Carolyn Khor's blog

The Penang state government intends to make its mark on the map of the Islamic world through providing an all-encompassing halal solution – from Islamic manufacturing to Islamic financing, in all sectors like food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and even banking. Today, Penang successfully launched her 3-day “2nd International Halal Exposition” at the Penang International Sports Arena (PISA). The ‘Halal Conference’ will take place the following day. Spearheading the bold initiative of the ‘Halal Penang’ is Haji Abdul Malik Kassim, the State Minister for Religious Affairs and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs. ‘Halal Penang’, the State’s facilitation agency was awarded ‘Best Halal Facility Provider’ in a recent excellence award presentation held in conjunction with the International Islamic Tourism & Halal Week (IISTHAL) 2009 in Kuala Lumpur. Today, ‘Halal Penang’ is recipient to the prestigious ‘HALMAS’ status, an acclaimed and privileged status by the Halal Industry Develop...

A Select Committee was set up by the Penang State Government to look into matters pertaining to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill comprising of 6 members including three from UMNO. However, the State’s effort in mediating middle ground to get public feedback was thwarted as all three members from UMNO failed to attend the two full-day meetings with the various organizations from all around Penang; citing reasons like having other meetings and falling sick. The meetings were slated for 14th and 21st of February. The Penang FOI Bill was copied en bloc from the current Selangor FOI Bill. According to Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, this was because the State Legal Advisor had initially opposed the proposal of an FOI Bill claiming that it was unconstitutional. Regardless, Penang followed suit soon after the Selangor FOI was passed and tabled the bill for first reading at the State Assembly. Lim said that the State Legal Advisor had claimed that information is a federal jur...

Unity was the central theme in an event sponsored by the Bayan Baru Independent Member of Parliament, Zahrain Mohamed Hashim. Happily unaware of the blazing sun, 200 ‘Silat Lincah’ martial artists demonstrated their skills in the presense of the founder of the Silat Lincah Association (PSSLM), Haji Omardin Mauju, some VIPs and the public last week at the football field opposite PISA, in Sungai Ara, Penang. Although the association was registered only in 1969, it was already active in 1963; and has 22 branches all over the world with about 1.2 million members worldwide; of which 30,000 are foreign. Among the countries that PSSLM has laid foot on are England, Belgium, New Zealand, Holland, France, Madagascar and South Korea. Megat Zulkarnian, son of its founder said: In Penang, its branch started in 1972 at the Custom’s Village in Bukit Gelugor. Presently the Penang branch boasts of 210,000 members. Its founder, Haji Omardin was awarded the ‘Living Legend of Silat’ by the Internat...

This morning I have directed the President of the Penang Island Municipal Council Hajah Patahiyah Ismail and officials to speed up restructuring activities in Batu Feringghi. The MPPP President will be meeting water sports operators this Friday to work out solutions on the zoning proposal in Batu Feringghi. Meanwhile, the MPPP will continue to enforce the ban on horse-riding, quadbike riding and water sport activities. Penang State Government Will Speed Up Restructuring Of Activities In Batu Feringghi During The Ban The ban will allow the MPPP to engage with all stakeholders, work on the installation of safety buoys and nettings and the licensing of beach operators. The MPPP has been able to reduce horse-riding and quadbike activities since the ban took effect last December. The gazebos to relocate foot reflexology operators are near completion and traders will be issued licenses after the Chinese New Year holidays. Chow Kon Yeow 7-2-2011

11 FEBRUARY 2011, 2PM This community newsletter – myBalikPulau was published with just one intention: to enable children, elders and local residents to engage with their communal space by sharing memories, legends and experiences. Arts-ED wishes to make it very clear that the newsletter MyBalik Pulau is NOT intended in any way to be a definitive history, or be used as a history book. The MyBalikPulau newsletter only presents oral histories as accounted by residents of Balik Pulau as well as includes information on Balik Pulau from published sources, which were available to the researchers at the time of writing. Information not available at that time to the researchers was not included. The oral histories represent stories from persons who were interested and willing to share their stories. Care was taken to engage with all community and ethnic groups. There were those who were happy to share and others who declined; thus their views could not be represented in this newsletter. Oral hi...

Press Statement by Penang Gerakan State Chairman Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan pertaining to the incident of distribution of flyers bearing a doctored photograph which is showing YAB Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang wearing a kopiah (skullcap) Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan condemns the irresponsible, unethical and the despicable act of doctored photograph of YAB Lim Guan Eng,Chief Minister of Penang wearing a skullcap. The people behind, he said is just to get political mileage through this means. Smearing each others name in politics should not be our culture. Dr Teng urges those people who are behind the act should stop it immediately. He hopes all politicians and leaders of the country whether they are in the government or in the opposition should practice politics in the very honorable, ethical and professional manner, so as to show a good example to our future generation.

Penang State Government Establishes A New State Executive Council(EXCO) Portfolio For Non-Islamic Religious Affairs To Handle Religious Matters Relating To Buddhists, Christians, Sikhism, Taoism & Hinduism. The Penang state government has established a new State Executive Council portfolio for non-Islamic Affairs to handle religious matters relating to Buddhists, Christians, Sikhism, Taoism & Hinduism. This is the first time that a state executive council portfolio has been formed in Penang and the EXCO member in charge will be the Chief Minister. The State EXCO for Non-Islamic Religious Affairs was presented by Deputy Chief Minister II Professor Dr P. Ramasamy to the weekly state EXCO meeting and approved last week. Professor Dr P. Ramasamy will be the deputy in this non-Islamic Affairs EXCO portfolio. The establishment of the non-Islamic Religious Affairs portfolio marks the celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week by the United Nations this week. Unlike the Federal...

COMMITTEE FOR NON-MUSLIM AFFAIRS – SELANGOR & PENANG I salute the move taken by YAB Lim Guan Eng and the Penang state government in forming an official portfolio for non-muslim affairs, it is an effort that is to be commended. The central aim and objectives of the Committee for non-muslim affairs is to promote greater inter-faith understanding and build strong working relationships between all non-muslim religious bodies and the state governments. For example, Selangor’s non-muslim committee is jointly chaired by myself, YB Teresa Kok and YB Ronnie Liew, along with four other ADUNs, 7 representatives of the main non-muslim religious bodies and various other government department representatives including reps from District Offices, JAIS, JKR, JPS and PTG. The Barisan National government should welcome the initiatives taken by the Penang state government and not feel threatened. Furthermore, it was only 3 days ago that the “PM hailed the government’s interfaith sub-committee as key ...

Penang Willing To Be Briefed By Pemandu To Co-ordinate And Co-operate On Successfully Implementing The 95 Entry Points Projects(EPPs) In Penang Over The Next 10 Years. Penang welcomes the assurances in yesterday’s Bernama by the Performance Management and Delivery Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department or Pemandu that Penang has not been left out of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). The Penang state government is willing to meet and be briefed by Pemandu on the 95 entry points projects (EPPs) to co-ordinate and co-operate on its successful implementation in Penang over the next 10 years within 11 National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs). So far the state government had not received any details of where the 95 EPPs supposed to be located in Penang and what type of EPPs are they. Apart from the Tourism and the Electrical & Electronic NKEA revealed by Pemandu, what are the other NKEA identified? Neither did Pemandu revealed the amount of investments investments, the increase in...

A stroll down the streets of inner George Town will instantaneously sweep anyone away into the bygone era and indulge them the kaleidoscope of nostalgic feel, charm and reminiscence that only few would have experienced firsthand. Known as the Chinatown of Penang, she is nestled within the bustling city that surrounds it; unperturbed by the modern structures and recently acquired fashionable lifestyles that stand alongside these quaint but characteristic architecture. And though it might be just too simplistic to brush it off as just an old and forgotten part of town, the once famous trading post of the East is surely regaining its lustre and notoriety with scurrying activities once again. Even more so as George Town was declared as a UNESCO Heritage Site since three years ago. The vicinity around Armenian Street and Cannon Street sprang to life the past weekend as George Town hosted its annual Chinese New Year cultural and heritage celebrations. Antiquated rows of pre-war buildings lin...