关丹快捷通6巴士调整路线

关丹快捷通6巴士调整路线



随着关丹市议会试跑为期3个月的市区改道计划， 关丹快捷通受影响的6条巴士路线， 将从今日起临时重新调整路线行程。

随着关丹市议会试跑为期3个月的市区改道计划，关丹快捷通受影响的6条巴士路线，将从明日起（22日）临时重新调整路线行程。

快捷通首席执行员佐哈里在文告中指出，此举主要是配合关丹市议会即将在22日展开的改道试跑计划。

他指出，在改道计划下受影响的路线为监狱路、黄亚养路、敦依斯迈路、米昔拉路、直落丝丝路及大街。

“随着改道计划，巴士服务路线必须随之作出调整，无论如何，巴士服务班次及车费保持不变。”

文告中指，受影响的6条巴士路线，唯有500号路线即从市区至林明，往回路线都必须作出调整。

任何询问，乘客可以游览关丹快捷通官方网站http://www.rapidkuantan.com.my、面子书http://www.facebook.com/RapidKuantan、或拨打热线09-5663686。

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

关丹新巴士总站‧8月1日启用

关丹新巴士总站‧8月1日启用



位於达鲁马目体育馆前临时巴士站即將於8月1日搬迁至英迪拉马哥打新巴士总站。（图：星洲日报）

英迪拉马哥打关丹新巴士总站即將於8月1日启用。

新巴士总站与英迪拉马哥打青年体育馆毗邻，新巴士设备包括候客及卸客点、乘客冷气候车室、室內泊车场、电动扶手梯、商贩单位、巴士售卖柜台及德士亭等。

关丹市议会已经在主要街道悬掛横幅，通知民眾英迪拉马哥打新巴士总站即將於8月1日启用。

（星洲日报／东海岸）

刁曼岛附近海域船难 1人溺毙6失踪

刁曼岛附近海域船难　1人溺毙6失踪



一具遗体在白礁海域一带被发现。（图／档案照）

刁曼岛附近海域发生沉船惨案，1人溺毙，6人失踪。

这起沉船事故发生在昨天下午，一艘相信载着35人的木船，不知何故遇难，沉入大海。

据了解，沉船案发生后，一艘货船正好经过，成功救起了28人，但却在距离白礁50海里的地方发现了一具尸体。

事发后，马国迅速采取行动，展开海空大搜寻。

《新明日报》

游客假日前预订 林明民宿一房难求

游客假日前预订 林明民宿一房难求



适逢8月学校假期、开斋节及新加坡国庆日， 即使公共假期一个月后， 客房日前已告爆满， 一房难求。

汲取过去订不到房间的经验，游客提早订房，造成林明民宿提早爆满，距离假日一个月，已出现一房难求的现象。

适逢8月学校假期、开斋节及新加坡国庆日，林明掀起投宿民宿热潮，客房爆满，一房难求。

林明民宿业者受访时说，从8月8日至10日期间，客房爆满，其他日期如8月11日至18日间，还有空房，这期间的订房率处于50至80%不等。

6个月前预订

“适逢学校假期及两国公共假期，民宿业者今年1月起已开始陆续接到客房订单，预订询问电话从不间断。”

业者们说，也许游客汲取过往林明民宿逢假期爆满经验，纷纷在6个月前陆续预订房间，避免最后一分钟吃闭门羹。

部分业者指他们所接到的订单已排到11月份，有者则表示陆续收到明年农历新年的订单。

导游司机业者表示，在8月8日至10日，预定前往彩虹瀑布行程的订单近乎爆满。

“前来观光的游客多来自新加坡、吉隆坡、柔佛及槟城等，有者旧地重游，当然也不乏因林明口碑佳，慕名到来的游客。游客欣赏林明的大自然景色、如在晨曦看日出云海或到彩虹瀑布一游，还有这里的清新空气、罪案低及乡情浓等因素。”

原本配合开斋日关闭 锡矿隧道或另安排开放

关丹市议会主席拿督朱基菲指出，林明锡矿隧道将配合开斋日关闭两日，之后听取民意后，即表示会另作内部安排。

另外，每逢假期旺季，基于游客激增，林明面对的问题就是电水供不足，希望州政府可以加以关注此事。

在上两个月黄金假期周，到访林明的人数已冲破1万人大关，显示其旅游潜能。

不少游客旧地重游———林明旅社老板●胡荣顺

目前，8月8日至9日已经没有空房，其他日子则有空房。

或许公共假期、加上学校假期，休假多，方便策划假期，一家大小去度假。

游客多来自柔佛、槟城及吉隆坡等地，当中不少游客是重游旧地，因为喜欢这里优美环境及清新空气等。

虽然上述日期客房已满，不过平均每日都会接到预订电话。

游客不辞老远来玩———林明山民宿老板●朱敏宾

从8月8日至10日订房率爆满，学校假期间其他日期还有空房，订房率同样地相当踊跃，已达80%。

游客来自新加坡、吉隆坡、柔佛及槟城等，有些游客重游林明多次，也有大部分游客因口耳相传下，趁公共假期及学校假期，慕名到来林明一游，享受大自然景点。

赶工增设空房应付——林明山顶小息馆●梁永康

8月8日至10日的房间已爆满。

为了应付游客对民宿骤增的要求，目前正赶工增设空房计划，希望工程可以赶在开斋节学校假期前完工。

客房爆满电话不断———林明河畔度假村老板●何云盛

配合学校假期及公共假期，8月8日至10日的客房已满，至于11日至18日，订房率已达50%。

有些游客重游林明，他们喜欢这里的大自然景点，借此放松心情及减压。

即使目前上述日子客房已满，不过陆续还接到预订房间的电话。

空房订单排到11月———林明乡村度假村老板●曹玮祥

从8月8日至10日的客房已爆满，差不多3个月前已接到订单。

目前，接到预订空房的订单可以排到11月。

除了上述日期爆满外，其他学校假期日子即从11日至18日，还有空房。

报道： 李明珠(南洋商报)

到甘孟山城看动物去

旅游休闲好去处 走， 到甘孟山城看动物去



野生动物园备有浏览车载参观者进入野生动物园。

全马最大的野生动物园———甘孟山城野生动物园，除了拥有超过400种各类动物外，也引进全马首只白狮子，是您到关丹遊玩时，绝对不容错过的旅遊休闲好去处。

全马最大野生动物园

甘孟山城野生动物园坐落在甘孟山城度假村，與水上乐园毗邻，是全马最大的野生动物园，占地138亩。

园内拥有的动物品种超过400种，当中大部份更是大马绝无仅有的动物，除了白狮子外，还包括只有在欧美国家才能看到的动物，如白袋鼠（White Kangaroos）、美洲骆驼（Llamas）、南美洲羊驼（Alpacas）等。

在晚间时段则是有機会参观夜间动物园，可以看到活跃於夜晚的动物，同时也可一一瞭解夜间动物的种类。

适合全家共游 昼夜备各项动物表演

野生动物园主要目的是让参與者能够近距離接触来自世界各地的稀有动物，而且適合全家共游，拉近亲子关系的活动。

野生动物园备有游览车，带领参观者进入野生动物的生活区域，父母也可趁機教导孩子辨认动物、瞭解动物生活习性等。

野生动物园在午间及晚间时段，也将备有各项不同的表演，包括动物表演、火舞等，此外，部份经过训练的动物也将公开展示，让人们能够與之近距離接触及拍照。

野生动物园裡面设备齐全，还包括拥有落地玻璃窗的餐厅--Simba Hill Gourmet Hall，在此餐厅用餐，将能够全程目睹白狮子的活动，一边用餐，一边观赏白狮子，可谓一大享受。

野生动物园目前尚有几个园区尚未开放， 预计将于今年杪前完全开放， 即日起， 首次购票入场者， 可凭票根， 第二次免费入场参观。野生动物园开放时间为下午2时至晚上10时，预知更多详情，可上网查询www.bgrc.com.my或加入Facebook.com/BukitGambangResortCity。

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

In the heart of Taman Negara

In the heart of Taman Negara

What better way to get back to nature during a holiday, than to stay at a resort that is located right in the heart of Taman Negara. Back in school, national parks always made star appearances in all my essays about conserving the environment.

Little did I know then that I would one day set foot in Malaysia’s premier national park - Taman Negara. Touted as one of the oldest rainforests in the world, Taman Negara encompasses three states, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu. The park, established in 1939 as the King George V National Park, boasts a myriad of flora and fauna. Nature enthusiasts are bound to get excited with the number of activities to be indulged in, including the chance to get up close and personal with the rainforest’s inhabitants.


At Taman Negara, river cruises are almost an inevitable part of the experience.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the rare sight of a barking deer grazing several metres away from two resting tapirs, close to the entrance of the park. Tapirs are known to be nocturnal and shy by nature, so this was indeed a surprise.

Staff members of Mutiara Taman Negara Resort were also all abuzz about rumoured elephant invasions on resort territory in the past few nights. Sadly, none of us was lucky enough to witness anything except tracks.

At Taman Negara, river cruises are almost an inevitable part of the experience. (Be sure to have your caps and shades, and a healthy dose of sun block on.) Our very first cruise, at midday, was to visit the Kelah Sanctuary.

Here, a rare and highly sought-after type of game fish, the Malaysian Mahseer or ikan kelah is reared right in the river, as it can’t be bred in captivity.

Due to rain, however, the water was murky and fish hardly visible. Clambering to higher altitude on the still under-construction observation deck, I managed to spot movement in the water and glimpses of fish that swam close enough to the surface.


The Taman Negara canopy walk is an exhilarating experience.

Next, we decided to squeeze in a little hike up Lata Berkoh, one of the main attractions of Taman Negara. What seemed to me like a hike through nature’s very own obstacle course of twines, branches, trunks, logs and streams was apparently just a low-intensity walk through an easy walking path.

We stopped midpoint due to the high tide, and savoured the sight, which was breathtaking. Gushing, chilly water with deep pools framed by enormous jagged rocks seemingly in existence from the beginning of time, the waterfalls looked like a scene right out of the movies. Swimming is not advisable although a picnic would have been perfect.

Another popular water activity at the park is rapid shooting. Don’t worry, it’s not the kind of shooting you imagine; rapids are fast flowing, turbulent parts of the course of a river. Involving the boatman’s skilful manoeuvring of the boat, getting wet is the thrilling part. So, be sure to put your gadgets away and enjoy the ride.

Taman Negara at night

Visitors to the park can also go on a jungle night walk to catch a glimpse of nocturnal insects and creatures. From the wildlife observation hide, we managed to spot several barking deers grazing. There’s even an option to spend a night in one of these observation hides.

With nature’s orchestra playing in the background, we kept our eyes peeled. Aside from a praying mantis and several spiders, we managed to spot two centipedes mating quite discretely, behind a signage, appearing to look like a very long centipede.

It attracted quite an audience among the group, but thankfully for the centipedes, it began to drizzle. We made haste but the trees proved to be good shelter. So good were they that we only realised the extent of the downpour once we left the park; it was raining cats and dogs in the rainforest!

In an attempt to get shelter from the rain, we spotted a python resting quietly in a corner. Quite resigned to letting nature do its thing, we made camp. We witnessed the interesting sight of a barking deer zigzagging through resort territory as it poured.

After an hour with no sign of the rain ceasing, we made our way back through the rain, soaking wet but rather satisfied with the sights and sounds we took in.


Exterior view of the chalets at Mutiara Taman Negara Resort.

The day after

The next day, the trek proved to be quite a challenge due to the the previous night’s downpour. Good shoes are a must here.

Having luxuriously applying sun block, I was told it was the wrong move as leeches are apparently attracted to the sweet smell. Common sense would dictate that you apply insect repellent instead.

Not being in leech-proof attire upped the paranoia level in me, as I constantly checked my legs for the bloodsuckers. (Early detection saves lives!) Spotting a dreaded black dot on my ankle, a flick told me it was not dirt. My first leech bite ever!

Before long, out of breath, we made it to the main attraction of Taman Negara: the canopy walk.

The canopy walkway is the longest in the world, up to 510 metres long. Be forewarned, the 43 metres high walkway is not for the faint hearted.

However, it’s one cool thing to slash off the bucket list so hold tight and just don’t look down. Unfortunately, it was under maintenance when we were there with half of it sealed off and I’m quite convinced I missed the best parts. I will most likely return to complete this.

The national park is protected land, whereby the only ones allowed to live off it are the Orang Asli who make it their home. Small built, dark-skinned and curly haired, the Batek tribe who are steeped in superstition live a nomadic lifestyle.

Visitors to Taman Negara can pay a visit to their settlement and see how they live. I personally think that it is an encroachment of their personal space but many people are intrigued with their way of life. You can watch them make poison darts for blowpipes and even test your skills with the blowpipes (sans poison).

Other activities at the park, which I intend to complete one day, would be mountain climbing and cave exploration. Taman Negara has so much to offer, you’ll never run out of things to do.

Taman Negara has plenty of amazing sights.

Cabin in the woods

Mutiara Taman Negara Resort is the only resort you will find on site. Accommodation ranging from tents to bungalows are scattered all along the fringes of the park. The cabin style accommodation offers you basic amenities with sufficient modern comforts where the forest is literally at your back door.

Amenities were rather run down and in need of replacement in the first quarter, but the resort is undergoing a facelift whereby renovation is taking place by stages. The newer phases have a touch of modernity while maintaining its rustic appeal.

All rooms come with views but make sure you are prepared to come face-to-face with nature. You are after all in someone else’s backyard.

Here, there are several dining options with a good mix of local and international cuisine. The restaurants are open all day and you can choose the one which suits your wallet best. The resort also offers barbeques upon request.


Interior view of one of one of the chalets at Mutiara Taman Negara.

Entry permits and various licenses from the Department of Wildlife can be obtained at the wildlife counter. You will need entry permits and licences for cameras and fishing.

If you intend to stay the night at the National Park, Mutiara Taman Negara Resort offers a variety of packages for you to choose from. - By RACHAEL FRANCIS

To know more, visit Mutiara Taman Negara's official website.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Tourism industry in Cameron Highlands affected

Tourism industry in Cameron Highlands affected by illegal land clearing, says Palanivel

The Dewan Rakyat on Thursday heard that the tourism industry in Cameron Highlands is affected by the illegal clearing of land for agriculture activities, which also adversely impacts the environment in the area.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said there had been a decline in the number of local visitors and tourists from foreign countries like Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan to the highlands.

"Illegal clearing of land is a big problem to the residents of Cameron Highlands.

“That is why I want the non-governmental organisations to play their role in helping to control the situation.

"Because agriculture in Cameron Highlands contributes over RM2bil worth of exports (annually), I will discuss with friends of the environment and farmers on how the problem can be overcome because if revenue (from tourism) is affected, the country will also lose," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Khoo Soo Seang (BN-Tebrau) on the best method to balance agriculture activities and the tourism industry with the need to care for the environment.

Replying to a supplementary question from M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) on higher temperatures in Cameron Highlands nowadays, Palanivel said the situation was also contributed by the global phenomenon of climate change, besides illegal clearing of land.

He noted that the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia planned to carry out reforestation to keep Cameron Highlands cool.

Palanivel also said that his ministry had identified four main environmental issues in Cameron Highlands, namely soil erosion from rampant clearing of land for agriculture, sedimentation and siltation in rivers, pollution of rivers due to effluent from agriculture activities which affected water quality, and flash floods and mud flows.

He said a number of departments under his ministry, including the Department of Environment, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and Forestry Department were carrying out efforts to rehabilitate and preserve the environment in Cameron Highlands.

The minister said the DID would be carrying out eight small projects worth RM1.3 million this year and another three projects worth RM1.2mil next year to deepen and widen the rivers and to also prevent flash floods in the highlands.

~News courtesy of Bernama~

Visit Malaysia 2014

难忘国家公园旅途

难忘国家公园旅途‧游客近距触摸马来貘



游客纷纷近距离触摸马来貘和拍照留念。（图：星洲日报）

居住在瓜拉大汉【Kuala Tahan】国家公园度假村的游客喜见马来貘四不像，並近距离触摸这种稀有动物。

马来貘是稀有动物品种，也是受保护动物之一。其中一位来自檳城的游客莫哈末沙基林指出，能够在国家公园见到濒临绝种的马来貘，非常难得，为其旅途增添难忘的回忆。

“我曾经在动物园见过马来貘，但却没有机会与牠拍照或触摸牠。这是我第一次这么接近马来貘。”

他希望公眾人士和游客保护马来貘，以吸引更多游客到国家公园旅游。”

马来貘被称为四不像，因为牠的长相奇特，即马头、驴耳、鹿身、牛蹄。

（星洲日报／东海岸）