Tuesday, July 08, 2008

GEORGE TOWN, Penang in UNESCO’s World Heritage List


Eight new sites, from the Straits of Malacca, to Papua New Guinea and San Marino, added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List - Monday, July 7, 2008
The World Heritage Committee meeting in Quebec City has added eight new cultural sites to UNESCO’s World Heritage List on the morning of the 7 of July. With these inscriptions, Papua New Guinea and San Marino enter the World Heritage List for the first time.
The new sites (in Malaysia) inscribed are:
Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia) have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the towns with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. With its government buildings, churches, squares and fortifications, Melaka demonstrates the early stages of this history originating in the 15th-century Malay sultanate and the Portuguese and Dutch periods beginning in the early 16th century. Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. The two towns constitute a unique architectural and cultural townscape without parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.
(source: from: http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/450/)

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Guan Eng sworn in as CM

PENANG: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng took his oath as Penang’s fourth Chief Minister. The swearing-in-ceremony was held before Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at his official residence Seri Mutiara here at 10.08am yesterday.
The black suit affair was attended by the 29 new assemblymen from DAP, PKR and PAS.
Guan Eng’s predecessor Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon also witnessed the ceremony.
Also present were PKR president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Guan Eng’s father and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang as well as DAP and PKR Members of Parliament.
..................source the Star Online (Wednesday March 12, 2008)

More on Penang and Malaysia 2008 election results at www.mymalaysiabooks.com

Monday, October 15, 2007

Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods



The Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods is a 9-days long Taoist celebration that fall on the 9th month of the Lunar Calendar (currently Oct2007 is the celebration). It is celebrated mainly by devotees of the Jiu Wang Yeh sect. The 9 deities are believed to dwell in the stars and heaven.


In Malaysia, especially in Penang, you will find a hive of activities at many Chinese Temples.


The festival starts with the 9 deities being received by temples and devotees. During this festival, the deities are entertained with traditional opera. Roads leading to these temples are sometimes closed. Devotees observe a strict 9-days vegetarian diet. Stalls selling vegetarian food are lined with yellow coloured banner. The festival ends on the ninth day where the Gods (represented by mediums) escorted to the sea or river.
....more photos on Chinese celebrations at www.mymalaysiabooks.com

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Ramadan

Ramadan began on the 13th of September 2007, a month of fasting for Muslims. The best time to enjoy the cultural food heritage of Malaysia in Penang is during the month of September and October. Food stalls are everywhere for you to sample Malaysian food at Ramadan.

Compare hotel prices and find the best deal - HotelsCombined.com