BAE Systems At LIMA 2007
Leading global defence equipment and solutions supplier BAE Systems has pledged a "strong" presence at this year's Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (LIMA) to be held in Langkawo in December.
BAE Systems will be participating for the eighth time in LIMA!
While plans are yet to be finalised on the systems and products it will showcase at the event, Europe's largest defence company expects to display some elements of its next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for the military, civil patrol missions and commercial use.
Also expected to be given some exposure at LIMA is the Archer system developed by BAE Systems Bofors AB, the Swedish company which is part of the UK based BAE Systems. The Malaysian government is said to have shown keen interest in the Archer system.
BAE Systems delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services.
BAE Systems Bofors has had a relationship with Malaysia spanning well over 40 years, having supplied the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) with 40mm guns, 57mm Mark 1 guns and 57mm Mark II guns. It has also supplied the Marine Police with 40mm guns and the Malaysian Armed Forces the Bofi Gun 40m.
Entry Date: 28/04/2007 6.08pm Posted by: Roszs
600,000 Seats from RM1
AirAsia Bhd is celebrating its partnership agreement with the AT&T Williams Formula One racing team by offering 600,000 seats with fares as low as RM1 via its Fast & Furious campaign.
The tickets are available online only at www.airasia.com, and guests can start making their bookings from midnight April 23 to April 29 for flights between Oct 1, 2007, and March 2008.
One-way tickets to Penang, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Kelantan and Kuala Terengganu start from as low as RM1.
Fares for international destinations start from as low as RM11. A flight to Macau (Hong Kong) starts from RM61, and Chiang Mai from RM41.
A flight to Palembang, Jakarta or Padang starts from RM11 and Bandung from RM21. Fares to Phuket start from RM21 and Hanoi from RM51.
All prices exclude airport taxes and fees, and fuel surcharges and are applicable for one-way travel only.
Entry Date: 28/04/2007 6.08pm Posted by: Roszs
Limit on Hand Luggage
Effective May 21, liquids, aerosols or gels (LAGs) in airline passengers’ hand luggage will be limited to 100ml per item on all international flights departing from Malaysia.
LAGs carried in containers larger than 100ml will not be allowed, even if the container is partially filled and these containers must be placed in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one liter.
The bags measuring 20cm by 20cm will be provided free of charge to passengers for the first three to six months of implementation, after which passengers must get it by themselves from any supermarket.
Kamaruddin said the containers must fit comfortably in the bag and that the bag should be presented for X-ray screening separately from other hand luggage.
Exemptions will be made for medicine, baby milk/food and special dietary requirements needed during the flight, but those carrying medicine or special dietary would need to show proof for verification purposes.
LAGs purchased at duty free shops or on board the aircraft are exempted from this, but the items must be packed in a different sealed tamper-evident plastic bag with the receipt attached.
The bag will be provided at the retailers expense at all points-of-purchase that sell LAGs and the receipt attached must be for the day of travel or transit. This bag is also much larger and completely different from the transparent, re-sealable plastic bag.
Kamaruddin said airport staff would be on hand during the initial stage to assist passengers who might not be familiar with the process and added that the smaller re-sealable bag, but not the tamper-evident bag, could be reused.
The new rule followed recommendations by the International Civil Aviation Organisation that was issued to all Contracting States on Dec 11, 2006.
Countries which have implemented such restrictions include the United States, Britain, European United nations, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and the Philippines with China starting on May 1 and Singapore on May 8.
The airports in Malaysia where this ruling will take effect are KLIA, Penang, Langkawi, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Redang, Tioman and Malacca.
Entry Date: 28/04/2007 6.08pm Posted by: Roszs
Langkawi Seeks Sea Ambulance
Langkawi is in dire need of a sea ambulance to provide quick medical response to tourists during emergencies.
Currently, patients who needed serious medical attention now had to be sent to Alor Star Hospital since the district hospital in Langkawi did not have enough facilities to treat them.
It is learnt ferries ply between Langkawi and Kuala Kedah from 7am to 7pm daily, making a total of only 50 trips on hourly intervals.
The sea ambulance could be used at any given hours, especially at night.
Langkawi district office had applied to the Health Ministry for a sea ambulance after a ferry mishap in November last year.
In the 5.10pm accident on Nov 24, last year, Express Sejahtera 15 ferry carrying 55 passengers and Express Kenangan 6 carrying 153 passengers collided at 14.5 nautical miles from Langkawi.
Mohd Danial Ramli from Jalan Tanjung Bendahara, Alor Star, died of his injuries at about midnight the same day at Langkawi Hospital.
Ten others were admitted to the same hospital while 24 people received outpatient treatment.
Entry Date: 28/04/2007 6.08pm Posted by: Roszs
EcoGames Comes to Malaysia
EcoGames is a non-stop expedition adventure race is a multi-disciplined race comprising trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, swimming, rope work and special disciplines.
Comprising three races - the eco-games Kenyir 2007 on May 5 and 6, the eco-games Johor 2007 (date to be confirmed) serving as qualifying stages and the eco-games Cham-pionship Race in Langkawi from Oct 21 to 25 for the qualifiers and international teams.
The organisers, Max Quest Sdn Bhd (MQSB), will be offering a higher prize pool to the top five finishers of the first two legs of the series and they can expect to walk away with a total prize of more than RM54,000.
Racers in the qualifying stages might choose to compete in the Solo (individual race), which is a six-hour event covering 30km, or the Enduro Race Classes (team event) covering 90km over 24 hours, while the eco-games championship race is over five days covering 400km to 500km.
Adventure racing started in New Zealand in the 1970s as small local races and in the 1990s it took a more formal and professional outlook and it is different from other types of races as they run is usually in the wilderness with various obstacles to tackle.
Adventure racers who wish to participate can register online or obtain the form via the Eco-Games website www.maxquest-ar.com or call 03-4045 5332 for enquiries.
Entry Date: 28/04/2007 6.08pm Posted by: Roszs
Land Deal With UAE Investors
Langkawi is providing a large plot of land to wealthy investors from the United Arab Emirates to build luxury homes and boost business ties.
60-hectare plot of land had been identified for the Arab millionaires who want to make Langkawi their second home.
The homes to be built will cost between two million (584,709 dollars) and five million ringgit, and the UAE company also planned to construct a marina.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
South Korean Golfers
The Tourism Ministry has introduced the "Malaysia Pass" programme for South Korean golfers designed to provide them with access to 30 golf courses and 15 resorts in Malaysia.
The golf courses are in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Johor Baharu, Melaka and Penang.
The Malaysia Pass programme was flexible and could be tailor-made to include Korean-speaking guides and optional holiday destinations such as Langkawi, Pangkor, Terengganu, and Tioman.
Malaysia has more than 200 golf courses and those in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Kinabalu were popular with South Korean golfers.
In the context of tourist arrivals, last year, Malaysia received a total of 189,464 South Korean visitors. This is an increase of 19.8 per cent from the previous year.
This year (January to February), Malaysia recorded 41,595 South Korean tourists which is a growth of 12.8 per cent from the corresponding period last year.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
Firefly Travel Packages
Malaysian Airline System Bhd, owned (MAS) community airline Firefly will soon be offering travel and holiday packages on its website via business tie-ups with travel agents and hoteliers.
The system would allow travel agents and hoteliers to sell their holiday packages online through Firefly's website by the end of next month.
To date, there are 146 Northern region Matta members, including inbound and outbound travel agents. In the next few months, the Firefly website will also support dynamic booking facilities, offering customised travel packages to travellers.
Several Thai hoteliers in Koh Samui and Phuket were also expected to participate.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
Firefly Maiden Flight
Malaysia's first community airline Firefly arrived in Phuket to a rousing welcome on Thai New Year (better known as Songkran) on its maiden international flight.
The direct flight has created excitement among Phuket hoteliers and tour operators since the last such flight was more than 20 years ago. Flight FY 3600 took off from the Penang International Airport at 2.20pm on Friday and touched down at the Phuket International Airport at 3.30pm (2.30pm Thai time), 10 minutes ahead of sche-dule.
The 50-seater Fokker 50, carried 47 passengers, including hoteliers, tour operators, tour agents and members of the press. It also carried 25 passengers who paid for their tickets.
Phuket, known as the Pearl of the Andaman, is the largest and most visited island in Thailand. The island, which is the size of Singapore, is one of the most popular holiday destinations in South-East Asia.
Firefly launched its operations on April 3, the flights had taken off and arrived 99% on time. The airline, currently operates flights on a daily basis from Penang to Langkawi, Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan.
The one-way ticket to Phuket ranges from RM39 to RM179 and Koh Samui from RM39 to RM199.
Tickets can be purchased via Firefly’s website www.fireflyz.com. my, its call centre 03-78454543 or through MAS ticketing agents.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
A world Geopark?
Did Langkawi ace UNESCO's appraisal? We will only know come June 2007.
What do the team of assessors from Unesco look for in a geopark? It's these six elements, apparently.
Geology and landscape take up 35% of the total score during appraisal. All members of the Global Network of National Geoparks must be preserved as a geological heritage for present and future generations. Size-wise, the geopark must be huge enough for local economic and cultural development.
Impressive geological outcrops alone won't do. A park must have a management plan that meets the economic needs of the local population whilst protecting the landscape.
The management authority must guarantee effective conservation and physical maintenance.
Nature’s path: The erosion caused by waves sculpted the rock into a sea arch.
The public must be exposed to geological heritage conservation through innovative communication tools like museums, trails, guided tours, newspapers and magazines articles, school excursions and seminars.
Tourism activities have to match local conditions and the natural and cultural character of a territory. They must honour local traditions.
The applicant park is also expected to build a geological museum to attract visitors.
A geopark must meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
The establishment of a geopark shall stimulate local enterprises, small business, cottage industries, and new jobs while protecting its geo-resources.
The geopark sites must be accessible to visitors, linked to one another, and formally managed and safeguarded.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
Tourism Groups Defend LADA
Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) should not be penalised for ‘rushing through’ certain projects to have the basic infrastructure ready before the arrival of Unesco team of Geopark assessors, according to players in the tourism industry.
LADA had to implement the basic infrastructure projects fast before the arrival of the Unesco team on March 30.
Langkawi is bidding to be included in the global network of Unesco National Geoparks. So far, 48 sites in 15 countries have been en-dorsed as Unesco National Geopark.
The people of Langkawi supported the geopark project because the rebranding of Langkawi as a Unesco National Geopark would benefit the locals as well as the tourism industry.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
First Woman Pilot
HM Aerospace Sdn Bhd Flight Training Academy presented on 14th April its first woman cadet with her wings when she received an Airline Transport Pilot Licence after undergoing two years of training.
Illyaquila Fateen, 19, was happy that she managed to follow the footsteps of her father, Kapt Ismail Abu Bakar, 51, a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) pilot.
Illyaquila, a former student from Sekolah Menengah Perempuan Seri Aman, Petaling Jaya, was among 21 cadet pilots who received their wings from the academy, presented by Langkawi Member of Parliament Datuk Abu Bakar Taib here today.
The eldest among four siblings, Illyaquila Fateen, who started her training in May 2005, had already received a job offer from budget airline AirAsia.
HM Aerospace Sdn Bhd Flight Training Academy is able to cater to the growing need for pilots in the Asia Pacific region and open its door to local and foreign trainees. At present, eight trainees from Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom and Bangladesh were undergoing training at the academy.
HM Aerospace, the pioneer flight training centre in the country, has 23 Flight Navigation Procedures Trainer II Simulators, he said, adding that it would buy three more twin-engine aircraft for training purposes.
HM Aerospace, which began operations in 2004, has invested RM50 million and has so far has had 354 trainees, of whom 80 have received their wings, he said.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
Blame the Captains
The collision between two ferries off Langkawi waters on Nov 24 last year, which saw a three-year-old boy killed and 33 passengers injured, was due to the fault of the two captains.
Investigations carried out by the Marine Department, also found that bad weather contributed to the mishap. Both ferries, Kenangan 6 and Sejahtera 15, had used the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine their routes and the two ferries had collided because the waypoints keyed in the GPS were similar.
Heavy rain also affected visibility, which was less than 100m. Both ferries had failed to carry out effective surveillance and put the radar on at two nautical miles only. This distance was insufficient because of the speed of the ferries, which was at 13 knots before the collision.
The investigations also showed that the action of Sejahtera 15 to change course to the left was against the practice of good seamanship. According to sea collision regulations, vessels are to change course to the right if a collision is about to occur.
In this case, while Kenangan 6 changed its course to the right, Sejahtera 15 took a left instead.
The two ferries collided near Pulau Payar between Langkawi and Kuala Kedah at 5.15pm during heavy rain. Kenangan 6 was ferrying 153 people while Sejahtera 15 had 60 passengers onboard.
Legal action would be taken against the captains of the two ferries under the Merchant Ships Ordinance 1952.
The Marine Department had also identified several proactive measures to improve the safety and security of ferries to prevent a similar incident from occurring. This included imposing a traffic separation scheme for ferries, particularly those plying the Kuala Kedah-Langkawi and Kuala Perlis-Langkawi route.
Deck officers would also be encouraged to use radar even when the weather is good. Ferries would also be ordered to switch on rotating yellow lights when they were operating.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
LADA Denied Allegations
Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) denied allegations that Langkawi Geopark projects were being carried out without approval from the authorities.
The agency only implemented projects approved by the advisory council and the agency’s board of directors chaired by Kedah Mentri Besar and the Prime Minister respectively.
Media reports that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) raided LADA premises in Kuah, Langkawi, on Monday following allegations that some projects were not carried out according to existing financial procedures.
LADA said the Finance Ministry had approved special allocation to upgrade facilities and provide new infrastructure. So far the ministry has released RM2mil for the first package involving upgrading works, infrastructure and installation of information panels at strategic spots.
LADA had applied for RM16mil funding for the Geopark projects in three packages. Kedah state had in principle agreed to the projects to ensure Langkawi make it into the Unesco network of Geoparks.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
Bridge Linking Isles
A 450m-long bridge linking Pulau Dayang Bunting and Pulau Tuba in Langkawi will be constructed soon. The groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge was performed by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid at Pulau Tuba on 9th April.
The construction of the RM5 mil bridge is part of an initiative to further improve Langkawi’s infrastructure as it vies to be in the global network of UNESCO National Geoparks.
Among the attractions in Pulau Tuba are caves, angling sites and bee nests.
Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) would take heed of the advice and recommendations made by the UNESCO team which were in Langkawi recently to assess the archipelago’s application to be part of the global network of UNESCO National Geoparks.
LADA will improve accessibility and promote community participation for tourists to enjoy the natural beauty of Langkawi and for the locals to gain economically.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
A Future Geopark
The Unesco team visited Langkawi recently to assess if the archipelago of 99 islands have what it takes to be part of the Unesco global network of National Geoparks. So far, 48 sites in 15 countries have been endorsed as Unesco national geoparks.
Panel members Dr Patzak, Dr Mc Keever and Prof Zhao Xun, were in Langkawi from March 30 to April 2 to assess the geological heritage site.
Prof Zhao of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences said Langkawi had many significant geological sites and interesting fossils.
The team visited the Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and Pulau Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park. The Machinchang mountain range boasts rocks dating back 550million years. The mountain, which is rich in fossils of marine life forms, is made up of sandstone, mudstone and conglomerate.
In Kilim, they visited Teluk Mempelam, Pulau Tanjung Dendang, Pulau Anak Tikus and Gua Kelawar. Continuous rising of ancient sea level that could be seen in Teluk Mempelam was reflected in the deposition of fine-grained siliceous rocks over limestone and sandstone.
Pulau Tanjung Dendang bears evidence that most parts of Langkawi were submerged in water 7,000 years ago. The conclusion was made based on a rock oyster found 23m above the current sea level. Rock oyster or Saccostrea cuccul-lata found growing encrusted on hard rocks in the inter-tidal zone is a most reliable ancient sea level indicator.
Pulau Anak Tikus is made up of limestone that is rich in fossils.
The team also visited Pulau Tepor, Pulau Ular, Tasek Dayang Bunting and Island Karst Pulau Dayang Bunting. Pulau Tepor boasts a granite dropstone that is about one billion years old. The stone was dropped by rafting iceberg in the past, indicating that Langkawi islands were once part of the Gondwana supercontinent, said Prof Shafeea.
Pulau Ular, dubbed as a geological monument, was an ancient seabed.
Tasek Dayang Bunting could have been formed by the dissolution of limestone bedrock or after the collapse of an underground cave ceiling, said Prof Shafea.
The team also visited Kuala Teriang Village, Kota Mahsuri and Laman Padi to assess the cultural attractions at the proposed geopark.
Langkawi would get an indication if its application had been a success at the Management of Geoparks conference in China in June.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
MAS Completed Disposal
Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) has completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, MAS Hotels & Boutiques Sdn Bhd, to Kingdom Langkawi B.V. for RM435 million cash.
In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, MAS said the sale has been completed except for the mangrove land in Langkawi, Kedah, comprising approximately 25 acres, which was pending compliance with certain conditions.
MAS, in an earlier announcement to Bursa Malaysia, said it has entered into a conditional share purchase agreement for the proposed disposal of 10.0 million ordinary shares of RM1.00 each, representing 100 percent of the entire allotted and issued share capital of its wholly-owned subsidiary.
The proposed disposal forms part of MAS' strategic asset rationalisation exercise by the disposal of non-core assets as an initiative in our business turnaround plan.
The proceeds from the proposed disposal would be used for working capital and restructuring efforts as well as for defraying expenses of about RM7.9 million for the proposed disposal.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
Agong Launched Water Fest
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Saturday night launched the National Water Festival 2007 in a glittering ceremony at Dataran Lang here watched by more than 30,000 people.
Accompanied by the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Tuanku Mizan scooped water from an earthenware and poured it into a trough to symbolise the launch of the month-long festival.
The Langkawi sky was lighted up for five minutes by a fireworks display that could be seen by people from nearby islands including Pulau Tuba and Pulau Dayang Bunting. The launch of the water festival was accompanied by stage performances by several artistes including evergreen songstress Anita Sarawak and Mawi.
Earlier, the King and Queen arrived at Dataran Lang in a procession on the "Merong Mahawangsa" vessel pulled by 100 soldiers.
Also present at the launching were the Sultan and Sultanah of Kedah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
Langkawi Cineplex
A new Mega Cineplex was opened on 7th April 2007 at the 10th floor of the Langkawi Parade shopping mall in Kuah, Langkawi. This is the Mega Cineplex's second outlet, their first being the Mega Cineplex Prai in Penang.
Dubbed the ‘Langkawi Cineplex', the three-screen cinema has a total seating capacity of 565, including ‘twin seats', and is equipped with the Dolby Digital Surround sound system.
The Langkawi cinema management has planned a luncheon to commemorate the opening and it will be graced by His Highness, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, the Sultan of Kedah.
Currently, Langkawi cineplex is not planning any promotions at the cinema. On its opening weekend, the cineplex screened movies like "300", "Primeval" and "Ghost Rider" with plans to screen "Jangan Pandang Belakang" and "The Reaping" next.
Wow! Langkawi was without a cinema all this while, and I never know that! Well...I think other Langkawi attractions are far more interesting than the cineplex.
However, Langkawi community here will be happy because for years, they have been without one. This is the first cinema to open in Langkawi, so everyone must be very excited about it.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
Tourist Island
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants Langkawi to be a world-renowned tourist island with its natural beauty intact.
Kedah government is responsible in preserving the beauty of the mystical Langkawi island. The beauty of its beaches, pristine coastal waters and cleanliness of its rivers if maintained, could continue to attract tourists to the island.
"Water is precious for mankind, besides being a necessity, it could be for recreation and joyous occasions like this water festival," said Datuk Seri Abdullah.
The government's policy was to protect the country's water resources for the well-being of the present and future generations. This is vital, as unclean or polluted water threatened marine and river resources like fish, shellfish and gamat (sea slugs), used to make traditional remedies in Langkawi.
Entry Date: 21/04/2007 8.42pm Posted by: Roszs
Protect Water Sources
All state governments have been directed to preserve water catchments and protect water sources against pollution.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the onus was on the state governments to take care of water sources. Rivers, lakes and all water sources must be kept clean - he said at the launching of the National Water Festival 2007 at Dataran Lang.
Abdullah also called on the Kedah Government to protect and preserve the beautiful beaches and sea of Langkawi.
During the opening ceremony, Dataran Lang took on a fairyland atmosphere as a royal barge named after the legendary Merong Mahawangsa made its maiden journey to the main stage. On board were the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’Adzam Shah, Sultanah Haminah Hamidon and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
A total of 100 army personnel clad in black Baju Melayu pulled the 150m-long barge from the Dataran Lang arch to the royal stage located about 200m away.
Governors and vice-governors from the Thai provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Satun, Pattani and Songkhla were among the 40,000 people who came for the grand ceremony.
Tuanku Mizan launched the festival by pouring water from a gayung upih (traditional water container) into a bamboo trough. The water flowed down to a mini lake, activating a fountain.
A pretty maiden released 500 birds as the water fountain lit up with a firework display in the background. Adnan said the festival attracted a large number of tourists as more than 20,000 tourism packages were sold.
This national festival is held nationwide for a month.The closing ceremony would be held at Pantai Puteri in Malacca on May 6.
Water festivals would also be held in Danga Bay, Johor, on April 21, Regatta Lepa in Semporna, Sabah, from April 20 to April 22, and Perlis on April 28.
Entry Date: 07/04/2007 1.27pm Posted by: Roszs
National Water Festival
The three-day National Water Festival 2007 in Langkawi started on Friday, 6th April 2007.
It's time for everyone to have fun of getting wet wet with coloured, scented and cold water. This new event is called as "simbah kuyup" (soaking wet). The "simbah kuyup" would be the Malaysian version of Thailand's "Songkran".
A wet zone stretching 100m was created in Pantai Cenang, Langkawi. During the three-day festival,
whoever walks through the wet zone must be prepared to get wet and smeared with paint balls. Small
pails and water pistols would be used in the fun-filled event where people were free to attack others with water.
The Langkawi National Water Festival was publicized as the biggest ever water festival in the country where 59 types
of games and events have been lined up for the estimated 50,000 visitors.
Entry Date: 07/04/2007 1.27pm Posted by: Roszs
Return of Mahsuri Programme
Fifty Malaysians bearing the name of Langkawi’s lengendary Mahsuri will be selected to participate in a Return of Mahsuri programme in May.
The event is being organised to promote the Langkawi Geopark. If you're named Mahsuri, you can send your application with photograph and photocopy of identity card by the end of this month. You must also give reasons why you're named Mahsuri.
If you're selected, you will get to stay in Kampung Mawat, the site where the legendary Mahsuri used to live. And participate in a host of events such as planting the Mahsuri padi, a parade from the village to Padang Mat Sirat where Mahsuri was executed and a visit to Beras Terbakar (burning rice) where according to folklore the rice mysteriously burned following Mahsuri’s execution as well as a visit to Geopark attractions in Langkawi.
A similar programme, Mencari Mahsuri, held in the 1990s attracted about 100 applications, but only 40 were chosen. Below are some of the reasons why the parents chose to name their children Mahsuri.
Entry Date: 07/04/2007 1.27pm Posted by: Roszs
Unesco Visits Langkawi
LADA and the state government are lobbying for Langkawi to be included in the global network of Unesco National Geoparks.
A geopark is an area with significant geological heritage. So far, 48 areas in 15 countries have been included in the global network of Unesco National Geoparks.
To ascertain if Langkawi meets the criteria (to be endorsed as Unesco geopark), a three panel members of Unesco assessors visited Langkawi to ascertain if the island met the criteria to be Unesco National Geopark.
Entry Date: 07/04/2007 1.27pm Posted by: Roszs
Firefly to Langkawi
If you're in Penang, you can now fly to Langkawi for as low as RM9 and to Phuket and Koh Samui for only RM39!
The new Firefly service operates from the Penang International Airport. The airline is expected to give no-frills leader AirAsia competition in some areas.
Firefly Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, will fly six routes from Penang to Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and Langkawi (all twice daily), and to international destinations Phuket and Koh Samui (once a day).
It will start services with two 50-seater Fokker planes.
Entry Date: 07/04/2007 1.27pm Posted by: Roszs
Birds-Watching in Langkawi
Taman Negara, Pahang, and Fraser’s Hill are popular havens for bird watchers, but do you know there are other equally good places for bird watching in other places?
These places include Ulu Muda, Pedu and Langkawi, all in Kedah, Kenyir in Terengganu, the Belum-Temenggor forest complex in Perak, and the Kuala Muda-Teluk Air Tawar coast near Butterworth.
These places have quite a good range of birds, some of which are unique to the areas. For bird watching in Langkawi, you can get in touch with Irshad Mobarak, the director of the Natural History Expedition, an eco-tourism company based in Langkawi.
Entry Date: 07/04/2007 1.27pm Posted by: Roszs
MAS & SAA Code Share
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and South African Airways (SAA), the national airline of South Africa, signed a code-sharing agreement that will enable both airlines to tap feeder traffic from the domestic routes of the respective countries.
Currently, MAS flies from KL to Johannesburg and Capetown twice a week, with a third weekly flight that flies onward to Buenos Aires.
The code-share accord will enable MAS to take on passengers who fly into Johannesburg from other points in South Africa on SAA on transit for long-haul flights to South America or Asia. At the same time, the partnership will enable travellers on MAS to easily fly from Johannesburg to other South African points such as Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London on SAA aircraft.
MAS customers would also have access on SAA flights to other African destinations, such as Victoria Falls and Harare in Zimbabwe, Maputo in Mozambique, Maseru in Lesotho, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Windhoek in Namibia and Gaborone, Botswana.
At present, SAA does not fly to cities in Asean although it serves Hong Kong, Mumbai (India) and Australia. Under the code-share agreement, SAA travellers can connect on MAS flights to Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Langkawi, Jakarta, Denpasar, Manila , Bangkok and Phuket.
Entry Date: 07/04/2007 1.27pm Posted by: Roszs
Geopark Ringed by 99 Isles
If Langkawi makes it into the Unesco Global Network of Geoparks, it will be the only geopark in the world that is surrounded by 99 islands. And the first duty-free one!
The Unesco panel of assessors visited Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Pasir Tengkorak, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Kota Mahsuri Laman Padi and Pulau Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park.
The panel comprises Prof Zhao Xun of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, International Geoscience Programme deputy secretary Dr Margarete Patzak and Dr Patrick McKeever of Northern Ireland Geological Survey.
A geopark is a territory encompassing one or more sites of scientific importance, not only for geological reasons, but also for archaeological or cultural values. Unesco has so far registered 18 geoparks in the world.
A Unesco meeting in June will decide on the Langkawi findings.
The government would be allocating RM2 million to improve Langkawi Geopark tourism facilities such as the information centre, rest and recreation area, jungle track, viewing tower, signage and landscaping.
There are three historic forests in Langkawi. They are Machinchang Geoforest Park said to be a cambria forest aged between 450 and 550 million years, Geoforest Park Kilim, the most beautiful karst landscape forest in the world and Geoforest Park Dayang which have one of the best marble in the world.
Entry Date: 07/04/2007 1.27pm Posted by: Roszs
Langkawi Book Village
The Malaysia Book Village in Lubok Semilang Langkawi will be given a new lease of life after going through a slump after it was opened in 1987.
The book village, the first of its kind in Southeast-Asia, is strategically located at the foot of Gunung Raya.
The book village would work closely with the National Library, Kedah State Library Corporation, state Education Department and institutions of Higher Learning in the revival effort.
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