Updated: Tuesday September 22, 2015 MYT 7:05:07 AM
Guangdong eyes Malacca

Strengthening tiesNajib observing the ‘Friendly State and Province’ MoU signing between Idris and Zhu at the Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya. Looking on are (back row, from left) Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang. — Bernama
Strengthening tiesNajib observing the ‘Friendly State and Province’ MoU signing between Idris and Zhu at the Perdana Putra building in Putrajaya. Looking on are (back row, from left) Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong and China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang. — Bernama

MALACCA: The state has a great potential to be an international sea port by 2025 with fiscal commitment from Guangdong, China.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said Guangdong provincial government was interested to construct harbour facilities to turn Malacca into a top nautical hub in this region on par with Singapore.

“We are talking about a huge investment by the Chinese and once materialised, Malacca will be recognised as the largest port in this region,” he said here yesterday.

Besides the port, Idris said Guangdong was looking at unveiling another airport here as a catalyst to tourism and industrial development in Malacca.

Guangdong governor Zhu Xiaodan, he added, had also expressed interest during his working visit to Malacca on Saturday in focusing on man-made Pulau Melaka’s potential as a tourist port project as well as to cater to the needs of the maritime industry.

“Zhu is looking at the long-term, progressive development here as the state has potential as new growth area for Asean,” he said.

Idris also revealed that Zhu toured the Melaka Gateway residential and commercial property project in Pulau Melaka during his visit.

“Zhu is also passionate about bringing our bilateral ties to greater heights as well as being enthusiastic about a win-win strategy for both governments,” he said.

The state government, said Idris, had created a new portfolio known as International Trade helmed by State Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong.

Published: Friday August 8, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Friday August 8, 2014 MYT 7:07:40 AM
Honest hotel staff returns RM100,000 to owner

Honesty rewarded: Norashimah receiving the plaque from Chung during the award ceremony.

MALACCA: Brought up by a military-trained father who values integrity over self-interest, hotel staff Norashimah Abdul Razak did not hesitate to return a bag full of money – with Australian currency worth close to RM100,000 – back to its owner.

The 72-year-old hotel guest had left the bag in the safe in his room and checked out without realising he had left the bag behind.

The Australian was on his way to Kuala Lumpur yesterday when the hotel management contacted him. Only then did he realise he had left his bag behind at Hotel Equatorial here.

The hotel management then arranged an appreciation event for Norashimah and awarded her an exclusive plaque for her honesty.

Norashimah, 30, an assistant front office manager, said her soldier father had taught her that taking things that belonged to someone else was a sin.

Relating the events before the bag was returned to its owner, she said after the guest left in the morning, she entered his room to make a check and saw the bag in the safe.

She immediately sensed it contained a lot of money and quickly informed her superiors about the find. She later found out that the bag contained notes amounting to A$30,000 (RM89,510).

“My dad’s rule of thumb is to never take anyone’s belongings and respect those who are elder, regardless of their race.

“My father’s advice crossed my mind and I told myself to refrain from any temptation to take the money,” she said when interviewed.

Norashimah, the eldest of six siblings, said her retired military father had planted the right attributes in his children.

“Dad imparted all the right values in us and we were always reminded to respect everyone,” she said.

The guest, who returned to the hotel to get his bag, said he was in Malaysia for a holiday.

“I am extremely thankful. God bless honest Malaysians,” he said.

Hotel general manager Adrian Chung said he was proud that his staff had manifested such high integrity,

Updated: Monday November 17, 2014 MYT 12:51:56 PM
Melaka Art And Performance Festival returns with a broader dance-centred programme

This historical Portuguese-era fort, A’Famosa in Malacca, is just one of the heritage sites co-opted by the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 for its performances.
This historical Portuguese-era fort, A’Famosa in Malacca, is just one of the heritage sites co-opted by the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 for its performances.

The three-day Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 (MAPFest), which starts Nov 21, is back with a bumper schedule that includes contemporary dance, performance art, puppet theatre, storytelling and spoken word sessions, short films, music and workshops.

The free admission festival takes place in many of Malacca’s heritage sites and historical streets including the church ruins on St Paul’s Hill, A’Famosa, the Proclaimation of Independence Memorial and the Stadthuys.

This historical Portuguese-era fort, A’Famosa in Malacca, is just one of the heritage sites co-opted by the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 for its performances.
This historical Portuguese-era fort, A’Famosa in Malacca, is just one of the heritage sites co-opted by the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 for its performances.

The three-day Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014 (MAPFest), which starts Nov 21, is back with a bumper schedule that includes contemporary dance, performance art, puppet theatre, storytelling and spoken word sessions, short films, music and workshops.

The free admission festival takes place in many of Malacca’s heritage sites and historical streets including the church ruins on St Paul’s Hill, A’Famosa, the Proclaimation of Independence Memorial and the Stadthuys.

Thailand-born Nakarin Jaikla has kept true to his traditional Thai Lanna background despite actively exploring Western dance styles. The Thai dancer is part of the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014.
More than 65 homegrown and international artists (Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, France, Ghana, South Korea, Ireland, Brazil, The Netherlands, Morrocco, Canada, Poland and the United States) will take part in this sixth edition of MAPFest which has brought Malacca’s heritage areas to life with its day-long arts programmes.

Among the highlights this year are Australian-based writer/puppeteer Elnaz Sheshgelani’s works that blend shadow puppetry, Persian-influenced music, documentary and theatre, Thailand’s Nakarin Jaikla, who is a Lanna (northern Thai tradition) contemporary artist, and Indonesian performance artist Rudi Abdallah who critically analyses social issues and inequality in his homeland.

Australia-based writer/puppeteer Elnaz Sheshgelani’s works are set to give the festival a blend of shadow puppetry, Persian-influenced music, documentary and theatre.
Elsewhere, Australia folk singer Kavisha Mazzella, with her socially conscious songs ringing with echoes of Celtic, Fado and Gypsy influences, is bound to delight music fans. Veteran homegrown folk roots singer-songwriter Antares is also a festival highlight as he takes to the stage with his signature socio-political and spiritual stirrings. The return of festival favourites like Agung Gunawan (from Indonesia) and Chong Keat Aun (Malaysia), both cross cultural performers, will only add to the festival’s illuminating live performances.

More info on MAPFest and festival schedules at www.melakafestival.com

Thailand-born Nakarin Jaikla has kept true to his traditional Thai Lanna background despite actively exploring Western dance styles. The Thai dancer is part of the Melaka Art And Performance Festival 2014.
More than 65 homegrown and international artists (Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, France, Ghana, South Korea, Ireland, Brazil, The Netherlands, Morrocco, Canada, Poland and the United States) will take part in this sixth edition of MAPFest which has brought Malacca’s heritage areas to life with its day-long arts programmes.

Among the highlights this year are Australian-based writer/puppeteer Elnaz Sheshgelani’s works that blend shadow puppetry, Persian-influenced music, documentary and theatre, Thailand’s Nakarin Jaikla, who is a Lanna (northern Thai tradition) contemporary artist, and Indonesian performance artist Rudi Abdallah who critically analyses social issues and inequality in his homeland.

Australia-based writer/puppeteer Elnaz Sheshgelani’s works are set to give the festival a blend of shadow puppetry, Persian-influenced music, documentary and theatre.
Elsewhere, Australia folk singer Kavisha Mazzella, with her socially conscious songs ringing with echoes of Celtic, Fado and Gypsy influences, is bound to delight music fans. Veteran homegrown folk roots singer-songwriter Antares is also a festival highlight as he takes to the stage with his signature socio-political and spiritual stirrings. The return of festival favourites like Agung Gunawan (from Indonesia) and Chong Keat Aun (Malaysia), both cross cultural performers, will only add to the festival’s illuminating live performances.

More info on MAPFest and festival schedules at www.melakafestival.com