Penang Hill needs cable car connection, says Nazri

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Hill is in dire need of a cable car connection and the Tourism and Culture Ministry has been applying for the RM325mil funds needed to build it.

"We have been applying since two years ago and we will keep putting it in the budget proposals until the Government has enough money for it," said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz (pic).

He said the cable car was not only a tourist attraction but also a mode of transportation.

"It starts from the Penang Botanic Gardens. The first leg goes up to the hill and from there, passengers can take another cable car to Teluk Bahang.

"It will be faster than driving," said Nazri, adding that the planned cable car station in Teluk Bahang will be located close to the Escape theme park and Entopia, formerly Penang Butterfly Farm.

Mohd Nazri said the number of visitors to Penang Hill has increased from 200,000 in 2008 to 1.6 million this year.

"We know how badly the cable car is needed.

"It only depends on Government income. Sooner or later, the price of oil will go up again and we will have the budget for it."

Nazri was speaking to reporters after opening THE TOP@Komtar.

The rejuvenation of this 31-year-old landmark icon now includes an observatory deck on Level 65 and a glass skywalk in the new rooftop on Level 68, on top of a myriad of carnival attractions in Level Five that is accessible through Komtar's Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong side.

"This old building has gone through an amazing transformation. We are listing Komtar now as a must-visit place in all our promotional literature of Penang," he said.

Komtar underwent a revitalisation programme after Only World Group, a listed company specialising in building theme parks and tourism attractions, won a 45-year lease of about 300,000 sq ft of floor space in the building.

Also at the launching were Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and several local government leaders and businessmen.

-thestar online.
http://thetop.com.my/