MALINDO FLIES FROM MELAKA TO PENANG AND PEKANBARU

Malindo Air launches weekly Penang-Melaka, Pekanbaru flights NOVEMBER 5, 2014

MELAKA, Nov 5 — Malaysia's hybrid airline, Malindo Air, has launched its five-weekly flights from the Melaka International Airport, Batu Berendam here to Penang and Pekanbaru, Indonesia.

Chief Executive Officer Chandran Rama Muthy said the flights, using the 72- ATR-72-600 aircraft, were on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursday, Friday and Sundays.

The Penang-Melaka flight, which takes one hour and 20 minutes, leaves at 10.10am and returns at 3.15pm while the Melaka-Pekanbaru flight, which takes one hour and five minutes, leaves at 11.50am and returns at 12.50pm.

Speaking to reporters after receiving passengers on the inaugural Penang-Melaka light here today, Chandran said the initial flights were over 90 per cent full.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron was on hand to greet the 70 passengers upon arrival at 11.30am.

Chandran said the Penang-Melaka air fare was RM79 one way while the Melaka-Pekanbaru flight cost RM70 one way.

He said Malindo Air planned to increase the frequency of both flights to six times weekly within the first six months due to growing interest in Melaka as a health tourism destination and a world heritage site among Indonesians, particularly those from Pekanbaru.

Malindo Air also plans to introduce the Melaka-Kota Baharu on Nov 21, he added. Malindo Air has 18 planes, comprising 11 ATR-72-600 and seven Boeing 737s. — Bernama - See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/travel/article/malindo-air-launches-weekly-penang-melaka-pekanbaru-flights#sthash.xkm3F5EH.dpuf

GRAND DAME OF MELAKA TURNS 44

Malacca's oldest departmental store is currently celebrating her 44th. Anniversary. Founded in 1970, she was the grand old dame in providing Malaccans and visitors value for money merchandize.

We want to congratulate the management of Madam King for celebrating her 44th. Birthday.

VEDROMALL@JALANKEEANN GETS MOVING

The Vedromall@theMelaka River has started work.

Heavy machinery for doing soil stabilisation has moved in. Estimated to be around RM 200 million, this Vedromall is a 5 storey fashion mall with 2 underground car park. Slated to be completed in 2017, hopefully the project will add some active night life around Jalan Kee Ann.

FORMER CATHAY CINEMA AND THE SHORE

Former Cathay cinema being renovated to Panggung Bangsawan.

The massive "The Shore" at Jalan Bunga Raya Pantai. The new Swiss Hotel will be opening there with Tang as well.

HONEST HOTEL STAFF RETURNS RM 100,000.00

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,

MALACCA HIGH SCHOOL TO STAY PUT IN HERITAGE BUFFER ZONE - CM

Malacca High School to stay put

1 AUGUST 2014 @ 8:08 AM

JASON GERALD JOHN AND KELLY KOHnews@nstp.com.my

ALOR GAJAH: THE oldest school in the state, Malacca High School, will not be relocated as it is part of Malacca’s heritage, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron. He said the school would be given a facelift.

When Malacca was listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008, the school was included as part of the state’s heritage.

“As the school is located in the buffer zone of the Unesco World Heritage Site, there are no plans to develop the area, but only to upgrade and maintain it.”

Idris said the proposed relocation was made a long time ago, prior to it being recognised as a World Heritage Site.

“Under my administration, we have no plans to develop the area, other than to upgrade all buildings in the heritage zone.”

He said this at the Hari Raya open house of Umno executive secretary, Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh, in Kampung Pulau in Alor Gajah here yesterday.

Yesterday, the New Straits Times reported that state Education, Higher Education, Science, Technology, Green Technology and Innovations Committee chairman Datuk Md Yunos Husin had said there was a need to relocate Malacca High School to ease traffic congestion in the state. He said the state government was identifying alternative sites.

Various parties, especially students and teachers, had objected to the proposal, based on a letter dated June 30 from the Education Ministry’s Planning and Policy Research Division.

This is the second time in 20 years that the state government had proposed the relocation of the country’s second oldest school.

The school, established in 1826, was known as Malacca Free School and changed to its present name in 1878.

The first attempt, in 1993, to move the school out of Bandar Hilir, together with two schools — St Francis Institution and the Sacred Heart Convent — failed after meeting strong opposition from students and the schools’ alumni.

UPDATE ON KL-SINGAPORE HIGH SPEED TRAIN

KL-Singapore high-speed train travel time shorter than taking flight

Published: 3 July 2014

The Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high-speed rail (HSR) is expected to cut travelling time by half, even if one were to take a flight, according to details published by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

Singapore's The Straits Times (ST), quoting SPAD, said travel time from Singapore to

Kuala Lumpur would only take 2.5 hours, including transfers and

immigration clearance.

It currently takes 4 hours by flight, including time spent in waiting and immigration clearance.

The paper reported that both Singaporean and Malaysian authorities have been

meeting once every month on the HSR proj.

“On our part, we have to choose the most beneficial way for Malaysia to take on this

project as one of the main catalysts for it to become a developed and high-income

nation,” Nur told The Star last month.

SPAD's Singapore counterpart, the Land Transport Authority, has also embarked on a

study to find the location of the HSR's final stop in the republic, which could right now

be either Tuas West, Jurong East or the city centre.

The construction of the HSR, which could reportedly cost more than RM40 billion, is

due to begin late next year.

ST also reported that a Singapore firm has welcomed Nusajaya as one of the proposed

Malaysian stops along the HSR.

The western Johor township is, after all, where Singapore's FASTrack Autosports, the

company owned by tycoon Peter Lim, is building a motorsports hub which includes a

racing circuit.

"We heard there will be a station near our circuit, but there's been no official confirmation.

"If there is one, it will be more convenient for Singaporeans for sure. But even if there

wasn't a station, I think enthusiasts will still come to the track," said FASTrack chief

executive Barry Kan.

Other stations being proposed include Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar and Batu Pahat.

Singaporeans have traditionally visited Malaysia during holidays, using popular means

including the current overnight train service provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu

Berhad.

"The prospect of dinner in Kuala Lumpur's Jalan Alor, supper in Malacca's Jonker

Street and a return to Singapore before clubbing hours is looking more likely, going by

published details of the planned high-speed rail (HSR) link between KL and Singapore,"

said ST. – July 3, 2014

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/singapore-kl-high-speed-train-travel-time-shorter-than-taking-flight#sthash.uJkJzDfQ.eESvLcQ9.dpuf