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Cuisine in Melaka

MELAKA-SARAWAK DIRECT FLIGHTS

Kuching-Melaka direct flight early next year
by Simon Ingka Crown, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on November 26, 2011, Saturday

KUCHING: A direct flight connecting Kuching and Melaka may commence as early as next month or early next year.

Melaka Chief Minister Dato Sri Mohd Ali Rustam when announcing this yesterday said he was keen to see the flight become a reality, possibly three times a week.

“I am looking forward to see the Sarawak and Melaka state governments collaborate on the direct flight to Melaka in the best interest of both states,” he told a press conference.

Mohd Ali is in the state with the Melaka Foundation (YM) delegation and its board of directors to witness a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Sarawak Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA/Pelita Holdings Sdn Bhd) and YM yesterday.

LCDA was represented by Senior Minister and Land Development Minister Tan Sri James Masing and two Assistant Ministers, Datuk Gramong Juna and Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz.

Also present was Senior Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh who is also mnister of local government and community development, and second finance minister.

Mohd Ali said the route could boost tourism in both states.

“Melaka so far receives a total of 10.4 million tourists in 2010 with 20 per cent of them from overseas: Taiwan, Japan,China, Hong Kong, German, Switzerland and New Zealand.”

He said as of September this year, a total of 8.4 million tourists had visited the historical city, and the number is expected to reach 11 million by yearend. He said the proposed Kuching-Melaka flight could be shortened to one hour, compared to the one-and-a-half hour Kuching-Kuala Lumpur route.

“The flight is shorter than that to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Hence this could be an alternative route.”

At the moment, Melaka is chartering Firefly and Melaka Air flights to Pekan Baru and Medan City on the island of Sumatera in Indonesia. The flight connection had lured many tourists from the neighbouring country to the city.

“Sumatera is a big island and at least 10 per cent of the population are from high income families who choose Melaka as a holiday destination every year,” he said.

Mohd Ali said the Melaka state government was planning to construct a larger theme park to lure tourists.

“We are launching a wildlife park this afternoon (yesterday) and Hang Tuah Village theme park which portrays the era of the Melaka Sultanate.”

The state government would build the largest silat arena next to Hang Tuah theme park. Mohd Ali said the Melaka government would continue to cooperate with the Sarawak government to promote their tourism to the world, especially eco-tourism.

“Sarawak has a lot to offer the world – fantastic natural scenery and many others including the famous Rainforest World Music Festival. Mohd Ali said this was the first time the two governments were working together. I hope this will not be the last but open the way to many more joint ventures between the two states.”

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur Tower International Jump Malaysia 2011

October 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm

BASE (Building, Antenna, Span, Earth) jumpers all around the world were given another opportunity recently to come together and do the one thing that they love most – jumping off dizzying heights with only a parachute to delay their fall as gravity takes over. This prestigious event organised by the Kuala Lumpur Tower took place from the 28th September till 2nd October 2011.

All jumpers posing for a group photo during the opening ceremony on 28th September 2011

This time, the tower became the ‘leaping point’ as 93 jumpers from all over the world including Malaysia participated in this exciting event. Considering the high risk involved in this extreme sport, it is not uncommon for many to assume that women are not into extreme sports. It was therefore surprising to hear that out of the 93 people who participated, five were women jumpers. The participants who joined this event came from countries like Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland, Finland, United States, India, Malaysia, Canada, Japan, Oslo, Chile, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France and Poland. The five women participants were from India, the United States, Hungary, Germany and South Africa. The event was also made open to members of the public who were keen to come and watch the jumpers in action. Tickets were sold at a premier rate of RM 100.00 to RM 150.00 for day jumps and RM 150.00 to RM 200.00 for Night Jumps, which took place on 30th September and 1st October 2011.

One of the jumpers on his way to the landing area

It is amazing to see these jumpers leaping off the platform at the heights of 300 metres!

Some jumpers practise the way to leap off the building before actually jumping off with their friends

The closing ceremony for the Kuala Lumpur Tower International Jump Malaysia 2011, which took place on 2nd October 2011, coincided with the tower’s 15th years anniversary, hence it was a double celebration for both the jumpers and the tower’s management. The tower was officially launched by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on 1st October 1996, who was the current Prime Minister of Malaysia at that time. The event was held at the Megaview Banquet Hall at Menara Kuala Lumpur. It was attended by YB Datuk M. Saravanan, Deputy Minister Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing, Yg Bhg Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Muhammad Radzi Mansor, Chairman of Menara Kuala Lumpur and Pn. Zuraidah Mohd Said, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Menara Kuala Lumpur.

YB Datuk M. Saravanan, Deputy Minister Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing presenting a Certificate of Participation to Mr Gary Cunningham

The closing event also proved to be a memorable day for 21 youths who shared the same birthday as Menara Kuala Lumpur. Their presence made the ceremony even more merrier as these youths joined in during the cake-cutting ceremony. A gift was also presented to all the birthday boys and girls, much to their delight. It definitely was a memorable birthday for them. After the cultural performances, the jumpers were all invited to the stage to receive their certificates from Kuala Lumpur Tower. Pn. Zuraidah also announced the dates for next year’s Kuala Lumpur Tower International Jump Malaysia, which will be taking place from the 26th till 30th September 2012. This is truly a great opportunity for most jumpers to break their own records as next year they will have five whole days to jump to their hearts’ delight!

The cake cutting ceremony to celebrate Menara Kuala Lumpur’s anniversary together with the birthday of Menara Kuala Lumpur Youths

There were also five special prizes prepared by Menara Kuala Lumpur together with one of its main sponsors, World of Watches II for five of the jumpers. The winners each received a watch from World of Watches II worth RM5, 000 each. The categories were:-

The Overall Jump
Most Jumps of the Day
Most Creative Jump
WWII Jumper (International Ambassador), and
WWII Jumper (Local Ambassador).

The winners were:

The Overall Jump – Jean-Phillipe Teffaud
Most Jumps for the Day – Adam Gardner
Most Creative Jump – Rob Heron from Canada
WWII Jumper (International Ambassador) – Brandon J Chance AND
WWII Jumper (Local Ambassador) – Hizam Sahibudeen

Winner of Most Creative Jumper, Mr Rob Heron from Canada

Winner of Most Jumps of the Day Category, Mr Adam Gardner

Winner of Overall Jumps Category, Mr Jean-Phillipe Teffaud

Winner of WWII Jumper Local Ambassador, Mr Hizam Sahibudeen

Winner of WWII Jumper International Ambassador, Mr Brandon J Chance

As the closing ceremony came to an end, many of the jumpers took the opportunity to mingle around with each other. Some even joined in the cultural dancers’ performance. All in all, the KL Tower International Jump Malaysia 2011 had a good start and ended with a great bang.

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Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Q’Sound Band

October 11, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Jazz lovers who missed the opportunity to catch Q’Sound Band performing at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas January this year, here is your chance to catch them perform again! Q’Sound Band will once again grace the halls of Dewan Filharmonik Petronas come 12th October 2011 for a one-night performance only.

QSound Band

QSound Band

This new and upcoming band comprises of internationally acclaimed performers from all over the world. Q’Sound Band has performed in many countries such as China, the United States, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, United Kingdom and Greece. The band’s music is deeply influenced by Latin Rhythms, Orchestral Music, Hip Hop and RB. This band prides itself in its versatile approach to music. The members of the group comes together to create art for listeners who are looking for something more in music. They will be back again to perform at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas together with their leader, Marques Young.

Q’Sound will once again perform under the MPO Happy Hour section this 12th October 2011. The performance is scheduled at 6.30 pm. Tickets are priced at RM 30 for all seats and patrons of the performance will have to observe the hall’s dress code, which is smart casual. For more information, please log on to Dewan Filharmonik Petronas’ website here.

Photo (c) Dewan Filharmonik Petronas

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