Penang a popular destination for tourists seeking to escape winter

GEORGE TOWN: The current hot spell may be a bother for locals but not for tourists from countries in the Northern Hemisphere who are arriving here in droves to bask in the sunshine.

Many of them are coming to Penang island to escape the freezing winter in their homeland.

Dutch tourist Peter Zoetelief, 46, and his wife, Danielle, 43, were spotted soaking up the sun on the beach in Batu Ferringhi.

The couple, who has been in Penang for the past one week, said they love the hot weather here.

Soaking up the sun: Dutch couple Peter and Danielle enjoying the island’s warmth.

“We believe our bodies are not suited for the cold weather in Holland,” quipped Zoetelief, who works with an airline company there.

His wife said this was their third visit to Penang.

“We simply love the island. The people are friendly,” she said as the couple waited for a boat to ferry them to Monkey Beach near Muka Head.

Martin Abrahamson, 21, and his girlfriend Marthe Duyrop, 22, from Norway, were also spotted enjoying themselves on the beach in Batu Ferringhi.

“It is always cold in my country. The sunshine here is a welcome relief,” said Abrahamson.

A check at major hotels showed many are already fully booked for the Christmas season.

E&O Hotel communications and public relations manager Mazeta Hassan said there was a surge of tourists coming to Penang from countries experiencing winter.

She said the hotel was fully booked from Dec 18 until the first week of January.

“Some 70% of our guests are from European countries while 30% are from Australia. They seem to enjoy the warm weather here. Many of them can be seen lounging by the pool throughout the day,” she said.

Malaysian Association of Hotels Penang Chapter president Marco G. Battistotti said the island was becoming more popular among tourists from northern Europe.

He said there was a 4% to 6% increase in the number of hotel bookings on the island between mid-December and mid-February.

“Many of the tourists hail from countries that have winter. A good number of them also prefer to stay in condominiums in Batu Ferringhi.

“Some hotels also have long-staying foreign guests during this period,” he said. - The Star

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Halifax expects British house prices to be stagnant for next year

LONDON: Britain's housing market is likely to stagnate in 2012, with low interest rates offset by a squeeze on household budgets, according to mortgage lender Halifax. In its outlook for next year, Halifax said it expected house prices to end 2012 in a range of down 2% to up 2%. Prospects for Britain's economy were “particularly uncertain” but the likelihood of the Bank of England leaving interest rates at a record low 0.5% for the foreseeable future would help support the market, it said. “Overall, we expect continuing broad stability in house prices nationally during 2012. Prices are again likely to end the year at levels close to where they begin with the market continuing to lack any real direction,” said Halifax economist Martin Ellis. However, demand for homes would be constrained by rising unemployment and the weak outlook for growth. “These pressures will come from a combination of subdued earnings growth, high (but falling) inflation, the substantial fiscal tightening that is taking place and an ongoing rebalancing of household sector finances with many families seeking to reduce their debts,” Ellis said. Meanwhile, Britain had 11% more houses valued at 1mil or more available for purchase in the third quarter than it did a year earlier, Investec Specialist Bank said in a report yesterday. Agencies

S’pore loses lustre, investors considering other options like Hong Kong

SINGAPORE: The heavier stamp duties announced last week may have already dented Singapore's standing as a major property investment destination while giving rivals such as Hong Kong a boost, said analysts. Britain-based consultancy Black Brick Property Solutions said it has received inquiries from Asian and overseas investors who had been thinking of investing in Singapore property, but who have been deterred by the new tax rules. Other property agencies said they expected more clients to ask about their investment options after the festive period. The new measures unveiled last week included an extra stamp duty of 10% on a home bought by a foreigner a move expected to dampen foreign demand while increasing interest in markets such as Britain and Hong Kong that do not have restrictions on foreign buyers. Camilla Dell, managing director of Black Brick Property Solutions, said: “Stamp duty can be significantly reduced in Britain if the property is owned in a company name. Buyers pay very little or no tax on the acquisition.” She added that the tax system was more favourable, particularly for overseas investors who pay no seller's or capital gains tax if they were not British residents. This gives them a tax break of 28% when they sell their properties. Julian Sedgewick, director of international residential sales at Savills, said: “London, in particular, could stand out because of the good currency exchange rate between the pound and the dollar”. The exchange rate is 1 to about S$2. Hong Kong is looking attractive too, because of the government's adoption of a non-intervention policy, meaning no restrictions are placed on foreign property investments. Its government also recently said it might reverse some of the property cooling curbs if the economic situation worsens. Another spin-off from the stamp duty move could be that foreign developers and agencies might get more aggressive marketing their properties here as investors in Singapore look elsewhere, said Chua Yang Liang, head of research at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). Although local and foreign investors with a short-term outlook would have more of an appetite for properties outside of Singapore now, many analysts predict that the pool of foreign buyers in Singapore would not dry up. The Straits Times These include buyers from Indonesia, Malaysia, India and China. “Businesses are still investing in Singapore and the country is still considered an attractive place to work, live and visit,” said Chua. The Straits Times Singapore. - The Star

PLB Engineering sells land

KUALA LUMPUR: PLB Engineering Bhd's wholly-owned sub-subsidiary, Pelangi Sehati Development Sdn Bhd, has disposed of a vacant freehold in Seberang Perai Selatan to Chin Hin Land Sdn Bhd for RM22.183mil, it said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia. - Bernama

PHT questions council’s way of tackling floods

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) is concerned over the approach taken by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) to overcome floods in the state’s heritage enclave. PHT president Khoo Salma Nasution said it lauded the effort by MPPP to mitigate floods but what was of concern, were the methods and approaches adopted. “We are happy that the (local) authorities have listened to the people’s concerns. However, we have also received numerous complaints from the public over the scope of the implementation,” she said. Khoo Salma said that in the past few weeks, the PHT had received complaints from ratepayers about damage to private property and shophouses when the historic granite fonts were removed and discarded. “The excessive use of concrete to fight floodwaters is worrisome,” she said. PHT council member Rebecca Wilkinson-Duckett said that the use of box culverts had altered the natural drainage ecology in George Town. “The original brick and lime structures were permeable and allowed for underground water to flow into the drains. “The concrete box culverts prevent such action. The new drains also prevent smooth outflow of water from air wells of shophouses and have hampered PHT’s efforts to get owners to re-open their air wells.” It was reported that the state government was disappointed that a few heritage-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had complained about MPPP’s works to upgrade drainage in the heritage areas. State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said they should not have complained to the National Heritage Department without referring first to the council. He said that the NGOs had complained that the drains should not be upgraded as they were part of Penang’s heritage. “We are upgrading the drains because they are old and they cannot hold a heavy volume of water during the rainy season. This has resulted in floods. Flooding is a major concern to all. We are upgrading the drains to address the issue. The NGOs should consider this before lodging complaints,” he said. - The Star

It’s a walk down heritage lane in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: It was a different kind of hustle and bustle along Beach Street when families came in droves to cycle, stroll or jog in what is usually a car-jammed stretch in the city's central business district. It was Penang's first Car-Free Sunday, when all motorised vehicles were declared off-limits along this and other selected stretches in George Town from 7am to 5pm yesterday. Thousands turned up at the crack of dawn for the launching of the event by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, joining him on a bicycle ride through the inner city. The off-limit stretches for motor vehicles are Beach Street (from the China Street junction to the Union Street junction), Bishop Street and Church Street (both from the Beach Street junctions to the Penang Street junction) and the whole stretch of Church Street Ghaut. “The event is another milestone in the state's efforts to go green and fight climate change,” said Lim, adding that the streets are for Penangites to make their own every Sunday. Engineer Timothy Wooi, 51, drew a lot of attention when he came with a Penny Farthing, a bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel. “I made it from recycled parts at a cost of RM800,” he said. Another cyclist Mubarak Omar, 63, brought along his nearly 50-year-old bicycle. “While I have a car, I still use this bike that I bought in 1962,” he said. Children and tiny tots were also having a great time with their cycles and tricycles, with parents taking leisurely strolls. Some young people were doing in-line skating and some were doing aerobic dances by the street. Businessman Liam Goh, 43, said it felt weird to walk along Beach Street without seeing any cars. “I plan to bring my parents here next week as it will be nice for them to stroll by the heritage buildings without fear of being hit by motor vehicles,” he said. - The Star

槟中廉屋将减半 郑两明：废27年政策乱象频生

(槟城11日讯)槟州房屋规划政策大转变，放宽发展商承建“中廉价屋”(LMC)固打需求，槟岛中廉价屋数量料将面对减半局面。 在奉行27年的房屋政策下，政府规定发展商在槟岛西南县建造超过100个单位下须承建30%的中廉价屋，然而以槟州首长为首的林冠英的州策划委员会(SPC)，早在去年6月28日已通过指示，对房屋政策作出大修订，包括放宽有关指示。 槟州民政党地方政府及房屋局主任郑两明出席于大街29号举行的非政府组织论坛研讨会后，如是表示。他说，槟州民联政府在去年6月废除了奉行了27年的房屋发展政策，是目前槟州发展乱象频生的肇因。 郑两明指出，槟州政府是于2010年6月28日通过废除奉行27年的槟州房屋发展密度政策，其中房屋密度不超过州政府规定的承建中廉价屋固打房屋计划，其密度从每依格30单位提高至87，而房屋超过政府规定的承建中廉价屋固打需要的房屋计划，密度从原有30单位提高3倍至120单位。 此外，更将西南县的中廉价屋固打从旧有举凡建造超过100个单位即须承建30%的中廉价屋，减一半至15%，减少发展商承建中廉价屋的数量。 他表示，槟州政府提高房屋发展密度已衍生各种发展乱象，如在槟岛北岸即出现房屋密度从原有的100多个单位突激增4倍至600多个单位。 他表示，在政府提高发展密度下将造成原有的基本设施出现不胜负荷情况，如交通冲击、排水系统及排污系统等，这也是为何一些原有的住宅区，开始针对高密度乱象发展进行抗议行动。他促请槟州政府悬崖勒马，灰复原有房屋发展政策。 绿色建筑发展费减双倍 绿色建筑发展费减两倍。 在州策划委员会通过的新指南，符合绿色建筑指数(GBI)的发展计划的发展收费将大大减少，以示鼓励，其中从设计至完成符合指数规定的计划分为两类，一是住宅区为5令吉，而商业类分为7令吉。然而，一般的发展收费将是每平方公尺为15令吉，商业区却是每平方公尺21令吉。 6地将成高密度禁区 在槟州政府2010年通过的房屋密度下，有6个地区将成为提高密度禁区。 上述地区，包括东姑阿都拉曼路（亚逸拉惹及布朗律）、杰瑟顿园、原有住宅区(established housing)及根据现规划及发展控制指南下的低密度区、乔治市世遗区、从洛306（丹绒武雅酒店）至洛97（Mar Vista）及丹绒武雅区、少过每依格30密度的丹绒武雅区。 在槟州策划委员会于6月30日通过的指南下，获准提高密度地区有三类，一是根据现有密度控制规划下拥有每依格30单位的地区、在市政局规划及发展控制规划下的一般住宅区（perumahan am），在市政局规划及发展控制规划下，最高密度高达每依格30单位的商业及一般旅游区。 槟从法治沦为“人治” 郑两明指出，槟州政府已从法治沦为“人治”，其中莫实得填海事件即反映出一切事只要林冠英说了算数。 他表示，槟州首长林冠英原先承诺授权莫实得控股公司在百安湾进行百依格填地，在当地居民反对下，林冠英才收回决定。而他表示，在地下国际会展中心计划下，州政府提供发展商额外1500单位密度发展，完全否决了本身制定的法律。 此外，他也表示，州政府积极推动的海底隧道计划并未列在地方发展蓝图下，再来是百安湾的填土计划却是在未进行环境评估报告下将土地转手私人发展商。他提及，上述政策已乖离了地方政府发展蓝图，也是浪费纳税人公款之举，并从法治沦为人治时代。- 光华

推动低碳排放公交系统 槟电车重上轨道？

(槟城10日讯)耗资只须数千万令吉计的有轨或无轨“电车”(trams)有望恢复穿行乔治市世遗区。 槟城政府行政核心的乔治市在百年前即已见有轨及无轨电车穿行其中，当时路线更远至亚依淡，然却在时代中被淘汰，现公路上尚埋有电车铁轨，成为受保护文物遗产。 而在槟州民联政府上台后也提及恢复此计划，来自澳洲的电车专家力法兰西(Ric Francis)更在槟城古迹信托会牵线下，于2007年及2008年分别向前朝及民联州政府献计及拟定灰复1906年即已穿行槟岛的有轨电车路线图，当时提出的费用只须数6000万令吉，即可为乔治市提供10部有轨电车，然而却只闻楼梯响，不见人下来，迄今近4年，未再提起。 然而，槟州地方政府委员会主席曹观友行政议员向本报记者暗示，推动低碳排放公交系统走向绿色已是大势所趋，州政府也会朝此方面推进，这也意味任何符合此概念的公交系统将是州政府的首选，电车将成政府未来选择。 而他指出，不同有轨电车，其中无轨电车或有较大伸展空间(flexibility)，然而他同时承认后者也面对原有电线牵制，伸缩性空间也同样有限。 他认为，电车可在未来大势所趋下取代现有市政局提供的免费巴士服务，而他接获的献议的无轨电车计划耗资只须约2千万令吉，以引进5辆电车巴士穿行乔治市的主干路线。 无轨电车计划耗费不高 曹观友认为，无轨电车计划耗费不高，所以钱不是问题。不过他认为电车计划也必须含盖其他的配套方案来贯彻推行，以取得最大收效，减少路上交通。 不过他承认在推行电车计划以发挥其实际功能，并非只凭一种做法即可成功减少车流量的目标，鼓励人民放弃私家车出入，反之他认为，在实行计划下，城市地区必须减少私家车穿行，所以涉及的范围周边必须提供足够充裕的泊车空间，同时作出一些必要限制，逼使人民放弃私家车，选择电车公交；“比如我们需限制车辆进城，以免出现市政局提供的免费巴士只成为一些乐龄人士、外劳或是学生选择，不能实际有效的减少路上车辆。” 此外他也认为，为减少路上车辆，政府或须为电车或巴士开辟专行车道(BRT)。我们可在一些繁忙时段禁止车辆进入专用车道，比如早上7时至9时的上班时，这将造成公众更愿选择巴士。 曹观友也表示，本身希望电车系统可在乔治市重新穿行，有关计划相信将将纳入槟城交通大蓝图下讨论，蓝图下将会就交通的规划提出全面探讨，相信电车作为其中交通选择也会成为考虑选择，并鉴定其可行及必要性。 曾家麟：刺激经济发展 有效减缓交通阻塞 马来西亚物流师协会总会会长曾家麟硕士大力认同电车计划，认为有效减少20%的路上交通车流。 他向本报记者表示，认为电车也将有助刺激经济发展，带动区内的经贸活动，他表示，有轨电车可在最低成本下，即无须重新铺设轨道下重新启用。电车也可成为乔治市添加一个新景观，成为游客的其中选择，它将带来复古气氛，相信将受到游客及本地人的欢迎，同时它将把人流从一个点载至另一个点，促进终点的商贸活动。 不过他承认有轨电车并非100%完美，比如其轨道的安全以及电力输送安全都必须受到考虑，唯他相信该如同迷你地铁(MRT)计划将带来实际的交通舒缓帮助。 澳电车专家献议 6千万打造有轨电车系统 澳洲电车专家向政府献计，献议6千万为乔治市打造有轨电车系统。 来自澳洲阿德雷特的电车专家力法兰奇(Ric Francis)即在一项提呈槟州政府的建议书中，建议以电车作为乔治市的一项公共交通服务，建议书中提出预算，涉及的金额约6000万令吉，即可在乔治市内恢复推行电车计划(Tram)。 据了解，在计划下即提出，电车计划的全盘造价费约6千398万4千令吉，其中涉及购置7辆可容纳220名乘客的大型电车，以及3辆可容纳40名乘客的小电车。 报告中将电车计划分为四阶段推行，涉及七公里的车轨，其中首阶段计划涉及4千500公尺的车轨、第二阶段2千450公尺车轨、第三阶段1千300公尺及第四阶段600公尺。其中首阶段工程将涉及乔治市最繁忙的交通路线，即是从海墘路绕至旧关仔角钟楼进入莱特街，经过红毛路再驶入槟榔路、并在林萃龙路左转驶入新光大广场及沓田仔街，及驶向海墘路原点。第二阶段则从旧关仔角开始进入海边，驶进土库街及进入牛干冬，并与第一阶段的槟榔路车轨衔接；第三阶段则从靠近法庭的椰脚街开始进入沓田仔，并在林翠龙路及沓田仔路停站；最后阶段则最短，将衔接土库街/牛干冬交界处与沓田仔街/打铜仔街交界处及土库街与打铜仔街。计划下每个站将间隔500至600公尺，这也意味交通使用者将在少过300公尺距离内搭乘电车。 建议设立维修厂房 计划下建议设立一个维修厂房，建议在光大旁一块作为交通枢纽的2000平方公尺的空地设立，或是在海干及林萃龙路的交界处。 在椰脚街小巷(Lorong Pitt)的旧建筑还是可以派上用场，如其他国家般，电缆可悬挂在特别竖立的电柱上或建筑之间，若是采用后者，则必须修正一些法律条文。建议书中指出，电车重新在槟城推介的预算并不精准，所有供应及制造商皆来自国外，本地没安装电缆及悬挂半空的人员。 相关照片 ■ 槟榔律的有轨电车轨道出土，成为受保护文物遗迹。 ■ 双层电车出现在柑仔园路情景。 ■ 昔日穿行的无轨电车系统。 ■ 走进历史的有轨电车会重新川行乔治市？ ■ 槟岛旧日有轨电车路线图，穿行至植物园、亚依淡及日落洞区。 ■ 澳电车专家为槟岛拟定的电车路线图。 ■ 力法兰西展示其与另一名作者Colin Ganley出版槟州电车，探讨槟岛1880年至1963年的交通系统。- 光华