No plans to increase number of NGV stations: minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- The government has no plans to increase the number of petrol kiosks that provide natural gas services for vehicles (NGV) in the country, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar.
He said that so far there were 176 Petronas stations offering NGV services throughout the country for the benefit of about 57,000 vehicles including 55,000 taxis.

"Only Petronas provides NGV supply with 93 stations in Selangor and the Federal Territory, 10 in Kedah while the remaining stations were in the other states," he said when replying to Datuk Nawawi Ahmad (BN-Langkawi) during question time at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, today.

Nawawi was seeking clarification from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the government's plans to build NGV stations on Langkawi island. Abdul Wahid also said the government had no plans to build an NGV station on Langkawi island due to several factors identified earlier.
He said there was no network of infra gas pipes to channel the NGV from the mainland to Langkawi Island, while the development cost of about RM2.5 million for each petrol kiosk was high as well as the high cost of subsidy.

"The price of NGV is RM0.68 per liter compared with the cost of RM2.03 per litre. This means that Petronas is providing a subsidy of RM1.35 per liter. For the year 2012, Petronas spent RM600 million as subsidy for the NGV," he said.

p/s : Plain straight answer. No NGV in Langkawi. 

Offers Of Help For Pupil With Kidney Failure

LANGKAWI, April 19 (Bernama) -- Offers to help lighten the financial burden of Year Six pupil Mohd Hafizudin Amirul Azizi, who is suffering from kidney failure, have poured in since his plight was highlighted by Bernama last week. Kuah assemblyman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad said he was discussing with the Welfare Department about providing monthly financial assistance for the boy's family."We hope the Langkawi District Hospital can also help out by getting the medicines, solution for cleaning his kidneys and the equipment for Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) from the Penang Hospital for Mohd Hafizudin.

"This will not only save the family money but also his mother from travelling to Penang Hospital and back to get what is needed for the boy," said Nawawi who visited the boy and presented a personal donation to the family.Mohd Hafizudin and his mother, Hasmeton Azmy, 33, a widow, are living with his grandmother after his father died eight years ago.

Hasmeton said she was grateful to the public for their donations since her son's plight was highligted.She said her son had to undergo CAPD four times a day for his kidney failure, and his poor health had forced him to stop schooling although he was keen to attend school. Those wishing to assist the boy's family in their time of need can channel their contribution to CIMB bank account number 02130074969525 or call 017-5628073.-- BERNAMA

Anaklangkawi :-
meh sama2 kita menderma.. takat Rm10.00 sorang.. moga diringankn beban.. (beli dvd sekeping sampai rm7.00 biasa ja.. takkan 10.00 takboleh kot)

LADA Steps Up Drive To Draw More Tourists To Langkawi

By Zulkafli Ibrahim

LANGKAWI, April 8 (Bernama) -- Over the years Langkawi has been firmly entrenched in the world tourism map as a 'must visit' resort island. However in recent years, the promotion drive to lure tourists here appeared to be losing some of its steam. At the moment there is no major project being implemented on the island. This could be due to the massive 'slash' in the budget for the Langkawi Development Authority or LADA.

In the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP), a total of RM431 million was set aside for LADA but in the 9MP, the authority received only RM173 million for development projects in Langkawi. Since its inception in 1991, the government had pumped RM1.6 billion into LADA and this had been well utilised to provide various social, economic and tourism infrastructures.

During that period, the island which is known for the legend of Mahsuri, had experienced a tremendous facelift that included the expansion of the Langkawi International Airport. Other implemented projects were the Kuah Jetty, network of roads, international sports complex and the LADA Complex itself. Existence of infrastructures have made the resort island a haven for tourists. In 2005, 1.8 million people visited Langkawi and this figure rose to 2.1 million in 2006.

Aggressive promotions held by Tourism Malaysia and other agencies helped to push the tourist arrival to 2.33 million in 2007, 2.3 million (2008) and 2.49 million last year. Other events staged such as the staging of Langkawi International Maritime and Aeropsace (LIMA) Exposition and Langkawi Ironman triathlon meet had also assisted in drawing the tourists.During the last LIMA held in December 2009, Langkawi recorded the arrival of 317,590 domestic tourists as compared against 293,166 in December 2007.

PROMOTIONS LADA

General Manager Azman Umar said the authority, with the collaboration of Tourism Malaysia, is taking measures to intensify tourism promotions for Langkawi.

He said LADA has mapped out several international events for its 'roadshows' abroad and these included the Asean Tourism Forum. LADA representatives had also visited Denmark and Finland last year and they will be in India and Australia next month."We are looking at the new market such as Australia and India as the two countries have many tourists who are interested in visiting Langkawi," he said after studying findings made by the LADA representatives who went to both nations early this year.He also calls on Langkawi residents to maintain cleanliness on the island without depending too much on the authorities to do the job.

INDEBTED TO TUN DR MAHATHIR

Meanwhile the State Legislative Assembly Representative for Kuah, Datuk Nawawi Ahmad said Langkawi residents and tourism operators are indebted to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for turning Langkawi into an international tourist destination. Nawawi said without Dr Mahathir's efforts and determination, Langkawi will not be transformed into Malaysia's leading resort island where from an island which was 'unknown', Langkawi had bloomed into that which features among others, the cable car, Galeria Perdana, Kota Mahsuri, Underwater World, Bird Park and Handicraft Complex.

Nawawi also hopes that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would be able to continue Dr Mahathir's efforts in developing Langkawi. Najib had recently allocated RM7 million for the construction of a fishing jetty at Sungai Chenang here.The state assembly representative admitted that development in Langkawi in recent years had lost steam if compared against the time when Dr Mahathir was the prime minister.

FATHER OF DEVELOPMENT

Langkawi resident Ku Mansor Ku Sulong 53, said Tun Dr Mahathir is Langkawi's 'father of development' and the latter's efforts had prompted many of the island's residents to grab the economic opportunities made available.

Among these is the homestay programme and many houses in villages such as Kampung Wang Tok Rendong, Kampung Kuala Melaka, Kilim and Pulau Tuba have signed for the homestay packages. Chairman of the Kedah Chapter for the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Pishol Ishak said Langkawi's tourism products should be diversified in order to maintain the steady stream of visitors to the tax-free island.Langkawi does not really need intensive and rapid development but it still needs to give attention on the infrastructures and environmental conservation to ensure the island remains a top-notch tourist draw.-- BERNAMA
Anaklangkawi :-
I dont know about this article. But for me LADA is not doing enough to promote Langkawi. Looking at the allocation been given to LADA & tourist arrival is still not satisfactory. Jika dilihat peruntukan yg diberikan utk status Geo-Park pun dah tau yg LADA tidak menggunakan sumber kewangan dgn efficietn. (Soalan Parlimen & jawapan sbg bukti)

Letter from Concern Regular Tourist

From : Cumbria England,

To : Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar

Dear Sir,

For the last 19 years, I have been a frequent visitor to Langkawi, and for a three year period, my husband & i returned here & fully intended to stay. However, it became apparent that many services, utilities were deteriorating resulting in the present chaos.

The collection of rubbish has become infrequent, resulting in piles of refuse left for days on the roadside. Areas of land cleared for development of cheap & badly constructed buildings with no thoughts of surrounding environment. A point in fact is the ongoing destruction of Tanjung Mali Hill.

There is now a "FUNFAIR" on Mukim Kedawang which has remained in place despite many pleas to the authorities by neighbouring residents & guest in the area to stop the deafening music which continous all evening, every day until 01.00 or 02.00am. The rubbish from the "FUNFAIR" is thrown onto the adjoining waterlogged land & left to rot into a stinking mess.

Langkawi is reputed to be a place of peace & beauty. It no longer is & I, for one will not return untill such time as these serious problem are resolved. For me the dream is over.

I would also mention that there is only one ATM in the whole area of Pantai Tengah & Pantai Cenang. It is frequently "OUT OF SERVICE".

I hope that something is done to restore Langkawi to its proper condition or for the island too.. the dream is over..

Yours Faithfully,

VALERIE BEECHINOR.

CC : Datuk Nawawi ,

Tourism Malaysia, Pusat Penerangan Pelancongan, Langkawi

Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani, Majlis Perbandaran Langkawi

Bahagian Perhubungan Awam, LADA,

Mr. Jeffrey Sunset Beach

Mr. Saidi Ramli, White Lodge Langkawi

Anaklangkawi :-

A letter from a concern regular tourist complaining about current situation of langkawi. This is some of the grouses we heard from time to time. It is sad to hear such grouses when the we've tried all we can to promote our lovely island.

I urge/ demand that authorities take serious concern regarding this. I know most of the complains can only be solve by the local authorities, LADA & tourism ministry. So please take act.. The ADUN & MP's can only raise the concern & complains but at the end those ppl in the office can only solve it..

So if they said its only the locals complain then think again.. For other let us write more complains & letters so that our lovely island become a dream again to people like Valerie..

As for the banks.. Please-lah.. increase your ATM's .. if you dont want the services than MPL should open to other banks.

p/s: Thanks to Parliment Langkawi office by sharing the letter.

Langkawi perlukan sentuhan ~ Sinar Harian

LANGKAWI - Sejak kebelakangan ini, keindahan dan kecacatan Pulau Langkawi sering diperkatakan. Ada yang memuji dan tidak kurang juga yang mencaci malah melahirkan perasaan sedih. Pulau berusia lebih 500 juta tahun itu merupakan antara pulau yang tercantik di dunia. Setiap tahun, aura pulau itu mampu menggamit jutaan pelancong domestik dan antarabangsa untuk bertandang dan melihat sendiri keindahan tinggalan Mahsuri. Namun, saban tahun kecacatan dan palitan semakin menebal sehingga pulau ini kurang sentuhannya. Pulau Langkawi umpama rumah kedua buat bekas Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dan beliau sendiri menggesa supaya pembangunan Langkawi perlu diteruskan sebagai destinasi pelancongan terkemuka.

Sebanyak RM1.6 billion dilabur ke Langkawi sejak Lembaga Pembangunan Langkawi (Lada) ditubuhkan 1991 hingga kini dengan pelbagai projek membangunkan infrastruktur pelancongan ekonomi dan sosial Merungkai sejarah, jika dulu hanya pesawat ringan mendarat di landasan Langkawi, tapi kini pesawat seperti Airbus dapat mendarat apabila Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Langkawi dibina. Selain itu, Jeti Kuah diperbesarkan bagi menampung kapasiti penambahan penumpang, pembinaan rangkaian jalan raya, kompleks sukan bertaraf antarabangsa seperti kompleks Perahu Layar antara projek dibangunkan. Sebagai perancang pembangunan Langkawi, Tun Mahathir juga pencetus penganjuran acara antarabangsa seperti Pameran Udara dan Maritim Antarabangsa (Lima) dan kejohanan lumba basikal Le Tour de Langkawi (LTdL) bagi tujuan mempromosi Langkawi di mata dunia. Sejak penganjurannya itu, Langkawi terus dikunjungi pelancong dalam dan luar negeri berdasar data kemasukan pelawat yang dikumpulkan Lada menunjukkan peningkatan seperti 2005 kehadiran pelancong 1.8 juta manakala 2.49 juta pada 2009.

“Saya melihat potensi Langkawi sebagai destinasi pelancongan menarik sejak bertugas sebagai doktor pada 1956,” kata bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Bekas Perdana Menteri itu pernah berkata, masih ada ruang untuk membangunkan Langkawi dari segi mewujudkan peluang pekerjaan dan perniagaan termasuk cadangan pertukaran barangan di pelabuhan Teluk Ewa, Ayer Hangat. Menurutnya, terdapat banyak rumah daif pada masa lampau kini berubah kepada rumah-rumah batu dalam tempoh beberapa tahun, pembangunan ini sebahagian besarnya kerana Langkawi mempunyai kilang pengeluar simen di Teluk Ewa, Ayer Hangat. Ini merupakan sebahagian daripada pembangunan pesat yang dialami di Langkawi dan turut dirasai penduduk Langkawi.

Dr Mahathir berkata, dengan kehadiran pelancong ke Langkawi sebanyak dua juta orang setahun dan jika seorang membelanjakan RM500, hasil pendapatan yang boleh mencecah sehingga RM1 bilion itu akan dapat dimanfaatkan oleh mereka yang terbabit dalam industri pelancongan. Pengurus Besar Lada, Azman Umar, berkata, pembangunan Langkawi akan dilaksanakan berterusan dengan kerjasama penduduk Langkawi. Lada diperuntukkan sebanyak RM274 juta untuk melaksanakan pelbagai projek pelancongan dan infrastruktur di bawah Rancangan Malaysia ke-9, dari jumlah itu sebanyak RM137 juta dibelanjakan sehingga akhir Disember 2009. Beliau berkata, berlaku kelewatan beberapa projek yang dilaksanakan seperti menaik taraf Taman Lagenda, pembesaran jalan simpang lampu isyarat ke Taman Berlian, Jambatan Sungai Kuah adalah disebabkan masalah kontraktor.

Lada turut memohon peruntukan lebih RM100 juta untuk melaksanakan kebanyakan projek naik taraf di bawah Rancangan Malaysia ke-10. Beberapa projek baru termasuk menaik taraf Jalan Padang Matsirat, pembinaan benteng pemecah ombak, memperbaiki sistem perparitan dan pengindahan sungai serta pembangunan Pulau Tuba, katanya. Beliau turut berharap penyertaan sektor swasta akan turut membantu membangunkan Langkawi. Lada mengambil langkah termasuk memperhebat promosi dengan menyertai bersama Tourism Malaysia ke luar negeri untuk menarik ramai pelancong seperti Forum pelancongan Asean, ke Finland dan Denmark.

Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN )Kuah, Datuk Ir Nawawi Ahmad merangkap Ketua UMNO Bahagian Langkawi berharap Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak dapat meneruskan pembangunan pelancongan bagi meningkatkan kehadiran pelancong ke pulau peranginan itu. Beliau berkata, Perdana Menteri dan Pengurus Besar Lada, mampu melaksanakan tanggungjawab itu sebagai lonjakan baru dalam melihat Langkawi terus unggul seperti sebelum ini.

Dalam pertemuan dengan Najib di Langkawi baru-baru ini, Perdana Menteri turut mengumumkan peruntukan RM7 juta untuk membina Jeti nelayan Sungai Chenang, Kedawang. Ir Nawawi mengakui pembangunan Langkawi perlahan berbanding sebelum ini semasa Tun Mahathir jadi Perdana Menteri. Menurutnya, tiada acara bertaraf dunia berlangsung seperti LTdL atau Dialog Antarabangsa Langkawi (LID) sedangkan acara itu menggunakan nama Langkawi sebagai ‘tag line’. Beliau berharap sokongan padu dan campur tangan Najib dan Tun Mahathir mampu menarik ramai pelancong. Dengan adanya destinasi pelancongan bertaraf dunia, Langkawi mampu menggamit pelancong.

Jambatan gantung sepanjang 125 meter di puncak Gunung Machinchang, menerima purata kehadiran pengunjung kira-kira 2,000 orang sehari. Berada kira-kira 600 meter dari aras laut, jambatan yang `digantung’ pada tiang besi setinggi 82 meter itu kini muncul antara produk pelancongan pilihan pengunjung dari dalam dan luar negara. Underwater World Langkawi, memuatkan lebih 2,000 spesies ikan dan hidupan laut turut menjadi penyumbang penarik terhadap pelancongan di pulau bebas cukai ini. Tidak terhenti di situ, terdapat banyak gedung menjual barangan bebas cukai,minyak gamat,beberapa barangan berjenama boleh diperoleh di pulau ini.

Sinar Harian

Anaklangkawi :-

Berjuta2 LADA dapat peruntukan.. tapi adakah duit yg diterima nampak oleh penduduk Langkawi.. Macam takdak apa2 yg berlaku.. itu yg hakikatnya..

pihak kerajaan pusat perlu teliti projek & kos yg dilaksanakan oleh LADA & menilai adakah ia benar2 bermanfaat kpd penduduk & aktiviti pelancongan Langkawi.

p/s: apa jadi dgn feri LAda?

Isu jambatan, Nawawi akur padangan Tun Mahathir

KUAH - Ahli Dewan Undangan Kuah, Datuk Ir Nawawi Ahmad akur dengan pandangan bekas Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dan Menteri Besar Kedah, Datuk Azizan Abdul Razak untuk tidak membina jambatan pengangkutan dari Langkawi ke Kuala Perlis. Ir Nawawi berkata, cadangan itu adalah bagi memenuhi keperluan atau penjenamaan Pulau Langkawi sebagai Pulau Pelabuhan Bebas Cukai yang diiktiraf sejak 1997.

Beliau mencadangkan jambatan setengah boleh dibina melalui kaedah tebus guna tanah sepanjang 6 kilometer (km) dari Teluk Apau dan disambung dengan perkhidmatan feri sejauh 12 km, diikuti jambatan ke Kuala Perlis sejauh 6 km. “Sekarang ini Langkawi tidak mampu digerakkan dengan sebuah pelabuhan menyebabkan segala kos logistik meningkat kepada 35 peratus kerana semua barang yang akan masuk ke Langkawi perlu melalui Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang.

“Kami cadangkan pelabuhan ini supaya barang di Langkawi akan murah dan tambang feri juga akan berkurangan dari RM18 kepada RM6,” katanya ketika sidang akhbar di Pejabat ADUN di Kuah. Ir Nawawi berkata, selain itu kos perjalanan dari dapat disingkatkan dari kebiasaannya 60 minit dari Langkawi ke Kuala Perlis menjadi 20 minit. Menurutnya, keseluruhan projek dianggarkan RM500 juta dengan setiap jambatan tebus guna tanah berharga RM250 juta di sebelah Langkawi dan Kuala Perlis.

“Kita boleh membina kompleks, perumahan mewah dan pejabat agensi kerajaan yang terlibat dengan pelabuhan,” katanya. Beliau berkata, perancangan awal perlu ada untuk menjimatkan masa dan kos sebelum segala harga pasaran semasa meningkat. “Kami mahu Langkawi terus hidup sebagai tumpuan pelancongan dan pelabuhan kargo maka itu keseimbangan ekonomi dapat dicapai,” katanya. Beliau akan memanjangkan perkara ini kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak untuk dinilai semula

Sinar

Anaklangkawi :-
Terlajak perahu boleh undur. Terlajak kata susah oo..

Azizan: Langkawi bridge not a necessity

ALOR STAR: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak yesterday expressed a similar opinion as former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the proposal to build a bridge linking Langkawi island and the mainland.

Azizan agreed that there was no need to have such a bridge, adding that there were other issues pertaining to boats and ferries that needed to be solved immediately."I agree with the former prime minister on the matter. It would be better if we resolve issues pertaining to boats and ferries on the island first."The construction of the bridge would be expensive and there are so many other things that needs to be given attention."

Azizan, however, did not elaborate on the details of issues relating to boat and ferries in the island.He was asked to comment on the proposal to build the Langkawi-mainland bridge mooted by Langkawi Umno division head and Kuah state assemblyman Datuk Nawawi Ahmad.

NST

Langkawi berpotensi jadi hab pendidikan

PADANG MATSIRAT - Langkawi berpotensi menjadi hab pendidikan Asia pada tahun 2014 dengan memperkenalkan program pendidikan pelancongan di Institut Kemahiran Tinggi Langkawi (IKTL) dengan kerjasama majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara). Rektornya, Abdul Razak Bashah berkata, kumpulan pelajar sasaran di IKTL kini adalah terdiri daripada pelajar dari negara China dan beberapa negara di Asia yang lain.

Menurutnya, pelbagai program telah dirangka untuk mereka antaranya, mengikuti program hidap desa di kampung-kampung terpilih bagi memperkenalkan budaya dan adat masyarakat di sini. “Kami sedang rancang melakukan promosi ke negara Asia dan yang terdekat adalah Indonesia dan Thailand, selain menelaah pelajaran mereka dapat melancong di Langkawi, dengan cara ini industri pelancongan tempatan dapat ditingkatkan.

“Bukan itu sahaja, keluarga pelajar yang datang untuk melawat anak mereka yang sedang belajar di sini juga mampu meningkatkan industri pelancongan,” katanya ketika ditemui pada Majlis Aidilfitri di Padang Matsirat. Turut hadir pada majlis itu, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Kuah, Datuk Ir Nawawi Ahmad, Pengurus Besar Kraf Malaysia, Norizan Lob dan wakil Mara serta alumni IKLT. Abdul Razak berkata, kini pelajar IKTL mempunyai bangunan sendiri yang dijadikan kampus yang terletak di Bangunan Mara di Padang Matsirat. Menurutnya, setakat ini terdapat 120 pelajar yang sedang mengikuti pengajian manakala alumni seramai 300 pelajar.

“Kesemua graduan dari IKTL mendapat pekerjaan dalam pelbagai sektor selepas mengikuti pengajian di sini selama enam semester menyamai tiga tahun dan dilengkapi dengan latihan praktikal,” katanya. Sementara itu, Ir Nawawi berkata, program IKTL disokong penuh dalam melahirkan graduan produk dari Langkawi sekali gus menjadikan Langkawi sebagai lokasi pendidikan masa hadapan.

Beliau berkata, tempias daripada IKTL juga memberi limpahan rezeki kepada penduduk tempatan yang menjalankan perniagaan restoran dan gerai makan di sekitar kampus berkenaan. “Saya berharap dalam tempah lima tahun institut ini mendapat status kolej universiti kerana mendapat sambutan dari pelajar luar negara.

“Kursus yang ditawarkan juga perlu dibanyakkan dan saya berharap program pra bahasa Inggeris seperti Muet ditawarkan kepada pelajar yang bakal memasuki universiti, kerana program itu adalah wajib bagi setiap pelajar di negara ini,” katanya. Beliau turut berharap baki penyewa di bangunan Mara dapat mengosongkan premis mereka memandangkan surat pengosongan bangunan telah diberi beberapa bulan lalu.

Sinar Harian 5/10/09

Anaklangkawi :-
Saya rasa if better Langkawi tumpukan utk menjadi hab pelancongan. Kalau nak bersaing dgn kawasan lain di Malaysia pun dah payah.