VM2020 logo emits strong Malaysia vibes, says graphic designer

VM2020 logo emits strong Malaysia vibes, says graphic designer



A Penang-based graphic designer said the new Visit Truly Asia Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) tourism campaign logo, which was unveiled by the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on July 22, truly reflected what the nation was all about. (BERNAMA)

A Penang-based graphic designer said the new Visit Truly Asia Malaysia 2020 (VM2020) tourism campaign logo, which was unveiled by the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on July 22, truly reflected what the nation was all about.

The VM2020 logo was designed by 23-year-old graphic designer Alfred Phua Hong Fook, who had beaten over 500 other entries in a competition held between March 11 and March 24 after the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture decided to scrap the previous version.

Danz Chee, who has 15 years of logo design experience under his belt, said the official VM2020 logo has brought out strong “Malaysia” vibes with its simplistic Batik-style design, the fitting colour scheme of “Jalur Gemilang”, as well as the usage of iconic national trademarks, which are the rhinoceros hornbill, the red hibiscus and the wild fern known as “paku pakis”.

“I’ve checked out other entries from the contest, some of which are pretty well done, but I personally find the winning logo really screamed out what Malaysia is really all about,” Chee told Bernama.

Not long after the unveiling of the VM2020 logo, allegations of plagiarism through other logo designs began to brew up in social media platforms.

A different version of the VM2020 logo went viral on social media, alleging that the graphic designer had plagiarised from another hornbill design associated from a stock image, but the allegation was later dismissed by Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi.

This, however, did not stop netizens’ accusations of strong resemblance to a combination of multiple stock images, they believed were applied in the official VM2020 logo.

Chee explained that professional graphic designers normally do not trace stock images completely but rather use them, as well as other relevant logos and photos for designing references to develop a firm grasp of its design concepts and ideas.

He also said that graphic designers also look up these references to prevent any possible conflicts or clashes of resemblance.

“Say for instance, a client would want a tiger as their logo, and of course, we would have to look up real photos of a tiger as references and develop the important aspects of a tiger, such as its fur patterns. We would then modify them to our own desired art style, but still retain its resemblance as a tiger. You do not want to end up with a design of a cat when your client expects a a tiger,” he said.

He added that the modern trend of minimalism art style also played a huge role in the preference of the logo design, given the examples of known companies such as Adidas and Pepsi shifting their complex logo design to a more simplistic form over time. -- Bernama

Resumed ECRL project to spur more development, industrialisation

Resumed ECRL project to spur more development, industrialisation, says Loke



The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will resume, after nine months of negotiations, with alignments and stations restructured to make it more viable. -- Bernama photo

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will resume, after nine months of negotiations, with alignments and stations restructured to make it more viable.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the resumption would have a positive impact on the well-being of the people in terms of social economic development.

“Once completed in 2026, we will see more development and industrialisation in the east coast,” he said after THE relaunching of works on the tunnel here today.

“This section from Dungun to Mentakab is the least impacted by the realignment deal.”

The contractors will prioritise works on the tunnels and viaducts along the proposed alignment from Dungun to Mentakab in Pahang over the next one month to propel the construction of the re-negotiated RM44 billion rail network.

The supplementary agreement inked between Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) on April 12 in Beijing paved the way for the resumption of the ECRL project to proceed at a lower cost, compared with the price tag of RM65.5 billion.

The focus of the renegotiated project will be on the design and physical works of the 14.13km tunnels in 23 locations, as well as preparatory works for 39.03km of viaducts in 65 locations situated within the 223km stretch from Dungun to Mentakab where no rail alignment changes were made under the improved ECRL project.

Earthworks at several ECRL tunnel sites, including the 871m Dungun Tunnel, 1.1km Paka Tunnel, and 2.8km Kuantan Tunnel, and site clearing and pile testing on multiple sites for viaducts have commenced.

Loke said, despite the realignment involving diversions from the original design, the government would keep the option open for future development when the need arose.

Asked whether the project would encourage existing investors in the more developed states to shift or expand their operations to the east coast states, Loke said it could entice existing firms to expand, but more importantly there would be new investments.

“The joint-venture with CCCC ensures new investments.

“We are not building the railway at the expense of other states. We may see expansion, but not relocation.”

The improved ECRL project involves a distance of 640km that will entail rail alignment changes between Kota Baru in Kelantan and Dungun, Terengganu, with the introduction of a new southern alignment from Mentakab in Pahang to Port Klang in Selangor that runs through Negri Sembilan and Putrajaya.

The entire project will see the construction of 30 to 40 tunnels along its alignment from Kota Baru to Port Klang, with the longest tunnel measuring about 7km to be built in the Jelebu-Semenyih area.

The project will also witness the construction of multiple viaducts with a total length of approximately 100km.

Loke said Environmental Impact Assessment reports had been submitted where land clearing had started, and more would be submitted as the project progressed.

“This is a national project. It is apolitical.

“It involves states not won by the present government.

“It is for the country and the people,” he said, adding that it was well-positioned as a national infrastructure project as it linked cities and towns, upgraded public transport in rural areas along its entire 640km rail network that would traverse five states and Putrajaya.

~New Straits Times~

东铁周四正式复工 2026年秒竣工启用

东铁周四正式复工 2026年秒竣工启用



陆兆福（左5）主持东海岸铁道计划复工。左起阿末苏海米、尤索夫依斯迈、凯鲁阿迪、阿米努丁、阿末山苏里、诺若拉扎里、阿都拉曼尤诺斯及达维斯。 东海岸铁道计划（ECRL）复工，预料2026年12月启用。

纷纷扰扰的东海岸铁道计划周四正式复工，交通部长陆兆福披露，若工程一切顺利，东海岸铁道将于2026年竣工，并开始投入运作。

他说，经过与中国交通建设股份有限公司（CCCC，简称“中国交建”）的重新谈判后，这项计划从原本的665亿令吉削减至440亿令吉，减少了215亿令吉或33%。

陆兆福是于周四登嘉楼龙运，主持东海岸铁道计划复工仪式上，这么表示。

他也表示，这项计划的贷款也已经敲定，预料会在近期签署附加合约。

“我被告知马来西亚铁道衔接公司（MRL）与中国进出口银行（China EXIM Bank），将针对东海岸铁道计划的贷款已经敲定。因此，有关东海岸铁道计划贷款附加合约预料会在近期签署。”

他说，根据这项附加合约，中国进出口银行将提供85%的贷款，但由于成本价格削减，因此我国需承担的利息并不高。

“这也意味着政府所承担，由中国进出口银行所提供的贷款利息也减少了。”

陆兆福也提及，东海岸铁道计划全长640公里，主要是借以提升东海岸的公共交通设施。

“一旦东海岸铁道计划完成后，将为国人提供更便捷的交通。举例来说，民众若要从丹州的哥打峇鲁到布城，只需要乘搭4小时每小时160公里的列车，就能够抵达。”

他表示，重新规划的东铁计划将分为3段工程，分别是吉兰丹州哥打峇鲁到龙运的A段，登嘉楼州龙运到文德甲的B段，以及彭亨州文德甲到巴生港口的C段。

“在这3段工程当中，223公里的B段工程的路线没有更改，这个工程占了整个东铁计划的34.8％，而A段工程的路线会有少许更改，C段工程的路线则作出最大 的更改，2段工程全长417公里。”

“东海岸铁道计划共计20个站，其中14个站是让乘客能够上下站，另外5个站是供乘客和货柜，至于另一个站只是用作货柜使用。”

他说，整个东海岸铁道计划，登嘉楼州共计6个站，包括甘榜拉惹（Kampung Raja）、瓜拉登嘉楼、柏拉岸（Pengkalan Berangan）、龙运（Dungun）、甘马仕（Kemasik）及朱盖（Chukai），以及2个供乘客和货柜的站。

“在登州，也需要建造3个地下隧道，这包括龙运隧道、北加隧道（Terowong Paka）及关丹隧道。”

出席这场复工仪式的也包括登嘉楼州务大臣阿末山苏里、森美兰州务大臣拿督斯里阿米努丁、中国驻马大使白天、交通部秘书长拿督莫哈末凯鲁阿迪、马来西亚铁道衔接公司首席执行员那毒死达维斯、董事阿末苏海米及拿督尤索夫依斯迈、中国交建副总裁孙子宇、彭亨州务大臣代表拿督斯里诺若拉扎里、吉兰丹州务大臣代表阿都拉曼尤诺斯等。

陆兆福也表示，东海岸铁道计划启用后，将刺激铁道周边的旅游业，尤其是惠及民宿、酒店及当地的旅游活动业者。

“虽然重启后的东海岸铁道计划将减少站点，但跨越多个州属，因此势必带动东海岸经济走廊的成长，吸引更多外资进驻投资，进而创造更多的就业机会。”

“届时，像是珍拉丁（Cherating）、龙运（Dungun）、瓜拉登嘉楼、督巴里（Tok Bali）及哥打峇鲁。”

陆兆福也宣布，东海岸铁路工业技能培训计划（PLKI-ECRL）将复办，届时将会有约5000名在地学员参与培训。

“在此之前，只有3600名学员参与这项培训计划。”

白天：东铁将改变东海岸经济

中国驻马大使白天认为，东海岸铁路计划（ECRL）项目将改变登嘉楼、吉兰丹和森州等东海岸一带的交通运输与经济发展，并将其称为贸易创造。

“一旦东海岸铁路建竣，将能加强州与州，以及海外市场之间的连接，创造更多的贸易往来。例如，东海岸农民种植1公顷的榴槤，如猫山王。我会想，要如何出售。”

“不过，这些榴槤最终可能会因为运输问题和成本，而被浪费，但如果有铁路，就会不一样。”

因此，他相信，东海岸铁路将能为东海岸社区带来更多的经济活动，包括旅游。

“届时不只会有来自西马的游客，其他国家，包括中国游客都会前来旅游。因此，我相信，东海岸铁路的建成可以让大马中国游客翻倍增长。”

~光华日报~

Tourism industry expected to generate RM100 billion next year

Tourism industry expected to generate RM100 billion next year

Malaysia’s tourism industry is expected to generate RM100 billion in revenue next year.

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said his ministry is confident of achieving its target of 30 million tourist arrivals next year, contributing to the RM100 billion in revenue expected from both international and domestic tourism, compared to a projected revenue of RM92 billion for this year.

“Kelantan is among the states expected to attract a higher number of foreign tourists to Malaysia. A total of 5.5 million tourists are expected to visit Kelantan this year. Tourist arrivals to the state will increase further next year and this will help boost the number of tourists coming to Malaysia,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after the closing ceremony of the 2019 Kelantan Folk Arts Festival (FKRK) here today.

Also present were Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) director-general Tan Sri Norliza Rofli, Kelantan Culture, Tourism and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Md Anizam Abd Rahman and Narathiwat deputy governor Patimoh Sadiyamon.

The FKRK introduced in 2017 is one of nine cultural programmes listed in the cultural tourism sector calendar in nine states to highlight unique local cultures as tourism products.

Among the activities held at the FKRK this year were Rebana Ubi, Kertuk and Dikir Barat competitions and performances by the Kelantan Percussion Symphony Orchestra.

Meanwhile, Mohamaddin said his ministry is always open to proposals from state governments in the effort to revive the traditional art forms in their respective states.

“For instance, the Mak Yong cultural performance has been allowed to be continue in Kelantan by mutual agreement. We would like to say thank you to (the) Kelantan (state government) for giving a new breath to Mak Yong, now it can be watched at the Kelantan JKKN Auditorium,” he said.

The PAS (Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party) -led government in Kelantan had previously banned Mak Yong, a dance drama, in the state on the grounds that it had animist and Hindu-Buddhist roots.

-- BERNAMA

Federal government committed to develop Pahang tourism - Mohamaddin

Federal government committed to develop Pahang tourism - Mohamaddin

BENTONG, July 12 (Bernama) -- The federal government is committed to foster cooperation with the Pahang state government in developing the state tourism sector.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said there are many more potential tourism products such as waterfalls and rivers in Pahang which have not been fully commercialised.

Taking the example of Bentong, Mohamaddin said popular recreational spots such Chamang and Lentang Waterfalls, Bentong hotspring and Tanah Aina hold great potential.

“However, efforts to develop other areas which have not been exploited would not be beneficial if they are not well-maintained. We do not want the flora and fauna to be polluted and frowned upon by visitors,” he said.

Mohamaddin was launching the 2019 Wow! Wild Bentong Carnival here today which was also attended by Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Musa Yusof and Bentong MP Wong Tack.

He said the district of Bentong should benefit from the local products which have become synonymous with the district such as quality Bentong ginger and musang king durian to lure tourists as well as highland resort like Genting Highlands, Janda Baik and Bukit Tinggi.

“I hope the youths of Bentong would join in to promote their hometown to achieve the target of 200,00 tourists by the end of the year.

-- BERNAMA

We need your feedback!

We need your feedback!

We need your feedback about our blog! Your feedback is our motivation. All feedback and suggestions are welcome.

欢迎提出意见反馈。

Fraser's Hill

Fraser's Hill is named after Louis James Fraser, a Scotsman who prospected for gold in Australia but eventually struck tin here instead in the 1890s. Employing Chinese miners to do the hard work for him and earning his keep by operating mule trains down the mountain, Fraser set up opium and gambling dens to increase his profits, which may have had something to do with his subsequent mysterious disappearance. 

The tin ran out in 1913, but the lush valley within was rediscovered as a colonial hill resort that, thanks to its 1524 m elevation, enjoys considerably cooler temperatures than Kuala Lumpur. By 1922 a road had been cut through the mountains to the valley, which soon sprouted bungalows and even one of Malaya's first golf courses.

Not much has changed since, and Fraser's Hill retains a wonderfully weird mixed-up character, where locals eat curries off banana leaves in a English cottage next to a golf course while the call to prayer sounds from the mosque.

~wikitravel~

Paya Beach Resort - Tioman Island 刁曼岛

Facebook: Paya Beach Spa & Dive Resort

https://www.payabeach.com/

Towering attraction: Kuantan's new Menara Teruntum

Towering attraction: Kuantan's new Menara Teruntum



The 180m Menara Teruntum, the country’s second tallest, is scheduled to open in October. (NSTP/FARIZUL HAFIZ AWANG)

KUANTAN: The 180m Menara Teruntum, the country’s second tallest, is scheduled to open in October.

Construction work on the tower is 98 per cent complete.

It is a project of the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC).

ECERDC chief executive officer Baidzawi Che Mat said visitors would be able to enjoy thrilling rides up two glass elevator shafts to the 104m high observation deck for a 360° bird’s eye view of the state capital.

He said the restaurant located 98m above ground level would also offer fantastic views of Kuantan and Sungai Kuantan.

“Patrons are guaranteed stunning views through the 360° glass windows,” he told the New Straits Times.

“The restaurant can accommodate up to 100 patrons at a time.

“Those who don’t have a fear of heights can try the skywalk (walkway) perched at 104m above ground while extreme outdoor enthusiasts can try the guided vertical fall from 104m and spire climb up to 160m.”

The other attractions include shops and a cafe on the lower floor, and outdoor garden events.

Kuantan Municipal Council public relations officer Norkamawati Kamal said: “We are still looking through a list of potential operators and once everything is settled, the tower will be opened to visitors.

“The prices of entrance tickets are still at the proposal stage.”

State Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin said images of Menara Teruntum would be printed on gifts and souvenirs to boost promotional activities.

“The tower is a new attraction and certainly a talking point,” he said.

“Information on Menara Teruntum and other attractions nearby will be provided at the ground floor of the tower and maybe a brochure will be issued with the tickets to tell visitors what is on offer,” he said, adding that Menara Teruntum could emerge as one of the country’s top tourist attractions.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, who recently described the tower as the new landmark in the state capital in his website, WanRosdy.com, had said that visitors could take the opportunity to dine at the restaurant while enjoying the town’s skyline.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Cameron Highlands 金马伦高原