，有关计划更详细的内容，会再更适当时机再公布。


邢定波

小型机场缺乏设备

邢定波（丰盛港县居民代表联谊会主席）

丰盛港其实也有一个小型飞机场，就位于斯里班台，但只限于小型飞机降陆，无法容纳下大型客机，且设备缺乏，很少使用。

殿下兴建机场的建议令人感到欢迎，而我认为，只需要提升一下现有的机场设备，就能容纳下大型客机。

除了机场外，我建议政府也要关注码头的问题，挖深河床及兴建防浪坝，让渔船及渡轮能随时进出码头，刺激旅游。


陈亚发

带动周边经济发展

陈亚发（马华丰盛港区会主席）

我对兴建机场的建议非常欢迎，一旦落实，将带动丰盛港周边的经济发展，尤其是旅游业。

丰盛港也有一个可停小型飞机的机场，在前往军营的路上，但如今已荒废多时。

根据早前与开会释出的一些内容，有关方面如今正在物色地点兴建飞机场，并会做一个可供客机与军机双用的机场跑道。


李卓华

将刺激本地经济

李卓华（三板头新村村长）

我对殿下在丰盛港兴建机场的建议非常欢迎，这将刺激本地经济，并留住年轻人。

三板头新村距离丰盛港市大概22英里，由于发展停滞，新村的年轻人都是往大城市发展，寻找工作机会。

希望新机场的落实，将年轻人留在丰盛港。

～以上新闻转自中国报～

Matta supports tourism tax

Matta supports tourism tax, but ...



The Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (Matta) is urging the Government to delay the rollout of the impending Tourism Tax (TTx), or at least parts of it.

While saying the association is behind the tax, its president Datuk Hamzah Rahmat said the Aug 1 implementation date may not be an ideal time.

The TTx will not only affect domestic tourists, but also Malaysians who have to travel for other purposes such as studies, medical treatments or family obligations.

"Those people who have to travel will have to travel, and they will be forced to pay for it. It doesn’t just affect tourists," he said on Wednesday.

Hamzah suggests the TTx be imposed on 4-star and 5-star hotels first, but be deferred on lower-rated hotels, hostels and accommodation premises to a later date.

“I’m not saying that this tax shouldn't be imposed at all, but now is not the time for it,” he said.

Hamzah added that domestic travel is currently picking up due to the high cost of overseas travel, and he was concerned that an additional tax would deter Malaysians from travelling domestically.

The Penang, Langkawi and Malacca state governments are already charging RM2 to RM9 depending on the type of hotel the guest is staying in.

Passed as part of the Tourism Tax Bill 2017, TTx will see local and international tourists paying a levy to the operators of accommodation premises.

The tax rate is fixed and charged on a per-room, per-night basis.

The rates are RM20 for five-star accommodations, RM10 for four-star accommodations, RM5 for one- to three-star accommodations, and RM2.50 for non-rated accommodations, including budget hotels.

Engineer Lim Chze Hong, 33, who travels twice a month for work, said the TTx would be an unnecessary burden for Malaysians and should only be imposed on foreign tourists.

"It is an extra burden on top of the funds we need to spend to travel outstation for work, regardless if the rooms are paid for by the company or not.

“If this is a ‘tourism tax’, then they should not impose the tax on anyone who books a room using their MyKad,” he said.

Meanwhile, 41-year-old writer Vivan Chong said that she wouldn't mind paying the tax if the revenue was used to develop the local tourism industry.

She however asked if there are solid plans in place regarding the funding.

"The rates are not a burden money-wise, but I think the real question is, who is this supposed to benefit in the first place and why are we being taxed for already contributing to the economy by travelling locally," she added.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had said that the tax revenue would be spent mainly on tourism and infrastructure development throughout the country.

He said the tax was necessary because the Government needed to mitigate uncertainties in the oil-and-gas industry, adding that the Government was expected to collect about RM800mil annually through the new tax.

~News courtesy of The Star~

所有酒店8月起 向房客征旅游税

所有酒店8月起 向房客征旅游税

马来西亚政府宣布，从8月1日起，所有酒店将向房客征收每晚介于2.5令吉至20令吉的旅游税。

征税介于2.5至20令吉 视酒店级别而定

据关税局发表的公告，业者可从7月1日起向关税局登记。该局也列出不同酒店应征收的旅游税：五星级酒店20令吉；四星级酒店10令吉；一、二及三星级酒店5令吉；一、二及三胡姬花级酒店2.5令吉；无级别住宿2.5令吉。

无论如何，五种酒店及民宿可豁免登记及征收旅游税，分别为向旅游部民宿（Homestay）计划、甘榜住宿（Kampungstay）计划民宿、宗教团体所创办及注册的非商业用途住宿、少过10间客房的住宿及国州政府机构所经营的非商业用途住宿。

关税局说，业者必须在30天内向关税局注册，违例者可被判罚款不超过三万令吉或坐牢不超过一年，或两者兼施。

去年，旅游部长纳兹里坦承，由于国库收入减少，必须征收旅游税，作为推广马来西亚旅游业的经费。他预计这将为国家带来高达8.7亿令吉的税收。

由于马国目前落实消费税，加上马六甲、槟城及浮罗交怡的酒店早已征收文化遗产保护费、地方政府管理费及旅游推广费，因此酒店业者称这将进一步剥弱马来西亚旅游业的竞争力，因为一旦落实新的旅游税，国內酒店就会被征收双重或三重税务。

尽管旅游业者反对，但国会在4月通过了2017年旅游税法案。根据该法令，酒店业者必须向游客征收旅游税，游客若没有缴税，可被禁离境，直到还清旅游税为止，或给予一些能让关税局总监满意的抵押或保障。

~联合早报~

Hot, dry days until September

Hot, dry days until September

The southwest monsoon has brought with it hotter and drier weather to peninsular Ma­­laysia and Sarawak.

Malaysian Meteorological Depart­ment (MetMalaysia) director-general Alui Bahari said the monsoon season started yesterday.

He said the southwest monsoon came after the end of the inter-monsoon period which brought heavy rains to the peninsula last month.

The monsoon is expected to last until September.

“Generally, during the southwest monsoon, the country will experience lower rainfall in the peninsula and Sarawak,” Alui said in an email.

He said there would be more dry days ahead than wet ones in these two areas during this period.

“But Sabah will receive more rain than other states” he added.

According to the MetMalaysia website, there are four seasons in Malaysia - the southwest monsoon (May to September), northeast monsoon (early November to March), and two inter-monsoon seasons in between.

Rain is only expected to return in October during the next inter-monsoon period.

The northeast monsoon will bring heavy rain to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, west Sarawak and the northeast of Sabah.

Meanwhile, to escape the hot weather, more people have been seeking shelter in shopping malls

Malaysia Shopping Malls Asso­ciation adviser HC Chan said families would spend more time in malls when the weather got hotter.

“They will have many options in­­clu­­ding going to the restaurants and shops to escape the heat,” he said.

Chan said since the hot spell began recently, there has been a 10% increase in the number of visitors to shopping malls in the Klang Valley.

~News courtesy of The Star~

丁宜岛甘榜丹绒巴浪海域 ·罕见儒艮浮尸海面

丁宜岛甘榜丹绒巴浪海域 ·罕见儒艮浮尸海面

一只属濒危动物的儒艮于昨日傍晚5时被民众发现浮尸在丰盛港的丁宜岛甘榜丹绒巴浪海域，柔佛州海洋公园局官员接获投报后前往现场，发现儒艮已气绝，目前尚在等待解剖报告。



一只儒艮尸体被民众发现浮尸在丁宜岛甘榜丹绒巴浪海域。（图：星洲日报）

一只属濒危动物的儒艮于昨日傍晚5时被民众发现浮尸在丰盛港的丁宜岛甘榜丹绒巴浪海域，柔佛州海洋公园局官员接获投报后前往现场，发现儒艮已气绝，目前尚在等待解剖报告。

柔佛州卫生、环境、教育与新闻委员会主席拿督阿育拉末发表文告指出，该只儒艮的尸体将交至柔州渔业局，由兽医官将联同登嘉楼州的兰道阿邦光海洋生物研究人员，进行深入调查。

将送往解剖调查较后，儒艮尸体将送至兰道阿邦光海洋生物研究所的实验室进行解剖。解剖报告有待这两个单位作出公布。

他指出，儒艮是在1985年渔业法令下受保护的水生哺乳之濒危种类。根据渔业局的制订的程序，若民众有发现任何濒危的海洋生物，无论存活与否，都须向柔州或各地渔业局投报。若是有关濒危的海洋生物仍存活，或能即时抢救其性命。

阿育拉末也强调，州政府非常重视人民对保护濒临绝种海洋生物的醒觉，尤其是那些仅能在州内海域看得见的海洋生物而此次，该只儒艮的死亡可说是对人民的一种损失，而州政府也会严谨看待此事件，并会与渔业局、兰道阿邦光海洋生物研究所等相关单位及非政府组织配合，以宣布柔佛州海域为儒艮的庇护之地，而这庇护地将作为儒艮的栖息和喂食之处。



儒艮被发现后已气绝，且眼部流下血水。



儒艮是在1985年渔业法令下受保护的水生哺乳之濒临种类。

文章来源：
星洲日报/大柔佛

疑误食黑油而死．诗布岛发现鼋尸

疑误食黑油而死．诗布岛发现鼋尸

柔州海洋公园局官员于本月11日，在位于丰盛港诗布岛约0.1海哩处，发现一具鼋的尸体，相信这只鼋是来自美国夏威夷群岛。



柔州海洋公园局以及柔州渔业局官员在进行例行巡视时，在诗布岛约1.0海哩处，发现一具鼋的尸体。（图：星洲日报）

柔州海洋公园局官员于本月11日，在位于丰盛港诗布岛约0.1海哩处，发现一具鼋的尸体，相信这只鼋是来自美国夏威夷群岛。

鼋（沙鳖），为目前全球最大型且最罕见的品种之一。

根据《大都会日报》今日引述柔州海洋公园局局长莫哈末尼赞的消息指出，该局官员日前与柔州渔业局官员在有关海域进行巡逻时，发现这只鼋的残骸，它重达5公斤，约有4至5岁，相信是在被发现的2天前逝世。

莫哈末尼赞指出，官员过后检查中，从鼋的肠内发现大量的黑油，相信这是造成有关鼋死亡的原因。

他指出，位于诗布岛和丁宜岛有着茂密的海草栖息地，成为了海龟和儒艮的觅食处，因此经常可在这些海草栖息地找到海龟和儒艮踪迹。

他提醒公众，根据1985年渔业法令，所有人是被禁止在海洋保护区内捕鱼及捕捉乌龟，一旦抵触上述法令，罪成者可面对罚款不超过2万令吉或监禁不超过2年，或两者兼施。

文章来源：
星洲日報／大柔佛

Happy New Year 2017 新年快乐