Iconic Penang Ferry to stop carrying four-wheel vehicles, replaced by speedboats from Jan 1
The Penang ferry service ferrying both passengers and vehicles between the island and the mainland will cease operation from Jan 1 and will be replaced by speedboats carrying only pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles. Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said that the implementation would be carried out by Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) as the company would take over the Penang ferry service, which had been operating for 126 years. The ferries will be replaced by 200-seater passenger boats which will only carry pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles and the service will cease to carry four-wheeled vehicles, from the same date. PPC will also carry out interim improvements from Jan 1 next year to June 30, 2022 and during that period two passenger boats will be in service, taking only 10 to 15 minutes per trip, 40 times a day. Tan said during the same period, the Raja Tun Uda Terminal (PRTU) in George Town and Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal in Butterworth will undergo renovation and upgrading and the ferry service will be temporarily relocated to Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT) on the island. Meanwhile, Tan said two ferries which have become the state’s icon and tourist identity would be turned into floating restaurants and museums at Tanjung City Marina Port, here to ensure its historical value is preserved. (Bernama)
Ivory Properties to purchase Penang’s Copthorne Orchid Hotel for RM75mil
Ivory Properties Group Bhd has entered into a sale and purchase agreement for the acquisition of Copthorne Orchid Hotel & Resort Penang for RM75mil cash. The group said it had purchased the property on behalf of its subsidiary Ivory Utilities Sdn Bhd (IUSB), for the development of a hotel and serviced apartment with an estimated gross development value of about RM410mil. Subject to authorities’ approval, the development is expected to commence in 2022 over a span of three to four years. According to Ivory Properties, the Copthorne Orchid Hotel & Resort is located in a matured and prestige development area in Penang, with ready infrastructure, connectivity and easy access. Earlier this year, news sites reported that the Copthorne Orchid Hotel & Resort had ceased operations amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (The Star Online)
Govt issues new SOPs for temporary dorms to house workers at construction sites
The Housing and Local Government Ministry has come up with new standard operating procedure (SOP) for construction firms applying to build temporary housing for its workers on site. Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the SOP is to clarify the provisions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172), Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133) and the UBBL Uniform Building By-Laws 1984. She said that while construction workers are allowed under the law to temporarily live on the site after planning permission has been granted, there were other conditions that must be met. She also said several measures will be taken to ensure the temporary permits are granted in on time. The government has been beefing up measures to protect worker welfare in the wake of high Covid-19 infections nationwide, much of them originating from workplace clusters and affecting foreign workers. Recent international news reports have also shone an unfavourable light on how thousands of migrant workers in Malaysia working were living in cramped conditions that made physical distancing and proper hygiene maintenance difficult. (Malay Mail)
PDRM warns of scammers stealing personal info from discarded parcels
The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is warning members of the public to be careful when throwing out empty delivery packaging, as scammers can easily steal their personal information from them and use their details for nefarious purposes. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Zainuddin Yaacob said this in a statement after a viral video depicted an unidentified fraudster retrieving the name, phone number and home address of a victim from a delivery package that had been discarded at a rubbish bin in a public area. He said although the authorities have yet to receive any reports of such incidents, he said that investigations will be conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code which stipulates that a ten-year prison sentence and caning will be carried out for such offences. He also reminded members of the public to be aware of how they discard their delivery packages or any envelopes that contain their personal details to prevent such untoward incidents. (The Star Online)
Wearing of face mask only compulsory in crowded public places – Ismail Sabri
The wearing of face masks is only compulsory in crowded public places, said Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. On the wearing of face masks as part of the COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP), he said it was not necessary if one was alone and practised physical distancing. “There are many public places including parks, but if you are alone there is no need to wear a mask because it is only compulsory in crowded public places. In crowded markets, buses and LRT, it is a must to wear face masks,” he said. Ismail Sabri made this clarification after viral social media report of an individual who was summoned for not wearing a face mask although he was alone in a public area. (Bernama)
