PETALING JAYA: A four-year-old video recording of PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat saying women who did not cover up deserve to be raped has gone viral.
Nik Aziz said in the 5.47-minute clip that those who did not cover their aurat were tempting men to rape them. (Aurat is part of the body that must not be exposed in public in accordance with Islamic belief.)
“She did not cover her aurat, and got raped. Serves her right for being raped (dah dia buka aurat, dirogol, padanlah muka dirogol).
“She is selling cheap... her calf, her face, her thigh...rape lah,” he said in his speech recorded four years ago.
The video recording resurfaced on various blogs after MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek recently reminded Nik Aziz of his speech about how the eyes were linked to sexual organs and temptations.
Various blogs started to carry links to Nik Aziz's video after Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, labelled Dr Chua as being “anti-Islam”.
Dr Chua had said that he was merely quoting what Nik Aziz had said in his speech made in 2008.
Among the blogs that had uploaded Nik Aziz' infamous speech are justread-whatever.blogspot.com, stopthelies.my, 1sya.com, and malaysiapeoplevoice.wordpress.com.
In the short speech, Nik Aziz who is also the Kelantan Mentri Besar, said the RM70,000 spent on their campaign to promote the covering of aurat was justified because it also helped check adultery.
“The eyes are inter-connected with sexual organs. Covering aurat automatically reduces adultery, reduces rape, reduces HIV, reduces AIDS, reduces incidents of marriage falling apart,” said Nik Aziz.
Nik Aziz also took a swipe at the media for making such a big fuss over rape cases and number of AIDS cases while at the same time encouraging people not to cover up their aurat.
“You (the media) are the one giving opportunity to the rakyat to expose aurat,” he said.
The malaysiapeoplevoice pointed out that the speech bear evidence to PAS' real ideology, as Nik Aziz had clearly stated that those who exposed their aurat deserved to be raped.
By SIRA HABIBU The Star/Asia News Network
Friday, 26 October 2012
World Bank: Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand still ‘easiest’, most business-friendly, Malaysia ranked 12th
Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand continue to be the easiest countries in the world to do business in, while local entrepreneurs in developing nations are finding it easier to do business than at any time in the last 10 years, according to the World Bank and IFC's latest Doing Business report.
The improvement in the ease with which people are saying they are able to do business in the world’s developing countries highlights “the significant progress that has been made in improving business regulatory practices across the globe”, according to a summary of the 282-page report’s findings.The study looks at 185 countries, and examines such indicators as how long it takes to start a business, and how difficult and time consuming it is to submit tax returns, export or import goods, obtain credit and register a property.
Year's 'most improved'
Topping the list of economies that registered the biggest improvements in the ease of doing business over the past year were Poland, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Burundi, Costa Rica, Mongolia, Greece, Serbia, and Kazakhstan.
Australia moved up to 10th place from 15th, Malaysia to 12th from 18th, and Taiwan to 16th from 25th. (See chart, below.)
Also moving up were the UAE (to 26th from 33rd), Italy (to 73rd from 87th), and the Russian Federation (112th from 120th).
Decliners incuded Saudi Arabia (22nd from 12th), Israel (38th from 34th), Argentina (124th from 113th) and Kenya (121st from 109th).
The report, Doing Business 2013: Smarter Regulations for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises, is the tenth in the World Bank/IFC’s Doing Business series.
Since the reports were first published, they have recorded “nearly 2,000 regulatory reforms implemented by 180 economies”, a summary of the findings notes, adding that such reforms have resulted in such improvements as a 20-day decline in the average time it takes to start a business since 2005 – to just 30 days, from 50.
And in low-income economies, “the average [time required] has been reduced by half”.
All of the five countries at the bottom of this year's ranking are in Africa. In descending order, they are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Republic of the Congo, Chad, and the Central African Republic. Mauritius, in 19th place, emerges as Africa's most competitive economy, while South Africa, in 39th place, was down four places from last year's report.
Officials in such countries might take some comfort in some data included in the report that shows how countries compare in certain areas of business activity, for it reveals that even some of the countries considered the "easiest" to do business in have weaknesses. Although Hong Kong ranks second-easiest overall, for example, it is the 60th easiest country in which to register a property; while the United Kingdom, in seventh place, is the 62nd easiest in which to obtain electricity, behind such countries as Estonia, Chile, Bahrain, Thailand, Malaysia and Brazil.
To view the report, click here.
Ease of doing business rankings 2013 | ||
Country | Rank | 2012 rank |
Singapore | 1 | 1 |
Hong Kong | 2 | 2 |
New Zealand | 3 | 3 |
United States | 4 | 4 |
Denmark | 5 | 5 |
Norway | 6 | 6 |
United Kingdom | 7 | 7 |
Korea, Rep. | 8 | 8 |
Georgia | 9 | 16 |
Australia | 10 | 15 |
Finland | 11 | 11 |
Malaysia | 12 | 18 |
Sweden | 13 | 14 |
Iceland | 14 | 9 |
Ireland | 15 | 10 |
Taiwan | 16 | 25 |
Canada | 17 | 13 |
Thailand | 18 | 17 |
Mauritius | 19 | 23 |
Germany | 20 | 19 |
Sources: International Adviser
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Penang Road Bully
AN assistant sales manager who uploaded a recording of a driver of an MPV allegedly ‘damaging’ the former’s car, has received more than 60,000 hits after it went viral online.
The footage, which lasted one minute and 16 seconds, titled ‘Penang Road Bully’, has been widely circulated on the Facebook in the past week.
Ooi Tze Dong, 29, said he was in his car with his girlfriend Lim Ann Si, 26, and they were on their way back from lunch at 2.30pm on Oct 17 when the incident happened at Lengkok Sungai Dua in Sungai Nibong here.
“We were about to go back after lunch when an MPV blocked our way.
“I honked twice at the driver to move his vehicle but he refused. Then I reversed my car to the back alley.
“I was shocked to see the MPV in the middle of the back lane and the driver demanded that I come out of my car,” Ooi said, adding that there was also a woman carrying a baby in the MPV.
He added that when he refused, the driver of the MPV allegedly tapped his car window and repeatedly kicked the driver’s side door, causing a dent.
Ooi said the man continued the ‘attack’ on his car even after Ann Si had started recording his act.
Take a good look: Ooi (centre) and Ann Si showing Lim (left) the police report and video footage of the incident at the Penang MCA headquarters in Jalan Pahang
He added that he then called the police and blocked the MPV from leaving the scene.
“However, the driver came at our car again with an umbrella and started hitting the windshield until it cracked,” said Ooi, adding that he then reversed his car and drove to the Sungai Nibong police station where he lodged a police report.
Ooi said he had also lodged another report at the Jelutong police station on Oct 22.
Speaking during a press conference at the state MCA headquarters in Jalan Pahang yesterday, Ooi said he was disappointed that no action has been taken yet against the driver of the MPV despite both his police reports.
“The officer in charge of our case advised us to settle the matter by discussing with the driver of the MPV but I just want the driver to pay the cost of my damaged car which had come up to RM5,000,” he said.
State MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau deputy chief Lim Thoon Deong said that the police should be more professional in handling the case instead of merely ‘advising’ the victim to settle the matter.
“This is considered as attempted assault and the police should be more serious in curbing these ‘road bullies’ by bringing them to justice,” he said.
When contacted, George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng said the case was being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief and damage.
He also said the officer-in-charge of the case is expected to refer the matter to the deputy public prosecutor’s office by next Monday for further action.
The footage, which lasted one minute and 16 seconds, titled ‘Penang Road Bully’, has been widely circulated on the Facebook in the past week.
Ooi Tze Dong, 29, said he was in his car with his girlfriend Lim Ann Si, 26, and they were on their way back from lunch at 2.30pm on Oct 17 when the incident happened at Lengkok Sungai Dua in Sungai Nibong here.
“We were about to go back after lunch when an MPV blocked our way.
“I honked twice at the driver to move his vehicle but he refused. Then I reversed my car to the back alley.
“I was shocked to see the MPV in the middle of the back lane and the driver demanded that I come out of my car,” Ooi said, adding that there was also a woman carrying a baby in the MPV.
He added that when he refused, the driver of the MPV allegedly tapped his car window and repeatedly kicked the driver’s side door, causing a dent.
Ooi said the man continued the ‘attack’ on his car even after Ann Si had started recording his act.
He added that he then called the police and blocked the MPV from leaving the scene.
“However, the driver came at our car again with an umbrella and started hitting the windshield until it cracked,” said Ooi, adding that he then reversed his car and drove to the Sungai Nibong police station where he lodged a police report.
Ooi said he had also lodged another report at the Jelutong police station on Oct 22.
Speaking during a press conference at the state MCA headquarters in Jalan Pahang yesterday, Ooi said he was disappointed that no action has been taken yet against the driver of the MPV despite both his police reports.
“The officer in charge of our case advised us to settle the matter by discussing with the driver of the MPV but I just want the driver to pay the cost of my damaged car which had come up to RM5,000,” he said.
State MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau deputy chief Lim Thoon Deong said that the police should be more professional in handling the case instead of merely ‘advising’ the victim to settle the matter.
“This is considered as attempted assault and the police should be more serious in curbing these ‘road bullies’ by bringing them to justice,” he said.
When contacted, George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng said the case was being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief and damage.
He also said the officer-in-charge of the case is expected to refer the matter to the deputy public prosecutor’s office by next Monday for further action.
By HAFIZ MARZUKH The Star/Asia News Network
Asian tour golf stars return to Malaysia CIMB Classic
PETALING JAYA: The talented trio of Kevin Na, Charlie Wi and Noh Seung-yul are taking trips down memory lane when they compete in the US$6.1mil CIMB Classic at the Mines Resort and Golf Club during 25-28 October, 2012
.
Malaysia has been a happy hunting ground for the trio, who have all won tournaments here when they featured on the Asian Tour previously before moving on to the PGA Tour.
The 40-year-old Wi claimed the first of his seven Asian Tour titles at the 1997 Kuala Lumpur Open before establishing himself as one of Asia’s top golfers with six more victories, including the 2006 Malaysian Open.
Na, a Korean-American, enjoyed his career breakthrough by winning his maiden professional title at the 2002 Volvo Masters of Asia in Malaysia while the gifted Seung-yul has since emerged as one of the Asian Tour’s greatest talents in recent times.
Seung-yul has been touted as a potential top-10 player in the world and is currently training under swing guru Sean Foley, who is also the coach of 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods.
Former world No. 1 Woods will headline the CIMB Classic along with title holder Bo Van Pelt and inaugural champion Ben Crane.
The slender Seung-yul produced an impressive rookie season on the PGA Tour this year, notching three top-10s and 13 top-25s. He has also made 17 consecutive cuts on the PGA Tour dating back to April.
Seung-yul, who started hitting golf balls on the beach near his home when he was seven, said competing on the Asian Tour laid the foundation for his rapid rise in the game.
Sanctioned by the PGA Tour, Asian Tour and Professional Golf Association of Malaysia, the CIMB Classic will see a top class field of 48 players competing for the US$1.3mil winning purse.
The tournament will feature 30 players from the PGA Tour and the top 10 available players from the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit. Eight sponsors’ exemptions will make up the rest of the field, with two places reserved for Malaysian professionals. - The Star
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Tiger Woods to return to Malaysia in CIMB Classic
BJCC News: welcome to the newly upgraded Penang Golf course
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Taman Manggis land issue in Penang, a ‘Robin Hood story' or soap opera?
The twists and turns in the Taman Manggis land issue in Penang is starting to resemble a soap opera but it has also raised the question of whether the legal procedures are observed in the sale of state land.
THE showdown over a plot of land known as Taman Manggis or “mangosteen garden” in the heart of George Town is about to erupt in another slanging match on Nov 3.
Dubbed by some as the “Robin Hood story”, the Taman Manggis land has become one of the most controversial issues in Penang.
It has also become a rather entertaining saga of gamesmanship between Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his political secretary Ng Wei Aik on one side and the state Barisan Nasional Youth on the other.
The 0.4ha of land had been designated for affordable housing but before the project could take place, Barisan was toppled.
Lim’s administration has since reportedly sold the land for RM11mil to a Kuala Lumpur company that is planning to build a health tourism facility that includes a private dental hospital and hotel on the site.
That was how the Robin Hood thing came about, but with a twist where Barisan is accusing the Pakatan Rakyat government of being a distorted version of Robin Hood by taking land meant for the poor to give to the rich.
When Barisan accused the state government of selling the land at below market rate, Lim challenged it to buy the land for RM22.4mil. Lim probably thought Barisan would not take up the dare. After all, RM22.4mil is not small change.
But Barisan agreed and announced that it had set up a special purpose company to buy and develop affordable homes on the land.
Caught on one foot, the state government was forced to respond and Ng issued an offer letter to Barisan. And that was when the soap opera began.
The Barisan side led by its State Barisan Youth chief Oh Tong Keong proceeded to pay 1% earnest money as is called for in such transactions.
The next step, as anyone would know, is for the lawyers from both sides to draw up a sales and purchase (S&P) agreement.
Once that is signed, the buyer would pay the balance of the requisite 10% and depending on the terms and condition, the full amount is usually paid within three months or more.
This is to enable the buyer to raise funds or secure a loan from the bank.
However, following the 1% payment, Lim demanded that the Barisan pay up the rest of the amount within a month.
The outlandish demand saw a few jaws drop on the Barisan side. First, it is not possible for Barisan to cough up that kind of money in so short a time.
Another was the audacity of the demand.
“There is no S&P agreement in sight and the seller is demanding the full amount. Do they understand the laws of transaction? Without an S&P agreement, no one would want to pay RM22.4mil,” said architect Khoo Boo Soon.
Khoo, who was the former building director of the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP), is quite appalled at the frivolous way that state property is being treated.
He is incredulous that state land is being sold based on an offer letter by a political secretary on the instruction of the Chief Minister.
“I have been a government servant for more than 17 years. As far as I know, land transactions have to be discussed and decided by the state exco, the state legal adviser has to be consulted, the state secretary has to be involved. It cannot be a one-man decision, both parties need to sign an S&P agreement,” said Khoo.
The Barisan side was more direct. “This is government land, it belongs to the people. The land does not belong to the Chief Minister’s grandfather. We are not buying a bicycle or a car, this is about public land costing millions of ringgit,” said Oh.
The Barisan side had on Oct 3 written to the state government requesting for an S&P agreement before they proceed to pay up the rest of the money.
On Oct 8, the state secretary wrote back asking them to refer to the offer letter and to pay up within a month.
To compound this half-past-six state of affairs, rumours abound that the land has actually been sold to the Kuala Lumpur company.
No one can tell for sure because the state government has been tight-lipped about the issue.
Requests for information on the actual status of the land has run up against a stone wall.
On top of all that, the house that Lim is renting in Penang reportedly belongs to the wife of the major stakeholder of the Kuala Lumpur company.
The lady is also the cousin of state exco member Phee Boon Poh. The implication of all this is unclear but it does add spice to the story.
Many people following this soap opera are quite confused but that is what makes soap operas so addictive – there are lots of twists and turns.
The more discerning think Lim has no intention of selling the land to Barisan, hence the conditions and obstacles put in the way.
Some suspect the delay tactics are aimed at making Barisan give up.
But it would be a blow to Lim’s administration if the Barisan people actually purchased it and proceeded to build low-cost housing.
Lim would lose face, particularly given that his administration has failed to build any affordable housing since coming into power.
To make matters worse, this is happening amid an inflated property market on the island and where house prices have soared beyond the reach of 80% of wage earners.
Lim should be transparent about the issue. If the land has been sold, he should admit it.
If it is still in the state’s hands, then he should do the decent thing and use it for its original purpose.
Instead he is angry at being criticised and is punishing those who want to build affordable homes by doubling the price of the land.
A Penang lawyer said he is not surprised about the “Robin Hood issue”.
“What shocks me is the silence on the part of the Penang NGOs. They used to be so vocal on issues affecting public interest,” said the lawyer.
In the meantime, the countdown to Nov 3 has begun.
Related post:
Land sold for a song? Aug 11, 2012
THE showdown over a plot of land known as Taman Manggis or “mangosteen garden” in the heart of George Town is about to erupt in another slanging match on Nov 3.
Dubbed by some as the “Robin Hood story”, the Taman Manggis land has become one of the most controversial issues in Penang.
It has also become a rather entertaining saga of gamesmanship between Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his political secretary Ng Wei Aik on one side and the state Barisan Nasional Youth on the other.
The 0.4ha of land had been designated for affordable housing but before the project could take place, Barisan was toppled.
Lim’s administration has since reportedly sold the land for RM11mil to a Kuala Lumpur company that is planning to build a health tourism facility that includes a private dental hospital and hotel on the site.
That was how the Robin Hood thing came about, but with a twist where Barisan is accusing the Pakatan Rakyat government of being a distorted version of Robin Hood by taking land meant for the poor to give to the rich.
When Barisan accused the state government of selling the land at below market rate, Lim challenged it to buy the land for RM22.4mil. Lim probably thought Barisan would not take up the dare. After all, RM22.4mil is not small change.
But Barisan agreed and announced that it had set up a special purpose company to buy and develop affordable homes on the land.
Caught on one foot, the state government was forced to respond and Ng issued an offer letter to Barisan. And that was when the soap opera began.
The Barisan side led by its State Barisan Youth chief Oh Tong Keong proceeded to pay 1% earnest money as is called for in such transactions.
The next step, as anyone would know, is for the lawyers from both sides to draw up a sales and purchase (S&P) agreement.
Once that is signed, the buyer would pay the balance of the requisite 10% and depending on the terms and condition, the full amount is usually paid within three months or more.
This is to enable the buyer to raise funds or secure a loan from the bank.
However, following the 1% payment, Lim demanded that the Barisan pay up the rest of the amount within a month.
The outlandish demand saw a few jaws drop on the Barisan side. First, it is not possible for Barisan to cough up that kind of money in so short a time.
Another was the audacity of the demand.
“There is no S&P agreement in sight and the seller is demanding the full amount. Do they understand the laws of transaction? Without an S&P agreement, no one would want to pay RM22.4mil,” said architect Khoo Boo Soon.
Khoo, who was the former building director of the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP), is quite appalled at the frivolous way that state property is being treated.
He is incredulous that state land is being sold based on an offer letter by a political secretary on the instruction of the Chief Minister.
“I have been a government servant for more than 17 years. As far as I know, land transactions have to be discussed and decided by the state exco, the state legal adviser has to be consulted, the state secretary has to be involved. It cannot be a one-man decision, both parties need to sign an S&P agreement,” said Khoo.
The Barisan side was more direct. “This is government land, it belongs to the people. The land does not belong to the Chief Minister’s grandfather. We are not buying a bicycle or a car, this is about public land costing millions of ringgit,” said Oh.
The Barisan side had on Oct 3 written to the state government requesting for an S&P agreement before they proceed to pay up the rest of the money.
On Oct 8, the state secretary wrote back asking them to refer to the offer letter and to pay up within a month.
To compound this half-past-six state of affairs, rumours abound that the land has actually been sold to the Kuala Lumpur company.
No one can tell for sure because the state government has been tight-lipped about the issue.
Requests for information on the actual status of the land has run up against a stone wall.
On top of all that, the house that Lim is renting in Penang reportedly belongs to the wife of the major stakeholder of the Kuala Lumpur company.
The lady is also the cousin of state exco member Phee Boon Poh. The implication of all this is unclear but it does add spice to the story.
Many people following this soap opera are quite confused but that is what makes soap operas so addictive – there are lots of twists and turns.
The more discerning think Lim has no intention of selling the land to Barisan, hence the conditions and obstacles put in the way.
Some suspect the delay tactics are aimed at making Barisan give up.
But it would be a blow to Lim’s administration if the Barisan people actually purchased it and proceeded to build low-cost housing.
Lim would lose face, particularly given that his administration has failed to build any affordable housing since coming into power.
To make matters worse, this is happening amid an inflated property market on the island and where house prices have soared beyond the reach of 80% of wage earners.
Lim should be transparent about the issue. If the land has been sold, he should admit it.
If it is still in the state’s hands, then he should do the decent thing and use it for its original purpose.
Instead he is angry at being criticised and is punishing those who want to build affordable homes by doubling the price of the land.
A Penang lawyer said he is not surprised about the “Robin Hood issue”.
“What shocks me is the silence on the part of the Penang NGOs. They used to be so vocal on issues affecting public interest,” said the lawyer.
In the meantime, the countdown to Nov 3 has begun.
ANALYSIS BY JOCELINE TAN The Star/Asia News Network
Regarding the Taman Manggis land, the Star and State exco member Phee Boon Poh clarified yesterday that the woman in question is his cousin, she is not married nor is she the wife of the company stakeholder.
“My cousin and the stakeholder are just business partners,” he said.
The Taman Manggis land which had been designated for low-cost housing by the former Barisan Nasional government, became an issue when the Lim administration decided to sell it to a Kuala Lumpur company to develop a health tourism facility that includes a private dental hospital, hotel and multi-storey car park.
P/S: Landlady of CM’s residence is not wife of company stakeholder
Regarding the Taman Manggis land, the Star and State exco member Phee Boon Poh clarified yesterday that the woman in question is his cousin, she is not married nor is she the wife of the company stakeholder.
“My cousin and the stakeholder are just business partners,” he said.
The Taman Manggis land which had been designated for low-cost housing by the former Barisan Nasional government, became an issue when the Lim administration decided to sell it to a Kuala Lumpur company to develop a health tourism facility that includes a private dental hospital, hotel and multi-storey car park.
Related post:
Land sold for a song? Aug 11, 2012
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Former badminton star admitted a British barrister-at-law and now an advocate and solicitor of Malaysian High Courts
Raising the bar: Ang showing her admission petition to her father Chin Huat. Looking on is her mother Yoong Lai Chun and sister Annie.
She has created history by being the first Commonwealth badminton gold medallist to be called to the Malaysian Bar.
The national badminton player overcame the odds, including the language barrier, to achieve her ambition, which seemed like a dream seven years ago.
“I am over the moon. I never thought this day would finally come. Thank God, everything turned out beautifully today. It is amazing, it is like a dream come true,” the 31-year-old said after being admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor of the High Courts in Malaya at the Jalan Duta Court Complex here along with others.
The petition was made by lawyer Tan Sri Cecil Abraham at the Appellate and Special Powers High Court before Justice Abang Iskandar Hashim.
Besides family members and friends, Kuala Lumpur Racquet Club founder Datuk Seri Andrew Kam and Olympic Council of Malaysia honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi turned up to show their support.
But the road to success was not an easy one. She managed to do her A-levels at the age of 24 and had to overcome her struggles with the English language.
“I did not speak good English. I could not even construct a sentence properly,” said Ang, who had studied at a Chinese medium school.
“That is why I'm very pleased for being able to graduate with a British law degree. I kept practising and will keep practising,” she added.
Ang, who is now pursuing her post-graduate studies in law in London, said she still had a lot to learn.
“The transformation from one court (badminton) to the other is challenging but I will continue to work hard and focus on being a better lawyer,” said the former doubles champion, who plans to specialise in corporate law.
She said it was very tough to study A-levels seven years after completing her SPM examinations.
“Going back to school was really tough. There were times when I wanted to quit.
“But I decided to remain steadfast with the support of family and friends. Determination is the best way,” said Ang, who retired from professional badminton at the age of 21 after winning the Commonwealth doubles gold in Manchester.
By FLORENCE A. SAMY The Star/Asia News Network
BJCC renamed Penang Golf Club, welcome to the newly upgraded Penang Golf course
THE renovation project at the 18-hole Bukit Jambul Coun-try Club (BJCC) golf course in Penang has been completed well ahead of its scheduled time.
The upgraded section is slated to open to golfers starting this Saturday.
Island Golf Properties Bhd chairman Datuk Eiro Sakamoto said the RM11mil golf course, which would be known as the Penang Golf Club, had been completed 14 months ahead of schedule.
“The course has been leng-thened slightly, and is now a par-72 golf course instead of its previous par-71 course.
“Among the upgrading works done were the resurfacing of the tee boxes, fairways and greens as well as the careful tendering of the golf lanes,” he said.
“The bunkers have also been redone. In addition, the subsoil drainage throughout the golf course has also been carried out to allow the smooth flow of rainwater,” he told a press conference at the club premises on Saturday.
Sakamoto said the cow grass at the fairways had also been replaced with Bermuda grass.
“The putting greens, the area surrounding the pin flags, have also been covered with an imported grass known as TifEagle, a hybrid type of cultivated grass that enhances the smoothness and fineness of golf greens,” he said.
Sakamoto also said approximately RM2.5mil had been spent on 100 new all-weather golf buggies for the new golf course.
“In the coming months, we’ll also upgrade the clubhouse building at a cost of RM4.5mil. We already have a new restau-rant known as the Sakurajima Restaurant which serves both Japanese and Chinese cuisines.
“We are now looking at a terrace coffee house and new changing rooms,” he added.
He also said the new golf course with all 18 holes would be open on Saturday during the 2nd Penang Chief Minister’s Golf Tournament.
“Chief Minister (Lim Guan Eng) will launch the game at noon,” he said.
The upgraded section is slated to open to golfers starting this Saturday.
Island Golf Properties Bhd chairman Datuk Eiro Sakamoto said the RM11mil golf course, which would be known as the Penang Golf Club, had been completed 14 months ahead of schedule.
“The course has been leng-thened slightly, and is now a par-72 golf course instead of its previous par-71 course.
“Among the upgrading works done were the resurfacing of the tee boxes, fairways and greens as well as the careful tendering of the golf lanes,” he said.
“The bunkers have also been redone. In addition, the subsoil drainage throughout the golf course has also been carried out to allow the smooth flow of rainwater,” he told a press conference at the club premises on Saturday.
All systems go: Sakamoto (left) having a discussion with Penang Golf Club chief operations officer Johnny Khoo at the newly renovated 18-hole golf course
“The putting greens, the area surrounding the pin flags, have also been covered with an imported grass known as TifEagle, a hybrid type of cultivated grass that enhances the smoothness and fineness of golf greens,” he said.
Sakamoto also said approximately RM2.5mil had been spent on 100 new all-weather golf buggies for the new golf course.
“In the coming months, we’ll also upgrade the clubhouse building at a cost of RM4.5mil. We already have a new restau-rant known as the Sakurajima Restaurant which serves both Japanese and Chinese cuisines.
“We are now looking at a terrace coffee house and new changing rooms,” he added.
He also said the new golf course with all 18 holes would be open on Saturday during the 2nd Penang Chief Minister’s Golf Tournament.
“Chief Minister (Lim Guan Eng) will launch the game at noon,” he said.
By CAVINA LIM The Star/Asia News Network
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