Malaysia to charge foreign motorists entering Johor
JOHOR BARU: Malaysia on Wednesday announced that it will
charge drivers of all foreign vehicles entering Johor Bahru.
According to The Star, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak
said the decision to implement the Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) fee was made following
a request from the state.
Najib also said the date of implementation of the fee and
the rates will be announced later.
Deputy Transport Minister Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the
ministry was fine-tuning the proposed VEP charge.
However, he said the VEP charge would not be applicable at
the border checkpoints in the northern part of the Malaysian peninsula.
"We are taking a bilateral approach only between
Malaysia and Singapore because only Singapore is imposing a VEP charge on
Malaysian vehicles and not the other countries," said Abdul Aziz.
Johor Chief Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin had said the
Johor government suggested a VEP charge of RM20 (S$7.80), with RM5 going to the
state government for road maintenance, for Singapore vehicles entering Malaysia
through the Causeway and the Second Link.
Singapore had earlier announced an increased VEP charge of
S$35, from S$20, on foreign vehicles entering the republic effective Aug 1.
Penang, Malaysia “
On 7th July, 2007, George Town’s rich living heritage,
culture and history was officially recognised when the World Heritage Committee
in Quebec City, Canada, officially inscribed the city as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Jointly listed with Melaka, George Town was acknowledged as
having developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East
and West in the Straits of Malacca.
The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the town with
a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible.
Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the
British era from the end of the 18th century.
A remarkable example of historic colonial towns on the
Straits of Malacca that demonstrate a succession of historical and cultural
influences arising from their former function as trading ports linking East and
West
The most complete surviving historic city centre on the
Straits of Malacca with a multi-cultural living heritage originating from the
trade routes from Great Britain and Europe through the Middle East, the Indian
subcontinent and the Malay Archipelago to China
An exceptional example of multi-cultural trading towns in
East and Southeast Asia, forged from the mercantile and exchanges of Malay,
Chinese, and Indian cultures and three successive European colonial powers for
almost 500 years, each with its imprints on the architecture and urban form,
technology and monumental art
A living testimony to the multi-cultural heritage and
tradition of Asia, and European
colonial influences
A reflection of a mixture of influences which have created a
unique architechture,
Visa joins partnership to promote Malaysia tourism
KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism and Culture Ministry has partnered
with Visa to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and Malaysia Year of Festivals
2015.
Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said having Visa as the
official card would provide the ministry with opportunities to reach out to an
unprecedented number of visitors through Visa’s global network.
“It is truly significant having Visa on board as our strategic
partner to assist us in further promoting Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and Malaysia
Year of Festivals 2015 to the rest of the world,” he said in his speech which
was read out by the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng, here
yesterday.
Ong also signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of
the ministry.
The strategic partnership, Nazri added, was an initiative
under the Blue Ocean Strategy.
Visa, he said, would help promote events and festivals in
the country throughout this year and 2015 as well as help highlight the best
travel packages and promotional offers.
Nazri said they hoped to achieve 28 million tourist arrivals
and RM76bil in tourist receipts this year.
“As for the Malaysia Year of Festivals 2015, we aim to
achieve 29.4 million tourist arrivals and RM89bil in tourist receipts,” he
added.
On the Visa Explore App, which was unveiled yesterday, Nazri
said it would enable tourists to obtain up-to-date information about Malaysia
before and during their trips.
Visa’s Consumer Products vice-president Ruben Salazar
Genovez said that his organisation would work closely with the ministry to
promote Malaysia’s tourist destinations, attractions and events.
Adventure island for all season
Langkawi boasts wild and adventurous activities for the whole family, writesNooraini Mydin
I HAVE to stifle a giggle as the Sea Osprey’s captain, Izham Marzuki helps me put on the harness, the way you dress up a toddler — I am being prepared for my first parasail. Next, we take off and thanks to Izham and Shukeri Daud, even my parasail partner Tunku Sheri loses some of her jitters as we soar to 245m and the boat shrinks to a dot on the sea.
Parasailing is not without risks so the choice of operator is very important. Naam Cruise has an unblemished record and their equipment and the well-trained crew give me confidence. Since 2011, Naam Cruise has added another dimension to Langkawi’s repertoire — sea sports. It isn’t hard to choose them for my maiden flight as a casual glance on Trip Advisor reveals glowing reviews.
Seeing Langkawi from a height has whet my appetite for more and I head for the cable car up Gunung Matchinchang. At 650m above sea level, covering a distance of 1700 metres, it is purported to be the steepest in the world. You have panoramic views of the island and beyond from the sky bridge, which, at 125m long is among the world’s longest curved suspension bridge. Although it is closed for repairs the bridge is a sight to behold.
To complement my nature holiday, I have chosen two hotels — The Datai, within the Matchinchang Geoforest Park, and Tanjung Rhu Resort within the Kilim Karst Forest Geopark. And I am not disappointed.
THE DATAI
I was warned before going to The Datai that “it’s in the jungle, in the middle of nowhere and there are no shops.” Perfect for a nature lover.
Arriving at my villa in the early evening I am serenaded by a cacophony of sounds — the ringing cicadas, chirping crickets and a gushing stream, sounding like raindrops on leaves.
In the morning I am able to really take in the beauty of the hotel grounds. The foyer, with its waterlily pond gives me endless pleasure, as I take pictures of the colourful tree frogs basking on the lilipads. Looking out from the lobby lounge I get the feeling of encountering a lost civilisation, only the swimming pool gives the game away.
Exploring the grounds from the safety of a boardwalk, I am able to enjoy the richness of the rainforest without the fear of leeches. At every step I am met with a refreshing blanket of green in every imaginable shade. I stumble upon a cute little dusky leaf monkey with white rings around its eyes and a pink mouth, giving it a bewildered look, huge spiders hanging upside down, millipedes and colourful butterflies accompanied by a symphony of the rainforest — birdsong, the ringing cicadas, monkey calls and a bubbling brook.
But to really enjoy the wildlife in this rainforest you need the help of an expert.
For that, I put myself in the hands of The Datai’s resident naturalist, Irshad Mobarak, also known as the Jungle Walla. Clad in a ranger’s shorts, shirt and sandals, this cross between Tarzan, David Bellamy and David Attenborough addresses his audience like a professor imparting knowledge while his ears are peeled to every rustle in the leaves, every flutter in the trees. He points towards the skies to different mammals and birds, from the dusky leaf monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus) to the dollar bird, (Eurystomus orientalis), large green pigeon, (Treron capellei), Oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) and delivers a short discourse on each of them.
Do you know there are 2,000 types of cicadas in the world and Malaysia has 150 species and 22 of them are in Langkawi?
As I tuck into my breakfast afterwards, I am reassured to know that Irshad and his fellow naturalists are keeping a watchful eye on developments on the island and their eco-tours will ensure man and nature continue to co-exist in a symbiotic relationship. With good food from three great restaurants, I am happy to pretend to be Robinson Crusoe marooned on this heavenly forest hideaway.
The Gulai House is a truly magical experience. Tucked away in the rainforest, you’d need a buggy to get there. I feel like Cinderella being whisked away to the ball. Indian and Malay dishes await me but what blows me away is the menu — written on a huge dried leaf picked off the forest floor and my name on a smaller one, indicating my seat. As I dab my forehead from the heat of the curry, I am comforted by a symphony of frog calls.
Just when you think you couldn’t eat anymore, the chef offers a more tantalising treat, finishing off with a wonderful, creamy sago pudding — how did he know it was my favourite? And before the clock strikes 12, I am deposited in my villa and in the morning I wonder if it was just a dream.
The Pavillion, near the swimming pool, nestling on the edge of the forest serves authentic Thai cuisine while you watch the wildlife antics like flying squirrels and dusky leaf monkeys.
You can learn to prepare these wonderful dishes. The beach club offers fine dining on the beachfront but the chef can also rustle up a decent char koay teow, which is just what you need when you’re staring at the sunny white beach while the gentle breeze blows in from the sea.
The Datai bay is a picture postcard sandy beach with fluffy white clouds, blue sky and turquoise sea, its tranquillity guaranteed by the absence of motorised water sports. But you can still have fun with a catamaran or kayak trip to secluded islands for snorkelling. But for me, lazing on a lounger under a tree, watching the crabs making sandball is activity enough.
TANJUNG RHU
If at The Datai I found a rainforest paradise, at Tanjung Rhu Resort, I find an oasis of tranquillity. A charming young lady checks me in while I sip a fruit cocktail she has prepared while I freshen up. Then I am whisked away to my room, which seems to be a glory in wood.
The 445ha grounds are beautifully broken up with water features from ponds to pools to suit all tastes, be it the family, a seasoned swimmer doing laps or a romantic couple looking for a quiet moment together. All this and a white beach that stretches for 2.5 kilometres interspersed with patches of casuarina trees.
Stone, wood, greenery and water complement each other to give guests peace and tranquillity. Non-motorised water sports, from hydrobike, catamaran, kayaking and wind surfing ensure guests can still have fun without disrupting the tranquillity of the bay and the mangrove swamp.
Restaurants provide cuisine from local to international fine dining and beach food. Saffron restaurant, with its stunning view of the sea, is ideal for a romantic dinner while you watch the spectacular sunset. Sands restaurant is by the pool.
Breakfast is lavish and so beautifully laid out you feel guilty messing up the display — beautiful selections of sushi, dainty Danish pastries, imaginative combinations of mixed fruit juices, local delights like roti canai made to order and a quality service that makes you feel like royalty.
Tanjung Rhu Resort is within the Kilim Karst Geoforest, with dramatic limestone structures and caves, not to mention a mangrove forest, which supports an abundance of wildlife. With the expert guide and sharp eyes of resident naturalist, Zoher Mustan, I spot the brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), white bellied eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), a viper and a colony of macaques. I also learn about the propagation of mangrove spears and am pleased to have planted one myself.
As I reluctantly leave Tanjung Rhu Resort it is not the number of stars to its name or its numerous Trip Advisor excellent votes that is in implanted my mind but the peace and tranquillity it represents and above all, the abundance of genuine, sincere smiles from its staff, which no number of stars can guarantee.
Adventure like no other
Hanna Hussein takes a fascinating tour through Gua Tempurung
THERE’S something about Perak that makes me want to go back again and again.
Each visit has never failed to surprise me. Its food, beautiful heritage buildings, glorious mining history and stunning limestone outcrops. There’s always something new that touches my soft spot.
Its limestone outcrops for instance. I’d always been fascinated by the dramatic landscape these outcrops created whenever I drove past Gua Tempurung that flanked the North-South Plus Highway.
But that was just all it was — a scenic view along the highway! I never knew the towering outcrop had something that would hit my guts to the core. Had I known what’s awaiting at Gua Tempurung, I would have come mentally prepared though I am appropriately attired — a pair of sport shoes, comfortable T-shirt, pants — and carry a torchlight.
I thought it would be a simple walk-through experience like the one I had in Gua Niah in Miri, Sarawak. There was no clue whatsoever as to what Gua Tempurung had in store. Boy, did I misjudge it... big time!
GOLDEN FLOWSTONE
The registration office, located immediately outside the main opening, looks like any other entrance to a park. There is a long queue at the counter, although it is only 10am. And it’s not even a public holiday! There are four types of tours, ranging from easy to hard. How hard can hard be, right? So my friends and I choose the Grand Tour, the most challenging of all. However, due to time constraint — it’s Friday — and due to Friday prayers, we have no choice but to settle for the Level 3 tour. Once done with the formalities, we’re each given a coloured sticker that tells the end route of our tour.
At the cave mouth, we’re introduced to our ranger. “Hi, I’m Razali but you can call me Janggut,” says a tough, bearded guy with a red bandana. His nickname clearly suits him. “You are very lucky because there are only five of you in this group so everyone can listen and ask questions,” says Janggut, adding that a tour usually requires a minimum of eight people.
We enter the cave and I can see a slid walkway that cuts across the cave floor. Dimmed lights are set at strategic spots to enhance the ambience. Janggut briefly runs us through the history of the 3km long cave, said to be one of the longest in the peninsula. Along the way, he shows us spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites on walls, ceilings and floors in various shapes and sizes.
He asks us to think outside the box and look at the formations from a different perspective. Though it is a bit hard at first, we manage to make out a few incredible shapes like elephant, dolphin, seahorse and more formed by the stalactites and stalagmites.
As we climb further into the cave, we are rewarded by a spectacular view of its entire cavity. What amazes me is the golden sparkly flowstones that look like floating jelly fish. Stunning!
TOP OF THE WORLD
“By now you have climbed 640 steps,” says Janggut as he welcomes us to the second part of the adventure. So far, the journey has been amazing, albeit tiring, as we have to climb the never-ending steps while breathing in the humid air. At the top we take a 10-minute rest at a spot known as the Wind Tunnel.
“Can you feel the cool breeze?” Janggut asks. Yes, I can. I feel like I’m standing near an air-conditioner. But, of course, there is none. Janggut says this is no ordinary cold breeze. It’s natural. How awesome!
“This spot is where the air from both ends circulate and create the gust of cold air,” he says, adding that over time, this phenomenon has created rock formations with obvious wind erosion markings.
We then enter a tin mining area that has a natural drain with sparkling silver dots in it. It seemed that Gua Tempurung contained a generous amount of tin deposit which attracted Chinese miners.
“Besides being a tin mining area, it was used as a hiding place by the Communist,” says Janggut, pointing to some exhibits that prove the incident. There are some mining equipment and patriotism propaganda messages written in Chinese characters on the wall.
Janggut tells us that after the Japanese invasion, there was a conflict between the capitalists and the communists. One of the high commanders of the communist rebels, Rashid Maidin, turned Gua Tempurung into a temporary hideout.
As we reach the highest point of the cave, the part two of our expedition ends. So too does the lighting!
RIVER ADVENTURE
I see a gate and flight of stairs descending from where we’re standing. It leads to the underground.
I see a gate and flight of stairs descending from where we’re standing. It leads to the underground.
At this point my feelings change. Peering into the darkness, I know that the real adventure is ahead of us and honestly, I don’t really know what to expect.
We walk carefully down the stairs and when we reach the end of the steel walkway, we continue walking along the cave floor, in the dark. I am thankful that I have my torchlight. After 10 minutes, Janggut tells us to be prepared to get down and dirty. Ahead of us is a 9m slide on a smooth rock face. “Just imagine that you are gliding down a colourful playground slide,” he says as he slides off. He makes it look so easy.
Well, it does not look like a playground slide at all and I can’t see the end of it. I can’t turn back now. With no other choice, I sit at the edge of the rock face, trying to mimic Janggut and trusting him to catch me.
He is right. Swoosh and I go like a small child gliding down a slide. And he catches my legs like a pro. I survive the first challenge! We don’t really know where we are heading next and what other challenges await us. We’re leaving everything to Janggut and we follow his instructions closely. It’s dark, humid and utterly quiet. We can only hear our deep breathing, footsteps and Janggut’s voice. There are more sliding and gliding, squeezing through a rat hole until finally we encounter an underground river.The water is surprisingly clear and cold. The sound of flowing water calms us down slightly.
The river flows through a rather narrow opening and, whether we like it or not, we have to crawl through, getting wet in the process. There is no other way out. I thought this would be the only passage but Gua Tempurung has many more secrets. We push through more than 10 narrow passages! After first few scary crawls, I finally get the hang of it and even start to enjoy the cold, wet crawls. It’s fun!
The hour-long challenging route finally ends at a small waterfall where we enjoy a natural shower followed by a cold dip in a rim-stoned pool. Ahh... what a cool end to the adventure!
Fast facts
GUA Tempurung was first identified in 1887 in the Map of Perak-Malay Peninsula, which indicated a mountain spelt as Gunong Tempoo Rong. The Department of Minerals and Geosciences estimated the age of the rock formations in the area of Gua Tempurung to be between 250 and 400 million years.
How to get there
From the North-South Highway, take the Gopeng exit. From there take the left turn going towards Kampung Gunung Mesah. Follow the signs. There will be Gua Tempurung signboards everywhere. It is only 25km to the south of Ipoh,
What to bring
Comfortable clothes, walking shoes and torchlight (a headlamp is a better choice). Bring a set of dry, clean clothes if you take the Wet Package Tour. There are basic comforts like toilets, changing rooms, convenience stores, prayer rooms for Muslims and ample parking area.
Which package to buy
Tour 1: Golden Flowstone (dry) / Duration: 40 minutes / Fees: Adult RM6, Children RM2.50
Tour 2: Top of the World (dry) / Duration: One hour 45 minutes / Fees: Adult RM9, Children RM4.50
Tour 3: Top of the world and Short River Adventure (dry and wet) / Duration: Two and a half hours / Fees: Adult RM11, Children RM6
Tour 4: Grand Tour (dry and wet)) / Duration: Three and a half hours / Fees: Adult RM22, Children RM11
Tours start every 30 minutes from 9am.
WHO TO CONTACT
Gua Tempurung Tourist Centre, Gopeng, Perak
Tel: 017-527 1926 (Zuliana), 012-554 9830 (Shahril)
Email: reservation.gtemp@gmail.com
Website: www.guatempurung.com.my
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