Flavours & Colours Of Malaysia in Mauritius

Four renowned chefs from Malaysia will transport the charms and flavors of Malaysian fine cuisine to the Labourdonnais. Sample an authentic buffet that offers an array of Malaysian specialities with original touches and be surprised by the tantalising creations.

Buffet at L'Escale & La Terasse
Lunch Rs 750* - Dinner Rs900*

Daily at La Terasse:
- Pull Tea Show - Roti Canai Demonstration

At L'Escale:
- Traditional Malay Dance Show as from 8pm every evening - Malaysian Caricature Demonstration

Organised by Tourism Malaysia, Air Mauritius and Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel. For bookings and more information, call 202 4024. At the Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel. From 28th May to 5th June 2010.

RapidKL Launches RM10 Daily Unlimited Journey Pass On Tuesday

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- Public transport users can buy the Flexi Rapidpass for unlimited journeys by bus, monorail and LRT for as low as RM10 per day beginning Tuesday. Kumpulan Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad managing director Datuk Idrose Mohamed said passengers using the public transport on an integrated basis could also choose to buy the card for three days at a cost of RM25, one week (RM50), 15 days (RM90) or one month (RM150) depending on their travel needs.

For students who were Malaysian nationals, they would be charged at a cheaper rate for the Flexi Rapidpass at RM40 for one week, 15 days (RM60) and one month (RM100), while for the bus service, they only had to pay RM20 for one week, 15 days (RM30) and one month (RM50), he said in a press statement here. He said that foreign students would have to pay RM125 for one month for the Integrated Flexi Rapidpass and RM75 for the bus service. Users can also use the "Touch n Go" system for the Flexi Rapidpass card by activating it at the LRT stations beginning Tuesday, he said. For further information, consumers can contact the Helpline at 03-78852585 which is operational from Monday to Friday (7am till 8.30pm) or 8.30am until 5.30pm (Saturdays and Sundays) or surf the website www.rapidkl.com.my or twitter@ MYrapid KL.

Need To Increase Awareness In Italian Market - Minister

MILAN, May 29 (Bernama) -- There is a need for synergistic cooperation and collaboration among travel operators in creating awareness on Malaysia, to various groups in the Italian market, Tourism Minister Dato Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said Friday. Speaking during a luncheon meeting with Italian tour operators at the Principe di Savaoia Hotel here Friday, she noted there was a lot of work to do in the Italian market to promote Malaysian eco-tourism, lifestyle and family enrichment programmes, among others. Dr Ng, who is on a four-day visit here, said her ministry was looking at ways to increase awareness in the Italian market to lure more visitors to Malaysia. "I would like to bring our cultural group to perform in your towns and participate in your festivals," she told the tour operators, while outlining Malaysia's unique and rich culture that would interest Italian visitors.

The minister conceded that as in Munich, there was a need for a direct flight from Milan to Malaysia. "MAS (Malaysia Airlines) needs to look at Milan. If MAS cannot, then we will look at Air Asia which is already offering direct flights to London and many other places," she said, adding that Tourism Malaysia would work with airlines which bring in tourists into Malaysia. On the political turmoil in Thailand, Dr Ng reiterated Malaysia's stand that because Thailand was an Asean country, it was important that member countries helped each other. "We do not wish to take advantage of the situation as a drop in tourist arrivals there will also affect everyone else," she said, conceding however, that there were travellers who re-routed their destinations to Malaysia. "We have had a big swing from China and India but long-haul visitors, especially from the UK market, are more cautious," she said. The week-long working visit which had also taken the minister to London and Munich, saw much interest amongst travel operators on developments in Thailand. Meanwhile, tour operator Manuel E. Cazzaniga, of Seiviaggi Tour Operator, said there was "a good interest in the Italian market and the potential is big". "I think the country could be promoted as a whole, not only nice beaches and resorts but also the culture, the ethnic mosaic that you have and the quality of life and the friendliness of the people, as well as the possibilty of investing in the country. "This is what people here are missing in their knowledge about Malaysia," he noted. For Professor Franco Brevini, language had not been a problem during his four visits to the country where he enjoyed expeditions in Sarawak, scaling Mount Kinabalu and exploring the geological structures and islands, which he described as a tropical paradise. "Malaysia is a destination where you can walk, climb and dive to discover nature," he said, adding that he had introduced Malaysia to Italians who loved outdoor activities.

Six German Cities To Be Targetted For Tourism Drive

MUNICH (Germany), May 28 (Bernama) -- Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen is targeting six German cities in a promotional drive to bring in more tourists if MAS reconsiders resuming direct flights from Munich to Malaysia. The six cities are Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Dusseldorf, she said after a meeting with German tour operators here Thursday. "With a total population of 83 million people, the potential is there. Last year, there was an increase of only 15 per cent, from 111,525 to 128,888 and only five Germans participating in Malaysia's 'My Second Home' scheme," she told Malaysian journalists Friday, before flying to Milan for another promotional drive. MAS, which has five direct flights to Malaysia from Frankfurt, stopped its Munich route, seven years ago. "The Germans are very much into culture, knowledge and education and we need to create greater awareness of Malaysia, especially among the younger generation, by upgrading the present website. This is very important", said Dr Ng. A think-tank, she said, would be formed and based in Frankfurt, to be headed by Malaysia's Ambassador-designate to Germany, Datuk Ibrahim Abdullah. The think-tank will look into ways to create awareness, especially culturally. "The think-tank will have to come up with more strategic, more tactical and more localised planning," she added.

The minister is especially, interested in the setting up of a cultural group, which would involve local German youths participating in Malaysian cultural events. "We have the budget for traditional clothes," said Dr Ng. Germany is the second largest country in Europe, in terms of tourist arrivals in Malaysia, after the UK. Dr Ng also spoke of the need to have more German-speaking tour guides. However, she said special permission would be given to big groups of German businessmen to bring their own interpreters and translators. "We must train our tour guides to speak German," she added. Last night, the minister hosted a reception at the Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Hotel in Munich for tour operators.

Melaka Government Looks To Enter Aviation Industry By Introducing Melaka Air

MELAKA, May 28 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government is looking into making inroads in the aviation industry by introducing "Melaka Air" to boost the tourism and aviation sectors in the state. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said for a start, they would study whether to rent a Boeing 737-400 aircraft or an Airbus 320 to offer flights from Melaka International Airport (LTAM) in Batu Berendam here. "We will conduct a study on the viability and marketing aspects including public demand over the next three months before the state government makes a final decision on the matter." He told this to reporters after flagging off the first flight for Melaka-Medan-Melaka route by community aviation company, Firefly, at the LTAM Friday. He said among the destinations deemed suitable for the flights from LTAM were Jakarta, Pekan Baru, Palembang and Medan in Indonesia. The state government's idea to establish its own aviation company came about after being disappointed by broken promises made by several airlines including AirAsia to use the LTAM for their local flights, he said. "AirAsia promised to start its flight to Penang and Medan from LTAM this year, but it never happened. So, it is best for us to have our own airline and rent aircraft to boost activities at LTAM," he said. At present, he said the RM160-million airport, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Feb 4, was being used only by Riau Airlines, which flies five times a week from Melaka to Pekan Baru using a Fokker 50 aircraft. Meanwhile, Mohd Ali said the state government was also planning to promote health-tourism especially among the people in Sumatera, Indonesia. "Sumatera has a vast health-tourism market to be explored seriously by the state government. About 50,000 Indonesian tourists came to Melaka last year for health purposes," he said.

Tourist Arrivals Unaffected By H1N1

KUALA LUMPUR: There was a 5% increase in tourist arrivals for the January-March period compared with the same period last year. There were 5.75 million tourist arrivals during the period compared with 5.46 million in the same period last year, said Tourism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng. He added that the Influenza A (H1N1) disease did not have any effect on tourist arrivals. “If you look at the figures, we have been registering positive growth. We don’t see any dampening effect at the moment,” he said during the Domestic Tourism Industry Players Merit Celebration of the Malaysia Tourism Award 2008/2009 yesterday.

“The ministry is expecting 24 million tourist arrivals for this year with a targeted revenue of RM56bil to RM57bil compared with 23.65 million tourist arrivals and RM53.4bil revenue last year.” Dr Ong said the increase in tourist arrivals was a result of the recovering global economy and an increase in the per capita income of tourists. “These are positive signs and we are optimistic in achieving the target,” he said.
-thestar.

Malaysia's Tropical Garden Bags Gold At Chelsea Flower Show

LONDON, May 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Tropical Garden, with its distinct rainforest feel and a wakaf, won a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show 2010 on Tuesday. Announcing the victory at the launch of the first full-size tropical garden in the history of the Royal Horticutural Show since it started in 1804, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the win had given the ministry the impetus, confidence and commitment in creating parks and gardens as its newest tourism product. Designed by Amphibian Designs and owned and run by Malaysian-born ethnobotanist and TV presenter of the programme Grow Your Own Drugs, James Wong, and David Cubero, the chic, ultra-modern reinvisioning of a traditional Malay village has a calm reflective pool and a pavilion framing and providing a shady retreat from the sun. Happy and elated over the success, Ng said she has invited the Royal Horticultural Society to come to Malaysia to help establish a similar structure. "Perhaps we can then identify all the appropriate gardens with potential, develop upon them so that they come under the umbrella of gardens to visit in Malaysia. "With this also, we want to develop a new career path, a career growth of Malaysia's economy and human resource development, related to gardens and garden designing," added Ng.

The minister said the concerted effort and the government's faith in the ministry to take part in the prestigious event had paid off. Since the announcement of the award, the 220 sq meter garden with more than 50 species of plants and trees from all over Malaysia has been the subject of media coverage in the UK and has created a lot of publicity and awareness of what Malaysia has to offer. The minister said that the project, which cost RM2 million, was money well spent. "This is one way to promote to the world what Malaysia is all about. Malaysia is about progress as well as nature. It is not just about beaches and islands but also about parks and gardens," she said.

For Wong and Cubero, it was 365 days ago to the day when they were introduced to the minister visiting the show and given the task to build a Malaysian garden. "The garden is inspired by both traditional kampung architecture and also the Malaysian rainforest -- two different concepts. We turned them into a garden which shows a very modern and contemporary part of Malaysia. "We've got clean lines of white limestones and the wakaf which would create interest amongst the UK audience," said Wong. The ethnobotanist turned TV presenter who grew up in Malaysia and Singapore said he was proud to be able to create the award winning garden and hoped that Malaysian gardeners would appreciate and use what was around them. "It has been a real tricky job bringing plants here. For nine months we had to look for the right species, sizes and combination but we feel that we have done Malaysia proud in creating a small piece of rainforest here," Wong added. The Tourism Ministry will donate the plants to parks and zoos around the UK after the show this weekend. "There will be pieces of Malaysia all over the country," said Ng. Also present at the launch were Malaysia's Tourism Ambassador to the UK Datuk Jimmy Choo and Malaysia's Deputy High Commissioner to the UK Datuk Rustam Yahaya.

Government Restores Visa-Free Transit Facility

PUTRAJAYA, May 24 (Bernama) -- The government will restore the visa-free transit facility for nationals from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka from July 1, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Monday. He said the government felt that the facility would benefit the country's tourism industry. "At one time, we had it (the visa-free transit facility) but it was withdrawn for certain reasons. "We discussed (this matter) again because it is beneficial in terms of tourism," he said after chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Tourism, here. Also present was Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. Muhyiddin said the government would hold discussions with the airlines which transit Malaysia carrying the nationals of the four countries before announcing the details of the facility. He said the Home Ministry had proposed that a special criteria be established before the visa-free transit facility was introduce to ensure that it was not abused. "It has been decided that several matters would have to be adhered to. Upon agreement, nationals from the four countries can be allowed entry with the visa-free transit facility," he said.

In a related development, he said the government agreed with a Tourism Ministry proposal to have more flights to Malaysia in an effort to increase the number of tourists coming to the country. "We ask airlines such as MAS, AirAsia and AirAsia X to negotiate for more landing rights and so on, and bring more tourists to the country," he said. Muhyiddin said Malaysia registered 7.62 million tourist arrivals between January and April this year, up from the 7.34 million for the corresponding period last year. He said the country also rose up the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) list of tourist arrivals, taking the ninth place last year compared to the 11th in 2008. He also said that the tourism sector contributed RM12.9 billion between January and March this year to the nation's coffers compared to RM12 billion for the corresponding period in 2008.

Muhyiddin said the government had also decided that foreigners married to Malaysians could participate in the "Malaysia My Second Home" programme which was hitherto restricted to foreign couples who fulfilled certain conditions. "In this way, we can encourage more people who intend to live in Malaysia to participate in the programme. Details of the programmes will be announced shortly," he said. Muhyiddin said the government would come up with one more tourism product by introducing the "parks and gardens" tourism.

To encourage tourist arrivals from the Middle East during the Ramadan Muslim fasting month, he said the government would hold special promotions in that region to draw them to Malaysia during that period. "We want to tell the potential tourists (from the Middle East) that we have various facilities for them to undertake their fast, perform prayers, break their fast, and have the "sahur" meal with various foods, including their own," he said.

40,000 Expected To attend Sepang's GT

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- About 40,000 local and regional motorsports fans are expected to swarm the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from June 18 to 20, as Japan's biggest racing series, the Super GT International Series, makes a comeback to the circuit. SIC chairman Datuk Mokhzani Tun Dr Mahathir said SIC would play host to Round 4 of the racing series, adding that this year would mark the 10th anniversary of the event being held at the circuit. "Now, we have a significant number of Super GT followers in Malaysia and there are many non-Japanese drivers taking part in the race. "We also have two Malaysian corporations being part of the two top teams in Super GT, namely Mutiara Motors in GT300 and Petronas TOM in GT500," he said during a media conference on Monday.

He said this year, 26 drivers and 13 cars would be competing for the championship title in the GT500 category, while 38 drivers and 19 cars would battle in the GT300 category. The 2010 Super GT International Series would also be featuring the new GT4 Asia Cup, the GT3 Asia Series, Yaris and Vios Experience Race and the environmental-friendly Scirocco Cup as support races," he said. Apart from that, Mokhzani said SIC would also organise a children's pit walkabout on Saturday (June 19), which includes a circuit safari trip where participants could have a closer look at the race as they were ferried, via a low-loader bus, onto the track during the Super GT practice session. The Super GT International Series is held annually and takes place on renowned Japanese tracks such as Motegi, Fuji Speedway and the Suzuka Circuit. Malaysia became the only country to host the Super GT outside Japan, beginning 2000.
www.malaysiangp.com.my

The World's Top 10 Airlines Announced At The 2010 World Airline Awards

Asiana Airlines won the prestige Airline of the Year award at the 2010 World Airline Awards, that took place in Hamburg. Asiana Airlines was named winner of the Airline of the Year 2010 title, ahead of Singapore Airlines (2nd) and Qatar Airways in 3rd place. Some 40 different airlines from around the world assembled to receive their accolades, which were handed out by Mr Edward Plaisted, Chairman of Skytrax. The award winners are selected by the airline industry's most important audience, it's customers.

More than 17.9 million air travellers from over 100 different nationalities took part in the 10 month survey, between July 2009 and April 2010. The awards are respected and recognised around the world for being the only truly global, independent passenger survey of airline standards. Commenting on the Airline of the Year 2010 award received by Asiana Airlines, Mr Plaisted said: "this is a fantastic achievement for Asiana Airlines to be named winner of this top Airline of the Year Award, and Asiana Airlines are clearly meeting and exceeding their customer's expectations. This award represents a true recognition of the front-line product and service that Asiana Airlines is delivering to it's customers, and the award slogan of 'The Passenger's Choice' underlines the fact that Asiana Airlines are succeeding in satisfying the hardest critics - their users." Asiana Airlines President and CEO, Mr Young-Doo Yoon, said : "We would like to express our most heartfelt appreciation to our customers who voted us for Skytrax 2010 Airline of the Year Award. Asiana Airlines is extremely honored to be recognized as the world’s top airline by our customers and to be awarded our industry’s highly esteemed accolade from Skytrax. To be the winner of the 2010 Airline of the Year Award is even more special and holds greater meaning, as it is 'The Passenger's Choice'."

The final top 10 places in the Airline of the Year were:
1. Asiana Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Qatar Airways
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Air New Zealand
6. Etihad Airways
7. Qantas Airways
8. Emirates
9. Thai Airways
10. Malaysia Airlines

THE 2010 AWARDS SUMMARY (Selected) IS LISTED BELOW:

Best Low-Cost Airline Worldwide WINNER: Air Asia

Best Economy Class WINNER: Malaysia Airlines

Best Low-Cost Airline Asia WINNER: Air Asia

Staff Service Excellence Award - Asia WINNER: Malaysia Airlines
-Skytrax.

Colourful Malaysia On Stage

THOUSANDS of locals and tourists were treated to an unforgettable sight of our country’s heritage and harmony at the Colours of 1Malaysia celebration at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Called the Greatest Tourism Malaysia Parade, the dazzling performances were presented by some 6,000 participants from around the nation, including students, to tell the world about Malaysia’s unique arts, cultures as well as tourism products — homestay programmes, food, eco-tourism and beaches. Adding to the excitement were firework displays and a mega dikir barat peformance by 5,000 people which made it into the Malaysia Book of Records.

The event was launched by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and other Cabinet ministers were among the VIPs present. Also present were 158 people from 25 countries as part of the Tourism Ministry’s Mega Fam tour, as well as American celebrity and lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, who was here for a short trip. The show began with “Gendang 1Malaysia,” a thunderous performance showcasing the wide variety of drums used in the country, including jidor, Chinese, Indian, Sarawakian and Sabahan drums along with kompang and rebana.

This was followed by the homestay parade featuring kampung-like activities, a sewang dance performance and a display of Malaysian fruits. Dr Ng said the event was one of the country’s signature events since 1999 and had contributed significantly in raising awareness worldwide about the nation’s tourism products. The event was also telecast live in over 20 countries, she said. “It is a night of celebration, a night of sharing Malaysia’s diverse culture and tourism products,” she said. The Cuti-Cuti Malaysia dance featuring more than 5,000 performers marked the finale of the event on a high note, that the country’s peace and harmony be upheld by everyone.
-thestar.

"Tourism And Biodiversity" Theme Of World Tourism Day 2010

DUBAI, May 22 (Bernama) -- The World Tourism Day (WTD) celebrations, hosted officially this year by China, will take place under the theme "Tourism and Biodiversity", according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The WTD is a thematic event held every year on Sept 27 and the Chinese province of Guangdong will be the focus of the 2010 edition, the organisation said on its website. It said the theme provided a unique opportunity to raise public awareness on the importance of biodiversity to tourism and the role of sustainable tourism in the conservation of life on Earth.

"UNWTO wishes to raise awareness and calls upon the tourism stakeholders and travellers themselves to contribute their part of the global responsibility to safeguard the intricate web of unique species and ecosystems that make up our planet," UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai said. Alongside a series of cultural events organised by the Chinese government, the China National Tourism Administration will host the 2010 World Tourism Day Think Tank around this year's theme. It will bring together leading public and private tourism stakeholders, as well as biodiversity experts and members of the media, to highlight the close relationship between tourism and biodiversity, and identify how tourism can contribute to preserving life on Earth and its unique biodiversity.

Marudu Bay Has Potential To Be An Eco-Tourism Centre

KOTA MARUDU, May 22 (Bernama) -- Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili on Saturday called on the people of Kota Marudu to intensify efforts to develop the district as another destination for eco-tourism. He said over the past 400 years, Marudu Bay here had been known for the uniqueness of its beaches and marine resources and it could become a fast-growing tourist destination if the eco-tourism aspects were to be developed. As such, he said the ministry's National Oceanography Directorate, with the cooperation of Universiti Putra Malaysia, was in the midst of conducting a research on Marudu Bay's mangrove and seashore areas to improve the eco-system and the socio-economic level for the local residents through mangrove resource management. He said the ministry had also allocated RM720,000 for the research. "The research, which is 75 per cent completed, has found that the seashore and mangrove areas in Kota Marudu are intact in terms of the water quality. 

"The areas also have vast potential for economic development such as through the breeding of fish and mussels in cages," the minister said at the opening of Marudu Bay Carnival 2010 in Kampung Tanjung Batu Laut, here Saturday. Ongkili said a scientific research was also being done to identify local products with potential to be developed in the future. So far, he said the research also revealed that Marudu Bay had over 60 species of almost-extinct birds, mammals and reptiles which could attract tourists to the area. "The area could also be developed with homestay and water-village," he added. Meanwhile, the annual Marudu Bay Carnival is aimed, among others, at creating public awareness on the importance of preserving the nature for future generation. It is held in conjunction with the Kota Marudu-level Kaamatan Festival scheduled for Sunday.

Steward Tweets About Beautiful Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Whether it is about the food or sights and sounds, Martha Stewart seems to be loving her time in Malaysia. At least judging by her numerous tweets on Twitter. “A food coma – a meal every two hours – here you are asked – have you eaten?” she tweeted on Wednesday.

Yesterday, the lifestyle guru tweeted about her third day in the country, describing the bird park as “fabulous” and the Islamic Arts Museum as “beautiful”. Later, she commented about a lunch menu, stating that they were eating “razor clams with garlic, clams with kum heong sauce, crab with salted ducks eggs, dumplings whole steamed fish.” Stewart also tweeted about her tea party with the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah at the Te reng ganu palace, describing the Queen as a mother of four who is “vivacious and caring and very beautiful.” The television host and author even posted a picture of her signing the Queen’s guest book, another of her niece Sophie singing at the tea party and a formal group picture.

On her Thursday brunch with the Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Stewart tweeted they loved her adding: “She is doing good work with programs for children and is an active philanthropist.” Stewart has also posted several pictures on her Twitter account since her arrival on Wednesday including a sunset view of the city from her hotel suite, describing Kuala Lumpur as “green, clean, lively and wonderful.” In an early morning tweet, she noted that Kuala Lumpur meant muddy estuary, adding that “the river looks like cappuccino or teh tarik (tea), the city is just waking”, before heading to Brickfields for breakfast. She also talked about her trip to Malacca which she said had a colourful history. This is Stewart’s first visit to Malaysia. She is expected to head to Sabah tomorrow before leaving the country on Wednesday.

- thestar.

RM 100mil To Make Kenyir A Tourist Draw

KUALA TERENGGANU: Kenyir lake, the largest man-made lake in South East Asia, will undergo a RM100mil makeover. It is also expected to be declared as a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) to make it a top tourist draw. Kenyir, with 340 islands, is currently not a top tourist destination.

With the FTZ, the Terengganu government hopes it will be an impetus for the growth of eco-tourism in this area. Mentri Besar Ahmad Said confirmed the state government had requested the Federal Government to declare Kenyir as an FTZ. The proposed development for Kenyir included introducing a 40-seater jet boat to tour the lake; constructing a cable car line, setting up a theme park, creating an orchid garden, a fruit orchard as well as birds and butterfly parks. The jet boat ride is expected to be crowd-puller with the highlight being the “Shotover” where the boat makes a 360-degree spin at full throttle.

Kenyir will also be turned into a shopping paradise, offering merchandise at affordable prices. The lake makes a fascinating tourism spot as it is home to more than 8,000 species of flowers, 2500 species of plants and trees, as well as more than 300 species of fresh water fish. The infrastructure and transportation system leading to Kenyir, specifically to the islands, will also be upgraded. Ahmad said a jetty would be constructed fronting Kenyir's main gateway.

Tourism Malaysia DG Relieved MACC Withdraws Appeal

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab is very glad his ordeal with the courts is finally over following the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Friday deciding to withdraw its appeal against his acquittal from a corruption charge by the Sessions Court. Contacted by Bernama, Mirza said he was pleased with the development as his trial had taken a heavy toll on his life and career. He is now busy with preparations for the "Colours of Malaysia" celebration which will be held here.

MACC's Prosecution and Legal Affairs Division director Datuk Abdul Razak Musa, when contacted, confirmed that the MACC had withdrawn its appeal against his acquittal due to insufficient evidence. He said High Court Judge Datuk Ghazali Cha allowed the MACC's application to withdraw the appeal. On July 24, 2009, Sessions Court judge Zainal Abidin Kamaruddin acquitted and discharged Mirza after finding the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against him. Mirza, 52, was charged with accepting dental treatment valued at RM13,860 which was paid for by Zulhisyam Ayob, a director of a media consulting company, despite knowing the company had dealings with him as the director-general of the Tourism Promotion Board then.

AirAsia World's Best Low-Cost Airline, Says Skytrax

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- AirAsia is the world's best low-cost airline again, says Skytrax.S ome 18 million travellers polled worldwide chose AirAsia as the World's Best Low-Cost Airline for the second consecutive year, says the respected London-based aviation consultants in its annual global survey. AirAsia said it came out top in the independent survey that measured airlines' products and services standards. AirAsia Chairman Datuk Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar received the award on behalf of the airline at a ceremony in Hamburg, Germany, yesterday. The carrier was also named Best Low-Cost Airline Asia at the ceremony.

AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said the Skytrax award was very special to AirAsia as it was voted in by passengers. "The award is public and global recognition for the efforts of my colleagues, the AirAsia Allstars. They are the foundation of AirAsia's success," he said. He said the dedication, commitment, creativity and hardwork they displayed everyday, day in and day out, enables AirAsia not just to compete but also succeed on the global stage. And we're just over eight years' old," he added. AirAsia has flown more than 92 million passengers todate.

Melaka To Host World Wedding Festival In December

MELAKA, May 20 (Bernama) -- The World Wedding Festival (WWF) 2010 to be held at Dataran Pahlawan, Bandar Hilir, in December will bring together wedding industry operators from within and outside the country. WWF chairman Datuk Ismail Mohamad said the weeklong festival starting Dec 5 and themed "One World One Heart" would have two main programmes, a World Wedding Expo and a World Wedding Competition. A total of 360 exhibition booths would be set up and the uniqueness of the wedding ceremonies of each state in Malaysia and several other countries would be showcased, he told reporters after the pre-launch of the festival by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam here Thursday.